Theatres - Starting This Week - November 3 onwards

Oct 29 2011 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STARTING THIS WEEK

ANNIE (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, November 8-12)

FROM its Broadway beginnings to the classic film musical, this heart-warming rags-to-riches story of Annie’s adventures, from the New York orphanage to the luxurious home of Oliver Warbucks. A great show for all the family. Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.

BEAUTIFUL THING (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, November 9-December 3)

STE needs a refuge from his own factured family, so Sandra next door encourages him to ‘top-and-tail' with her own son Jamie. Together they both find comedy, warmth and the music of Mama Cass. At turns tough and tender, the play combines fantasy and reality to truly capture what it is to be 16, in the first flush of love and full of optimism. This is a major revival of Jonathan Harvey's seminal play, directed by Sarah Frankcom. Ring 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk.

FULL HOUSE (The Lowry, Salford Quays, November 3-5)

JOHN and Cherie have moved from the city high life to a country manor in deepest Shropshire but the dream has gone decidedly sour for Cherie, who wants to sell up and move on. The arrival of a hunky gardener brightens things up – but why is he really there? And why is the doddery aristocrat who sold them the house still living in the east wing? Mike Heath’s play is a blacker than black comedy about greed, hedge-fund managers and murder. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

GLEE CLUB (Lyceum Theatre, Heath Street, Crewe, November 7-9)

COMBINING raucous wit and spellbinding close harmony singing, Richard Cameron’s celebrated hit is as insightful and poignant as it is hilarious in this Hull Truck production. In 1962 in the heart of the South Yorkshire coalfields, the Edlington Colliery’s six-man Glee Club are preparing for their gala performance. But everyone’s private lives seem to be falling apart which means singing is the ladst thing on their minds. Call 01270 537333 or visit www.lyceumtheatre.net.

GREASE (Empire Theatre in Lime Street, Liverpool, November 8-16)

DUST off your leather jackets, pull on your bobby-socks and get ready for the most fun-filled, high octane rock’n’roll party of the year. It’s the original high school musical, featuring all the unforgettable songs from the hit movie including You’re The One That I Want, Grease Is The Word, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted To You, Sandy, Greased Lightnin’ and many more. So come and join Danny and Sandy along with those groovy T-Birds, sassy Pink Ladies and the whole gang at Rydell High. Starring Liverpool’s own Ray Quinn and Carina Gillespie. Guest starring The X Factor's Rhydian Roberts as Teen Angel. Call 0844 847 2525 or visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk.

AN INSPECTOR CALLS (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, November 8-12)

MAGNIFICENT production of the JB Priestley classic thriller, directed by Stephen Daldry who made the films of The Reader and The Hours. When Inspector Goole arrives unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home, their peaceful dinner party is shattered by his investigations into the death of a young woman. Call 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.

JOURNEY’S END (The Lowry, Salford Quays, November 8-12)

RC SHERRIFF’S story of the young, talented and war-weary Captain Stanhope as he is confronted with the fresh face of his past as an old schoolmate joins his platoon. As the offensive looms ever closer, Stanhope must inspire his men to make the ultimate sacrifice for a war he no longer understands and for a cause he no longer remembers. This compelling play is based on Sherriff's own experience in the trenches of World War One with its heroism, humour and inevitable tragedy. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

THE LADYKILLERS (Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool, November 3-19)

A TRULY all-star cast has been assembled for this stage version of the classic 1955 Ealing comedy. Peter Capaldi, James Fleet and Ben Miller lead the way in this story of the eccentric little old lady Mrs Wilberforce, who lives alone with her parrots in a strange lopsided house in Kings Cross. Her life is turned upside down by the arrival of Professor Marcus and his four friends, who between them make up the most unlikely group of criminals. Call 0151 709 4776 or visit www.everymanplayhouse.com.

STAR QUALITY (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, November 7-12)

GOLDEN Globe winner Amanda Donohoe stars as theatrical grande dame Lorraine Barrie in Noel Coward’s deliciously funny final play. Taking us behind the scenes of a new West End production, Coward conjures up a wickedly observant satire on the backstage world of talent and treachery and a gallery of unforgettable characters. Call 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.

WE ARE THREE SISTERS (New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, November 7-12)

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 01782 717962 or visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk.