Janet Reeder shines the spotlight on the new autumn theatre season
Golem
October 7th-17th
Home, Manchester
With recent warnings from the techno heads about the dangers of artificial intelligence this is certainly a topical show. It should also be a theatrical delight and it mixes performance and live music, animation and film.
Golem is a satirical take on the misuse of technology. It tells the story of Robert Robertson whose life is disrupted when he buys a golem, a creature who will improve the efficiency of his daily affairs. However his troubles start when he upgrades to Golem 2 and is no longer in control of the machine.
Funny, mischievous and eerily relevant to today’s technology-reliant society, Golem is directed and written by Manchester Metropolitan University drama graduate Suzanne Andrade.
Mack & Mabel
October 12th-24th
Opera House
Don’t miss this! It received rave reviews at its recent premiere and now this fabulous show based on the real life romance of Hollywood legends Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand comes to Manchester.
Musical star Michael Ball plays the Mack of the title in a tale of pioneering film-makers in the silent movie era of the 1910s and 1920s. American actress Rebecca LaChance stars alongside him.
And the show features an acclaimed score by Jerry Herman including the musical hits I Won’t Send Roses and Time Heals Everything.
The dazzling musical comedy is both a poignant love story and a riveting tribute to the grit and glamour of the era of silent movies. The show received eight Tony Award nominations when it opened on Broadway in 1974. Book it now!
www.manchestertheatres.com/operahouse.htm
Pomona
October 28th-November 21st 2015
Royal Exchange, Manchester
Alistair McDowall’s sinister and surreal thriller has been compared to early Poliakoff. It’s a dark disturbing odyssey based around a young girl’s search for her missing twin in Pomona, Manchester, an abandoned concrete island at the heart of the city. Surreal, unnerving and full of ideas it is not-to-be missed.
Says producer Ned Bennett: ‘It’s thrilling to be able to bring Pomona to the city in which it’s set. The stage at the Royal Exchange Theatre is the perfect setting for our surreal tale of urban myths and nightmares; and with the real Pomona just down the road, the play will take on an even more immediate resonance.’
The Falcon’s Malteser by Anthony Horowitz
November 9th
Waterside Arts Centre, Sale
Not sure this contains the immortal line ‘Have you got a light Mac? No but I’ve got a dark overcoat’ but I am sure there are gags aplenty in this Film Noir pastiche which follows the adventures of hapless private detective Tim Diamond and his sharp-witted brother Nick.
Following its sell-out shows last year the play comes to the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale. Featuring slapstick, comedy, songs and a cast of four playing 20 brilliant characters like The Fat Man (who has lost a lot of weight), Gott & Himmell, Lauren Barcardi, Beatrice von Falkenberg and Betty Cleaner, it’s fun for all the family.
The Nutcracker
November 25th
Crewe Lyceum
The perfect way to sprinkle some magic on the start of the festive season, this delightful production of The Nutcracker from the highly acclaimed Russian State Ballet and Opera House comes to Crewe Lyceum.
Based on ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’ written by E.T.A. Hoffmann, it tells the story of Marie, a rather sad little girl, whose godfather Drosselmeyer gives her a nutcracker doll as a present on Christmas Eve and the magic begins. It’s a visual feast and Tchaikovsky’s music makes it a feast for the ears too.
Let it be
October 8th-November 14th
Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool
Where else would you prefer to watch a play about the Fab Four? Sweeping into Liverpool from London’s West End and Broadway is the international hit show celebrating the Beatles. The music defined a generation, captured the hearts and ideals of millions, and now Liverpudlians will be able to relive the memories as Let It Be - A Celebration of the Music of The Beatles hits the Royal Court.
Dare not to sing along to over forty of The Beatles’ songs, including: Hard Day’s Night, Day Tripper, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Twist and Shout, Get Back, I Wanna Hold Your Hand and Strawberry Fields.
Tmesis presents That’s Amore
October 8th,
Pyramid Parr Hall, Warrington
As the title suggests, love is the theme of this fast paced, hilarious and highly visual show.
But don’t be fooled by its light-hearted appearance, the piece combines excerpts from real research into the psychology and physiology of love as well as combining movement, visuals, original music and classic pop songs to recognise how love strips us of our dignity and just how damned funny it is.
