| Drama
productions and plays in Manchester |
| |
|
THE
GLASS MENAGERIE at
the Royal Exchange Theatre |
|
| Wednesday
9th April to Saturday 24th May 2008 - 7.30pm |
| Starring
Brenda Blethyn who is a BAFTA-award winner, a
Golden Globe winner, and a two-time Oscar nominee.
When her troubled son finally invites a workmate
round for dinner, an overbearing mother sees a
potential suitor for her shy daughter, and salvation
for them all ... Amanda Wingfield (Brenda Blethyn)
was the most popular girl in town with her pick
of eligible bachelors – but she chose the
wrong one. Now, years later, she is desperate
for her two grown-up children to avoid her own
mistakes. Dreaming of ways to improve the lot
of a son who’s rarely home and a daughter
who rarely isn’t, Amanda longs for a gentleman
caller who can transform everything, in Tennessee
Williams’ lyrical, tender and shattering
masterpiece. (back
to top) |
|
|
to
book by phone, call |
|
royal
exchange theatre |
|
we
also recommend... |
0161
833 9833 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SPIES
at the Lowry
Theatre (Quays Theatre) |
|
| Tuesday
6th to Saturday 10th May 2008 |
| Theatre
Alibi returns to The Lowry (The Crowstarver, 2006)
with Spies, a bittersweet evocation of childhood
with a gripping mystery at its heart. Set during
the Second World War in a quiet suburban cul-de-sac
where gardens – and dark secrets –
lie behind neatly trimmed privet hedges, Stephen
and his friend Keith play at detectives, spying
on their neighbours. But the game changes gear
when Keith announces that his own mother is a
German spy. The hunt is on in deadly earnest but
the boys are completely unprepared for the truths
they eventually uncover and nothing will ever
be the same again… Michael Frayn is an award-winning
playwright and novelist whose numerous stage triumphs
include Donkeys’ Years, Noises Off, Copenhagen
and Democracy. His novels include Spies, which
won the Whitbread Novel of the Year award, Headlong
and Towards the End of the Morning. Most suitable
for ages 14+. Performance times: Tues
- 7pm, Wed - 2pm & 7pm, Thu - 7pm, Fri - 8pm,
Sat - 3pm & 8pm.
(back to list) |
|
|
to
book by phone, call |
|
quays
theatre |
|
we
also recommend... |
0870
787 5780 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEW
CONNECTIONS 2008 at
the Lowry (The Studio) |
|
| Tuesday
6th to Saturday 10th May 2008 - 6.30pm & 8.15pm |
| The
Lowry as Regional Partner bring you National Theatres
New Connections, supported by Bank of America
is the National Theatre’s celebrated Youth
Theatre Programme. Major playwrights have written
a tantalizing collection of new plays for young
actors to perform. Youth Theatre companies from
across the country will perform a selection of
the new works. There is also an additional
performance at 4.30pm on the Saturday.
(back
to top) |
|
|
to
book by phone, call |
|
the
lowry |
|
we
also recommend... |
0870
787 5780 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
BLACK
WATCH at
the Pie Factory |
|
| Wednesday
7th
to Saturday 10th May 2008 - 8pm |
|
Following its sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival
Fringe, performances in New York, Los Angeles
and Australia, unanimous critical acclaim and
a stunning audience response, the multi-award-winning
Black Watch comes to Salford as part of a world
tour. Hurtling from a pool room in Fife to an
armoured wagon in Iraq, Black Watch is based on
recent interviews conducted by Gregory Burke with
former soldiers who served in the Black Watch
Regiment. Viewed through the eyes of those on
the ground, Black Watch reveals what it means
to be part of the legendary Scottish regiment,
what it means to be part of the ‘war on
terror’ and what it means to make the journey
home again. John Tiffany’s production makes
powerful and inventive use of movement, music
and song to create a visceral, complex and urgent
piece of theatre. Contains strong language, loud
explosions and strobe lighting. Most suitable
for ages 16+.
There
is also a 2pm performance on the Saturday.
(back
to top) |
|
|
to
book by phone, call |
|
the
lowry |
|
we
also recommend... |
0870
787 5780 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOT
WITH THAT HAND at
the Royal Exchange (Studio) |
|
| Thursday
8th to Saturday 10th May 2008 |
| A
dark and disturbing tale told in a physical style
and shot throught with a black and unsettling
humour. Two former school teachers are living
in isolation. Banned from working with children
following an event that took placd years earlier;
they live in fear of the authotrities. Holed up
in their filthy flat, they follow a bizarre timetable
that includes study of the Arthur Miller play
The Crucible.
