Theatres - Still Showing - November 5 onwards

Nov 3 2009 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STILL SHOWING

THE BFG (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, November 3-7)

DAVID Wood’s acclaimed adaptation of Roald Dahl’s perennial favourite returns to the stage. When little orphan Sophie is snatched out of her bed in the dead of night by the BFG, she fears the worst. But in fact, the giant is a dream catcher and not a man eater and he’s about to take Sophie on a journey she never expected. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

CABARET (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, October 27-November 7)

SHOWBIZ veteran Wayne Sleep stars in this risqué production of the classic musical set in Berlin in 1931. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484.

FESTEN (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, October 22-November 14)

TIM Baker directs this dramatisation by David Eldridge of the celebrated Danish Dogme film and play by Thomas Vinterberg, Mogens Rukov and Bo Hansen. A father is celebrating his 60th birthday with a formal dinner at his large country home. But there is tension in the air and when Christian, the eldest son, rises to propose the first toast, he makes a devastating accusation against his father which changes relationships forever. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

THE GOOD SOUL OF SZECHUAN (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, October 30-November 28)

THREE gods are on a mission to see if there are any good people left on earth. Only Shen Te, a warm-hearted prostitute, offers them shelter. She opens a tobacco shop with what the gods give her as thanks. Suddenly everyone starts to take advantage of her good nature. How will she survive? David Harrower translates Bertolt Brecht’s parable for our time in a production directed by Chris Honer. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

HORRIBLE HISTORIES (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, November 3-7)

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

HOW NOW BROWN COW (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, November 2-7)

THE fifth play in Brendan O’Carroll’s hilarious Mrs Brown series, following the huge success of For The Love of Mrs Brown which premiered at the Empire in 2007. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

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.

MIXED UP NORTH (Everyman Theatre, Hope Street, Liverpool, November 3-7)

BASED on real events, this collaboration between Out of Joint and Octagon Theatre Bolton is a fiercely funny and moving new playby Robin Soans about the difficulties of uniting divided racial communities in the Lancashire mill town of Burnley. Trish leads a youth theatre group for Asian and white teenagers. At the final dress rehearsal, tensions rise and bonds fracture. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

MRS WARREN’S PROFESSION (The Lowry, Salford Quays, November 2-7)

STAGE and TV star Felicity Kendal stars in this Theatre Royal Bath production of George Bernard Shaw’s classic play. No one has ever really known what is Mrs Warren’s profession, least of all her prim and propert daughter Vivie. But how will Vivie’s react when she discovers the awful truth about her mother’s ill-gotten gains. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

THE PRODUCERS (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, November 3-7)

AMATEUR production by NSOS of this Broadway and West End sensation based on the classic Mel Brooks comedy film about a dodgy theatrical producer and his hapless accountant who come up with a scam to stage a guaranteed disaster of a show - only to see it become a massive hit. Visit www.ambassadortickets/stoke or ring 0844 871 7649.

COMING SOON

ALADDIN (Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place, Chester, December 15-January 3)

TIP Top Productions return to traditional pantomime for this home-grown production written by Peter Swingler who has been creating pantos for more than 30 years. Visit www.tiptopproductions.co.uk or ring 01244 341296.

BLITHE SPIRIT (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, December 9-January 23)

NOEL Coward’s glorious supernatural comedy comes to the Exchange with a cast headed by Suranne Jones. When Charles Condomine and his wife Ruth hire the services of eccentric Madame Arcati, they don’t realise they are in for an evening of high spirits - especially with the madcap mystic accidentally brings Charles’ ex-wife Elvira back from the beyond. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

DICK WHITTINGTON (Everyman Theatre, Hope Street, Liverpool, November 28-January 23)

THE Everyman rock ‘n’ roll panto is one of the highlights of the festive season on the North West stage. Writers Sarah Nixon and Mark Chatterton have taken on the classic story of London’s most famous pre-Boris Johnson Mayor in a production which is also directed by Chatterton and packed with rock ‘n’ roll numbers. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

GRIMM TALES (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, December 5-January 23)

THE Brothers Grimm’s dark and spooky stories have been brought to life on stage by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy in this new Library Theatre Company production which promises to provide a feast of physical, musical and mythical theatre. Suitable for ages six and upwards. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

HANSEL & GRETEL (Theatr Stiwt, Broad Street, Rhos, December 3-4)

FULL House Theatre Company present an uplifting, comical show to appeal to all ages featuring magical masks and giant puppetry in the story of the two children who venture into the forst where they encounter a wicked witch. Visit www.stiwt.co.uk or ring 01978 841300.

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place, Chester, December 1-2)

THEATRE in the Quarter have collected local people’s memories of Christmas during World War Two as the basis for Helen Newall’s new play featuring original music by Matt Baker and directed by former Gateway Theatre director Russ Tunney. The production will be performed by a company of four actors and community singers/musicians. Visit www.tiptopproductions.co.uk or ring 01244 341296.

