Theatres - 4/6/09

Jun 4 2009 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

ELLEN Kent and Amphitheatre Productions present two opera classic performed by the full Chisinau National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. Bizet’s Carmen on Wednesday is staged in a bullring for a new spectacular twist to the seductive opera with bull fighters and a brass band parading through the venue into the Seville building. In Verdi’s Aida, the splendour of Egypt is set against the grandeur of the Colosseum of Rome. Visit the website www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke or ring 0870 060 6649.

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.

THIS vibrant dance production portrays varied human emotions in a life-affirming journey from winter to spring. Three distinct parts depict the seamless transitions through the seasons: the wintry longing, the exciting arrival and the glorious effect of spring. Featuring charismatic Kathak dancers, Baharan combines traditional dance with modern choreography. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

THE longest running solo play in Broadway history, this worldwide hit is 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.

INDEPENDENT Ballet Wales presents a breathtaking version of one of Wales’ best known stories, based on the best selling novel by Richard Llewellyn. This new production features choreography by Darius James and some of the best young dancers in Europe, plus a specially commissioned score by Thomas Hewitt Jones. Visit www.stiwt.co.uk or ring 01978 841300.

INTERNATIONALLY celebrated, innovative Shakespeare company Propeller, return to The Lowry with two of the Bard’s masterpieces. In Merchant (June 10, 11, 13), they present a new staging of a bitingly modern play that manages to excite the deepest of arguments. And they revive their award-winning Midsummer Night (June 9, 11, 12, 13). Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

LISA Riley, Abi Titmuss and Trudi Goodwin star in this hit comedy that has received standing ovations throughout the UK. Set in a pole-dancing class, this is a brilliantly funny play. It’s a show for women, about women. You’ll be splitting your sides and moved to tears. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484.

DEE & Alyn Gilbert & Sullivan Society are departing from their customary Savoy Opera production with a fresh new take on the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Set against a background of conflict between farmers and cattlemen in the Indian territory of the American West at the turn of the 20th century, it features such memorable songs as Oh What A Beautiful Mornin’, Many A New Day and The Surrey With The Fringe On Top. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

A GRIPPING thriller, theatrically engaging with commercial potential, it is also a serious play that deals with the complex human issues surrounding honour based violence in our 21st century multi-cultural society – divided loyalties, fear, rage and occasional flashes of wry humour. Visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk or ring 01745 330000.

A STORY of love, rivalry and betrayal by JM Synge – a rich encounter with one of Ireland’s most beloved dramatists. Synge’s comic masterpiece tells the story of Christy Mahon who stumbles into a public house in County Mayo claiming he has killed his father and so capturing the romantic attention of the daughter of the house. Tony Award-winning director Garry Hynes is at the helm of a production by Druid, one of Ireland’s most lauded theatre companies. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

TWO Friends present this bittersweet one-woman comedy telling the life of Nell Gwyn, the most popular mistress of Charles II, whose eventful life is recounted as the King is dying. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

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.

A UNIQUE artistic performance displaying disciplined spiritualism, stunning movement and deadly martial arts prowess. The show is an extravaganza, with gorgeous scenery, enchanting music and beautiful lights. Visit www.floralpavilion.com or ring 0151 666 0000 or visit the website www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke or ring 0870 060 6649.

AVATAR Productions present this thought-provoking new play by James Boyland, which shows how violence can affect young lives as one boy’s mind is pushed to breaking point by his own father. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

TWO of Alan Bennett’s highly acclaimed one person shows. In A Woman of No Importance everything appears to be well in Miss Margaret Schofield's life until she has the steak bits for lunch in the works canteen. In A Chip in the Sugar middle-aged Graham's ordered life with Mother is disrupted when flash Mr Turnbull comes to call. Visit www.thebrindley.org.uk or ring 0151 907 8360.

BASED on author Eve Ensler’s Vagina Interviews, this hilariously witty and moving collection of tales gives voice to a chorus of outrageous, poignant and thoroughly human stories. This ultimate girls’ night out is performed by Sue Holderness of Only Fools and Horses and Green Green Grass of Home, former Hear’Say singer Suzanne Shaw and Tameka Empson. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke or ring 0870 060 6649.

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.

THE series of hit Disney Channel movies goes live. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com or ring 0870 060 6649.

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.

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 of lightning and a freak car crash leaves three runaways seeking refuge – but they enter a world of dreams and nightmares. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

OPERA North return to The Lowry. On Friday, they present The Abduction from the Seraglio by Mozart. On 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.

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.