Theatres - Still Showing - January 28 onwards

Jan 26 2010 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STILL SHOWING

CHINESE STATE CIRCUS (The Lowry, Salford Quays, January 27-31)

THE Chinese State Circus returns to The Lowry with a new production. Narrated by the Monkey King, this spectacular show brings together world class martial arts warriors and acrobats, as well as a dizzying succession of plate-spinning divas, Beijing bicycle dancers and the Lion Dance. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 111 2000.

LES MISERABLES (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, January 19-February 13)

CAMERON Mackintosh present this 25th anniversary production of the world’s longest running musical. Heading an impressive cast is Broadway and West End star John Owen Jones as Jean Valjean, Earl Carpenter as Javert and Pop Idol winner Gareth Gates as Marius. The legendary score includes I Dreamed A Dream, Master of the House and Do You Hear The People Sing. Ring 0844 847 2484 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.

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)

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.

WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, January 20-30)

SINGER Jonathan Ansell has been announced as the star of this production of the smash hit musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman, based on the classic British film and featuring the best-selling song No Matter What which Boyzone took to number one for six weeks. Visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.