Theatres - Still Showing - November 26 onwards

Nov 24 2009 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STILL SHOWING

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, November 17-December 5)

WITH a cast, orchestra and crew of 100 - including 10 dogs - sensational sets and stunning special effects, this action-packed adventure is the story of a magical car, its inventor Caractacus Potts, his two children, joined by Truly Scrumptious and Grandpa Potts as they try to outwit the evil Baron and the frightening Childcatcher. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke or ring 0844 871 7649.

DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE (The Lowry, Salford Quays, November 24-28)

The Royal Shakespeare Company return with a critically acclaimed and blisteringly topical play by Roy Williams, one of the UK’s most exciting playwrights. Before they depart for active service, two young soldiers make the most of a drunken night out with friends in an English market town. Their bravado is soon crushed by their tour of duty and the civilian life they return to is now as alien to them as the desert they left behind. Contains strong language, violence and scenes of an adult nature. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

THE ENTERTAINER (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’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.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

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.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, November 23-28)

THE East High Wildcats are back for more fun as they dive into the fabulous world of Lava Springs Country Club. Join Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan and the gang on their summer break. This new show introduces GMTV Search for Troy winner Liam Doyle. Visit www.palaceamdoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484.

PUB (Royal Exchange Theatre Studio, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, November 11-December 5)

AS THE nights draw in, it’s happy hour in The Studio with an eclectic celebration of the Great British Pub. Featuring new work by new directors and some imaginative performers, this is a unique programme of performance with a surprise around every corner. Snatches of story combine with live music, real ale, quizzes, games and chance encounters. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

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.

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.

COMING SOON

ALADDIN (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, December 5-January 3)

THE most mystical pantomime of all flies into Manchester, guaranteeing another spectacular extravaganza for all the family. Join heroic Aladdin on a magic carpet ride as he tries to outwit the evil Abanazar. Headling is Coronation Street bad boy Gray O’Brien, joined by Hollyoaks star and Dancing On Ice finalist Chris Fountain as well as Eric Potts, Mike McClean and Sue Devaney. Ring 0844 847 2484 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.

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.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, December 9-31)

ROBERT Perkins returns with his successful one-man version of Charles Dickens’ famous Christmas story, bringing to life a host of familiar characters including the infamous Scrooge. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

DICK WHITTINGTON (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, December 10-January 10)

JOIN Dick Whittington on his fun-filled quest for fame and fortune in this traditional family panto starring Jonathan Wilkes, Christian Patterson and Steven Serlin. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke or ring 0844 871 7649.

THE GOLDEN PATHWAY ANNUAL (Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place, Chester, February 16-19)

PUPILS from Theatretrain schools in Chester and Wrexham present a play by John Harding and John Burrows that is a series of connected sketches following the life of Michael Peters from the age of 2-23. It is a nostalgic look back at the period from the end of the Second World War to the 1960s but it is also much more than that. Visit www.tiptopproductions.co.uk or ring 01244 341296.

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.

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.

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.

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, December 7-12)

THE legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical by Richard O’Brien returns to the stage with the usual assortment of outrageous characters led by Frank n Furter and also featuring the hapless Brad and Jent, rippling Rocky and vivacious Magenta. Hit numbers include Sweet Transvestite, Damn It Janet and, of course, The Time Warp. Ring 0844 847 2484 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.

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.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, December 14-January 16)

A REAL coup for the Palace Theatre sees Connie Fisher herself return to her role she sensationally made her own on national TV and the West End stage in this classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. The production also features TV and stage star Michael Praed as Captain Von Trapp and, direct from the West End show, Maggie Preece as Mother Abbess. Ring 0844 847 2484 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.

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.