Theatres - Coming Soon - January 21 onwards

Jan 15 2010 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

COMING SOON

AND A NIGHTINGALE SANG (New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, January 29-February 20)

A TEAM of TV talents are swapping soaps for Spam sandwiches for this wartime comedy. Katherine Dow Blyton of Hollyoaks is joining forces with Eastenders director Sarah Punshon for CP Taylor’s play, filled with musical favourites from the 40s. In World War Two Newcastle upon Tyne, the Stotts are an eccentric family waging personal battles against the terrifying backdrop of war. Amid the air raid sirens and fears of poison gas, Mam makes Spam sandwiches, Dad makes his own entertainment, Grandpa mourns his dead whippet, and daughters Joyce and Helen discover the joy and heartbreak of first love. Ring 01782 717962 or visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk.

ANDERSEN’S ENGLISH (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, March 2-6)

OUT of Joint have put together a top notch cast for Sebastian Barry’s haunting new play, directed by Max Stafford-Clark, including Niamh Cusack and David Rintoul. Celebrated children’s writer Hans Christian Andersen arives, unannounced, for a stay at Gad’s Hill Place in the Kent marshes - home to Charles Dickens and his charismatic family. It seems to be a scene of domestic bliss but Andersen doesn’t at first see the storms brewing within the family. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

BAHOK (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 4)

NAMED after a Bengali word meaning “carrier”, this hotly anticipated work from Akram Khan Company features a score by Nitin Sawhney and explores how the bodey can express a sense of national identity and belonging. The dancers come from diverse cultures - Chinese, Korean, Indian, South African, Slovakian and Spanish - and their rich mix of both spoken and dance language pushes the boundaries of movement vocabulary. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 111 2000.

THE COLLECTOR (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 4-5)

BASED on an adaptation of John Fowles’ classic novel, this superb psychological thriller from Pronto Productions is in turn sad, tense and horrific. Frederick is a man obsessed, repressed, introverted and unloved. A collector of butterflies and a keen photographer, he seeks solace in Miranda, a young intelligent art student. When his luck takes a turn for the better, he buys a remote farmhouse and makes plans for the future. However, he soon discovers the reality of his new life is far from the fantasy he imagined. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 111 2000.

DANCING IN THE STREETS (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, February 8-13)

A CELEBRATION of 50 years of Motown with a company that dynamically recreates the energy, style and music of the stars of the Motown stable including Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, The Four Topes and The Temptations. Visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

THE DEVIL’S DISCIPLE (Little Theatre, Gloucester Street, Newtown, Chester, June 28-July 3)

THE Chester Little Theatre season comes to a close with this classic George Bernard Shaw play. Set in colonial America during the revolutionary era, it tells the story of Richard Dudgeon, a local outcast and self-proclaimed “Devil’s Disciple”. In a twist, Dudgeon sacrifices himself in a Christ-like gesture despite his professed infernal allegiance. Visit www.chestertheatreclub.co.uk or ring 01244 322674.

A DOLL’S HOUSE (Little Theatre, Gloucester Street, Newtown, Chester, May 10-15)

THE Chester company present Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 play, his first to create a sensation and now perhaps his most famous work. The play is an important piece from the naturalist mivement, in a departure from previous forms. It is often referred to as the first “feminist” play. Visit www.chestertheatreclub.co.uk or ring 01244 322674.

THE DREADFUL HOURS (Everyman Theatre, Hope Street, Liverpool, February 11-13)

COMBINING Tmesis Theatre’s trademark physicality with new writing from acclaimed North West playwright Chris Fittock, this is a darkly comic drama exploring the quiet disintegration of love’s first flourish through the lifetime of one couple’s relationship. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

FENCING FOR LOSERS (The Lowry, Salford Quays, January 29-31)

A MOVING tale from Ignition Stage of the cut-and-thrust nature of human relationships. Know-it-all Mancunian Danny signs up for fencing lessons in a bid to escape a life that is going nowhere. Full of bravado, he wants it all and has his sights set on nothing less than Olympic gold. His teacher Susan, also in a rut, needs to explore new horizons. Together they discover that escape is possible and an unlikely relationship develops between the sophisticated older woman and her tough, young pupil. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 111 2000.

GHOST STORIES (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, February 4-20)

A TRULY terrifying theatrical experience written and directed by Jeremy Dyson of The League of Gentlemen fame and Andy Nyman, who co-created Derren Brown’s TV and stage shows. This is a spectacular 80 minute ride that will chill and thrill in equal measure. Not suitable for anyone under the age of 15 or of a nervous disposition. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

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.

GOOD WILL (Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place, Chester, April 23-25)

IN A local government office, one woman searches for the courage to keep her dignity and finally voices the truth. Card-maker Margaret Gallagher is a lonely widow who is cajoled into teaching by Clare, a newly promoted manager at the local authority. Margaret is needed to cover a staff shortage but is unaware of a pending inspection set to shape the future of the service. This thrilling drama by Paul Kelly is a story of exploitation, betrayal and integrity. Visit www.tiptopproductions.co.uk or ring 01244 341296.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, February 1-6)

THE first film was turned into a stage musical that was so successful, its sequel has now received the same treatment. All the much-loved characters from the film series make a welcome return and the soundtrack features songs such as What Time Is It and You Are The Music In Me. Visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, March 8-13)

THE first film was turned into a stage musical that was so successful, its sequel has now received the same treatment. All the much-loved characters from the film series make a welcome return and the soundtrack features songs such as What Time Is It and You Are The Music In Me. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke or ring 0844 871 7649.

