WOS Top Festive Tips
As Christmas Day draws ever near, you might be thinking about treating to yourself to a night at the theatre in Manchester. But with the credit crunch biting hard, you want to be sure that you are forking out for a good production. But how do you decide when theatres are crammed full of festive shows?
Well, help is at hand. Based on our reviewers star ratings, here is our top five:
1. Mary Poppins – the Palace Theatre
This Cameron Mackintosh production has all you want from a night at the theatre and then some. It’s magical, brilliantly performed and a real treat for all the family.
2. See How They Run – the Royal Exchange Theatre
If it’s a family show with slamming doors and vicars you are after, how about this excellent farce. Currently receiving rave reviews, See How They Run has a top notch cast and is guaranteed to leave you laughing like a hyena.
3. The Man Who Planted Trees – the Royal Exchange Studio
Old fashioned but not dated, this is pure puppetry in motion! Again, another winner on St Ann’s Square. Ideal if you want to take the little ones to a Christmas production, minus the lines “Behind You!”
4. Great Expectations – the Library Theatre
There are lots of alternatives to the traditional panto. But this glorious show is epic, despite only having a small cast. The Library has a great reputation for producing wonderful Christmas plays. This amazing adaptation shows you how to do it perfectly.
5. Wizard Of Oz - the Lowry
Ok, so the music is pre-recorded. But with Lorna Luft flying onto the stage as the Wicked Witch Of The West, following in her mother’s ruby slippers, this is not to be missed. Yes, there’s no place like Salford this Xmas!
Happy Christmas and enjoy the show!
-Glenn Meads