Theatres - 23/12/08

Dec 23 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STARTING NEXT WEEK

THEATRES

TWILIGHT TALES (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, December 29-January 3)

SPECIALLY created by award-winning writer-director Tim Baker, this family show invites you into a world of stories, myths and legends brought to life using live music, puppetry and mask to create a memorable, fun and charming pool of twilight tales to capture the imagination. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

SPECIALLY created by WHAT’S STILL SHOWING & WHERE

‘ALLO ‘ALLO (The Lowry, Salford Quays,until January 10)

ADAPTED by the original writers of the classic British TV comedy series, Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, this new stage production follows the adventures of Rene, a hapless cafe owner in wartorn occupied France. The joyous mayhem sees lustful Rene and his oblivious wife Edith guarding a priceless portrait stolen by the Nazis while the French resistance demand assistance returning two bumbling airmen to England. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793

ARABIAN NIGHTS (New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, until January 17)

A CLEVER young bride turns to the art of storytelling to save her life as the New Vic presents its festive show. The classic Arabian Nights will be brought to life on stage in a production directed by Paul Warwick and choreographed by Shobna Gulati, better known as Sunita in Coronation Street. Visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk or ring 01782 717962

BOEING BOEING (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, until January 17)

THE West End comedy hit comes to Liverpool! Bernard, a successful architect living in Paris, thinks he can easily cope with his three air-hostess fiancées. It’s all a question of timetables and a reliable, long-suffering housekeeper who reluctantly plays the role of romantic air-traffic controller. But when his long lost cousin Robert arrives, things start to get turbulent! Schedules change, flights are delayed and a new turbo-charged Boeing aircraft is introduced: chaos ensures in this whirl of mayhem and matchmaking. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776

CINDERELLA (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, until January 4)

CILLA Black and Jennifer Ellison add a touch of Liverpool glamour to this spectacular panto which also stars Nick Pickard from Hollyoaks and veteran comedian and TV presenter Les Dennis, bringing a star-studded end to the city’s Capital of Culture year. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

CINDERELLA – THE PANTO WITH SOUL (Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, until January 24)

IT’S that time of the year again when the Mold venue’s ever popular rock ‘n’ roll panto takes to the stage. Peter Rowe and Alan Ellis promise another fun-filed extravaganza to match their past hits like Jack and The Beanstalk and Beauty and the Beast. A multi-talented cast of 10 mix panto traditions with sensational rock ‘n’ roll classics such as Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, It’s Raining Men and Try A Little Tenderness. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, until January 17)

CHARLES Dickens’ classic novel has been adapted for the stage by Neil Bartlett as the festive offering at the Library. It tells the story of young orphan Pip, whose path through life will be largely shaped by two experiences in his early years which turn out to have far-reaching consequences. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110

MARY POPPINS (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester,until March 7)

LANCASTER born Lisa O’Hare will star as Mary Poppins and Daniel Crossley from Southport will play Bert in Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s award-winning musical. The show includes many of the original songs from the classic film with music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2403

MOTHER GOOSE (Everyman Theatre, Hope Street, Liverpool, until January 31)

BOOGIE on down, do the funky chicken and help Ma save her magical golden goose from ending up as Christmas dinner! Writers Sarah Nixon and Mark Chatterton and musical director Tayo Akinbode have worked their magic to bring the rock ‘n’ roll panto for all the family to the Everyman Theatre. Francis Tucker returns for his tenth Everyman panto appearance to play Ma Goose, with Luke Kempner as Brucie, her handsome son. Nicky Swift is back to cast a spell again as Fairy Feathers, and the magic is complete with Sarah Vezmar as Minxy. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776

PETER PAN (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, until January 4)

FORMER Hollyoaks star, glamour model and WAG Gemma Atkinson heads an all star cast which also features John Thomson as Captain Hook, Gary Wilmot as Smee and DJ Mike Toolan as comic baddie Starkey. Cisit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2295

SEE HOW THEY RUN (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, until January 24)

VICARS, pretend vicars, an escaped prisoner-of-war and a real live dog bring mayhem to the stage of Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre in Philip King’s madcap war-time farce, starring Arthur Bostrom of ‘Allo ‘Allo fame. Set in the village of Merton-cum-Middlewick during the Second World War, the story centres on vicar’s wife Penelope Toop. Reunited with an old friend from her acting days, they hatch a plan to escape their lives for one night. Chaos, confusion and calamity ensue in a fast-paced, uproarious comic masterpiece. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833

SLEEPING BEAUTY (Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl, until January 10)

TV AND stage veteran Ruth Madoc of Hi-De-Hi fame and former chart-topping Liverpool pop star Sonia team up for a magical pantomime for all the family which also features Rebecca Trehearn in the title role and Charles Burden as Nurse Nelly plus the Gay Harris Dancers and the North Wales School of Dancing. Visit www.ehylpavilion.co.uk or ring 01745 330000

SLEEPING BEAUTY (Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, Wirral, until January 11)

THE revitalised and revamped Wirral theatre is back in business, just in time for the panto season. Children’s TV favourite Dave Benson Phillips headlines as The Court Jester with actor and singer Mike Holoway as the Prince and Leanne Campbell from 107.6 Juice FM in the title role. 0151 666 0000

SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, until January 11)

A FABULOUS cast featuring Jonathan Wilkes, Chloe-Jean Bishop, Eric Potts, Daniel Hewitt, Claire Sweeney, Clare Hall, Warwick Davis and Bradley Hall appear in this glittering panto as the Wicked Queen, with the help from her evil Henchman, tries her hardest to woo the Prince away from Snow White, and then journey deep into the magical forest to meet seven loveable and hilarious dwarfs. Visit www.regenttheatre.co.uk or ring 0870 060 6649

HE WIZARD OF OZ (The Lowry, Salford Quays, November 29-January 4)

JUDY Garland’s daughter Lorna Luft heads the cast of Pelé Productions’ stage version of the classic MGM musical which features all the famous songs and characters - Dorothy, the Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion, singing such evergreen hits as We’re Off To See The Wizard, Follow The Yellow Brick Road and of course the unforgettable, Over The Rainbow. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.