Theatres - Still Showing - December 17 onwards

Dec 14 2009 Chester Chronicle

STILL SHOWING

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.

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.

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.

CINDERELLA (The Grange Theatre, Hartford, Northwich, December 5-January 3)

PANTO comes to the Cheshire stage with this magical fairy tale that sees former Coronation Street actress Casey-Lee Jolleys take on the title role of Cinders alongside David Dale and Drew Christie as the Ugly Sisters. Visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk or ring 0845 241 7868.

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 (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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

SLEEPING BEAUTY (Lyceum Theatre, Heath Street, Crewe, December 2-January 2)

DAVID Lonsdale of Heartbeat stars as King Bumble, Jane Tucker of Rainbow fame plays Azuriel and Kerry Newell from Fun Song Factory and Wakey Wakey is Prince Valiant in this traditional family pantomime. Visit www.lyceumtheatre.net or ring 01270 537333.

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 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.

THE 39 STEPS (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, December 3-January 16)

DIRECT from the West End comes Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller, brilliantly and hilariously recreated by Patrick Barlow. It follows the adventures of handsome hero Richard Hannay as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents and devastatingly beautiful women. Four fearless actors play 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

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.