Theatre - 16/4/09

Apr 16 2009 by Michael Green, Flintshire Chronicle

STARTING NEXT WEEK

BEEF (Lyceum Theatre, Heath Street, Crewe, April 18)

HULL Truck Theatre present John Godber’s bleak, funny and shocking comedy. Dave Cookson wanted a body women would envy but despite endless hours in his home made gym, he was getting nowhere. But then something changed and suddenly, Dave is 17 stone of rippling muscle - but now he’s losing his mind in a body he can’t control. Visit www.lyceumtheatre.net or ring 01270 537333.

DAVID COPPERFIELD (Unity Theatre, Hope Place, Liverpool, April 22-25)

PERFORMERS Theatre School present a stage version of the Charles Dickens classic. The most autobiographical of Dickens's works tells the moving story of David’s journey from birth to maturity, a journey that inevitably links his life with some of Dickens's most extraordinary and colourful characters. Visit www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk or ring 0151 709 4988.

DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS (Opra House, Quay Street, Manchester, April 20-25)

X FACTOR finalist Scott Bruton stars in this celebration of the best of British rock ‘n’ roll featuring a vast array of hits from the 50s and 60s. In 1961, emotions run high as talented young musicians Norman and Boby compete to win the hearts of their adoring fans - and, more importantly, the gorgeous Laura. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484.

HIS DARK MATERIALS - PARTS 1 & 2 (The Lowry, Salford Quays, April 23-26)

NICHOLAS Wright’s adaptation of Philip Pullman’s three novels into two full-length plays was a triupmh when it premiered at the National Theatre in 2004. The story sees Lyra and Will embark on a great quest, encountering many fantastical creatures. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

A HISTORY OF FALLING THINGS (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, April 23-May 9)

PRISONERS of their fear of falling things - known as keraunothetophobiacs - Jacqui and Robin are restricted to living indoors. When they meet online, a relationship begins which forces them to confront their fear and discover what’s real in their lives and what really matters. This new play by acclaimed young playwright James Graham is a gentle love story. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

JOLSON THE MUSICAL (Venue Cymru, Llandudno, April 20-25)

AL JOLSON’S music and songs are brought to life in this spectacular new musical starring Allan Stewart as the man himself. Visit www.venuecymru.co.uk or ring 01492 872000.

A NUMBER (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, April 23-May 9)

SARAH Churchill’s hour-long visionary play features gripping accounts between a man and his three sons, exploring human cloning, personal identity and the conflicting claims of nature and nurture. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

PETER PAN (The Lowry, Salford Quays, April 23-26)

THE classic adventure comes to life in a new production by three leading theatre companies including the Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis. With a fusion of shadow puppetry and vibrant storytelling, Peter, Captain Hook, Wendy and The Lost Boys play out their adventures in an exhilarating Neverland unlike any seen before on stage. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

RIVERDANCE - THE FAREWELL TOUR (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, April 20-25)

AN INNOVATIVE and exciting fusion of Irish and international dance including a spectacular array of talent from Russia, Spain and America propels traditional dance and music into the present day. Visit LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

SCARAMOUCHE JONES (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, April 16-17)

ANCIENT clown Scaramouche chooses 11pm on Millennium Eve to break his 50 years of silence to give his final performance and charts a bizarre odyssey through crumbling empires, comic misadventures and the 20th century’s darkest episodes. Writer Justin Butcher finally takes on the role he originally wrote for Pete Postlethwaite. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

SHIRLEY VALENTINE (Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool, April 23-May 9)

AS PART of the Liverpool Comedy Festival, Pauline Daniels plays Shirley in Willy Russell’s award-winning comedy. Shirley’s always put her family first - so much so that she’s forgotten what it was like to have fun. Then her best friend invites her on a two-week holiday in Greece. Pauline Daniels has been described as “the best ever Shirley Valentine”. Visit www.royalcourtliverpool.com or ring

0870 787 1866.

THRILLER LIVE (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, April 14-18)

FORGET the sorry events of the last decade which have dethroned Michael Jackson as the King of Pop. This is a glorious celebration of the time when he and his brothers ruled the popular music world, from their early Motown years, the disco dominated 70s and then the Jacko explosion of the 80s, epitomised by the release of Thriller. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke or ring 0870 060 6649.

THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, April 20-21)

THE doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mum are sitting down to tea. What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big stripey tiger! David Wood, the country’s leading writer and director of plays and musicals or children, adapts Judith Wood’s best selling children’s story. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

WHAT’S STILL SHOWING & WHERE

ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, April 13-18)

DAVID Essex returns to his roots and takes the title of his big selling debut album from the 70s as the inspiration for a musical set against the backdrop of a travelling funfair. Visit LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

FLASHDANCE (Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl, April 13-18)

THE 80s movie is transformed into a stage musical featuring choreography by Arlene Phillips and a cast headed by Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Bernie Nolan and Bruno Langley. The score includes Maniac, Manhunt, Gloria, I Love Rock and Roll and the Academy Award winning title track Flashdance – What a Feeling.

Visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk or ring 01745 330000.

HONEYMOON SUITE (New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, April 3-25)

EARTHY and affectionate comedy by Richard Bean, rooted in the salty working class life of the Hull-born writer’s hometown. It uses the time shift techniques of an Ayckbourn or a Priestley in a portrait of idealised love and the realities of marriage. Visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk or ring 01782 717962.

LOOK BACK IN ANGER (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, April 15-18)

CLASSIC British drama from John Osborne which sparked the “angry young man” phase of the late 50s. Jimmy Porter is the original “angry young man”. Funny, clever, charismatic: he should have it all. Has the world let him down? Or is he intent on destroying himself and everyone he loves? Alison, his wife, suffers his furies on a daily basis and the arrival of her best friend can only inflame Jimmy some more. The cast is headed by former Coronation Street star Bill Ward. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

LUCKY SODS (The Lowry, Salford Quays, April 14-18)

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? Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

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 www. palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS – THE SPONGE WHO COULD FLY (The Lowry, Salford Quays, April 15-19)

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? Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

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. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484.

WIDOWERS’ HOUSES (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, April 15-May 9)

TV ACTOR Roger Lloyd Pack heads the cast for a timely revival of Bernard Shaw’s wicked comedy. The action of the play centres on hot-tempered young doctor Harry Trench who falls in love with wealthy heiress Blanche. He thinks nothing can stand in the way of true love. But after discovering that his prospective father-in-law is the worst landlord in London, he finds his morals and desires are pitted against each other. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or 0161 833 9833.