Over the next six months Manchester audiences will be treated to Mamma Mia direct from the West End, a musical based on the life of Ex PM Maggie Thatcher also they will get the chance to see Will Young make his UK stage debut. Add a couple of Tennessee Williams productions and the regional premiere of Acorn Antiques and the new seasons look guaranteed to keep theatre goers in the North West spoilt for choice. With 8 new musicals about to open in the West End, this is probably the right time to keep audiences from getting on the train out of Manchester.
Kicking off in September the Library theatre is beginning its season with Alan Ayckbourn's Private Fears In Public Places. Following a disappointing end to their season with Mirandolina, The Royal Exchange hope to receive critical acclaim with Mary Barton, a classic production set in Manchester- a stone's throw away from the theatre itself. The Lowry is banking that Cat On A Hot Tin Roof will fill the Lyric Theatre as well as they did with Suddenly Last Summer a few years ago.
The classic musical Me and My Girl stars ex Steps star Faye Tozer and it stops off at the Opera House in September. Chicago follows in October with the added attraction of Jennifer Ellison hot footing it from the Cambridge Theatre in the West End reprising her role as murderess Roxie Hart. This popular show is a perrenial favourite and sure to sell out.
If comedy is your thing The Lowry has two offerings that might be of interest. The fabulous female double act Lipservice bring their unique take on Bronte's tale of Cathy and Heathcliffe in the guise of Withering Looks. Their success poking fun at everything from Little Women to Sherlock Holmes should mean that lots of zany scenes will keep audiences smiling. Following that in October sees the UK tour of Thatcher The Musical opening at the Quays Theatre at the Lowry. With Billy Elliot doing so well at the moment and refreshing peoples' minds about Maggie Thatcher, this could prove to be a hit with audiences all over the UK.
In 2003 Whoopi Goldberg stepped onto Broadway boards to star in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. The Royal Exchange are staging their version with Antonio Fargas, yes Huggy Bear from the iconic TV show Starsky and Hutch. It also stars North West regular David Fleeshman. This deviation from the usual Royal Exchange programme must be welcomed.
Oxford Road will soon be alive with the sound of Abba as the hit musical Mamma Mia finally comes to town in November at the Palace Theatre. Featuring hits from the Swedish super group, this North West debut has already broken box office records so if you want a ticket, you had better book fast. Else you could be singing "Thankyou For The Music" without a seat.
As if that isn't West End enough for you, Acorn Antiques opens in Salford in December on the first date of its UK tour. Casting is yet to be announced although Victoria Wood will be directing the show following in the footsteps of Trevor Nunn who directed the Haymarket production. Hilary O' Neil may be cast as Mrs Overall following her West End appearances in the role but nothing has been confirmed. Fast forward to January 2007 and Will Young fans rejoice as your Pop Idol will be attempting to bury any memories of appearing on a Simon Cowell show by playing Nicky in Noel Coward's The Vortex. Young must be hoping that Cowell doesn't show up with a score card in his hand! Will made his movie debut in Mrs Henderson Presents last year alongside Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins. Like Mamma Mia, interest in this production is very high. So advance booking is advised. The Royal Exchange have a separate booking line for The Vortex and further details can be found from their website. www.royalexchange.co.uk
