Theatres - Starting This Week - September 22 onwards

Sep 16 2011 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STARTING THIS WEEK

ALL THE WAY HOME (The Lowry, Salford Quays, September 29-October 15)

MANCHESTER’S Library Theatre Company, in association with The Lowry, Salford Quays, presents the world premiere of Salford-born Ayub Khan-Din’s new work. The East is East writer has produced a gritty, modern-day tale about a disparate group of warring siblings who gather at their former family home, under the shadow of impending loss. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or call 0843 208 6005.

CHARLIE BANGERS (The Lowry, Salford Quays, September 23-24)

CUMULONIMBUS, CBs, Charlie Bangers – what pilots affectionately call “thunderstorm clouds”. The dangerous fusion of warm air and moisture, colossal, unstoppable; spent only when their fury is done. Adrian is convinced that his recently deceased father is reincarnated in his newborn baby son, and when this desperate belief is mixed with the reckless ambitions of a career-starved young journalist, another lethal combination develops. Consumed by the media hype they’ve created, even immortality becomes a possibility, but when the existence of heaven itself is questioned and the clouds gather, the storm really begins. Too Write Productions present this play written by Chester playwright Chris Leicester. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

DREAMBOATS & PETTICOATS (Empire Theatre in Lime Street, Liverpool, September 26-October 1)

INSPIRED by the albums Dreamboats and Petticoats, this musical will give you the greatest time of your life taking you back to a time when each passing week brought another classic track. Featuring songs from Roy Orbison, The Shadows, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury, Chuck Berry and many more. In 1961 emotions run high as talented young musicians Norman and Bobby compete to win the hearts of their adoring female fans and more importantly, the gorgeous Laura. But when Laura shows that she’s no slouch with the guitar, rock ‘n’ roll fame beckons. Call 0844 847 2525 or visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk.

GODSPELL (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, September 29-October 8)

CELEBRATING 40 years since its Broadway debut, West End and Broadway singing sensation Kerry Ellis stars in this iconic concert of the smash-hit musical. Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.

GREASE (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, September 29-October 8)

DUST off your jackets, pull on your bobby socks and get ready for the most fun-filled, high-octane rock ’n’ roll party of the year, packed with famous songs such as Summer Nights, Greased Lightning and You’re The One That I Want. Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.

GREEK (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, September 25)

MARK-Anthony Turnage’s brilliant and provocative opera exploded on to the stage in 1988. Based on the play by Steven Berkoff, it catapults us into the seedy, boozy East End world of Eddy and his family. Fed up with his Mum and Dad and fuelled by anger against the world, Eddy ups sticks and roams the streets of London where he ends up picking a fight and killing a man. Presented by Music Theatre Wales. Call 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.

JUST ONE DAY (The Lowry, Salford Quays, September 29-October 1)

HAPPY Collective Theatre present a play about sexual violence and the F-word. When Girl 29 is drug-raped, the friendship between Shona, Sheldon and Janet is stretched. This authentic and beautifully told account of female solidarity depicts women who refuse to be defined by victimhood and whose intelligence and wit are not decoration or bravado, but won through courage and love. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

THE PITMEN PAINTERS (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, September 26-October 1)

BILL Kenwright presents Billy Elliott creator Lee Hall’s award-winning play. In 1934, a group of Ashington miners hired a professor to teach an art appreciation evening class. Rapidly abandoning theory in favour of practice, the pitmen began to paint. Within a few years, the most avant-garde artists became their friends and their work was acquired by prestigious collections. But every day they continued to work down the mine. Call 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.

SISTER ACT (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, September 29-October 15)

FROM producers Whoopi Goldberg and Stage Entertainment (Hairspray, High School Musical) the smash hit musical comedy based on the classic film comes to the Opera House direct from its record-breaking run at the London Palladium. Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.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.

THRASHER (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, September 28-October 1)

ONCE lost, can faith, friendship and love ever be recovered? A beautifully sharp drama about betrayal and lost innocence. A gripping story laced with genuine warmth and vicious comedy. Six people spiral toward destruction over one night in Manchester. Written by acclaimed new playwright Conor McKee. Ring 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk.

TOP HAT (The Lowry, Salford Quays, September 27-October 8)

TOM Chambers and Summer Strallen star in Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers’ legendary 1930s Hollywood hit, which comes to the stage for the first time. Chambers (Strictly Come Dancing, Holby City) plays Jerry Travers, the famous American tap dancer who arrives in London to appear in his first West End show. Travers meets the irresistible Dale Tremont, played by Summer Strallen (Love Never Dies, The Sound of Music, Hollyoaks), and follows her across Europe in an attempt to win her heart with his wonderful song and dance routines. With beautiful sets, lavish costumes, sensational dancing and such classics as Cheek to Cheek, Let’s Face The Music And Dance and Top Hat, this stunning new musical comedy is sure to sweep you off your feet. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.