Theatres - 3/9/09

Sep 3 2009 by Michael Green, Flintshire Chronicle

STARTING THIS WEEK

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.

CANRIF/CENTURY (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, September 8-9)

FOLLOWING the huge success of the National Youth Theatre of Wales’ 2008 production Magnificent Myths of the Mabinogi, writer Manon Eames once again brings her remarkable ability to combine both the epic and the intimate with her new play for the company. Directed by NWTW artistic director Tim Baker, this is a portrait of Wales and beyond through the turbulent, traumatic and triumphant years of the 20th century. Visit www.venuecymru.co.uk or ring 01492 872000.

DINNERLADIES (The Lowry, Salford Quays, September 7-12)

VICTORIA Wood’s hit BBC TV sitcom is brought to the stage in a world premiere UK tour starring Andrew Dunn and Shobna Gulati from the original series. Follow the reluctant love story of Bren and Tony, egged on by Dolly, Jean. Twinkle and Anita. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

THE RAPE OF LUCRECE (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, September 7-8)

FOLLOWING a five-star winning run at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe and countless sell-out shows elsewhere, Olivier Award nominee and RSC actor Gerard Logan presents his tour de force solo performance of Shakespeare’s great narrative poem, bringing emotional intensity to this account of the terrible crime of rape and its dreadful consequences. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

STILL SHOWING

ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, August 31-September 5)

ONE of the West End’s biggest comedy hits is set to take the UK by storm as Bill Kenwright’s acclaimed production of Alan Ayckbourn’s play goes on tour. Lisa Kay from Heartbeat, Elizabeth Carling from Casualty, Coronation Street’s Stephen Beckett and Robert Duncan from Drop The Dead Donkey head the all-star cast. It’s party time at the Hopcrofts’ and the only present they want is to succeed in scaling the social ladder. Havoc ensues at the drinks party they hold to impress their high-powered friends but that’s nothing, compared with what happens over the next two years when the friends return their hospitality. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

THE MISER (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, September 2-October 3)

THE penny-pinching Harpagon reckons there’s a mint to be made in marriage and intends to cash in on both his children and himself – but Elise and Cleante believe in love and have fallen head over heels for suitors of their own. As Harpagon plots to stop his credit being crunched, nothing and nobody is as it seems in Moliere’s rapid-fire comedy. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

NEVER FORGET (Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl, September 1-5)

ONE of the big success stories of recent musical theatre history. The producers have gone out of their way to point out this is not just a hastily string-together list of Take That hits and, with a script by Shameless writer Danny Brocklehurst, they may be right. The story is not Take That’s but of a group of aspiring musical stars who find themselves forced to take the tribute band route. Visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk or ring 0870 060 6649.

PRICK UP YOUR EARS (The Lowry, Salford Quays, August 31-September 5)

SET in the 1960s, Kenneth Halliwell (Matt Lucas) and Joe Orton (Chris New), aspiring playwrights and sometime lovers, plot their rightful place at the centre of London’s literary scene while engaged in a secret crusade to improve the local library books, all in the worst possible taste, of course, and acting out their own versions of popular radio dramas. But after a short interlude at Her Majesty’s pleasure, Joe is about to become the greatest and most notorious comic playwright since Oscar Wilde, while Ken stays indoors redecorating, reduced to sharing Joe’s success with their neighbour, Mrs Corden (Gwen Taylor), over tea and a slice of Battenburg. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

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 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.

THE ENTERTAINER (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, November 4-December 5)

JOHN Osborne’s scathing and scintillating state of the nation classic from 1957 is revived by director Greg Hersov. Music Hall artist Archie Rice is about to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the last time he paid income tax. In a clapped out business in a broken country, he’s the last hurrah of a lost age but as long he can still make ’em laugh, he couldn’t care less. But then conflicts start to overwhelm him and his comedy begins turning to tragedy. 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.

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.

MOTHERLAND (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, October 6-10)

LIVE Theatre and Empty Space present this powerful and moving drama which shares the stories of women whose everyday lives have been touched by the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Winner of The Stage’s Best Ensemble at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.