Theatres - 10/9/09

Sep 9 2009 by Michael Green, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

STARTING THIS WEEK

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, September 15-19)

DISNEY’S multi-award winning musical Beauty and the Beast, which has received rave reviews and played to capacity audiences across the UK, is back at the Regent. 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.ambassadortickets/stoke or ring 0844 871 7649.

THE BROWNING VERSION & SWAN SONG (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, September 14-19)

TO THE Manor Born star Peter Bowles heads the cast of Terence Rattigan’s award-winning drama about a disliked classics master at an English public school who has reached the last day of his career and re-examines the debris of his life. The production is accompanied by the classic one-act Chekhov play Swan Song, about an elderly Russian actor who wakes up in his dressing room in an almost empty theatre after his final performance. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

42ND STREET (The Brindley, High Street, Runcorn, September 15-19)

CHESTER Musicals present a great big smiling, sparkling, tapping, back-flipping production which will transport you to the Golden Age of Broadway. Unforgettable songs include Lullaby of Broadway, We’re in the Money, You’re Getting to Be a Habit With Me, Dames and the spectacular title number. Visit www.thebrindley.org.uk or ring 0151 907 8360.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, September 17-October 10)

TENNESSEE Williams’ first great play is well established as a classic of the American stage. In the squalor and poverty of a St Louis tenement in 1937, the Wingfields dream of a different life. All of Amanda’s hopes are fixed on finding a gentleman caller for her cripplingly shy daughter Laura, while son Tom endures the crushing boredom of working in a shoe factory. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

HORRIBLE HISTORIES (Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, Wirral, September 15-19)

BIRMINGHAM Stage Company present live stage versions of the Terry Deary books Frightful First World War and Woeful Second World War, featuring amazing 3D Bogglevision effects. Contact the venue for details of which show is performed at what times. Visit www.floralpavilion.com or ring 0151 666 0000.

THE MAGIC LOCKER (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, September 15-19)

UK PREMIERE of an all new children’s musical based on the book by Billy Roberts and starring Herbert Howe as The Sleepy Time Keeper. While in Alder Hey Hospital, seven-year-old Billy is transported through the locker door into a fantasy world called Heswobble, peopled by cartoon-like characters. A percentage of every ticket sold will be donated to Alder Hey’s Imagine Appeal. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

THE WALWORTH FARCE (The Lowry, Salford Quays, September 15-19)

IT’S 11am in a council flat in London’s Walworth Road. In two hours, as is normal, three Irish men will have consumed six cans of Harp, 10 pink wafers and one oven-cooked chicken. In two hours, as is normal, five people will have been killed. Druid Ireland returns to The Lowry with this ferociously entertaining play by Enda Walsh. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

STILL SHOWING

ANNIE (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, September 7-12)

FROM its Broadway beginnings to the classic film musical, this heartwarming rags to riches story of Annie’s adventures from the New York orphanage to the home of Daddy Warbucks is a timeless tale, brought to life with the help of wonderful songs such as It’s A Hard Knock Life and Tomorrow. Su Pollard of Hi-De-Hi fame heads the cast alongside David McAlister. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

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.

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 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.

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. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

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.

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.

SHIRLEY VALENTINE (The Brindley, High Street, Runcorn, September 29-October 3)

CENTENARY Theatre Company presents Willy Russell’s classic play – the middle aged Liverpudlian housewife finally escapes her hum-drum life and flies off to Greece to find her true self. Made famous by the film version starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti. Visit www.thebrindley.org.uk or ring 0151 907 8360.

STEPPING OUT (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, September 22-26)

FORMER EastEnders star Jessie Wallace and Brian Capron, best known as sinister Richard Hillman in Coronation Street, star in this Richard Harris hit comedy. In a dusty church hall, ex-professional dancer Mavis holds her weekly tap class with a bunch of well-intentioned but not very talented students. The thought of anyone actually watching terrifies them – so Mavis has a job on her hands when they are invited to perform at a charity gala. Visit www.ambassadortickets/stoke or ring 0844 871 7649.

THE TART AND THE VICAR’S WIFE (Lyceum Theatre, Heath Street, Crewe, September 21-26)

SINGER and actress Bernie Nolan teams up with Matt Healy from Emmerdale, Sarah Jane Buckley from Hollyoaks and Brookside regular Marcus Hutton for a revival of this hit comedy by Joan Shirley. Glenda and her husband Robert were the archetypal successful couple – until Robert decides to devote himself to God and become a vicar. Then a millionaire turns up in the village, looking for help from Robert to exorcise his haunted manor house and Glenda and her friends realise just how far they will go for money! Visit www.lyceumtheatre.net or ring 01270 537333.

WRITE ME A MURDER (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, September 22-26)

ICONIC EastEnders star Leslie Grantham heads the cast of this ingenious Frederick Knott thriller which also stars Christopher Villiers from Emmerdale, Paul Opacic from Bad Girls and Helen Weir of Emmerdale. Two brothers inherit the family fortune upon the death of their father. You are ivited to solve the dilemma of not only who is the murderer but also who is the victim in this intricate maze of clues and crimes. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.