Theatres - Coming Soon - 4/2/10

Feb 2 2010 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

COMING SOON

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.

COME DANCING (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, February 22-27)

STEP back in time and get ready to dance with former Kinks front man and songwriter Ray Davies’ award-winning musical. At the Palais Ballroom of the 1950s, thousands would dance and romance as rock ‘n’ roll was bursting on to the scene. The show includes new songs as well as such classics as Waterloo Sunset and You Really Got Me. Ring 0844 847 2484 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.

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.

DIE FLEDERMAUS (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 15-20)

ONE of the world's most famous operettas gets a glittering new look from the country's best small-scale opera and operetta company. Opera della Luna have earned themselves a matchless reputation. They now turn their hand to the waltz king Johann Strauss and this most sparkling of scores. This entirely new and saucy production is directed by Jeff Clarke. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 111 2000.

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.

FATAL ENCOUNTER (Lyceum Theatre, Heath Street, Crewe, February 15-20)

NICHOLAS Ball, Anita Harris and Neil Stacy head the cast of this Francis Durbridge thriller. Howard MansfieldŠis concerned for his wifeŠJoanna, who has become unusually distressed and nervous. WhenŠheŠarrives home one day to find that Joanna has accidentally shot his former friend Perry during a struggle, he decides to protect her by confessing to the shooting himself. Plenty of twists and turns ensue to keep the audience guessing until the final unexpected showdown. Visit www.lyceumtheatre.net or ring 01270 537333.

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 (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.

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.

MEDEA (Everyman Theatre, Hope Street, Liverpool, February 23-27)

THE acclaimed Northern Broadsides company returns with their highly charged performance and charismatic cast of actors who take on the Euripedes classic in a new version by Tom Paulin. Alone and betrayed by a husband she sacrificed everything for, Medea unleashes a horrifying vengeance on her enemies, making both assassins and victims of her children. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

ME, MUM & DUSTY SPRINGFIELD (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 12-13)

THIS one-woman black comedy examines the bond between mothers and daughters and how we cope with loss when it’s just too late. Mary is preparing to scatter her mother’s ashes. It’s not what she had in mind, but that’s down to her mother’s final demand, which, like everything else, is set within a world of Dusty Springfield. Can Mary unravel the ties that bind herself, her mother and Dusty Springfield, in the hope that this final act will enable her to move on? Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 111 2000.

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.

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.

PULL THE OTHER ONE (Clwyd Room, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, February 18-20)

MOLD Players are once again presenting one of their side-splitting cabaret plays. Albert Perkins is blessed with a loving wife and cursed with a fearsome mother-in-law. But his life becomes intolerable when his mother-in-law comes across a letter Albert receives from an old friend. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

TRACES (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, February 18-20)

THE 7 Fingers show first saw the light of day in Montreal in 2006 since when it has toured the world, bringing audiences and critics to their feet. The show combines high level circus skills with electric urban street energy featuring disciplines as varied as Chinese poles, basketball, skateboards, classical piano and dance as five acrobats move quickly from one skill to the next. Visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

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.