LONDON.

THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG
book by Neil Simon music by Marvin Hamlisch lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager.

Menier Chocolate Factory 53 Southwark Street, SE1 1RU to 28 September 2008.
Tue–Sat 8pm Mat Sat & Sun 3.30pm.
Runs 2 hr30mins, One interval.

TICKETS: 020 7907 7060.
www.menierchocolatefactory.com
Review: Geoff Ambler 6 August 2008.

The 70s returns with a warming musical romp and some seriously dodgy hair.

Scarborough/Newcastle-under-Lyme.

HAUNTING JULIA
by Alan Ayckbourn.

Stephen Joseph Theatre (the Round) in rep to 23 August.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat 9,21 Aug 2.30pm.
then New Vic Theatre Newcastle-under-Lyme in rep 5-20 September 2008.
5,9,13,15 Sept. Mat 20 Sept 2.30pm.
Runs 1hr 50min No interval.

TICKETS: 01723 370541.
www.sjt.uk.com (Scarborough).

01782 717962.
www.newvictheatre.org.uk (Newcastle-under-Lyme).
Review: Timothy Ramsden 2 August.

Ayckbourn ‘s microscope on the family in an unusual style.

London.

HARPER REGAN
by Simon Stephens.

Cottesloe Theatre In rep to 9 August 2008.
Thu-Sat 7.30pm Mat Sat 2.30pm
Runs 2hr 30min One interval.

TICKETS: 020 7452 3000.
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 5 August.

Play, production and performer magnificently catch the central character’s sense of disorientation.

London.

STARS IN THE MORNING SKY
by Alexander Galin translated by Michael Glenny and Cathy Porter.

Riverside Studios (Studio 3) To 17 August 2008.
Tue-Sat 7.30pm Sun 6pm Mat Sat 2.30pm.
Runs 1hr 45min One interval.

TICKETS: 020 8237 1111.
www.riversidestudios.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 10 August.

Showing what you don’t see at the Olympics.

Bath/Kingston-upon-Thames.

A DOLL’S HOUSE
by Henrik Ibsen translated by Stephen Mulrine.

Theatre Royal Bath in rep to 9 August.
11am 9 Aug.
2.30pm 6 Aug.
7.30pm 5 Aug.
then 9-27 September 2008 Rose Theatre Kingston-upon-Thames.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm.
Audio-described 20 Sept 2.30pm (+Touch Tour 1pm).
Post-show talk 16 Sept.
Captioned 19 Sept.
Runs 2hr 55min Two intervals.

TICKETS: 01225 448844
www.theatreroyal.org.uk (Bath).
0871 230 1552.
www.rosetheatrekingston.org (Kingston-upon-Thames).
Review: Timothy Ramsden 31 July.

Dull décor and dour lives.

Chichester.

SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR
by Luigi Pirandello a new version by Rupert Goold and Ben Power.

Minerva Theatre In rep to 23 August 2008.
Mon-Sat 7.45pm Mat 12, 16k, 20, 23 Aug 2.15pm.
Runs 2hr 40min One interval.

TICKETS: 01243 781312.
www.cft.org.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 8 August.

Fine production – if you think it is.

Scarborough/Newcastle-under-Lyme

SNAKE IN THE GRASS
by Alan Ayckbourn.

Stephen Joseph Theatre (The Round) In rep to 22 August 2008.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat 7, 16 Aug 2.30pm.
then New Vic Theatre Newcastle-under Lyme in rep 4-19 September 2008.
4,6,8,,19 Sept 7.30pm Mat 13 Sept 2.30pm.
Runs 1hr 55min One interval.

TICKETS: 01723 370541.
www.sjt.uk.com (Scarborough)

01782 717962.
www.newvictheatre.org.uk (Newcastle-under-Lyme).
Review: Timothy Ramsden 1 August.

Drama grips tight as an anaconda.

Scarborough/Newcastle-under-Lyme.

LIFE AND BETH
by Alan Ayckbourn.

This original production has been restaged for proscenium arch venues in S[ring 2009, with some cast changes. Details below.

Review: Timothy Ramsden 2 August at Stephen Joseph Theatre Scasrborough (The Round).

Too little life in the people around Beth.

York.

THE RAILWAY CHILDREN
by Mike Kenny adapted from the novel by E Nesbit.

National Railway Museum (Station Hall) Leeman Road YO26 4XJ To 23 August 2008.
11am & 2.30pm Wed. 6, 13, 20 Aug.
1.30pm 5, 7-10, 12, 14-16, 18-19, 21-23 Aug.
7pm Thu-Sat.
Audio-described 15 Aug 7pm, 16 Aug 1.30pm.
BSL Signed 21 Aug 7pm.
Captioned 9 Aug 1.30pm.
Runs 2hr 20min One interval.