HOLD TIGHT IT’S 60S NIGHT (Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place, Chester, March 18-27)

CINDERELLA revisited with the beehives, the minis, Dusty, Cilla and much more. Suburban England in the middle of the Swinging Sixties. Downtrodden teenager Ruby dreams of meeting her handsome prince, falls asleep and is suddenly whisked away to the arms of Rock Hard at the Plastic Palais de Dance. Visit www.tiptopproductions.co.uk or ring 01244 341296.

HOOF! AND HOOF JNR! (Everyman Theatre, Hope Street, Liverpool, February 19-20)

OVER the last six years, Spike Theatre have ensured this cult impro show has established itself as a unique live event. A bare stage transforms into a visual, verbal and musical feast as four performers and a musician catapult the audience into a totally improvised world. And for younger viewers there is Hoof Jnr!, a totally improvised fairytale where the audience decides everything from its title to who are the heroes and villains. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

I OUGHT TO BE IN PICTURES (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, February 11-27)

TOUCHING, poignant and typically funny Neil Simon comedy drama. Hollywood screenwriter Herbert Tucker is down on his luck. Struggling with writer’s block, his career is on the skids. One day, his daughter Libby, an aspiring New York actress he abandoned nearly 20 years ago, turns up unannounced at his door. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

MATTHEW BOURNE’S SWAN LAKE (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, February 15-20)

BOURNE’S triumphant modern re-interpretation of Swan Lake turned tradition ulside down when it was premiered in 1995. Now it is firmly crowned as a modern day classic, blending dance, humour and spectacle with extravagant, award-winning designs. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke or ring 0844 871 7649.

NODDY IN TOYLAND (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, February 15-16)

JOIN Noddy and Tessie Bear’s sing-a-long, dance-a-long party to which everyone is invoted - apart from those two naughty goblins Sly and Gobbo. Noddy will keep an eye on those two and knows exactly how to stay one step ahead of their games. With Mr Plod, Whiz the Robot, Bumpy Dog, Car and, of course, Big Ears, this is a fun-filled 60th anniversary adventure. Visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

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.

PEPPA PIG’S PARTY (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 4-7)

THE award-winning children’s TV series is recreated with puppets live on stage for the first time by the producers of Lazy Town Live. Peppa is a playful little pig who lives with her younger brother George, Mummy and Daddy Pig. Through everyday adventures, she plays games, makes new friends and enjoys jumping up and down in muddy puddles. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 111 2000.

PRIVATE FEARS IN PUBLIC PLACES (Little Theatre, Gloucester Street, Newtown, Chester, March 8-13)

THE most contemporary offering of the latest Chester Little Theatre season is this 2004 Alan Ayckbourn play. It intimately follows a few days in the lives of six characters in four tightly woven stories through 54 scenes. Visit www.chestertheatreclub.co.uk or ring 01244 322674.

THE RAT PACK - LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, February 2-6)

FRANK Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr and Dean Martin - names that have been immortalised on the silver screen and in the wider sphere of popular music. This spectacular production celebrates the incredible singing talent of three world famous entertainers and performers and some of the finest music and song that has ever been recorded. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke or ring 0844 871 7649.

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 SNOW QUEEN (Theatr Stiwt, Broad Street, Wrexham, January 30-31)

HANS Christian Andersen’s everygreen fairytale of the frozen north brings a touch of magic. Former Crossroads star Jane Rossington features in the title role as the Snow Queen who plans to rule the world in a new ice age. Visit www.stiwt.co.uk or ring 01978 841300.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, February 4-27)

ONE of the greatest modern classics, this is the powerful story - based on the book by Harper Lee - of a fight for racial justice in a community divided and ruled by prejudice and discrimination. In Maycomb, Alabama, in the 1930s, momentous events unfold through the eyes of eight-year-old Scout Finch who lives in a close-knit neighbourhood with older brother Jem and lawyer father Atticus. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

UP ‘N’ UNDER (Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place, Chester, May 8-15)

JOHN Godber’s classic rugby-playing comedy. The Cobblers Arms have been the best and most feared amateur rugby league team for the past 10 years. But then ex-pro Arthur bets their boss that he could train a bunch of deadbeats to defeat them in a local rugby sevens tournament. Visit www.tiptopproductions.co.uk or ring 01244 341296.

THE WOMAN WHO COOKED HER HUSBAND (Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place, Chester, April 9-11)

FOOD for thought from playwright Debbie Isitt for any man with an appetite for adultery. Hilary is a housewife with all the tricks of the trade when it comes to keeping her home shipshape. the only problem is husband Kennth takes his dinner and clean clothes for granted. Then Kenneth decides to have an affair with a younger woman who can’t cook to save her life. Visit www.tiptopproductions.co.uk or ring 01244 341296.