(back to top) |
|
|
to
book by phone, call |
|
royal
exchange theatre |
|
we
also recommend... |
0161
833 9833 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR
HOUSE at
the Lowry Theatre (Quays Theatre) |
|
| Monday
12th to Saturday 17th May 2008 - 8pm |
| Hull
Truck Theatre Company returns to The Lowry following
the huge success of Perfect Pitch (The Lowry,
2007) with another hit play by their Artistic
Director John Godber. Join May - widow, mother
and grandmother - as she packs up her Northern
council house and heads off for a life in the
sun. She’s trading her neighbourhood nightmares
for the Costa del Calm…but moving out is
hard work - and moving on is even harder. Forced
to look forward without her husband Ted, as the
van is loaded and the furniture and ornaments
are boxed and sealed piece by piece, May remembers
the hardship, laughter, sorrow and joy of the
past 45 years one last time. A tapestry of memories
unfolds in this tale of changing times; a touchingly
funny journey through life’s ups and downs,
birthdays and Christmases. There is a
2pm matinee on the Wednesday and Saturday.
(back
to top) |
|
|
to
book by phone, call |
|
quays
theatre |
|
we
also recommend... |
0844
847 2277 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOSING
IT
at
the Lowry Theatre (The Studio) |
|
| Thursday
15th and Friday 16th May 2008 - 7.45pm |
| Fed
up with weekly visits to cold, miserable school
halls and being weighed in front of groups of
strangers, Joanne sets up a class of her own.
When young mum Stephanie and divorcee Judith turn
up, the three soon become firm friends sharing
an obsession with losing weight and desiring the
perfect body. However, it becomes clear that there
is more to their unhappiness than shifting a few
pounds and they must look further than the scales
to solve their problems.
(back
to top) |
|
|
to
book by phone, call |
|
the
lowry |
|
we
also recommend... |
0870
787 5780 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ROCK
at
the Library Theatre |
|
|
Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th May 2008 |
| Rock
Hudson was the biggest screen idol in 1950’s
Hollywood – the ultimate Tinseltown hunk.
But his career was perpetually under threat from
Confidential Magazine, every queer actor’s
nemesis: and only one man stood between stardom
and oblivion. Rock is the story of Henry Willson,
the man who made stars of Rock Hudson, Tab Hunter,
Troy Donaghue and several other oddly-name men;
the most unscrupulous agent in Los Angeles; the
man who would do anything to protect his money-spinning
protégé… Starring the incomparable
Bette Bourne and written by Tim Fountain, the
team behind Resident Alien, Library Theatre’s
hit play about Quentin Crisp, Rock is a brand
new play that brings the seamy world of 1950s
Hollywood to vivid life. Rock is commissioned
by Homotopia & Glasgay! Performance
times: Tuesday to Thursday - 7.30pm, Friday -
8pm, Saturday - 3pm & 8pm.
(back to top) |
|
|
|
THE
DARK ROOM (The
Studio) |
|
| Wednesday
21st May 2008 - 7.30pm |
| Against
the backdrop of a pristine Victorian photographer’s
studio, The Dark Room allows us to glimpse the
blossoming love affair between William and Rose.
William illustrates children’s fairytale
books with beautiful, yet haunting, photographs.
But who are the ladies in these photos? And can
Rose resist temptation, or will she sneak a peek
inside the forbidden Dark Room? This unique story
for adults blends Ullaloom’s taste for horror
with their love of dark fairytales and explores
the often unpleasant fate of women in such fables.
(back
to top) |
|
|
to
book by phone, call |
|
the
lowry |
|
we
also recommend... |
0870
787 5780 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHAADI@BARBADI.COM
at the Palace Theatre |
|
| Saturday
24th May 2008 - 7.30pm |
| A
veteran of 100 films with a career spanning across
3 decades, director and lead actor Paresh Rawal,
along with talented co-stars, bring alive this
play by the minute. Marriage is no laughing matter
or is it? If the answer is yes, if you happen
to be watching Paresh Rawal in Shaadi@barbadi.com.
An uproariously entertaining comedy on the lighter
side of matrimony…. A tribute to Paresh
Rawal's immense acting talent. The Hindi play,
which was originally produced in Marathi, is about
couple whose marriage is tested by husband's conniving
mother. The husband is the scapegoat in the war
of attrition between the wife and mother-in-law.
Through ups and downs, the play provides insightful
commentary on relationships and the importance
of compromising by the narrators. Apart from Paresh
Rawal who plays Manoj Dudhwala, the cast of the
play includes renowned television and theatre
actress Hetal Patel as the wife, Vaishalee Thakkar
as mother and Umesh Shukla as a father. Shaadi@barbaaadi.com
is a wonderful treat for those who have bitten,
or are about to bite into the proverbial 'shaadi
ka laddu'.Its something that they will remember
for a long time to come. The significance of the
title is to bring contemporary flavour to the
play while making fun of relationships.
(back
to top) |
|
|
to
book by phone, call |
|
palace
theatre |
|
we
also recommend... |
0844
847 2277 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
BLACKBIRD
at the Lowry
Theatre (Quays Theatre) |
|
| Tuesday
27th to Saturday 31st May 2008 - 8pm |
| The
first UK tour of David Harrower’s electrifying,
dark and explosive drama, starring Robert Daws
(The Royal) and Dawn Steele (Monarch of the Glen).
