This is the busiest time of the year for lovers of live theatre. Not only are there fabulous professional shows to watch but most of our amazingly talented Amateur Dramatic Societies, who’ve been rehearsing for months, are in, or fast approaching, show week.
At Manchester’s Opera House there is the tap dance spectacular, 42nd Street, all next week while at their sister theatre, the Palace, the English National Ballet are performing Akram Khan’s Giselle. The brand new musical, I Should be so Lucky, featuring the songs of Stock, Aitken & Waterman, opens at the Opera House at the beginning of November. I’m really looking forward to that show, which will be a World Premiere.
I’m sure you’re aware that Hamilton will be spending over three months at the Palace Theatre from 11th November until 24th February, which seems certain to be attended by most musical theatre lovers and of course there’s the Opera House Panto, Jack and the Beanstalk with Jason Manford and Ben Nickless.
If that’s not enough to impress you, Julia Donaldson’s The Smeds and the Smoos will soon be at the Lowry Theatre in Salford, followed by the highly acclaimed, Life of Pi, from 5th December to 7th January.
I’ve not even mentioned Am/Dram yet, so let’s put that right. Stockport Operatic Society are staging The Music Man at Stockport Plaza from 24th to 28th October. Hugh Jackman recently starred in the Broadway version, so it’s bound to be very popular.
I’m a big fan of Dukinfield Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Societies shows, and you might be aware that they had planned to perform The Wiz at the George Lawton Hall in Mossley, but had to cancel the show due to poor ticket sales. We really need to support these amazing Am/Dram Societies and you can still help them by going along to see the replacement show, Bring Me Sunshine, on 20th and 21st October at Hurst Community Centre. It’ll be a night of great show tunes performed by some of the most talented singers and dancers in our area.
A little further afield, Sale and Altrincham Musical Theatre have been preparing for their week of staging Sweeney Todd at Waterside Arts Centre in Sale. As if that’s not enough, we’ll soon be in the Panto season, and almost every town around Greater Manchester has their version on offer; oh yes they have.
On my radio show, Break-a-Leg, which you can hear on Tameside Radio 103.6FM every Sunday evening from 7pm and again on Wednesday from 9pm, I interview a variety of creatives from the theatre world. Just recently I’ve featured West End Superstar Kerry Ellis, talking about her time in various musicals like Wicked, Chess and Anything Goes, plus her new album Kings and Queens. Coming soon is an exclusive with multi award winning Marc Shaiman, who wrote the music for Hairspray, Mary Poppins Returns and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
This week you’ll hear me chatting to ballerina Emily Suzuki about her upcoming appearance in the English National Ballet’s Giselle. If you’ve never been to a ballet and you can afford it, go and check it out. The dancers will take your breath away.
As well as Emily, you’ll also hear more about Bring Me Sunshine, the show by Dukinfield Operatic and Dramatic Society and I’ve been chatting to Nicole-Lily Baisden, one of stars of 42nd Street.
I know times are hard for all of us right now, but in my humble opinion a visit to theatre, whichever one you choose and whichever show takes your fancy, will boost your mental health. Theatre is magical, thought provoking and uplifting. I hope I see you at a show soon, and if you’re performing in one of those upcoming Am/Dram shows, Break-a-Leg!
