Theatres - Starting Next week - December 10 onwards

Dec 7 2009 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STARTING THIS WEEK

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.

CINDERELLA (Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl, December 11-January 8)

A SPECTACULAR pantomime for all the family starring stage and screen veteran Amanda Barrie of Coronation Street fame as the Fairy Godmother, with Derek Moran as Buttons and Rebecca Trehearn as Cinders. Visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk or ring 01745 330000.

CINDERELLA (The Brindley, High Street, Runcorn, December 11-January 10)

THE Brindley pantomime will once again be presented by the excellent New Pantomime Productions and this year features a top notch line-up of stars led by Leah Bracknell from Emmerdale, Syd Little of Little & Large fame and veteran comedian Aiden J Harvey. The show will have the usual beautiful costumes and scenery, with lots of festive fun for all the family. Visit www.thebrindley.org.uk or ring 0151 907 8360.

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.

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (Bickerton Village Hall, December 12)

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. Ring 01829 782392.

HORRID HENRY – LIVE AND HORRID! (Dancehouse Theatre, Oxford Road, Manchester, December 11-January 3)

THE first time Henry, his long-suffering parents, his smelly-nappy-baby brother, Perfect Peter, and the rest of the gang have been seen on stage. They appear in a great new play by acclaimed playwright John Godber, author of Teechers, Up’n’Under, Bouncers, On the Piste and many more.

Visit www.quaytickets.com or ring 0843 208 0500.

MARISKA CARNESKY’S MAGIC WAR (The Lowry, Salford Quays, December 17)

A SECRET society is in session. You are invited to a bizarre ritual where all is not as it seems. Enter Olivier Award-winning Marisa Carnesky’s strange and spectacular world of nightmarish tricks, thrilling visual illusions and dark humour, questioning our beliefs and survival strategies. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 111 2000.

MERRY DING DONG (Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool, December 11-January 23)

FRED Lawless, co-writer of Slappers and Slapheads, has created a festive play specifically for the audience at the Royal Court. A combination of scouse comedy and rock and roll panto the show will have audiences singing and laughing as events unfurl. The cast includes Jake Abraham, Stephen Aintree, Eithne Browne, Stephen Fletcher, Lindzi Germain, Rachel Rae and Alan Stocks. Visit www.royalcourtliverpool.com or ring 0870 787 1866.

PETER PAN (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, December 11-January 3)

THE Empire has secured the services of a true TV legend as The Fonz himself, Henry Winkler, takes the starring role of Captain Hook in this typically lavish panto which also stars Natasha Hamilton from Atomic Kitten as Peter Pan and Les Dennis as the dame. Visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

PETER PAN (Lifestyle Centre, Winsford, December 14-29)

HIGH-flying pantomime with all your favourite characters from the JM Barrie classic plus songs, laughter and excitement in a magical adventure for all the family. Visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or ring 01606 867539.

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (Venue Cymru, Llandudno, December 14-January 3)

STRICTLY Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has been snapped up for the starring role as The Wicked Queen in this lavish family panto. Joining him will be UK Eurovision finalist Mark Evans as The Prince, Gemma James as Snow White and Venue Cymru favourite John Evans as Muddles. Visit www.venuecymru.co.uk or ring 01492 872000.

THE SNOW WHITE MASQUERADE BALL (The Lowry, Salford Quays, December 12)

DRESSED in fabulous 18th century costumes, dreamers invite you to their masquerade for an evening of song, dance, puppetry, poetry, film and dramatic vignettes. Part musical and part masked ball. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 111 2000.

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.