Theatres - 25/6/09

Jun 24 2009 by Michael Green, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

STARTING NEXT WEEK

BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET (The Lowry, Salford Quays, July 1-4)

BRB return to The Lowry with two different programmes. On Wednesday and Thursday, they present Love and Loss, three contrasting one-act ballets exploring the depths of joy and sorrow including Galanteries by David Bintley and Sir Frederick Ashton’s The Dream. On Friday and Saturday, BRB presents two very different classical masterpieces from Ashton and George Balanchine, the two most celebrated choreographers of the 20th century. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

CARBON 12 (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, June 30)

JOHN Jones is an everyman. He has lived for millennia, since the formation of coal, to the demise of the pits. His life is the story of the Welsh coalfields and their people. The story is told by Errollyn Wallen’s symphony and is performed by the chorus and orchestra of the Welsh National Opera. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

EVERYBODY LOVES A WINNER (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, July 1-August 1)

IT WILL be eyes down for a full house at the Royal Exchange Theatre this summer when the building is transformed into a working bingo hall. This remarkable devised show opens a door on a secret world – a world of dreams, dabbers, camaraderie and cash. Combining drama, comedy, music and choreography, the production deploys a tightly choreographed cast of 20 to delve beneath the surface of a day in the life of a Manchester bingo hall. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

FAME THE MUSICAL (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, June 29-July 4)

SEEN by more than five million people in the UK alone, this is the smash hit dance explosion that has captivated the country for over a decade, having been inspired by the Alan Parker film from 1980 which also led to the fondly remembered cult TV series. Packed with breathtaking routines and unforgettable songs, the multi-talented cast perform with explosive vitality. Former teacher turned musical theatre star Beverley Trotman – who appeared on The X Factor - takes the role of Ms Sherman. Visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

FLYAWAY KATIE (The Lowry, Salford Quays, June 28)

A FLIGHT of fancy about the power of imagination, based on the popular children’s book by Polly Dunbar with music by Tom Gray of Gomez. Katie is all alone and feeling grey. The birds in the picture on her wall look so colourful – if only Katie could be like them. Bursting with colour and surprises, puppets of varying scales act out this inspiring story. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

FOR YOU (Royal Northern College of Music, Oxford Road, Manchester, June 25)

THRILLING tale of dark obsession and misplaced passion. A new opera by Michael Berkeley and acclaimed novelist Ian McEwan of Atonement fame. Visit www.rncm.ac.uk or ring 0161 907 5555.

LE GRAND CIRQUE FANTAZIE (Venue Cymru, Llandudno, June 26-28)

AN ELECTRIFYING production featuring world-class artists hand-picked from around the globe, performing a visual feast of white-knuckle stunts and precision skills. Visit www.venuecymru.co.uk or ring 01492 872000.

THE LAST RESORT (The Stiwt, Broad Street, Rhos, Wrexham, July 2-3)

CHRIS Owen’s affectionate and amusing portrait of a day in the life of a bustling seaside town. Beginning in the early morning with the dawn milk float and finishing on the cliffs high above the town 24 hours later. Everything from the lads on the make to the elderly day trippers, from the boy racers to the skinheads. Yet among the comedy is a darker side with the dreams of a young pregnant girl threading their way through the tapestry of seaside revelry. Visit www.thestiwt.co.uk or ring 01978 841300.

RELATIVELY SPEAKING (Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place, Chester, June 25-July 4)

TIP Top Productions revive Alan Ayckbourn’s breakthrough comedy from the 60s. Greg and Ginny are living together and planning to get married. But Greg is becoming increasingly suspicious that he is not the only man in Ginny’s life. So when she plans to “visit her parents”, he decides to secretly follow her. Visit www.tiptopproductions.co.uk.

SOME BARBARIC TUNE (The Brindley, High Street, Runcorn, June 26)

LOCAL writer Alan Roberts’ insane meditation on creation and love is revived after five years by the Minimum Wage Theatre Company. Dr Stein is in her laboratory when Bloom comes in answer to a job advertisement. Soon Flute, a private investigator investigating several local disappearances, appears and quickly brutal murder and stitching occurs. Visit www.thebrindley.org.uk or ring 0151 907 8360.

THRILLER LIVE (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, June 25-27)

FORGET the sorry events of the last decade which have dethroned Michael Jackson as the King of Pop. This is a glorious celebration of the time when he and his brothers ruled the popular music world, from their early Motown years, the disco dominated 70s and then the Jacko explosion of the 80s, epitomised by the release of Thriller. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484.

I WANT IT ALL (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, June 25-27)

THE Elsber School of Theatre Dance take you through some of the world’s most famous shows including Wicked, Chicago, We Will Rock You and Lord of the Dance. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru or ring 0845 330 3565.

THE WORLD’S WIFE (The Lowry, Salford Quays, June 27)

CAROL Ann Duffy’s acclaimed poems imagine the perspectives of the wives of famous men. From Mrs Faust and Fran Freud to Queen Kong and Mrs Midas, this show slices through history and myth, providing a passionate exposé laced with dark humour. Linda Marlowe performs Duffy’s often controversial poetry, interspersed with commentary. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

WHAT’S STILL SHOWING & WHERE

CABARET (The Lowry, Salford Quays, June 22-27)

SHOWBIZ veteran Wayne Sleep and I’d Do Anything finalist Samantha Barks team up for this risqué production of the classic musical set in Berlin in 1931. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

DR KORCZAK’S EXAMPLE (Royal Exchange Theatre Studio, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, June 17-27)

WRITTEN by award winning writer and director David Greig, this is based on a true story and recounts the remarkable last days of Janusz Korczak, a children’s author and paediatrician who founded a Jewish orphanage in the shadow of the Warsaw Ghetto. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

DREAMBOATS & PETTICOATS (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, June 22-27)

MUSICAL stage show based on the hit album which became one of the biggest selling albums of the decade after its release last year. The show features 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. Starring Scott Bruton from X Factor and Ben Freeman from Emmerdale. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

THE HYPOCHONDRIAC (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, June 19-July 11)

FOLLOWING his triumph last year with Tartuffe, Liverpool writer Roger McGough has returned to the works of Moliere for another adaptation. Argan is a perfectly healthy, wealthy gentleman, convinced he is seriously ill. But his sharp-tongued servant has a cunning plan to reveal the truth and open her master’s eyes. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

THE PIANIST (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, June 17-27)

BEST known as an Oscar-winning film by Roman Polanksi, this play is based upon the memoirs of Wladyslaw Szpilman. It retells the harrowing story of one man’s time under the Nazi occupation in Poland, with internationally acclaimed concert pianist Mikhail Rudy performing the music of Chopin and Szpilman. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

WEST SIDE STORY (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, June 16-27)

WITH groundbreaking choreography by the legendary Jerome Robbins, an unforgettable score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story changed the face of musical theatre forever. Based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and packed with unforgettable songs including Maria, Tonight, When You’re a Jet, I Feel Pretty and America. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke or ring 0870 060 6649

WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF HRT (The Lowry, Salford Quays, June 22-27)

LOUISE Jameson, formerly of EastEnders and Doctor Who fame, and Janet Dibley star in this hilarious, feisty and sometimes painful look at the menopause, written by Marie Jones. On a trip to see Daniel O’Donnell in concert, Vera and Anna confront the harsh reality of being the “wrong” side of 40. Assisted by a handsome young waiter, however, they begin to realise that life doesn’t have to end when HRT begins. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.