News & Events – Theatre

(If interested in any of the following shows or need more information then please contact Theatre Group Contact via this link.)

 

 

WHITE CHRISTMAS

Hello theatre lovers , how about this one!!!  I’ve just booked seats for Thursday 21 November 2019.  Tickets cost £45 plus either coach @ £22 or train around £15.  It is showing at the Dominion Theatre London.  Please confirm if you’re interested in going and then send your cheque to me payable to. A. T. G. Ltd  to confirm your seat.  I think this will be a good one …  starring Danny Mac too. Watch the trailer it’s brilliant.

Make it a magical Christmas with this spectacular brand-new production of Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS. This feel-good family musical lights up London’s Dominion Theatre for a strictly limited season from November 2019.

Reprising their acclaimed roles following a sell-out season at Curve, Leicester are Danny Mac (Sunset Boulevard, Strictly Come Dancing Finalist) as Bob Wallace and Olivier nominated Dan Burton (Gypsy, Singin’ in the Rain, Jersey Boys) as Phil Davis. This ‘glorious revival’ (The Telegraph) is brought to life by acclaimed Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster (Annie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s) and two-time Olivier Award-winning choreographer Stephen Mear (Mary Poppins).

A timeless romantic comedy to warm hearts of all ages, WHITE CHRISTMAS features the classic songs Blue Skies, Sisters and the most famous festive song of all… White Christmas.

NB Tickets now available – Tickets only  £67 including a coach from Leigh Elms  & Highlands Boulevard.  They must be paid for by the 29/07/19 then the same seats will go up to £82.  with less availability.  If you’re interested please send your cheques in the usual way asap to guarantee  that ticket.  You can always see the Xmas light after the show or grab a bargain in Oxford Street.

MATTHEW BOURNE’S THE RED SHOES returns to Sadler’s Wells – January 2020.

The production is an adaptation of the 1948 film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, which tells the story of a ballerina called Victoria Page who joins an established ballet company. The film is in turn based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.

Directed and choreographed by Bourne and set to the music of Bernard Herrman, the production won the Olivier Awards for best choreographer and best entertainment in 2017.

After a successful and enjoyable visit to Sadler’s Wells last month to see Romeo & Juliet, great interest was shown to see The Red Shoes in January 2020.
Please contact Trevor if you are interested letting him know the dates you can make and prefer.  There are only a few matinees, on Thursday 16th, Sunday 12th & 19th January 2020;  the availability for tickets is best on the Sundays but, if we act quickly and collect the monies in by the 8th October, we stand a chance of getting tickets in row H (dress circle) @ £ 59 and top balcony @ £42.
Add approx £25 for the coach. (It is more expensive than last month as we can not avoid the congestion charge, being wintertime the coach will go to the theatre door this time.)
I have 24 seats on hold until 8/10/19 only.   So check diaries etc. and email Trevor as soon as you know that you want to join the trip but be quick please.
Cheques payable to Leigh Estuary U3A please .  Trevor will be at the next monthly meeting on September 19th to collect cheques and answer any questions you might have.
21st February 2020 – THE SHOWMAN

Brush off your tails, Brendan is back!

Expect every style of ballroom and Latin dance from Brendan Cole and his hand-picked championship dancers, performed to the music and songs of some of the greatest legends and contemporary artistes. Whether you love a cheeky Charleston or a sexy Salsa, with music from Beggin’ to Bublé, plus numbers from The Greatest Showman and La La Land – this show has it all.

The very first winner of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing is joined by an amazing team of professional dancers, singers and a live band to showcase the superb choreography and dazzling performance that has kept him in the public eye for 15 years.

Join us for a thrilling extravaganza of music and dance with the charismatic Brendan Cole, and experience the ultimate Show Man at his best.

I have reserved the  2nd row of the balcony and some front row seats in two boxes for this performance at the Cliffs Pavilion   at 8:00pm on Friday 21st February 2020.  Tickets are £43 falling to £39 if we form a group of 20+ but they can only be held until 30th October so get in touch quick if this appeals.

 

May 2020 – & Juliet
We are aiming to get a large 50 seater coach to take members to a showing of & Juliet in mid May 2020 – the show is a modern take on Juliet’s life as she re writes the famous story , after Romeo takes his life and Juliet moves on . Some great reviews on BBC Radio 4.  If interested or need more information please contact Trevor; also tell your friends in your other U3a groups and we can ensure we fill the coach and get the best prices – we can do it. Ticket and coach expected to be £52

 

 

 

Past Shows:

TOAST – 6th September 2019

Photo credit – Piers Foley

A group of 21 theatre lovers went along to our local Palace Theatre to see “Toast“.

As we entered the auditorium we were greeted by the smell of burning toast, all very different, with more  surprises and delights to follow.
The play was about the young life experiences, tastes and memories of Nigel Slater, now a famous chief. Exploring his love for food ingredients, growing food in what must have been a difficult time for him growing up.  During the first act, while reminiscing about sweets, members of the cast came into the audience handing out sweets typical of the 1960s such as tropical fruits, sherbets and the like.
The play was well executed with some amazing fast moving plates and cakes that never fell to the floor.  It would have been fun to be a fly on the wall during the early rehearsals of this section.  A top cast.
In the interval we were all treated to  a walnut whip,  I would have preferred some Angel Delight but just not practical; you can’t please everyone!
The second act, though sad, moved along with the young Nigel exploring more recipes and new ingredients, ending when he arrived at the Savoy Hotel London, from where he has never looked back and all thanks to his dear mum.
TOAST – A fun night out.
Trevor

ROMEO & JULIET BALLET – 29th August 2019

A group of us left Leigh at 10:00am to see Matthew Bourne’s ballet version of Romeo & Juliet at Saddlers Wells London.  If you have ever seen anything by Matthew, you will know to expect the unexpected and in this regard we were not disappointed.  We were treated to his version of Shakespeare’s story all taking place within an asylum (but at least the asylum was in Verona).  It was beautifully performed by some wonderfully talented young dancers to the live Prokofiev music.  The story no longer involves warring families but brutal guards, oppressive rules and a system that is just bad.  The two lead dancers manage to perform several minutes of ballet with lips locked in a lengthy snog whilst twisting, turning and rolling around the stage – incredible skill and agility.  And again a Matthew Bourne twist in as much as it finishes exactly as it starts.