Theatres - Starting This Week - September 15 onwards

Sep 11 2011 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STARTING THIS WEEK

MARLENE (New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, September 15-22)

PARIS, the 1970s. Legendary screen and stage actress Marlene Dietrich, now in her 70s, is preparing for that evening’s solo performance. In the twilight years of her career and acutely aware of her celebrity status, Merlene is as fierce as ever. But backstage we glimpse the nerves, the pressue and the need for applause. Pam Gems’ play is a moving celebration of the woman behind the myth. Call 01782 717962 or visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk.

LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, September 20-October 1)

THE award-winning Broadway sensation created by a top-of-the-class creative team. This all-singing, all-dancing, feel-good musical comedy, based on the hit film starring Reese Witherspoon, will be the highlight of your year. This touring productions features West End star Dave Willetts as Callaghan, Neil Ring from Hollyoaks as Warner and newcomer Faye Brooks as Elle. Call 0844 871 7649.

RAMBERT DANCE COMPANY (The Lowry, Salford Quays, September 21-23)

IN 2011, THE award-winning Rambert Dance Company celebrates 85 years at the heart of British dance, and returns to its partner theatre, The Lowry, with a new programme. This includes the world première of artistic director Mark Baldwin’s Seven for a secret, never to be told, inspired by the music of Ravel. The programme also features Siobhan Davies’ award-winning The Art of Touch plus the return of Itzik Galili’s multi-coloured samba-inspired A Linha Curva. All three works feature music played live music by the Rambert Orchestra. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

SEASON’S GREETINGS (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, September 19-24)

BILL Kenwright presents a new production of Alan Ayckbourn’s hilarious hit comedy. It’s Christmas at Belinda and Neville’s house, a time for family and friends to come together. Take one frustrated wife, add a seductive stranger, two eccentric uncles and a mechanical monkey and watch the hilarity unfold. A cast full of fam,iliar TV faces includes Christopher Timothy, Glynis Barber, Ricky Groves and Denis Lill. Call 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.

TAKING STEPS (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, September 22-October 15)

HARD-drinking bucket tycoon Roland Crabbe is about to buy a house - a reputedly haunted former brothel - from devious builder Leslie Bainbridge. But with his wife Elizabeth planning to walk out on him, his brother’s fiancee hiding in the attic and befuddled solicitor Tristram getting into all the wrong beds, mayhem reigns. Set on three floors of a draughty manor house over the course of a frantic 24 hours, this is a riotous comedy from one of the UK’s finest writers, Alan Ayckbourn. Call 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.

WE ARE THREE SISTERS (The Lowry, Salford Quays, September 20-24)

AGAINST the backdrop of a dark, remote northern town, three remarkable young women live their lives brightly. Haworth 1840s, in a gloomy parsonage where there are neither curtains nor comforts, Charlotte, Anne and Emily Brontë light up their world with outspoken wit, aspirations, dreams and ideas. Anyone who has read a Brontë novel cannot fail to be stirred by their overwhelming humanity, charged emotion and brooding and prescient unease with the status quo. With exquisitely drawn characterisations, a nod to Chekhov and a touch of poetic license, this pearl of a play - written by Blake Morrison and presented by Northern Broadsides - evokes with piercing clarity the life and distinct personalities of these three spirited individuals. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.