CityLife

Lowry Spring Season announced

Elaine Paige in Cats 1981

THE Lowry’s just-announced Spring Season ranges from the culinary delights of Basil Fawlty to the art of puppetry and pop-ups, and from the sound of Elaine Paige to the thrilling chill of the Russian Ice Stars. 
 

The Lowry, which has just received a formidable 25 nominations in this year’s Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards also plays host to an exciting season of heavyweight drama and West End hits from world-renowned companies.
 

Kneehigh Theatre is bringing two exceptional productions, including Don John (March 3-7) and Noël Coward’s Brief Encounter (March 24-28), which comes direct from a successful run at London’s Haymarket Cinema. 
 

 Be Near Me (April 28 to May 2), adapted for the stage by Ian McDiarmid from The Booker Prize-nominated novel, is a co-production from the Donmar Warehouse (The Cut) and National Theatre of Scotland (Black Watch).
 

 His Dark Materials, running from April 23-26, consists of two full-length plays adapted by Nicholas Wright from the trilogy of novels by Philip Pullman while English Touring Theatre return with Where There’s A Will (March 17-21), directed by the distinguished British director, Sir Peter Hall. 
 

On a lighter note, there’s the Tony Award-winning comedy Boeing-Boeing (February 2-7), and for another taste of comedy, you can venture into the manic world of Basil and co, in the Edinburgh Festival sell-out Faulty Towers – the Dining Experience, an interactive performance revolving around a three-course meal in The Lowry Restaurant that runs from January 13-17. 
 

The critically-acclaimed Russian Ice Stars present a new genre of ice show, dubbed Cirque de Glace (February 18-22), while the troupe affectionately known all over the world as The Trocks, or Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (March 6-7 March) blend their loving knowledge of dance with a unique comic approach. on March 6-7.

The brilliant, M.E.N. Theatre Award-winning solo puppeteer Ronnie Burkett introduces his latest incredible marionette creation for adults, Billy Twinkle, based on a middle-aged cruise ship puppeteer (April 3-8).

Another M.E.N. Theatre Award-winning production is The Blonde Bombshells of 1943.

Created by and first seen at Bolton Octagon, this vibrant show is a musical comedy packed with 1940s classics performed live by a sensational eight-piece all-girl swing band. It runs at The Lowry from January 20-24.

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Buddy Holly’s death is a new production of Buddy, running from January 26-31, while in a special 40th Anniversary celebration the ‘First Lady of Musical Theatre’ Elaine Paige revisits her award-winning roles from Evita, Cats, Chess and many more on March 1 and 2.
 

There’s another intriguing season in the Studio with more innovative theatre from new and emerging companies. Productions include Sherlock Holmes…The Death and Life (February 14) and the multi-award-winning parody of the Peanuts comic strip, Dog Sees God – Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead (January 22-24).
 

 Younger patrons can join SpongeBob, Patrick and their zany Bikini Bottom pals in an exciting new musical, SpongeBob SquarePants in The Sponge Who Could Fly! (April 15-19).

Hot on the heels of the phenomenally successful first live show comes the brand new LazyTown Live! – The Pirate Adventure (April 8-12), when Sportacus, Stephanie and friends sail into town.

While High School Musical fans – of which there are a few! – will get the chance to see it brought to life on stage at The Lowry next May 11-23.
 

To book or for more information, call 0870 787 5793.