Theatres - 6/2/09

Feb 6 2009 by Michael Green, Flintshire Chronicle

STARTING NEXT WEEK

GREAT EXPECTATIONS (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatre Cymru, Mold, February 12-March 7)

THE Charles Dickens classic receives the latest in a growing number of stage adaptations but this time, award-winning Tim Baker is at the helm so we are guaranteed something special. Young Pio’s encounter with an escaped convict has consequences which will change the orphan’s entire life. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565

HORRIBLE HISTORIES (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 10-14)

TERRY Deary’s best selling books inspire another live stage double bill, this time based on the First and Second World Wars: Frightful First World War and Woeful Second World War. The production uses just four actors and amazing 3D Bogglevision. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

HOT FLUSH (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, February 11-12)

LESLEY Joseph and Sam Kane star in this outrageous new musical which follows the friendships, the secrets, the ups and downs of four ordinary women and one man living extraordinary lives. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 499 6699.

THE PRICE (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, February 6-28)

A SEARING family drama by one of America’s greatest ever playwrights, Arthur Miller, in a co-production with Nottingham Playhouse. New York City, 1968. Sixteen years since brothers Victor and Walter last spoke. On their father's death, reunited at the family home, they find they have more than just furniture to dispose of.ŠAs the bulldozers gather outside the brownstone, octogenarian furniture dealer and one-time acrobat Solomon rummages and haggles his way to a great deal.ŠVisit www.everymanplayhouse.com. or ring 0151 709 4776.

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, February 11-15)

REGIONAL premiere of Tom Stoppard’s acclaimed 2006 play, directed by Chris Honer. Set over a period of 22 years, opening in a sunny garden in Cambridge in 1968 and ending with a Rolling Stones concert in a newly free Prague in 1990, Stoppard’s drama takes in all manner of themes including politics, poetry and materialism. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS - THE SPONGE WHO COULD FLY (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, February 11-15)

JOIN Spongebob, Patrick and their zany Bikini Bottom pals in a new musical as Spongebob embarks on his dream to fly with the jellyfish. Will he take flight or will his dream come crashing down to the ocean floor? Find out in this exciting musical about dreams, friendship and soaring to new heights. Visit www.regentheatre.co.uk or ring 0870 060 6649.

WHAT’S STILL SHOWING & WHERE

BOEING BOEING (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 2-7)

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. Former Hollyoaks star Sarah Jane Dunn is among the cast members. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793

THE CONVICT’S OPERA (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, February 3-7)

MAX Stafford Clark’s new writing theatre company, Out of Joint, brings its production of a new adaptation of John Gay’s classic musical romp The Beggar’s Opera to the North West stage. Gay’s satirical story of love and crime is set in the dirty underbelly of 18th century London, but this time the story is set not in Newgate Prison with a beggar presenting his play; but on a creaking convict transport ship bound for Australia. The cast are criminals, performing a show about the world they’ve left far behind and may never see again. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

FAME THE MUSICAL (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, February 2-7)

SEEN by more than five million people in the UK alone, the show based on the hit movie has captivated audiences for more than a decade. Beverley Trotman, who appeared on The X Factor, joins the cast as Ms Sherman, teacher at the New York School for the Performing Arts. The title track is just one of the fabulous songs from a soundtrack that also includes Out Here On My Own. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 499 6699.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL – THE ICE TOUR (MEN Arena, Manchester, February 5-8)

HAVING turned High School Musical 3 into one of last year’s biggest movies, fans will now get the chance to experience all three films in one night, live on the ice rink in a spectacular show. 0844 847 8000.

MARY POPPINS (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, December 11-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 stage musical which has arrived in the North West after a huegyl successful West End run. The show includes many of the original songs from the classic Julie Andrews film with music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2403

PALACE OF THE END (Royal Exchange Theatre Studio, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, February 4-21)

A HARD-hitting new play by Judith Thompson which exposes the ugly truth behind the headlines of the current war in Iraq. Heard from three different perspectives - including a female American soldier facing court-martial for torture and prisoner abuse, a British former UN Weapons Inspector exposed as a source for the BBC and an Iraqi mother and political leader who suffered the greatest loss imaginable at the hands of Saddam Hussein - this is a powerfully raw and dramatic piece that looks into the depths of the human soul. Judith Thompson is a award-winning Canadian playwright who lives in Toronto and was last at the Royal Exchange in 2002 with Habitat. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

PRIVATE PEACEFUL (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 2-7)

ADAPTED from the remarkable book by Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgp, this play relives the short life of a young First World War soldier. During the night he looks back at his schoolboy adventures, his first love, and the injustices of war that brought him to the front line. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793

TRUE LOVE LIES Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, January 28-February 21)

THE Royal Exchange Theatre brings its current season to a close with the world premiere of the latest play by award-winning Canadian playwright Brad Fraser. The play is a wild, wisecracking family drama set in the ultra-cool world of Kane and Carolyn. Packed with the author’s trademark one-liners and razor sharp wit, the play sees relationships stretched to breaking point as parents and children confront an emotional time bomb from the past. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833

A VOYAGE ROUND MY FATHER (New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, January 23-February 14)

RUMPOLE of the Bailey creator Sir John Mortimer, who died last month, allegedly based his greatest character on his father who is at the heart of this affectionate autobiographical comedy which explores Mortimer’s childhood and young adult life between the wars, growing up in the shadow of his eccentric father who also happened to be a renowned barrister and made an indelible impression on his son. Visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk or ring 01782 717962

COMING SOON

CALAMITY JANE (Pavilion Theatre, February 14)

ONE of the most popular musicals of all time which appeals to an audience spanning generations. Leah Bell gives a rip-roaring performance as Calamity and is ably supported by her fellow gunslingers, cow-punchers, cowgirls and cowboys all helping to make this a high-energy – toe-tapping and thigh slapping production. The musical score boasts legendary songs such as The Deadwood Stage, The Windy City and Secret Love. Visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk or ring 01745 330000

CHICAGO (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, April 6-11)

LEGENDARY singer Jimmy Osmond will star as Billy Flynn in this national tour of the award-winning musical which was turned into an Oscar winning film. Still best known for his chart-topping debut single Long Haired Lover From Liverpool back in 1972, Jimmy is a member of one of the most famous musical families in the world and is still best remembered for his 1972 number one hit Long-Haired Lover from Liverpool. He will be joined by EastEnders star Emily Barton as Roxie Hart. Visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525

THE HOLLY AND THE IVY (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 16-21)

WYNYARD Browne’s period classic is set on Christmas Eve 1947, in a Norfolk vicarage, where the vicar’s family gather for the festive season.

Peace and goodwill radiates from the warm-hearted elderly vicar, cared for by his young daughter. But with the arrival of two irritable aunts and an errant daughter the emotional veneer is skilfully peeled away. Philip Madoc stars alongsideTom Butcher (The Bill/Doctors), Zoie Kennedy (The Royal) and Corrinne Wicks (Doctors). Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.