Theatres - 26/3/09

Mar 26 2009 by Michael Green, Flintshire Chronicle

STARTING NEXT WEEK

BEYOND PARADISE: THE WILDLIFE OF A GENTLEMAN (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, March 31-April 1)

IN THE 150th anniversary year of the publication of On The Origin of the Species, Christopher Robbie recounts Darwin’s life to create a portrait of the work and thoughts of one of the 19th century’s most fascinating human beings. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET (The Lowry, Salford Quays, March 31-April 4)

BRB present David Bintley’s reworked production of Sylvia and Pomp and Circumstances, a mixed programme consisting of Serenade, Enigma Variations and Still Life at the Penguin Café. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

FEET (The Lowry, Salford Quays, April 2-4)

THIS thought-provoking new play explores the darker aspects of urban life, where intriguing characters fuse gang culture with the mundanity of the middle class existence. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

GERTRUDE’S SECRET (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, March 31-April 1)

PRUNELLA Scales stars in this hilarious and haunting play by Benedick West. Thousands of people have now experienced this colourful show which transports you to an absorbing world of characters both comic and sad. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

SCOOBY-DOO & THE PIRATE GHOST (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, March 31-April 4)

THE ultimate cartoon classic bursts straight from the TV screen and on to the stage. Join Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne and Fred as they encounter the usual mix of perplexing clues, pirate ghosts and an abundance of Scooby snacks. Ring 0870 060 6649 or visit www.regenttheatre.co.uk.

SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (Venue Cymru, Llandudno, March 30-April 4)

FORMER London’s Burning star Steven Houghton and Susan McFadden, winner of ITV’s Grease is the Word, team up for this classic musical featuring such memorable songs as Bless Your Beautiful Hide, Sobbin’ Women and Goin’ Courtin’. Visit www.venuecymru.co.uk or ring 01492 872000.

WHERE THERE’S A WILL (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, March 31-April 1)

SIR Peter Hall directs Georges Feydeau’s clever French farce which takes a peek at the game of infidelity and marriage. The wealthy widow of a philanderer has learned that no man can be trusted. Now she has married for the second time, she is determined to keep new hubby on a tight leash – but things are complicated by the arrival of a close friend. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, March 31-April 4)

MARTI Pellow stars as the devilish Daryl van Horne in this bewitching musical based on the Jack Nicholson film. When three desperate housewives in small town America wish for the man of their dreams, they get far more than they bargained for. Visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

WHAT’S STILL SHOWING & WHERE

BRIEF ENCOUNTER (The Lowry, Salford Quays, March 24-28)

KNEEHIGH Theatre has taken one of the most beloved films of all time, the stage play on which it was based and the music and songs of Noel Coward to create this new stage production. The lives and loves of three couples are played out in the famous station tea room using the words and songs of Coward to create a breathtaking, delightfully funny and tear-inducing show. The company of ten actor musicians switch seamlessly between theatre and film to recreate the world of Milford Junction in ways that have never been seen before. Ring 0870 787 5793 or visit www.thelowry.com.

CINDERELLA ON ICE (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, March 24-28)

THE Imperial Ice Stars invite you to enter a world of magic and dazzling skating brilliance having previously wowed audiences with productions of Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. Visit www.regenttheatre.co.uk or ring 0870 060 6649.

EDWARD GANT’S AMAZING FEATS OF LONELINESS (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, March 24-28)

IN 1881, one of the Victorian theatre’s most enigmatic figures, Edward Gant, presented a remarkable evening of mystery and music, spectacle and strangeness. In 2009, Anthony Neilson amd Headlong Theatre reconstruct this extraordinary night. Visit the website www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

THE FRAGILITY OF X (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, March 25-28)

WHEN a woman and her autistic teenage son reach breaking point the careful structure of their unusual lives is unravelled...and they set off on an extraordinary journey. This is a new play about boundaries, freedom, relationships and art. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

GATES OF GOLD (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, March 20-April 11)

REGIONAL premiere of Frank McGuinness’ exploration of the character of love and celebration of a remarkable partnership between two great men of the Irish theatre – Hilton Edwards and Michael MacLiammoir who co-founded the Gate Theatre in Dublin in 1928. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, March 24-28)

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 Pip’s encounter with an escaped convict has consequences which will change the orphan’s entire life. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

HMS PINAFORE (The Lowry, Salford Quays, March 23-28)

IN TRUE Opera della Luna style, eight multi-talented singers/actors become chorus and principles in a fast and hilarious production of this famous comic opera. Packed to the brim with toe-tapping tunes, HMS Pinafore has been transferred to a Dickensian setting, a period even earlier than its first performance of 1878. Ring 0870 787 5793 or visit www.thelowry.com.

LUCKY SODS (New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, March 23-28)

HULL Truck return with another line up of TV faces and a ‘winner’ from BAFTA award-winning playwright John Godber. Jean and Morris have won the lottery. But with the pressure of deciding what to do with the cash and jealous in-laws after a slice of the spoils, can Jean and Morris keep their lives from turning downside down? Gordon Kane, Jacqueline Naylor and James Weaver head the cast. Visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk or ring 01782 717962.

RIVERDANCE (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, March 23-28)

AN INNOVATIVE and exciting fusion of Irish and international dance including a spectacular array of talent from Spain, Russia and America propels traditional dance and music into the present day in this farewell tour for the hit show. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484.

MACBETH (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, February 25-April 11)

A STRIKINGLY contemporary take on William Shakespeare’s gripping tragedy. Guest director Matthew Dunster stages this edge-of-the-seat story of overarching ambition firmly in the present – kick-starting this thrilling new production with vivid images of three young women brutalised by conflict.

Played out against a backdrop of a war-torn state ripped apart by an invading force and a rebel army, the drama unfolds as a triumphant Macbeth discovers he is destined to become the next King of Scotland. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

WE WILL ROCK YOU (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, March 21-June 6)

SINCE 2002, more than six million theatregoers worldwide have thrilled to this awe-inspiring production, written by Ben Elton and featuring 24 of the greatest hits of supergroup Queen. Now it comes to Manchester for a limited season. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484.

COMING SOON

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.

NEVER FORGET (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, April 3-18)

THE hit musical featuring the songs of Take That returns to the Manchester stage. Join the ride of a lifetime as Ash and his mates take a roller coaster journey of fame, fortune and friendship on the way to realising their dreams. Featuring such chart-topping smash hits as Relight My Fire, Back For Good and Pray. Visit the website www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.