Theatres - Coming Soon - February 11 onwards

Feb 11 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.

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.

FRANKIE & JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE (Venue Cymru, Llandudno, February 25-27)

HOLLYWOOD screen actress Kelly McGillis, of Top Gun and Witness fame, teams up with acclaimed stage and film actor Rolf Saxon for this Middle Ground Theatre Company production of Terence McNally’s charming romance. Age guidance 16+ - the production features full frontal nudity and swearing. Visit www.venuecymru.co.uk or ring 01492 872000.

GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, March 12-April 3)

MEET four desperate Chicago real estate salesmen.This month’s top guy wins a gleaming Cadillac, the runner-up takes home a set of steak knives, the rest get the sack. David Mamet’s sizzling drama of hard-driven men on the edge won a Pulitzer Prize. The production contains strong language and smoking on stage. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

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.

JUS’ LIKE THAT (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 22-27)

TOMMY Cooper, one of the nation’s most beloved natural clowns, is brought back to life in a show stuffed with all the trademarks - the fez, the magic, the gags. Clive Mantle of Holby City and Vicar of Dibley fame stars as the legendary comedian. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 111 2000.

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.

MEETING JOE STRUMMER (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 24)

1978. Nick and Steve see The Clash for the first time. It’s as if they take an oath to stay true to the values embodied in that day. 2002. Strummer’s death forces Nick and Steve to re-evaluate their lives. Charting the lads attempts to maintain their oath to Strummer while living through Thatcherism, paying the bills and maintaining relationships, this passionate punk comedy is about attitude, friendship and celebrity – and a celebration of the man who set the agenda for a generation. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 111 2000.

MUSE (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 21)

MUSE is a series of evolving narrative scenes, creative ideas, imaginings and personal experiences. Who is playing whose part? Who is speaking when? Is what we are seeing life or work or thoughts? For the maker everything is material. Exactly like the creative process Muse is often chaotic, messy and disorganised. At other times it’s beautifully focused and intimate. The space is the chaos of the makers mind. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 111 2000.

NOT IN MY NAME (The Brindley, High Street, Runcorn, February 23-27)

A BOLD and challenging play that allows young people to openly, safely and productively discuss issues around terrorism and extremism. The play realistically portrays the aftermath, community impact and personal consequences of a fictional terror attack as told from the perspective of a group of young characters. The production concludes with a structured interactive forum session that rewinds events of the play, and gives audiences an opportunity to discuss grievances and alternative courses of action. Visit www.thebrindley.org.uk or ring 0151 907 8360.

OPERA NORTH (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 23-27)

OPERA North return to The Lowry with three productions. Puccini’s La Boheme can be seen on February 23 and 26; Gilbert & Sullivan’s Ruddigore is on February 24 and 27; and Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte on February 25. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 111 2000.

PASIO’N DE BUENA VISTA (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, February 25-27)

FILLED with hot rhythms, delicate dances and beautiful melodies, this will take you on a tour through an exciting Cuban night, allowing you to experience the unspoiled rawness and joy of Cuban life.The show features top Cuban singers, dancers and a live band that will infect you with the heat and passion of Cuba. Ring 0844 847 2484 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.

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.

SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 25-27)

THE Gunwallow brothers are on the brink of bankruptcy. A once great Cornish family, they’ve lost everything; but there's a glimmer of hope… a legendary gold mine lost in the Arizona desert. Trouble is, no one who's ventured on to Superstition Mountain has lived to tell the tale. From the writer of Kneehigh’s Tristan & Yseult and Cymbeline, with powerful performances from three real Cornish brothers, this dark comic adventure explores the intimate bonds and savage divides of brotherly love. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 111 2000.

THE 39 STEPS (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, February 22-27)

DIRECT from the West End, Broadway and 25 countries around the globe comes Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller, brilliantly and hilariously recreated as the smash-hit Olivier Award-winning Best New Comedy. This blissfully funny show follows the incredible adventures of our handsome hero Richard Hannay, complete with stiff-upper-lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents, and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke or ring 0844 871 7649.

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.