Key North-East openings this November

Amongst the major openings in the North-East (Yorkshire region) this month are:

OPENING 12 November 2009, Macbeth opens at Hull Truck Theatre with a cast including James Weaver and Fiona Wass. In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth’s accession to the throne – spurred on by his ruthlessly ambitious wife – is doomed by the murderous manner in which he despatched the former king. In this adaptation, the Scottish play is given a modern-dress, accessible makeover. Gareth Tudor Price directs. The season continues until 28 November.

OPENING 13 November 2009, Swanhunter world premieres at Howard Assembly Rooms with a cast including Andrew Rees and Elizabeth Cragg. Based on Finnish myths, Swanhunter sees Hero Lemminkainen disobey his mother by venturing on a journey to the North to find a bride. Opera North’s short, small scale opera was created specifically for families and children by composer Jonathan Dove and librettist Alasdair Middleton. Stuart Stratford conducts and Clare Whistler directs. The season continues until 22 November.

OPENING 21 November 2009, Treasure Island opens at Stephen Joseph Theatre. Young lad Jim Hawkins’ discovery of an old pirate map plunges him into a world of sword-wielding pirates (and puppetry) in a search for buried treasure. But is Long John Silver a friend or foe? For brave children and grown-ups, Northern Broadsides present a dark, imaginative and lively version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale. Adam Sunderland directs. The season continues until 5 December.

OPENING 28 November 2009, The Secret Garden opens at West Yorkshire Playhouse with a cast including Jayne Wisener, Helena Blackman and Thomas Aldridge. Frances Hodges Burnett’s beautiful novel follows precocious madam Mary Lennox in her exploration of a hidden garden she finds with local Yorkshire boy Dickon. Garry Lyons’ adaptation is teamed with Tim Sutton’s charming folk pieces. Ian Brown directs. The season continues until 28 January.

OPENING 30 November 2009, A Christmas Carol opens at Stephen Joseph Theatre, with a cast of sixteen young performers from the Borough of Scarborough. Ebeneezer Scrooge is a bitter old miser, who spends his time alone and unloved, until one Christmas Eve, with the arrival of several ghosts who help Scrooge see the error of his ways. Chris Monks adapts and directs. The season continues until 9 January.

– Vicky Ellis