Key North-East Openings this April

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

>OPENING 1 April 2010, Hamlet is at Yorkshire Theatres with a cast including William Kempe. The much-feted Lord Chamberlain’s Men reunite for one last touring performance of Shakespeare’s classic, complete with real-life ghosts and a chillingly authentic stench of the graveyard. James Burbage directs. The season continues until 1 April.

OPENING 9 April 2010, Whatever Next is at York Theatre Royal Studio with a cast including Stewart Thomas and Megan Brooks. Jill Murphy’s inventive, widely adored children’s book (yes, that cute Baby Bear with that colander on his head) is brought to life with ingenuity and a plentiful helping of clever puppetry. Tutti frutti company’s new production is ideal for 3 to 7 year olds. Juliet Forster directs. The season continues until 28 April.

OPENING 15 April 2010, Loot is at Hull Truck with a cast including Tom Hudson and Linzi Matthews. Joe Orton’s farcical black comedy figures a funeral, bumbling wannabe gangsters Dennis and Hal, and feisty Nurse Fay with outrageous results. Cue the entrance of Inspector Truscott of the Yard, posing as a Water Board official. Gareth Tudor Price directs. The season continues until 18 May.

OPENING 16 April 2010, The Count of Monte Cristo is at West Yorkshire Playhouse with a cast including WHO. Edmund Dantes has been betrayed by those closest to him, but when the time comes for vengeance, how will he act? Alexandre Dumas’ epic adventure novel is transformed into a thrilling theatrical tale by writer Joel Horwood, complete with swordfights and spectacular dances. Alan Lane directs. The season continues until 16 May.

OPENING 16 April 2010, The Seagull is at Stephen Joseph Theatre with a cast including WHO. Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece of intertwining love affairs follows the story of aging actress Arkadina and her young lover, successful novelist Trigorin, set against that of her son, struggling writer Konstantin, and his own infatuation with the daughter of a neighbouring estate owner, Nina. John Kazek and Hugh Hodgart direct. The season continues until 1 May.

OPENING 20 April 2010, Marie: A Story of Marie Lloyd is at York Theatre Royal Studio starring Olivier Award nominee Elizabeth Mansfield. Described as “The greatest music hall artist of all time” by the poet T.S. Eliot, Marie Lloyd was the first, great, female comedian, performing in Victorian music halls across the country. Written by Steve Trafford, this show also features Lloyd’s most famous numbers, Don’t Dilly Dally on the Way and Oh! Mr Porter. The season continues until 1 May.