Theatres - 18/6/09

Jun 18 2009 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STARTING NEXT WEEK

CABARET (The Lowry, Salford Quays, June 22-27)

SHOWBIZ veteran Wayne Sleep and I’d Do Anything finalist Samantha Barks team up for this risque production of the classic musical set in Berlin in 1931. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

CHATURANGAN & FUSE (The Brindley, High Street, Runcorn, June 18-19)

A STUNNING new dance theatre piece for young children. The show fuses dance styles from across the world, highlighting cultural diversity and identity. It tells the story of a group of animal friends; of their falling out, making up and gaining self esteem. The story comes alive through dance and music within a mesmerising surrounding. Chaturangan are acclaimed for their innovative dance productions reflecting the pluralism of Britain in the 21st century. Fuse are one of the finest theatre companies for children and young people in the Northwest. Visit www.thebrindley.org.uk or ring 0151 907 8360.

DREAMBOATS & PETTICOATS (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, June 22-27)

MUSICAL stage show based on the hit album which became one of the biggest selling albums of the decade after its release last year. The show features songs from Roy Orbison, The Shadows, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury, Chuck Berry and many more. In 1961 emotions run high as talented young musicians Norman and Bobby compete to win the hearts of their adoring female fans – and more importantly, the gorgeous Laura. But when Laura shows that she’s no slouch with the guitar, rock ‘n’ roll fame beckons. Starring Scott Bruton from X Factor and Ben Freeman from Emmerdale. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

FOR YOU (Royal Northern College of Music, Oxford Road, Manchester, June 25)

THRILLING tale of dark obsession and misplaced passion. A new opera by Michael Berkeley and acclaimed novelist Ian McEwan of Atonement fame. Visit www.rncm.ac.uk or ring 0161 907 5555.

THE HYPOCHONDRIAC (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, June 19-July 11)

FOLLOWING his triumph last year with Tartuffe, Liverpool writer Roger McGough has returned to the works of Moliere for another adaptation. Argan is a perfectly healthy, wealthy gentleman, convinced he is seriously ill. But his sharp-tongued servant has a cunning plan to reveal the truth and open her master’s eyes. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

I MISS COMMUNISM (The Lowry, Salford Quays, June 18)

FROM Croatia to America and back, this intense, dramatic and deeply moving solo comedy explores three women’s experiences of war, politics and freedom. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (Burton Manor, Burton, South Wirral, June 20-22)

DEAN Taylor Productions present outdoor Shakespeare with one of the Bard’s classic works in the stunning grounds of Burtion Manor. Visit www.shakespearetheatreoutdoors.co.uk or ring 01772 466256.

RELATIVELY SPEAKING (Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place, Chester, June 25-July 4)

TIP Top Productions revive Alan Ayckbourn’s breakthrough comedy from the 60s. Greg and Ginny are living together and planning to get married. But Greg is becoming increasingly suspicious that he is not the only man in Ginny’s life. So when she plans to “visit her parents”, he decides to secretly follow her. Visit www.tiptopproductions.co.uk.

THE SMILE OFF YOUR FACE (The Lowry, Salford Quays, June 19-21)

THIS extraordinary theatrical experience from Belgium has astounded audiences all over the world. The audience enters individually at 10 minute intervals, blindfolded, strapped to a wheelchair and subjected to a series of sensory experiences. There is no stage, no public – the show is an intense and intimate experience at the point where performance art meets theatre. Adults only. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

THRILLER LIVE (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, June 25-27)

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

I WANT IT ALL (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, June 25-27)

THE Elsber School of Theatre Dance take you through some of the world’s most famous shows incoluding Wicked, Chicago, We Will Rock You and Lord of the Dance. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru or ring 0845 330 3565.

WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF HRT (The Lowry, Salford Quays, June 22-27)

LOUISE Jameson and Janet Dibley star in this hilarious, feisty and sometimes painful look at the menopause, written by Marie Jones. On a trip to see Daniel O’Donnell in concert, Vera and Anna confront the harsh reality of being the ‘wrong’ side of 40. Assisted by a handsome young waiter, however, they begin to realise that life doesn’t have to end when HRT begins. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

WHAT’S STILL SHOWING & WHERE

DR KORCZAK’S EXAMPLE (Royal Exchange Theatre Studio, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, June 17-27)

WRITTEN by award winning writer and director David Greig, this is based on a true story and recounts the remarkable last days of Janusz Korczak, a children’s author and paediatrician who founded a Jewish orphanage in the shadow of the Warsaw Ghetto. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

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.

THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, June 17-20)

MOLD Players present Tim Kelly’s adaptation of the most famous Sherlock Holmes story. A monstrous hound roams the moor – a beast which is inextricably bound up with the legacy which Sir Henry Baskerville has inherited. Can Sherlock Holmes save the day? Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

LAZYTOWN LIVE! (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, June 17-21)

SWASHBUCKLING fun for all the family. Get ready for star jumps, power moves, laugh out loud fun, sing-a-long songs and dancing in the aisles. You'll be transported on to the high seas through a high energy story full of parrots, pieces of eight and buried treasure. Visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

OLIVER! (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, June 16-20)

TIP Top Productions follow their recent successes with The Full Monty and Bouncers with the classic Lionel Bart musical, bringing to life Dickens’ drmatic characters as Oliver Twist defiantly asks for more. Packed with wonderful songs such as Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself and As Long As He Needs Me. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

THE PIANIST (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, June 17-27)

BEST known as an Oscar-winning film by Roman Polanksi, this play is based upon the memoirs of Wladyslaw Szpilman. It retells the harrowing story of one man’s time under the Nazi occupation in Poland, with internationally acclaimed concert pianist Mikhail Rudy performing the music of Chopin and Szpilman. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

QUADROPHENIA (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, June 16-20)

SET in London and Brighton at the height of the Mod era, this story is told through the eyes of Jimmy, a hedonistic style-conscious teenager searching for a place to belong and a girl to love. Misunderstood by his parents and stuck in a dead end job, he sets off on a trip to Brighton that will change his life forever. The evocative world of Sixties Britain is emulated by the stunning Pete Townshend score. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484.

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. But Greg is becoming increasingly suspicious that he is not the only man in Ginny’s life. So when she plans to “visit her parents”, he decides to secretly follow her. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl, June 15-20)

WEST End and Broadway star Tim Flavin takes on the role made famous by Gene Kelly in this stage version of the classic MGM musical which features such immortal songs as Make ‘Em Laugh, Good Morning, You Were Meant For Me and, of course, the title track. Visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk or ring 01745 330000.

WEST SIDE STORY (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, June 16-27)

WITH groundbreaking choreography by the legendary Jerome Robbins, an unforgettable score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story changed the face of musical theatre forever. Based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and packed with unforgettable songs including Maria and America. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke or ring 0870 060 6649