Theatres - Still Showing - May 10 onwards

May 4 2012 Chester Chronicle

STILL SHOWING

AVENUE Q (The Lowry, Salford Quays, May 8-12)

AVENUE Q is an autobiographical and biographical coming-of-age musical parable, addressing and satirising the issues and anxieties associated with entering adulthood. Its characters lament that as children, they were assured by their parents, and by children's television programmes such as Sesame Street, that they were ‘special’ but as adults, they have discovered to their surprise and dismay that in the real world their options are limited, and they are no more special than anyone else. This Tony Award winning musical combines puppets and live actors. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

GREASE (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, May 7-12)

DUST off your leather jackets, pull on your bobby-socks and take a trip to a simpler time as bad boy Danny and the girl next door Sandy fall in love all over again. It's the original high school musical, featuring all the unforgettable songs from the hit movie including You're the One That I Want, Grease is the Word, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted To You, Sandy, Greased Lightnin' and many more. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com or ring 0844 871 7649.

AN INSPECTOR CALLS (Venue Cymru, Llandudno, May 8-12)

MAGNIFICENT production of the JB Priestley classic thriller, directed by Stephen Daldry who made the films of The Reader and The Hours. When Inspector Goole arrives unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home, their peaceful dinner party is shattered by his investigations into the death of a young woman. Call 01492 872000 or visit www.venuecymru.co.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.

MARY SHELLEY (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, May 9-12)

SHARED Experience brings to life the astonishing tale of Mary Shelley and how she came to write one of the greatest stories ever told at the age of just 19. This new play by Helen Edmundson explores Shelley’s remarkable life - her controversial philosopher father, her scandalous elopement at 16 and how, in 1817, she changed the literary landscape forever. Call 0151 709 4776 or visit www.everymanplayhouse.com.

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, May 3-June 2)

LIFE-affirming musical play, featuring the music of Stephen Sondheim, which explores the challenges of friendship and the high price of success, set against the backdrop of one of the most turbulent periods in America’s fascinating history. Frank, Charley and Mary met at college in the late 1950s, becoming best friends. This show traces their extraordinary adventures together, starting in the mid-70s, travelling backwards through time to those days when friends were inseparable, love was forever and life was brimming with optimism. Call 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.

MISS JULIE (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, April 11-May 12)

SWEDEN, 1894. Midsummer night’s celebrations are in full swing but the Count’s daughter, the beautiful and imperious Miss Julie, feels trapped and alone. Downstairs in the servants’ kitchen, handsome and rebellious footman Jean is feeling restless. When they meet a passion is ignited that soon spirals out of control. August Strindberg’s masterpiece caused a scandal when first produced – and has been hugely popular ever since – for its searingly honest portrait of the class system and human sexuality. Starring Maxine Peake, known for her television appearances in Silk, the Bafta nominated Hancock & Joan and Shameless. Ring 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk.

MURDER ON THE NILE (The Lowry, Salford Quays, May 8-12)

AGATHA Christie Theatre Company presents a stylish new production of the queen of crime’s classic thriller with an all-star cast including Kate O’Mara, Denis Lill, Susie Amy and Chloe Newsome. On board a steamer, cruising under the scorching Egyptian sun, honeymooners Simon Mostyn and his wealthy socialite wife Kay find themselves being pursued by an old flame of the newly wedded groom. Then tragedy strikes. A body is discovered and all fingers point to Simon’s ex fiancée. But everything is not what it seems, and holidaying cleric Canon Pennefather is drawn into a web of intrigue and deceit as he finds himself on the trail of a ruthless murderer. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

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.

VAMPIRETTE (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, May 4-19)

PREMIERING at the Manchester Opera House, as part of Manchester Get it First, Vampirette is a fang-tastic brand new musical comedy that gives you a lite nite bite of blood curdling fun. This spooktakular musical will have you vamping it up in the aisles with romantic ballads, classic pop and rock anthems including California Girls, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Anything Goes and the show stopping Total Eclipse of the Heart. Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.