Newcastle-under-Lyme.

FLAMINGOLAND
by Deborah McAndrew.

New Vic Theatre To 16 August 2008.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat 16 Aug 2.30pm no performance 30 July, 6, 11 Aug.
Audio-described 13 Aug.
Captioned 12 Aug.
Post-show discussion 12 Aug.
Runs 2hr 20min One interval.

TICKETS: 01782 717962.
www.newvictheatre.org.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 25 July.

Drama strong on family relationships and the past’s impact on the present.

London.

GOB SQUAD’S KITCHEN
(You’ve Never Had It So Good)
devised by Johanna Freiburg, Sean Patten, Berit Stumpf, Sarah Thom, Bastian Trost, Simon Will.

Soho Theatre To 26 July 2008.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Sat 3pm.
Runs 1hr 30min No interval.

TICKETS: 020 7478 0100.
www.sohotheatre.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 21 July.

Inventive hour-and-a-half of people being famous for fifteen minutes.

Manchester.

24:7 THEATRE FESTIVAL
To 27 July 2008.

TICKETS: 0161 236 n7110 or on the door
www.247festival.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 23-25 July.

Fine new(ish) theatre festival is stimulatingly eclectic.

London.

THE FRONTLINE
by Che Walker.

Globe Theatre In rep to 17 August 2008.
17 Aug 1pm.
12 Aug 2pm.
3, 10 Aug 6.30pm.
16Aug 7.30pm.
BSL Signed 3 Aug.
Runs 2hr 35min One interval.

TICKETS: 020 7401 9919/020 7087 7398.
www.shakespeares-globe.org
Review: Timothy Ramsden 287 July.

Shakespeare’s Globe takes in modern street scenes.

London.

ZORRO
book and lyrics by Stephen Clark music by The Gipsy Kings original story by Stephen Clark and Helen Edmundson.

Garrick Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London WC2 to 10 Jan 2009.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm, Matinee Thu and Sat 3pm.
Runs 2hr 40mins, One interval.

TICKETS: 0844 412 4662.
Review: Geoff Ambler 16 July 2008.

Infectious Latin rhythms set hearts racing and the Garrick alight.

London.

INVITATION TO A BEHEADING
by Vladimir Nabokov adapted by Victor Sobchak.

Lion & Unicorn Theatre 42/44 Gaisford Street, Kentish Town, NW5 2ED To 3rd August 2008.
Thu–Sun 7:30pm.
Runs 2hr One interval.

TICKETS: 0207 485 9897.
www.actprovocateur.net/home.html
Review: Geoff Ambler 25 July 2008.

Nabokov in the hands of Act Provocateur brings pleasure from torment.

Nottingham

ROBIN OF SHERWOOD: adapted Longford.
Theatre Royal: Tkts 0115 989 5555 www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk.
Runs: 2h 45m: one interval: till 2nd August.
Performance times: 7.00pm, (matinees 2.00pm Weds and Thurs, 2.30pm Sats). No performance Sun and Mon.
Open day Sat, 26 July from 10am.
LIP and AD perfomances 2.30pm Sat 2nd August.
Review: Alan Geary: 23 July 2008.

PC and over-pantomimic but highly enjoyable.

Oxford.

ANIMAL FARM
by George Orwell adapted by Ian Wooldridge.

Creation Theatre Company Oxford Castle Garden Stage To 30 August 2008.
Mon-Sat 6pm.
Runs 1hr 15min No interval.

TICKETS: 01865 766266.
www.creationtheatre.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 30 July.

An evening of fascinating menace on the prison-farm.

London.

THE FEMALE OF THE SPECIES
by Joanna Murray-Smith.

Vaudeville Theatre. To 4 October 2008.
Tue-Sat 7.30pm Mat Wed & Sat 2.30pm.
Runs1hr 40min No interval.

TICKETS: 0870 040 0084/0844 412 4663.
www.nimaxtheatres.com (booking fee on ‘phone & online bookings).
Review: Timothy Ramsden 17 July.

A cow on the front doorstep stands in for the elephant in the room as Australian playwright takes the feminist bull by the horns.

London.

STREET SCENE
music by Kurt Weill book by Elmer Rice lyrics by Langston Hughes.

