Theatres - 28/5/09

May 28 2009 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STARTING NEXT WEEK

‘ALLO ‘ALLO (Venue Cymru, Llandudno, June 4-6)

THE famous BBC TV sit com is transformed into a live theatre experience with Vicki Michelle (from the original cast) and Jeffrey Holland of Hi-De-Hi recreating the adventures of cafe owner Rene trying to survive all manner of farcical situations in occupied France. Visit www.venuecymru.co.uk or ring 01492 872000.

THE BOYFRIEND (The Brindley, High Street, Runcorn, June 2-6)

CENTENARY Theatre Company presents a glittering, super, colossal, heart warming, toe-tapping, continuously delightful, musical extravaganza. Visit www.thebrindley.org.uk or ring 0151 907 8360.

BREAKIN’ CONVENTION (The Lowry, Salford Quays, May 30)

AFTER five years at Sadler’s Wells in London, the hip hop dance theatre festival is on tour. Witness a UK exclusive from the USA’s VII Gems Rock Dance Division, French entertainer Salah, who mixes mime and clowning, and hailing from South Korea, Myosung. Hosted by hip hop legend Jonzi D. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

COPPELIA (The Pyramid, Palmyra Square, Warrington, May 31)

A PRODUCTION in traditional style of this well loved ballet, danced to the music of Delibes. Perhaps one of the most magical and comical of the classics, this is a ballet full of humour, triumph and love, culminating with the wedding Pas de Deux by the young couple. An amusing story, which appeals to the whole family, about an eccentric toy maker who makes a wonderful lifelike mechanical doll. Visit www.pyramidparrhall.com or ring 01925 442345.

DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN (Lyceum Theatre, Heath Street, Crewe, June 4-6)

THE longest running solo play in Broadway history, this worldwide hit is now being toured by former Neighbours star Mark Little. This hilariously funny but horribly truthful show affectionately brings the basic differences between men and women up to date. Visit www.lyceumtheatre.net or ring 01270 537333.

DISNEY’S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL ON STAGE (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, June 1-6)

THE series of hit Disney Channel movies goes live as Troy, Gabriella and their schoolmates surf the tricky tides of peer pressure and canteen cliques to follow their dreams and score the leads in the big school show. And as well as all your favourite songs, there will be two new numbers performed. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com or ring 0870 060 6649.

DUMB SHOW (New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, May 29-June 20)

A FURIOUSLY funny expose of celebrity culture and tabloid journalism by multi-award winning writer Joe Penhall. Millions of fans may know him as TV’s Mr Saturday Night but Barry’s worried that his 15 monutes of fame could be coming to an end. So when a couple of hot shots say they can help him make some serious money, he’s more than happy to go along. Visit www.newvictheatre.org or ring 01782 717962.

FOR YOU (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, June 2)

THRILLING tale of dark obsession and misplaced passion. A new opera by Michael Berkeley and acclaimed novelist Ian McEwan of Atonement fame. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565

LE GRAND CIRQUE FANTAZIE (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, June 2-6)

AN ELECTRIFYING production featuring world class artists handpicked from around the globe, performing a visual feast of white-knickle stunts and precision skills. Visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

KELLERMAN (The Lowry, Salford Quays, June 1-2)

HARRY is struggling to come to erms with a tragedy that nobody believes has taken place. He calculates that the past can be manipulated and the future predicted but can he change the order of events that led to the disappearance of everything he loved? Combining film, animation and live action on a two storey set, this tale of obsessive desire explores how meddling with the past can have dangerous consequences. Contains nudity and strong language. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

LAZYTOWN LIVE! – THE PIRATE ADVENTURE (Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl, June 3-7)

GET ready for power moves, sing-along songs and dancing in the aisles when children’s TV series Lazytown goes live with a new adventure on the high seas in a story full of parrots, pieces of eight and buried treasure. Visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk or ring 01745 330000.

OPERA NORTH (The Lowry, Salford Quays, June 2-6)

OPERA North return to The Lowry with three productions. On Tuesday and Friday, they present The Abduction from the Seraglio by Mozart. On Wednesday and Saturday, fans can enjoy Don Carlos by Verdi. And Paradise Moscow by Dimitry Shostakovich is the offering on Thursday. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

THE RAIN PARADE (The Lowry, Salford Quays, June 4)

THIS blackly comic and provocative new duet, inspired by a fascination with the apocalyptic, looks at what will be left behind and how the future will make sense of us. Follow the award-winning Lost Dog duo as they reveal exactly what happens when we begin to question their testimony. Are they all-knowing or are they clueless? Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

THE TELL WOMAN (The Lowry, Salford Quays, May 31)

WISH yourself away on a fairytale adventure that is funny, dark, beautiful and sometimes a but yucky. Combining dance, theatre, puppetry and design, with a narrative constructed through previous work with children, this play asks: What’s that under my bed? Come on a journey through the fabric of myth. Suitable for ages 10 and under. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

THE TWEENIES (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, May 29-30)

THE CBeebies favourites present Top of the Tots, an all-new music show, packed full of family favourites and includes tot-tastic tunes such as Gonna Build a House, Incy Wincy Spider, Wheels on the Bus and Do the Lollipop. Visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

WHAT’S STILL SHOWING & WHERE

LOST MONSTERS (Everyman Theatre, Hope Street, Liverpool, until June 13)

WORLD premiere of the new play by Liverpool writer Laurence Wilson whose first work, Urban Legend, was seen at the Everyman in 2004. An isolated house in a forgotten valley has only the litter and noise from the surrounding motorway as company. A flash if lightning and a freak car crash leaves three runaways seeking refuge. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

LUCKY SODS (Lyceum Theatre, Heath Street, Crewe, May 26-30)

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.lyceumtheatre.net or ring 01270 537333.

MARY STUART (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, May 7-30)

THE story of the personal struggle between two extraordinary women – one French, one English – both captive to the demands of sovereignty and both caught in a tumult of political and religious intrigue. Which of them is the rightful Queen of England – Mary Stuart or Elizabeth Tudor? . Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru or ring 0845 330 3565.

THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD (The Lowry, Salford Quays, May 26-30)

AWARD-winning Druid Ireland return to The Lowry with one of JM Synge’s best-known work and one of their most widely-acclaimed productions. Playboy tells the story of Christy Mahon, who stumbles into a public house in County Mayo claiming he has killed his father. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

RELATIVELY SPEAKING (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, May 22-June 20)

ALAN Ayckbourn’s hilarious 1960s comedy established him as a modern day comic master. Greg and Ginny are living together and planning to get married. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

ROMEO AND JULIET (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, May 27-30)

NORTHERN Ballet Theatre’s classic adaptation of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy returns to the stage to celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484.

SPIDER’S WEB (Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, Wirral, May 25-30)

A CAST of familiar TV faces has been assembled by the Agatha Christie Company for this production based on one of the writer’s classic mysteries. Among them are Denis Lill of The Royal, Melanie Gutteridge of The Bill and Catherine Shipton of Casualty. Visit www.lyceumtheatre.net or ring 01270 537333.

STRIP SHOW (Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place, Chester, today)

A STORY about four women who believe that their friendship holds them together until they realise that some secrets can quite literally tear them apart. Adult topics with a small amount of strong language. Ring 01244 341296.

WE WILL ROCK YOU (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, until 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.