Theatres - 13/8/09

Aug 13 2009 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STARTING THIS WEEK

ANGELS WITH MANKY FACES (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, August 17-22)

MUSIC personalities from Manchester’s past, present and future, make cameo-video appearances in Angels With Manky Faces. Featuring Mike Joyce of The Smiths, Clint Boon of the Inspiral Carpets and the hotley-tipped Twisted Wheel, Rob Kees and Jill Hughes’ production is brought to life by Manchester actor John Henshaw and Coronation Street star Graeme Hawley, aka John Stape. Inspired by the book The Gangs of Manchester, Angels With Manky Faces tells the story of the Scuttlers, regarded as Britain’s first youth cult, who roamed the sleazy gin joints and gritty Manchester streets in the 1890s. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

CARRY ON UNCLE ERIC (New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, August 18-29)

BACK for a 10th anniversary visit. Uncle Eric and the rest of the gang are carrying on in the latest musical instalment in the life of the ultimate dysfunctional family. When Eric goes to the cinema to see Carry On Camping, he finds himself inspired – a camping holiday at a nudist camp. He’s soon made a booking at the Paradise Camp site but when Madge finds out and tags along, all his plans start to go wrong. Filled with comedy, nostalgia and loads of great 60s music. Visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk or ring 01782 717962.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Tatton Park, Knutsford, August 15)

ILLYRIA present this open air production of Shakespeare’s magical and gloriously silly romantic comedy, set deep in the forest. Fairy Puck makes a simple mistake and from this minor mishap, absolute uproar ensues. Visit www.tattonpark.org.uk or ring 01625 374400.

WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (Echo Arena, Liverpool, August 19-23)

AFTER 65 million years, the most fearsome creatures to have lived on Earth are back – and are heading for Liverpool. More than 2.4 million audience members across the continent and almost three million people worldwide have experienced this £10m arena spectacular. Based on the award-winning BBC television series of the same name, audiences will see 15 real size dinosaurs come to life, including the three-storey tall brachiosaurus, and learn about their journey on Earth through paleontologist Huxley. Visit www.echoarena.com or ring 0844 8000 400.

STILL SHOWING

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, August 11-22)

DISNEY’S multi-award winning musical of the Beauty and the Beast, which has received rave reviews and played to capacity audiences across the UK, is back at the Liverpool Empire. One of the most popular and enchantingly romantic fables ever told, this sumptuous, eye-popping theatrical phenomenon has wowed audiences worldwide. Well-loved songs from the show include Be Our Guest and Beauty and the Beast.

Visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

BRICK UP THE MERSEY TUNNELS (Royal Court Liverpool, Roe Sreet, Liverpool, until August 22)

DICKIE Lewis, Nick Walton, and Gerard ‘Gelignite’ Gardner are three men who’ve had enough. Fed up with being looked down on and mocked by the self-proclaimed upper class from the Wirral, the Kingsway Three decide to take the law into their own hands and refuse to be tolled. Visit www.royalcourtliverpool.com or ring 0870 787 1866.

SCOOBY-DOO AND THE PIRATE GHOST (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, until August 26)

SCOOBY-Doo and the gang are back in Scooby-Doo And The Pirate Ghost.

The ultimate cartoon classic bursts on to the stage at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre with a new show to entertain the whole family.

Join Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne and Fred as they encounter a new case to solve in their trademark Mystery Inc style.

They will be mixing their familiar blend of classic physical comedy, popular tunes and special effects into a theatrical experience that will appeal to the kids and their parents who grew up with the TV show.

Tickets cost from £16.50-£18.50, for further information, telephone 0844 847 2525 or visit the website www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk.

