The Library Theatre in Manchester will be presenting an adaptation by Neil Bartlett of Charles Dickens’ classic novel Great Expectations as its seasonal show for 2008. The production, which runs between Saturday 29 November 2008 – Saturday 17 January 2009, will be directed by the Library’s Associate Director, Roger Haines, and Liam Steel, best known for his pioneering work with physical theatre company DV8.

The pair co-directed last year’s sell-out Library Theatre show, Tom’s Midnight Garden, the latest in a long line of seasonal productions which reinforced the theatre’s reputation for the quality of its Christmas shows which appeal to young people and adults alike.

It will be the directorial double act’s second collaboration directing a Neil Bartlett adaptation of a Charles Dickens novel, after the pair’s Oliver Twist, in 2005. “It was on Oliver Twist that, along with designer Michael Pavelka and composer Richard Taylor, we first really explored developing the production as a piece of ensemble theatre,” says Roger Haines. “Our intention is to continue with this exciting and all-embracing style with Great Expectations.” (more…)

This competition is now closed and the answer is The Criterion Theatre.

Congratulations to Alison Eden. Enjoy the play!

Maria Aitken’s critically acclaimed production of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1935 spy thriller, The 39 Steps, visits The Lowry from Tue 3 – Sat 7 June. This hilariously recreated smash hit comedy, adapted for the stage by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan, is currently one of the West End’s ‘must-see’ shows winning an Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and we have one pair of tix up for grabs!
THE PLAY:
Four actors play 139 roles in 100 minutes in this fast-paced spy adventure, suitable for all the family. The fearless four are David Michaels, Clare Swinburne, Alan Perrin and Colin Mace. They perform every single legendary scene from the award-winning movie – including the chase on the Flying Scotsman, the escape on the Forth Bridge, the first theatrical bi-plane crash ever staged and the sensational death-defying finale in the London Palladium, besides many other favourite cinematic moments, including the memorable and controversial ‘stockings and suspenders’ scene! (more…)

This competition is now closed.

Congratulations to Thomas Nuhse. Enjoy the Opera!

Dramatic, ardent and unfailingly melodic, Gounod takes the world’s best-known love story and makes it a lavish melodrama. We have two tickets to see Opera North‘s new production of Romeo et Juliette on Tuesday 10th June at 7.15pm!

THE OPERA:
The Montagues and the Capulets are divided by age-old enmity. When Roméo gatecrashes a Capulet party he meets Juliette and they fall deeply and dangerously in love.

Amidst escalating violence they are secretly married by the sympathetic Friar Laurent, who hopes that their union may begin to reconcile the feuding families.

It does – but only after the star-crossed lovers have paid the ultimate price.

Conductor – Martin André (Tue 10 June);
Peter Selwyn (Fri 13 June)
Director – John Fulljames (more…)

Lancaster born Lisa O’Hare will star as Mary and Daniel Crossley (from Southport) as Bert in Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s award-winning musical Mary Poppins at the Palace Theatre from 11th December 2008-7th March 2009.

O’Hare is currently receiving rave reviews as Eliza Doolittle in the US tour of My Fair Lady, a role she also played in the UK tour. She has also appeared as Mary in the West End production of Poppins and her other credits include Anything Goes at the National Theatre. This summer she will play the title role in Gigi at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park.

Crossley has appeared in the West End productions of Chicago, Fosse, Anything Goes and BoyBand. His other credits include several seasons at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park appearing in Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It and Oh, What A Lovely War. (more…)

Venue: The Library Theatre
Date Reviewed: 21st May, 2008

Actor Bette Bourne and writer Tim Fountain received huge acclaim for their brilliant Resident Alien the Library’s hit play about the eccentric Englishman in New York, Quentin Crisp.

Now they team up to explore the seamy world of 1950’s Hollywood, exploring the myths behind those iconic hills, in particular, the agent Henry Wilson and his famous clients.

This clever, yet manipulative player was the man behind the likes of Tab Hunter, Troy Donaghue and the ill fated Rock Hudson.

Wilson describes Hollywood as the “greatest street on the face on the earth”, but as a maker of myths, his stars had to abide by the rules. Enter a naïve, awkward young actor named Roy Fitzgerald. Wilson reminds him that Marion Morrison (aka John Wayne) was never going to make it big in Westerns with that name! (more…)