Fifteen years before the action begins, Ray had
an affair with Una, a twelve-year-old girl. He
was in his forties. The couple ran away together,
but Ray was caught and sentenced to six years
in jail. Since then, Ray has made a new life for
himself, adopting a new name and a fresh identity,
obtaining a position with a dental and pharmaceutical
company, and forming a relationship with a woman
his own age. He didn’t think he could ever
be found. Una has thought of nothing else since,
and on finding a photo of him sets out to find
Ray with shattering consequences. Contains some
strong language and nudity. There is a
2pm matinee on the Wednesday and a 3pm matinee
on the Saturday. (back
to top) |
|
|
to
book by phone, call |
|
quays
theatre |
|
we
also recommend... |
0844
847 2277 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE
REVENGER'S TRAGEDY
at the Royal
Exchange |
|
| Wednesday
28th May to Saturday 28th June 2008 - 7.30pm |
| Starring
Stephen Tompkinson. Seeking vengeance for the
murder of his fiancée and the death of
his father, a man attempts to bring down the Duke
he holds responsible and the order that sustains
him. Some years ago, a Duke poisoned Vindice's
betrothed for rejecting his advances, and now
Vindice also blames the Duke for the recent death
of his father. Determined to avenge both, Vindice
manoeuvres himself into the lives of the Duke's
family and, one by one, sets them against each
other in this biting, powerful and darkly comic
Jacobean thriller. The Royal Exchange are delighted
to announce that Stephen Tompkinson has just been
confirmed to play the part of Vindice. Director,
Jonathan Moore, has a long association with the
Royal Exchange as a director, writer and actor,
as well as many other credits to his name.
(back to top) |
|
|
to
book by phone, call |
|
royal
exchange theatre |
|
we
also recommend... |
0161
833 9833 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE
39 STEPS at
the Lowry Theatre (Lyric Theatre) |
|
| Tuesday
3rd to Saturday 7th June 2008 - 7.30pm |
|
Direct from the West End and prior to Broadway
comes Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller,
The 39 Steps, brilliantly and hilariously recreated
as the smash hit Olivier Award-winning Best New
Comedy. This blissfully funny show follows the
incredible adventures of our handsome hero Richard
Hannay, complete with stiff-upper-lip, British
gung-ho and pencil moustache as he encounters
dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents,
and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women.
Embroiled in a sinister conspiracy and with the
police and a killer on his trail, it’s a
race against time for Richard who must unravel
the mystery of the 39 Steps and prove his innocence.
This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy
thriller features four fearless actors, playing
139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and
thrilling action. There is a 2.30pm matinee
on the Thursday and Saturday.
(back
to top) |
|
|
to
book by phone, call |
|
lyric
theatre |
|
we
also recommend... |
0844
847 2277 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ROMEO
AND JULIET at
the Lowry Theatre (Quays Theatre) |
|
| Tuesday
3rd to Saturday 7th June 2008 - 7pm |
| A
chance meeting brings together two youngsters
from rival families. Determined to pursue their
forbidden love they risk all to be together and
then fall victim to a cruel destiny, paying the
ultimate price for their devotion. Romeo and Juliet
is a heart-rending love story of tragic proportions,
filled with passion, tenderness and bitter recriminations.
Multi-award-winning company, Northern Broadsides
(Wars of the Roses, The Man with Two Gaffers),
bring their inimitable warmth, charisma and energy
to this timeless romantic tragedy, and demonstrate
once more why they are one of the best loved champions
of Shakespeare’s work in the UK. This production
includes a brief scene with nudity. Evening
shows begin at 7pm. There are
matinees on the following days: Wed (1.30pm),
Thu (1.30pm), Sat (2pm). (back
to top) |
|
|
to
book by phone, call |
|
quays
theatre |
|
we
also recommend... |
0844
847 2277 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DR
KORCZAK'S EXAMPLE at
the Royal Exchange |
|
| Wednesday
4th to Saturday 21st June 2008 |
| Based
on a true story, DR KORCZAK'S EXAMPLE 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. Dr.Korczak created a radical environment
for the young people in his care; a democratic
utopia where children had rights and were treated
as equals. As the summer of 1942 advances, the
days of the Ghetto and the orphanage are numbered,
pushing Korczak's pacifist ideals to the limit.
But the doctor's principles are challenged not
only by the advancing Nazi regime but by the arrival
of Adzio, a young Jewish boy who believes in fighting
back. (back
to top) |
|
|
to
book by phone, call |
|
royal
exchange theatre |
|
we
also recommend... |
0161
833 9833 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
COME
ON, JEEVES at
the Lowry Theatre (Quays Theatre) |
| |
|
|