COMING SOON

BEYOND THE FRONT LINE (The Lowry, Salford Quays, October 5-17)

SALFORD is under attack from the enemy and the British Army have taken up positions to defend it. That’s where you, the audience, take centre stage as UN inspectors. With total access to the facility, you’ll hurtle from the VIP tent deep into the war zone for a total sensory experience. This powerful piece explores the friction and ties between the civilian population and the armed forces that serve us. This show is a promenade piece where seating will not always be available. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

THE BFG (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, August 25-29)

ROALD Dahl has enchanted young minds for decades with stories that still fire the imagination. Here is one of his most popular, adapted for the stage by David Wood who has specialised in bringing Dahl’s works to a live audience. A young girl ends up befriending a big friendly giant who takes her on an adventure that results in her meeting the Queen. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484.

BLOOD BROTHERS (Venue Cymru, Llandudno, September 7-12)

WILLY Russell’s deeply moving story of a mother’s haunting secret and the reunion of twin brothers, separated at birth, always guarantees a standing ovation on home ground. Visit www.venuecymru.co.uk or ring 01492 872000.

THE CARETAKER (Everyman Theatre, Hope Street, Liverpool, October 2-31)

CELEBRATED actor Jonathan Pryce returns to the theatre where he began his career for Christopher Morahan’s production of this Harold Pinter classic story of two brothers and a tramp. Davies is down and out when Aston takes him in for the night. Lost in a shoeless world, chasing papers in Sidcup, he soon fancies his chances at something more permanent. But then Mick shows up. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

DESPERATE TO BE DORIS (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, September 23-October 3)

LIP Service present a new comedy with music featuring some of Doris Day’s greatest hits. Joining the comedy duo of Maggie Fox and Sue Ryding will be a community choir specially recruited for the Library run as well as Darren Southworth from the West End production of Spamalot. Dean works as a buyer for a mail order nightwear firm called The Pyjama Game. At home, he is a legend in his living room and sings like Doris Day! Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE (Theatr Stiwt, Broad Street, Rhos, November 5-7)

BIRMINGHAM Stage Company presents Roald Dahl’s amazing tale, adapted for the stage by David Wood. A young boy makes a marvellous medicine to cure his grandmother of her terrifying temper. But when his grandmother drinks the special new potion, the most incredible things start to happen. Visit www.stiwt.co.uk or ring 01978 841300.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (Venue Cynru, Llandudno, November 3-8)

THE musical that started it all for Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, originally conceived as a brief school production but eventually expanded into a musical theatre world beater thanks to memorable songs such as Any Dream Will Do and Close Ev’ry Door. Visit www.venuecymru.co.uk or ring 01492 872000.

KES (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, September 18-October 10)

THE Playhouse has announced an acclaimed cast for its new production of Kes. It includes Daniel Casey, who played Sgt Gavin Troy in ITV crime drama Midsomer Murders, Katherine Dow Blyton, and Oliver Farnworth, both former Hollyoaks actors. The lead role of Billy Casper, the schoolboy who rescues a kestrel, will be played by Stefan Butler, who has just finished the UK tour of David Essex’s musical, All The Fun Of The Fair. And 120 pupils from Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, Childwall Sports College, Halewood Arts College and St John Bosco Arts College will take on supporting parts. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

LORD OF THE DANCE (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, September 29-October 4)

THE most successful touring show in entertainment history has, to date, played in nearly 50 different countries to more than seven million people on every single continent. With more than 150,000 taps per performance, the Irish dance spectacular promises to wow British audiences yet again with its breathtaking footwork and dazzling music. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

MAGIC OF THE DANCE (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, September 1-2)

THEY tap on tables, jump over boxes, and stomp the ground until their shoes catch fire. This is a fast paced, energetic show where sparks really do fly as dancers celebrating the history of Ireland in one exciting dance production. Featuring high-octane choreography by eight times world champion John Carey and a haunting narrative by legendary actor Christopher Lee. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke or ring 0844 871 7649.

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO (Theatr Stiwt, Broad Street, Rhos, Wrexham, October 1)

MID Wales Opera present Mozart’s most popular opera. It tells of Figaro, one of opera’s most celebrated characters, and his planned marriage to his beloved Susanna. All Figaro’s wit and cunning is required as the lascivious Count Almaviva and the colourful members of his aristocratic household have other ideas before a happy conclusion is reached. Visit www.stiwt.co.uk or ring 01978 841300.