Young Vic Theatre, The Cut , London, SE1.
Thu 17th July to Tue 22nd July 7:30pm – no performance Sunday.
Runs 2hr 40mins One interval.

TICKETS: 020 7922 2923.
hwww.youngvic.org
Review: Geoff Ambler 17 July 2008.

Kurt Weill’s masterpiece makes a rare London appearance and delights.

London.

UNDER THE BLUE SKY
by David Eldridge.

Duke of York’s Theatre To 20 September 2008.
M0n-Sat 7.45pm Mat Thu & Sat 3pm.
Runs 1hr 45min No interval,

TICKETS: 0870 060 6623 www.underthebluesky.co.uk (£3 transaction charge – cheaper than by ‘phone).
Review: Timothy Ramsden 28 June.

Trio of relationships examining amatory terrain.

Tour:

HENRY V:
by William Shakespeare.

Heartbreak Productions Tour to 17 August 2008. Runs: 2hr 30min One interval.
Review: Alan Geary 17 July at Nottingham Castle.

Good actors let down by incoherent ideas from director.

Chichester.

COLLABORATION
by Ronald Harwood.

Minerva Theatre In rep to 30 August 2008.
Mon-Sat 7.45pm Mat 6, 15, 19, 22, 27 Aug 2.15pm 10 Aug 2pm.
Audio-described 6 Aug 2.15pm, 28 Aug 7.45pm.
Runs 2hr One interval.

TICKETS: 01243 781312.
www.cft.org.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 29 July.

Outstanding premier production for a heartfelt new play.

Edinburgh.

BIG BRUVVA THE MUSICAL
book andlLyrics by Andrew Emerson music by Ian Brandon.

Musical Theatre @ George Square, Buccleuch Place 5-18;20-25 August 2008.
3pm.
Runs 1hr 20min No interval.

TICKETS: 01331 662 8740.
www.edfringe.com
Review: Geoff Ambler 24 July 2008 at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate.

Big Brother comes to the stage and chaos, laughter and vanity ensue.

Chichester.

TAKING SIDES
by Ronald Harwood.

Minerva Theatre In rep to 30 August 2008.
Mon-Sat 7.45pm, 10 Aug 6pm Mat 2, 13, 28 Aug 2.15pm.
Audio-described 2 Aug 2.15pm, 15 Aug 7.45pm.
Runs 2hr 30min One interval.

TICKETS: 01243 781312.
www.cft.org.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 29 July.

Less passionate than its new ‘predecessor’ but still stimulating.

Touring.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: Shakespeare.
Oddsocks Productions: Full Tour Info 01773 540962 www.oddsocks.co.uk.
Runs: 2h 30m: one interval: touring nationwide till 30th August.
Performance times: Mostly 7.30pm but varies with venue.
Review: Alan Geary: Nottingham: 24th July.

Perfect fare for a summer evening .

Manchester.

HAY FEVER
by Noel Coward.

Royal Exchange Theatre To 16 August 2008.
Mon-Fri 7.30pm Sat 8pm Mat Wed 2.30pm & Sat 4pm

Runs 2hr 30min Two intervals.

TICKETS: 0161 833 9833.
www.royalexchangehtheatre.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 23 July.

Elegant if slightly uneven Coward revival.

Oxford.

SHAKESPEARE’S SAINTS AND SINNERS
devised by Heather Davies and Tom Peters from an idea by David Parrish.

St Michael at the North Gate Cornmarket Street/Ship Street To 16 August 2008.
Mon-Sat 7.15pm Mat Sat 2pm no performance 28 July.
Runs 1hr 40min One interval.

TICKETS: 01865 766266
www.creationtheatre.co.uuk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 19 July.

A one-person Shakespeare show that has its point to argue.

Tour.

CHARLIE VICTOR ROMEO
created by Bob Berger, Patrick Daniels, Irving Gregory.

Tour to 25 August 2008.
Runs 1hr 20min No interval.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 18 July.

High octane, edge-of-seat reality.

Nottingham.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS: Ashman.
Nottingham Playhouse: Tkts 0115 941 9419.
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk.
Runs: 2h 0m: one interval: till 19th July.
Performance times: 7.15pm (matinees Weds and Sat).
Review: Alan Geary: 16 July 2008.

This will pack them in.