TICKETS: 01904 623568.
www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 3 August.

On-line drama in an apt setting.

London.

THE WIZARD OF OZ
book by L. Frank Baum music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg background music by Herbert Stothart.

Royal Festival Hall.
Tue – Sat 7.30pm Mat Wed, Sat & Sun 2.30pm.
Runs 2 hr 50 mins One interval.

TICKETS: 0871 663 2500.
http://www.followtheyellowbrickroad.co.uk.
Review: Geoff Ambler 2nd August 2008.

The yellow brick road leads to the South Bank, for a family summer treat.

Nottingham.

DEADLY NIGHTCAP: Durbridge.
Theatre Royal: Tkts 0115 989 5555 www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk.
Runs: 2h 30m: one interval: till 16th August.
Performance times: 7.30pm weekdays, 5pm and 8pm Sat. (Matinee 2.00pm Weds).
Review: Alan Geary: 11 August 2008.

Like Gaslight minus the gas and minus the light. Enjoy.

Bath/Tour.

PORTRAIT OF A LADY
by Henry James adapted by Nicki Frei.

Theatre Royal In rep to 9 August
7.30pm 1, 6 Aug, Mat 2.30pm 2, 7 Aug, 3.30pm 9 Aug.
then tout to 6 September 2008.
Runs 2hr 25min One interval.

TICKETS: 01225 448844.
www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 31 July.

Back in time the point becomes clear.

London.

A CONVERSATION WITH EDITH HEAD
by Paddy Calistro and Susan Claassen.

Leicester Square Theatre 5 Leicester Place WC2H 7BP To 31 August 2008.
Tue-Sat 8pm Sun 7pm Mat Thu, Sat, Sun 3pm.
Runs 1hr 30min No interval.

TICKETS: 0844 847 2375.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 10 August.

Exclusive meeting with the Head of Hollywood.

Chichester.

THE MUSIC MAN
by Meredith Willson.

Chichester Festival Theatre In rep to 30 August 2008.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat 15, 16, 20, 27, 30 Aug 2pm.
Audio-described 30 Aug 2pm.
Runs 2hr 30min One interval.

TICKETS: 01243 781312.
www.cft.org.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 8 August.

A dream of a musical confection.

Tour.

BORN IN THE GARDENS
by Peter Nichols.

Theatre Royal Bath Productions Tour to 11 October 2008.
Runs 2hr 15min One interval.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 11 August at Oxford Playhouse.

Scorching and searching, bitterly humorous and beautifully performed; a treat of a revival.

London.

I, LEAR
by Andrew Jones and Ciaran Murtagh.

Trafalgar Studios (Studio 2) To 16 August 2008.
Mon-Sat 7.45pm.
Runs1hr 15min No interval.

TICKETS: 0870 060 6632.
www.theambassadors.com/trafalgarstudios
Review: Timothy Ramsden 4 August.

Fitfully funny, but with quite a grand climax.

Oxford.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
by William Shakespeare.

Headington Hill Park To 13 September 2008.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm to 16 August; 7pm from 19 August no performance 18 August Mat Sat & 25 August 2pm 12pm 11 September.
Runs 2hr 25min One interval..

TICKETS: 01865 766266.
www.creationtheatre.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 7 August.

Lovers’ night out is show’s strength.

Nottingham

HOLMES AND THE RIPPER: Clemens.
Theatre Royal: Tkts 0115 989 5555 www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk.
Runs: 2h 30m: one interval: till 9th August.
Performance times: 7.30pm weekdays, (matinee 2.00pm Weds). 5pm and 8pm Sat).
Review: Alan Geary: 4 August 2008.

Un-ashamedly entertaining.

London.

…some trace of her
inspired by The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky adapted by Katie Mitchell and the company.

Cottesloe Theatre South Bank SE1 9PX In rep to 21 October 2008.
7.30, Mat Sat 2.30 and Wed Aug 30, Tues Sept 2, Thurs Oct 16, Tues Oct 21.
Audio-described 29 Aug 7.30, 30 Aug 2.30.
Captioned: Wed Oct 1, 7.30.
Runs 1hr 30min No interval.

TICKETS 020 7452 3000.
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/tickets
Review: Carole Woddis 1 August.

From page to stage and screen, in imaginatively thoughtful interlinking.

Oxford.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
by William Shakespeare.

Creation Theatre Company at Oxford Castle – Unlocked Castleyard To 16 August 2008.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm except 2 Aug 8pm. Gala performance 8 Aug.
Runs 2hr 30min One interval.

TICKETS: 01865766266.
www.creationtheatre.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 30 July.

After last year’s Shrew, Creation brings another contrasted female pairing and make it central to this production.