Theatres - Starting This Week - December 3 onwards

Nov 30 2009 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STARTING THIS WEEK

ALADDIN (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, December 5-January 3)

THE most mystical pantomime of all flies into Manchester, guaranteeing another spectacular extravaganza for all the family. Join heroic Aladdin on a magic carpet ride as he tries to outwit the evil Abanazar. Headling is Coronation Street bad boy Gray O’Brien, joined by Hollyoaks star and Dancing On Ice finalist Chris Fountain as well as Eric Potts, Mike McClean and Sue Devaney. Ring 0844 847 2484 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.

BLITHE SPIRIT (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, December 9-January 23)

NOEL Coward’s glorious supernatural comedy comes to the Exchange with a cast headed by Suranne Jones. When Charles Condomine and his wife Ruth hire the services of eccentric Madame Arcati, they don’t realise they are in for an evening of high spirits - especially with the madcap mystic accidentally brings Charles’ ex-wife Elvira back from the beyond. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, December 9-31)

ROBERT Perkins returns with his successful one-man version of Charles Dickens’ famous Christmas story, bringing to life a host of familiar characters including the infamous Scrooge. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

DICK WHITTINGTON (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, December 10-January 10)

JOIN Dick Whittington on his fun-filled quest for fame and fortune in this traditional family panto starring Jonathan Wilkes, Christian Patterson and Steven Serlin. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke or ring 0844 871 7649.

THE FAMILY (The Lowry, Salford Quays, December 5)

ROGUE Theatre return with a mix of powerful narrative, vibrant spectacle, fantasy, the supernatural, horror and cabaret. An eccentric family living in an isolated mansion spends an evening revelling in dark secrets and tales of piracy, voodoo and lost fame. But the party atmosphere is disturbed by a haunting figure in the shadows. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 111 2000.

GAWKAGOGO FREAKSHOW (The Lowry, Salford Quays, December 3)

STEP into a twisted underworld of eye-popping comic strip mayhem. See the amazing Elephant Man Elvis, the Human Fly, obese medical miracle Norma Guntz and the six-breasted Pig-Faced Girl. Suitable for ages 16+. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

GRIMM TALES (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, December 5-January 23)

THE Brothers Grimm’s dark and spooky stories have been brought to life on stage by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy in this new Library Theatre Company production which promises to provide a feast of physical, musical and mythical theatre. Suitable for ages six and upwards. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

HANSEL & GRETEL (Theatr Stiwt, Broad Street, Rhos, December 3-4)

FULL House Theatre Company present an uplifting, comical show to appeal to all ages featuring magical masks and giant puppetry in the story of the two children who venture into the forst where they encounter a wicked witch. Visit www.stiwt.co.uk or ring 01978 841300.

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (Capenhurst & Ledsham Village Hall, December 5)

THEATRE in the Quarter have collected local people’s memories of Christmas during World War Two as the basis for Helen Newall’s new play featuring original music by Matt Baker and directed by former Gateway Theatre director Russ Tunney. The production will be performed by a company of four actors and community singers/musicians. Ring 0151 339 3327.

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, December 7-12)

THE legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical by Richard O’Brien returns to the stage with the usual assortment of outrageous characters led by Frank n Furter and also featuring the hapless Brad and Jent, rippling Rocky and vivacious Magenta. Hit numbers include Sweet Transvestite, Damn It Janet and, of course, The Time Warp. Ring 0844 847 2484 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.

THE 39 STEPS (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, December 3-January 16)

DIRECT from the West End comes Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller, brilliantly and hilariously recreated by Patrick Barlow. It follows the adventures of handsome hero Richard Hannay as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents and devastatingly beautiful women. Four fearless actors play 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.