Theatres - Starting This Week - December 1 onwards

Nov 24 2011 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STARTING THIS WEEK

LA BOHEME (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, December 7 and 10)

GLYNDEBOURNE on Tour present Puccini’s masterpiece. A genius of emotional manipulation, Puccini’s exploration of the joy, anguish and heartbreak of young love has become one of the most popular operas of all time. David McVicar’s acclaimed production is a very modern love story which adds a worldly realism to the heartbreaking score, performed by some of the opera world’s brightest rising stars. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com or ring 0844 871 7649.

CINDERELLA (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, December 3-31)

LOUIE Spence, star of Sky TV’s Pineapple Dance Studios and Louie Spence’s Showbusiness, will play the Prince’s aide-de-camp Dandini while singer and actress Suzanne Shaw will take the title role of Cinderella. The most magical fairy tale of them all provides everything audiences will expect from a traditional pantomime – stunning sets, lavish costumes, amazing song and dance numbers, romance, bags of audiences participation. Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.

CINDERELLA: MOP! IN THE NAME OF LOVE (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, December 3-January 21)

GET your spandex, glitter and party pants on – the Everyman and Playhouse in Liverpool has announced the legendary rock ’n’ roll panto will shake, rattle and roll at the Playhouse. The boys are back in town too as audience favourites Adam Keast and Francis Tucker pair up again to bring their unique double-act to thrill and soak the crowd in equal measure. call 0151 709 4776 or visit www.everymanplayhouse.com.

SCROOGE (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, December 5-10)

FAMILY favourite Tommy Steele stars in Bill Kenwright’s record-breaking production of the famous festive musical by Lionel Bart. No holiday season would be complete without Ebenezer, Bob Cratchit, the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, and of course Tiny Tim. This heartwarming family story has stunning sets and costumes, specially created illusions by magician Paul Kieve and a fantastic musical score which features the Oscar nominated hit Thank You Very Much. Call 0844 847 2525 or visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk.

UNCLE ERIC’S CHRISTMAS CAROL (New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, December 1-16)

ONCE again Uncle Eric shows his total lack of acting talent as he murders Charles Dickens’ brilliant ghost story A Christmas Carol. This may not be conventional Dickens but it does have lots of great 60s hits. Call 01782 717962 or visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk.

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS (The Lowry, Salford Quays, December 2-January 14)

THE tales of Ratty, Mole, Badger and Mr Toad have been delighting readers and audiences for generations. Alan Bennett’s stage version of Kenneth Grahame’s classic novel - presented by the Library Theatre Company - is true to the original but written with his distinctive flair and humour, featuring clever songs and witty dialogue. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or call 0843 208 6005.

YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, December 7-January 14)

JOIN a joyful, mad and eccentric celebration of family this Christmas in our revival of the 1930s Broadway hit. The bohemian Vanderhofs firmly believe anything goes so long as it makes you happy, while the conventional Kirbys believe in the pursuit of money and the American Dream. But when granddaughter Alice falls in love with the Kirby's banker son, mayhem ensues as values and philosophy collide head-on. This is a new collaboration with the internationally acclaimed theatre company Told by an Idiot, whose uniquely inventive physical style will bring this great American comedy vividly to life. Ring 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk.