Theatre News

Key North-East Openings this January

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1 January 2011

New openings are thin on the ground this month, as many North East theatres will continue their Christmas season into the New Year. Theatregoers can find details of continuing shows here, and will find their patience rewarded when new shows begin to open towards the latter half of January.

OPENING 19 January 2011, The Comedy of Errors & Richard III, by William Shakespeare, adapted and directed by Ed Hall at Sheffield Lyceum.

With director Ed Hall at the helm, the acclaimed all-male theatre company Propellor will bring two fresh interpretations of Shakespearean classics to the Lyceum. Richard III, the Bard’s harrowing tale of one man’s folly and eventual retribution, will be counterpointed with the joyously bumbling farce The Comedy of Errors. The limited season continues until 29 January 2011.

OPENING 26 January 2011, Reflected, by Phoenix Dance Theatre, directed by Sharon Watson at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

For its 30-year anniversary, Phoenix Dance Theatre return to their original stomping ground to launch a year of celebrations with its latest piece, Reflected. Featuring choreography by Philip Taylor, Richard Wherlock and artistic director Sharon Watson, the show promises to be a mixture of world premieres and revived audience favourites. The limited season continues until 29 January 2011.

OPENING 31 January 2011, Blood Brothers, by Willy Russell, directed by Bob Tomson at Sheffield Lyceum.

Blood Brothers depicts the tumultuous and ultimately tragic journey of two twin brothers separated at birth. The now-iconic plot unfolds through well known and loved songs such as ‘Bright New Day’, ‘Marilyn Monroe’ and ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’, as, after growing up on opposite sides of the proverbial tracks, Mickey and Edward’s lives are forever changed when they meet again in adulthood. Niki Evans leads this production of Willy Russell’s classic as Mrs Johnstone. The limited season continues until 12 February 2011.

– Lydia Onyett