KAFKA’S DICK (Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place, Chester, January 8-10)

AN AMATEUR production of Alan Bennett’s fast-paced comedy. In Prague 1919, Franz Kafka is a dying man and his best friend Max Brod promises to burn all his unpublished works after his death. In present day suburban England, a married couple is astonished when Max turns up on their doorstep - swiftly followed by Kafka himself! Visit www.tiptopproductions.co.uk or ring 01244 341296.

ONE LITTLE WORD (The Brindley, High Street, Runcorn, November 13)

INTERNATIONALLY renowned M6 Theatre Company brings its wealth of more than 30 years experience to this sensitive new production. We meet two characters who play together – exploring a new space, new objects, dressing up and taking turns - but struggles arise when one of them wants to be the only Captain of the ship! A beautiful and gentle story of friendship, power struggles and the rich world of creative play. Specially created for young children 3+ and contains only one spoken word. Visit www.thebrindley.org.uk or ring 0151 907 8360.

THE ORIENTATIONS TRILOGY (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, February 17-27)

RE-ORIENTATIONS is the third part of ground-breaking theatre company Border Crossings’ trilogy and is a visually stunning feast, tackling issues of gender, sexuality and performance in mythic and contemporary Asia. The trilogy is produced in association with the all-male company Yaksha Degula from Bangalore in India. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

OUR DAY OUT (Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place, Chester, January 21-30)

AN AMATEUR production of Willy Russell’s hilarious but moving story of a bunch of under-privileged school children taken on a day out to Conwy Castle by their teachers. Visit www.tiptopproductions.co.uk or ring 01244 341296.

A RAISIN IN THE SUN (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, January 27-February 20 2010)

LORRAINE Hansberry’s play was the first written by a black woman to be produced on Broadway, winning the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for best play of 1959. Lena’s life on Chicago’s Southside has always been about staying alive with “a pinch of dignity”. Now the insurance money from her husband’s death is coming through, her family sees the chance to make their dreams come true. But when those dreams conflict, it becomes harder than ever to retain that dignity. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

RE:PLAY FESTIVAL 2010 (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, January 26-February 6)

FIRMLY established as the primary platform for theatre companies to present the best productions first seen in smaller venues in manchester and Salford to a wider audience. Details of the programme will be available on the Library website. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

ROBIN HOOD & THE BABES IN THE WOOD (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, November 20-January 23)

THE same team who produced Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella - The Panto With Soul return to Mold for what is sure to be another sell-out show. Robin Hood tries to outwit the Sheriff of Nottingham and save the babes and their Nanny and marry Maid Marian. A talented cast of actor/musicians serve up more than 20 rock ‘n’ roll classics along the way. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

SALT (Royal Exchange Theatre Studio, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, February 3-20 2010)

WORLD premiere of Fiona Peek’s sparkling and seductive play, one of four winners of the Bruntwood Playwriting Competition. Though Amy and Simon have the money and children that life has so far denied Nick and Rachel, a friendship forged years ago remains constant. When they find the cash to enable their friends to hold on to their dreams, a simple act of charity brings everything bubbling to the surface. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

SAUSAGE & SAMOSA (The Brindley, High Street, Runcorn, November 21)

EVE, an environmentalist and dry-stone wall expert, is tired of dating agencies and in a last ditch attempt to find her man taps into the Asian culture of arranged marriages. She takes cookery, Asian etiquette and dancing classes - all food for the ultimate blind date and her quest for the perfect man. Ready Steady Cook meets Blind Date and in true Bollywood style, Eve’s fantasy begins as the potential suitors downloaded from Eve’s website are shown. The audience cast their vote by raising a sausage or a samosa card to choose Eve’s perfect Adam. Visit www.thebrindley.org.uk or ring 0151 907 8360.

SCROOGE (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, November 23-28)

LEGENDARY song and dance man Tommy Steele returns to the role of Dickens’ infamous miser, brought to musical life in this spectacular production which features numbers including Thank You Very Much. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

SPACESHIP ‘87 (Royal Exchange Theatre Studio, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, December 16-January 2)

1987: the year of shell suits, casio keyboards and the great storm. A little girl’s bedroom has been turned into a spaceship - a place to dream about astronauts, aliens and asteroids. But there is a storm raging, both through her family and outside, a storm which threatens to destroy everything. This is a flourescent voyage exploring the power of the imagination, accompanied by a classic 1980s soundtrack. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

WEST SIDE STORY (The Brindley, High Street, Runcorn, November 17-21)

CENTENARY Theatre Company present this famous musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet set in New York City, where rival street gangs (the Jets and the Sharks) battle for territory and respect. Is the love affair between former Jets leader Tony and Maria, sister to Sharks’ leader Bernardo, doomed to failure? Visit www.thebrindley.org.uk or ring 0151 907 8360.

WHITE CHRISTMAS (The Lowry, Salford Quays, November 27-January 9)

SINGING star Aled Jones, former chart-topper Suzanne Shaw and stage and screen veteran Roy Dotrice head the cast for this stunning stage version of the classic film musical featuring songs by Irving Berlin. It tells the story of two buddies putting on a show in a magical Vermont inn who find their perfect mates in the process. Apart from the immortal title song, other numbers include Blue Skies, Happy Holidays and Sisters. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.