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Greece Is The Word

July 10, 2007

Hi,

After a busy time at The Manchester International Festival, my bags are packed and I am for the off. To Edinburgh early? The West End, or even Broadway? No, I am off in search of the sun. As much as I love Manchester, the rain does get you down. So, I am off to Greece to relax which means no theatre, no gigs and no films. For the first couple of days, I feel like my life support has been cut off. But two paperbacks later and a day of swimming - I am fully relaxed.

In the meantime, if you are here in Manchester whilst I am away, what theatrical delights await you? Here’s some of my tips:

Pretend You Have Big Buildings - Royal Exchange - 11 July - 4 August
Many theatre goers often complain that the Royal Exchange hardly ever stage contemporary productions. This one looks like a winner, as it focuses on two teens who do not fit in. With themes of race, crime and plenty of comedy, and the added bonus of Shobna Gulati as the mother of one of the lads, this is worth booking for. This is the winner of the Bruntwood Playwriting Competition also, so what other excuses do you need? Booking early is advised if the box office for Monster is anything to go by.

Hairspray Opens Fri, 20th July
Ok, so not the stage show. But to get you in the mood for a trip to the Shaftesbury, here is the film. Starring John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and one of my favourite actresses Alison Janney (best known as C.J in The West Wing), this looks like a lot of fun. After a Summer of sequels which have proved the golden rule of follow ups (they get worse) this musical looks frothy and enjoyable. For clips, etc, take a look at the great website.

Not forgetting - Barbra Streisand, who steps onto the M.E.N stage tonight!

There is also the 24/7 Festival and the Manchester International Festival still going strong. Many regional theatres do not go dark but they save all the big guns for Aug/Sept. I am looking forward to Tin Tin at the Lowry in Aug. But over the coming months Manchester has Lady Salsa, Henry V, Scrooge, Private Lives, Aspects Of Love, Godspell and South Pacific. So, a few there to look forward to.

So, until then, see you in a fortnight.

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