Theatres - Starting This Week - November 17 onwards

Nov 12 2011 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STARTING THIS WEEK

ALICE IN WONDERLAND (New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, November 19-January 21)

A MAGICAL new production of the classic Lewis Carroll story from the team that created Peter Pan last year. Join Alice as she journeys through a strange and enchanted world. Meet the White Rabbit, take tea with the Mad Hatter, search for the Cheshire Cat and hide from a very bad-tempered Queen. Call 01782 717962 or visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk.

CALENDAR GIRLS (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, November 21-26)

AWARD-WINNING producers David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers have announced that 2011 will be the final tour of Tim Firth’s play before the amateur rights are released in 2012. The cast features Lynda Bellingham, Debbie Chazen, Camilla Dallerup, Jennifer Ellison, Jan Harvey, Rula Lenska, June Watson and Ruth Madoc, with Bruno Langley as Lawrence the photographer and Joe McGann as John. Call 0844 847 2525 or visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk.

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, November 24-26)

VOLCANO Theatre Company present Anthony Burgess’ inventive, disturbing masterpiece, written 50 years ago but still with the power to shock in its description of a corrupt state and bankrupt civil society. Call 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.

DIRTY DANCING (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, November 22-January 7)

AN UNPRECEDENTED live experience, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensationally sexy dancing. Don’t miss your chance to see this truly spectacular musical theatre event based on the hit movie starring Patrick Swayze. Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.

MATTHEW BOURNE’S NUTCRACKER (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, November 22-26)

THIS delicious theatrical feast has family sized helpings of Matthew Bourne’s trademark wit, pathos and magical fantasy. It follows Clara’s bittersweet journey from a hilariously bleak Christmas Eve at Dr. Dross’ Orphanage for waifs and strays, through a shimmering, ice-skating, winter wonderland to the scrumptious candy kingdom of Sweetieland. Tchaikovsky’s glorious score and Olivier award winning designer Anthony Ward’s unforgettable sets and costumes combine with sizzling choreography to create a fresh, hip and charmingly irreverent interpretation. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com or ring 0844 871 7649.

THE NUTCRACKER (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, November 22-26)

NORTHERN Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker, which brings to life everyone’s favourite Christmas story with their unique magic scattered throughout. Performed to Tchaikovsky’s enduring score. Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.

PEDESTRIAN (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, November 24-26)

ONE man's epic journey from a never ending pedestrianized shopping precinct to the gates of heaven and back - pursued by a giant fish. Charting his painful encounters en route with street fundraisers, the office on their lunch break, Tesco Metro, a young Palestinian boy, Barack Obama, Jesus Christ and the woman of his dreams, Wainwright has created a perversely comic razor-sharp satire about attempting to suppress ‘The Fear’; about apathy; about wanting to change the world. And doing absolutely nothing. Ring 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk.

THE QUEEN OF SPADES (The Lowry, Salford Quays, November 18)

HERMAN is a man in the grip of an obsession: to learn a secret which will guarantee him eternal wealth and the woman he loves. But when fate deals against him, Herman gambles with love and life and loses at both. Set in 19th century Russia, this new Opera North production of the supernatural tragedy showcases Tchaikovsky’s glorious music and promises to be a darkly glittering theatrical experience. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

THE SNOWMAN (The Lowry, Salford Quays, November 22-26)

WHEN a young boy’s snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve, the two set off on a nighttime adventure full of dancing penguins and reindeer. But will the Snowman escape the clutches of Jack Frost? Back after a sell-out run in 2008 and featuring the classic song Walking In The Air, Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s hugely popular production of The Snowman has thrilled audiences since 1993. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

SPEECHLESS (The Lowry, Salford Quays, November 22-26)

WINNER of a 2010 Fringe First Award, Shared Experience presents the astonishing story of identical twins, June and Jennifer Gibbons. Refusing to speak to adults, the twins communicate in a private language, their only relationship being the intense and turbulent bond with each other. Speechless is a powerful portrayal of the twins’ secret world and their struggle to find a voice against all odds. Speechless is directed and co-written by Shared Experience’s co-artistic director, Polly Teale. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

THE WIZARD, THE GOAT AND THE MAN WHO WON THE WAR (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, November 21-22)

DAVID Lloyd George took political turmoil in his stride and still found time for a colourful personal life. Writer-director DJ Britton and award-winning actor Richard Elfyn have created an exhilarating solo performance finding mystery, charm, poetry and much humour in Lloyd George’s extraordinary life. Call 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.