Theatres - Coming Soon - 19/1/12

Jan 15 2012 Chester Chronicle

COMING SOON

ALEGRIA (MEN Arena, Manchester, April 4-7)

CIRQUE du Soleil brings its critically acclaimed production Alegría to UK arenas for the first time. Alegría is a Spanish word that means happiness, joy and jubilation and features an international cast of 55 performers and musicians from 17 countries and showcases breathtaking acrobatics. Call 0844 847 8000 or visit men-arena.com.

ALL NEW PEOPLE (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, February 8-11)

COMEDY drama written and starring Zach Braff from American hit TV sitcom Scrubs, receiving its European premiere. The hottest ticket for 2012 - a must see drama. A hired beauty, a fireman, and an eccentric British real estate agent desperately trying to stay in the country. Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.

CHICAGO (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, March 19-24)

BASED on real life events back in the roaring 1920s, this show sees nightclub singer Roxie Hart shoot her lover and – along with Velma Kelly – fight to avoid death row with the help of smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn. Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.

CHICAGO (Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl, April 30-May 5)

BASED on real life events back in the roaring 1920s, this show sees nightclub singer Roxie Hart shoot her lover and – along with Velma Kelly – fight to avoid death row with the help of smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn. Ring 01745 330000 or visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk..

THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 23-March 10)

MINER Luther Gascoigne and socially ambitious Minnie are newly wed. Luther’s mother disapproves - in her view, Minnie’s pretensions make her an unsuitable match. A shocking revelation from Luther’s past provokes a rich drama of sexual tension and class conflict set during the bitter 1912 miners’ strike, written by DH Lawrence and presented by the Library Theatre Company. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or call 0843 208 6005.

DAYS OF LIGHT (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, February 1-4)

HAWAII. Late light slanting through bamboo blinds. Rattan chairs creaking. Ceiling fans turning lazily. The sameness of the seasons; no autumn, no spring. Underneath the ocean the magma rages. Ageing ex-pat Miss Peoke awaits the return of her son, whilst Nathan anticipates the arrival of his new love. But what else is stirring in the crystal blue lagoon? Days of Light marks the welcome return to The Studio of Starving Artists, whose recent successes include Road Movie and Eat Me. Ring 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk.

FAWLTY TOWERS (Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place, Chester, February 23-March 3)

TIP Top Productions presents the stage version of one of Britain's best loved TV comedies which comprises three classic episodes from the iconic series - Communication Problems, The Hotel Inspector and The Germans. Join Basil, Sybil, Polly, Manuel and the Major plus a host of other memorable characters at Torquay's best known hotel. Visit www.chestertheatre.co.uk or call 01244 341296.

THE GATEKEEPER (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, February 8-25)

THIS world premiere lifts the lid on a darkly comic family get-together. Mike and Julia made sure their children Rob and Stacey had the best of everything when they were growing up. Now they're adults all they want is to be proud of them. But when they meet up in a Lake District holiday cottage to celebrate Stacey's birthday, it seems that nobody has been honest with each other. With a brilliant ear for dialogue, playwright Chloe Moss wickedly captures the infuriating family habits and conversations that can drive you mad. The bid to keep up appearances in front of an unexpected guest soon falls by the wayside as secrets are revealed and the ‘get together’ falls apart, in this painfully funny play. Ring 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk.

GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, February 20-22)

ROALD Dahl's amazing story about a young boy who makes a marvellous new medicine to cure his grandmother of her terrifying temper. When she drinks his special new potion incredible things start to happen. Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.

I DREAMED A DREAM (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, June 19-23)

SUSAN Boyle will make a guest appearance in this eagerly awaited new show based on her life story. Starring Elaine C Smith (Rab C Nesbitt) the musical follows Susan Boyle’s rise from humble beginnings to global icon and features signature songs from her multi-platinum selling albums. Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.

MACBETH (Little Theatre, Gloucester Street, Chester, May 5-12)

CHESTER Theatre Club presents William Shakespeare’s dark, compelling tragedy. Promised a golden future as ruler of Scotland by three sinister witches, Macbeth murders the King to ensure his ambitions come true. By this act, he soon learns the meaning of terror as the dead return to haunt him. A story of war, witchcraft and bloodshed. Call 01244 322674 or visit www.chestertheatreclub.co.uk.

MOGADISHU (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, January 30-February 4)

VIVIENNE Franzmann’s play explores the clash of youth, class, race and justice. When white secondary school teacher Amanda is pushed to the ground by black student Jason, she’s reluctant to report him as she knows exclusion could condemn him to a future as bleak as his past. But when Jason protects himself by spinning a story of his own, Amanda is sucked into a vortex of lies in which victim becomes perpetrator. Call 0151 709 4776 or visit www.everymanplayhouse.com.

PEPPA PIG’S TREASURE HUNT (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, February 15-16)

PEPPA and George are up to fun and games on a day out on Grandad Dog's boat. Help them, with Pedro Pony, Polly Parrot and Zoe Zebra to follow the clues and find their treasure as they all enjoy a day of adventure. Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, April 5-May 19)

CAMERON Mackintosh presents a spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical which will star John Owen-Jones as The Phantom and Katie Hall as Christine. Phantom became the longest running show in Broadway history in 2006 when it celebrated its 7,486th performance, surpassing the previous record holder Cats. Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.

RELATIVELY SPEAKING (Little Theatre, Gloucester Street, Chester, March 10-17)

CHESTER Theatre Club presents this early classic from Alan Ayckbourn. When Ginny misleads her new boyfriend Greg into believing she is visiting her parents in the country for the weekend, she hasn;t expected him to follow her in order to give her and them a pleasant surprise. For her, the surprise is far from pleasant as the country home belongs to her older lover and his wife. By the time Ginny arrives, Greg has already introduced himself to her lover’s wife as her daughter’s boyfriend. Cue a succession of misunderstandings and deceptions, presented with typical Ayckbourn relish and wit. Call 01244 322674 or visit www.chestertheatreclub.co.uk.

SISTER ACT (Empire Theatre in Lime Street, Liverpool, May 22–June 2 2012)

FROM producers Whoopi Goldberg and Stage Entertainment (Hairspray, High School Musical) the smash hit musical comedy based on the classic film comes to the Opera House direct from its record-breaking run at the London Palladium. Call 0844 847 2525 or visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, March 13-17)

THIS breathtaking and lavish Lincoln Center Theater production reinvented the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein show, swept the 2008 Tony Awards, played to sold-out houses on Broadway. The UK touring cast is headed by former EastEnders star Samantha Womack. Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, February 17-March 10)

THE first Tennessee Williams produced by the Playhouse in more than 30 years features a stunning cast including Amanda Drew, Sam Troughton and Leanne Best. Blanche Dubois escapes to the heat and heart of New Orleans. But a dark past is hard to leave behind and when confronted for the first time with her brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski, the present soon turns ugly. Call 0151 709 4776 or visit www.everymanplayhouse.com.

WONDERFUL TOWN (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, March 31-April 14, 2012)

FOR the first time The Royal Exchange Theatre, The Hallé Orchestra and The Lowry will combine their artistic forces and present this remarkable fully staged, brilliantly choreographed production of the legendary composer Leonard Bernstein’s musical comedy. Connie Fisher plays aspiring writer Ruth Sherwood who arrives in New York with her beautiful younger sister Eileen. The indomitable pair meet an array of colourful characters along the way, creating chaos at every turn in their search for romance, success and a free meal at Walgreens deli. Ring 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk.