Bury St Edmunds/Colchester.

LIONBOY
from the novels by Zizou Corder adapted by Marcelo Dos Santos.

Theatre Royal 6 Westgate Street IP33 1QR To 13 February.
Tue-Fri 7.30pm Mat Wed & Thu 2pm.
TICKETS: 01284 769505.
www.theatreroyal.org

then Mercury Theatre Balkerne Gate CO1 1PT 17-21 February 2015.
Tue-Sat 7.30pm Mat Thu & Sat 2.30pm.
TICKETS: 01206 573948.
www.mercurytheatre.co.uk
(followed by international tour.

Runs 2hr One interval.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 10 February.

Animal magic in theatrical revival.

Nottingham.

SNOW WHITE AD THE SEVEN DWARFS

Theatre Royal Theatre Square NG1 5ND To 11 January 2015.

1.30pm 9-12, 14, 16-18, 21, 24, 28, 31 Dec, 4, 7-9, 11 Jan.
2.30pm 13, 20, 22, 23, 26, 27, 29, 30 Dec, 2, 3, 10 Jan.
5.30pm 24, 31 Dec.
6pm 14, 21, 28 Dec, 4, 11 Jan.
7.15pm 9-13, 16-18, 20, 22, 23, 26, 27, 29, 30 Dec, 2, 3, 6-10 Jan.
Audio-described 14 Dec 1.30pm, 3 Jan 2.30pm.
BSL Signed 13 Dec 2.30pm, 16 Dec 1.30pm, 9 Jan 7.15pm.
Captioned 4 Jan 1.30pm.
Relaxed Performance 7 Jan 1.30pm.
Runs 2hr 35min One interval.

TICKETS: 0115 989 5555.
www.trch.co.uk
Review: Alan Geary 7 December.

With reservations, this one gets the thumbs up.

Newcastle-under-Lyme.

THE BORROWERS
by Mary Norton adapted by Theresa Heskins.

New Vic Theatre Etruria Road Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 0JG To 31 January 2015.
`0.30am 6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 27-30 Jan (schools performances).
2.15pm 27, 29-31 Dec, 2, 3, 6, 10, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 31 Jan (Mon-Fri schools performances; Sat public performances).
7.30pm27, 29, 30 Dec, 2, 3, 9, 10, 15-17, 23, 24, 30, 31 Jan.
Audio-described 21 Jan 10.30am, 24 Jan 2.15pm.
Captioned 6 Jan 2.15pm, 10 Jan 2.15pm.
Runs 2hr 10min One interval.

TICKETS: 01782 717962.
www.newvictheatre.org.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 13 December.

Humour, humanity and adventure add up to another distinctive New Vic show.

Northampton/Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

CYRANO DE BERGERAC
based on the translation by Anthony Burgess of the play by Edmond Rostand.

Royal and Derngate (Royal auditorium) Guildhall Road NN1 7DP To 25 April.
Mon-Sat 7.45pm Mat Thu & Sat 2.30pm.
Audio-described 22 Apr (+ Touch Tour), 23 Apr 2.30pm.
BSL Signed 23 Apr 7.45pm.
Captioned 21 Apr.
Post-show Discussion 13 Apr.

TICKETS: 01604 624811.
www.royalandderngate.co.uk

then Northern Stage Barras Bridge NE1 7PH 29 April-16 May 2015.
Tue-Sat 7.30pm also 11 May 6pm (11, 12 May sold out) Mat Sat 2pm.
Audio-described 16 May 2pm (+ Touch Tour 12.30pm).
BSL Signed 15 May.
Captioned 14 May.
TICKETS: 0191 230 5151.
www.northernstage.co.uk

Runs 3hr One interval.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 9 April.

Focuses on the melancholy figure at the centre.

Northampton.

MERLIN
by Ella Hickson.

Royal and Derngate (Royal auditorium) Guildhall Road NN1 1DP To 4 January 2014.
10.30am 2-4, 9-12 Dec.
115pm 6 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 24, 26-28, 31 Dec, 3, 4 Jan.
2.15pm 2-5, 16-18, 22, 23, 29, 30 Dec, 2 Jan.
5.15pm 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 24, 26-28, 31 Dec, 3, 4 Jan.
7.15pm 5, 16-18, 22, 23, 29, 30 Dec, 2 Jan.
Audio-described 10 Dec 2.15pm, Captioned 29 Dec 7.15pm (+ Touch Tour).
BSL Signed 9 Dec 2.15pm.
Runs 2hr 15min One interval.

TICKETS: 01604 624811.
www.royalandderngate.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 29 November.

Most gripping when most serious.

Nottingham.

MERMAID
by Polly Teale..

Nottingham Playhouse Wellington Circus NG1 5AF To 21 March 2015.
Tue-Sat 7.45pm Mat Thu 1.30pm Sat 2.30pm
Audio-described Sat 2.30pm.
BSL Signed Fri.
Captioned Thu 7.45pm.
Runs 1hr 50min One interval.

TICKETS: 0115 941 9419.
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk.
Review: Alan Geary: 16th March 2015.

A deeply flawed come-down for Shared Experience.

Birmingham
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Birmingham Hippodrome
www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Runs: 2h 25m, one interval, till Sunday 1 February

Review: Alexander Ray Edser, 23 12 14

Magical, fun-packed spectacular

Birmingham
THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE: Jim Cartwright
Birmingham Rep
Info: www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
Runs: 2h 50m, one interval, to 30 05 15

Review: 19 May, Alexander Ray Edser

Feel-good fable stylishly revived

Nottingham.

SLEEPING BEAUTY
by Kenneth Alan Taylor.

Nottingham Playhouse Wellington Circus NG1 5AF To Saturday 17th January 2015.

Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat 2.30pm except 5, 6, 9, 12, 16 January 1.30 on 18 December
no performance 5, 12 Jan.
Audio-described 10 Dec 2.30pm, 12 Dec 7.30pm, 13 Dec 2.30pm, 17 Dec 7.30pm, 14th Jan 2.30pm, 15 Jan 7.30pm
BSL Signed 8 Dec 2.30pm, 9 Dec 7.30pm, 11 Dec 7.30pm.
Captioned 7th Jan 2.30pm, 8 Jan 7.30pm.
Relaxed performance 13 December 1.30pm.
Runs 2hr 50min One interval

TICKETS: 0115 941 9419.
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Review: Jen Mitchell 29 November.

Glitter, glitz and glamour: writer and director Kenneth Alan Taylor has another winner on his hands.

Birmingham
THE BFG: Roald Dahl, adapted by David Wood
Birmingham Rep
To 24 01 15
Tkts: 0121 236 4455
Runs: 1h 50m, one interval

Review: Alexander Ray Edser, 02 12 14

Give yourself up to the magical world – often naughty but nice

Birmingham
FEED THE BEAST: Steve Thompson
Birmingham Rep Studio: 16 04 – 02 05
Runs: 2h 20m, one interval

Review: Alexander Ray Edser 21 04 15

A modern play with political debate to delight

Nottingham.
REGENERATION: adapted by Nicholas Wright.
Theatre Royal
Tkts 0115 989 5555 www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk.
Runs: 2h 30m: one interval: till 18th October.
Performance times: 7.30pm, matinees 2.00pm Wed and 2.30pm Sat.
Review: Alan Geary: 14th October 2014.

Hugely rewarding and enriching at many levels.

Northampton.

KING JOHN
by William Shakespeare.

Holy Sepulchre Church Sheep Street NN1 3NL To 16 May 2015.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Thu & Sat 2.30pm.
Audio-described 7 May 7.30pm.
BSL Signed 14 May 7.30pm.
Post-show Discussion 4 May.
Runs 2hr 50min One interval.

TICKETS: 01604 624811.
www.royalandderngate.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 28 April.

Symphonic Shakespeare makes a major impact.

Birmingham
HARVEY: Mary Chase
Birmingham Rep
Tickets: 0121 236 4455
Info: www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
Runs: 2h 30, one interval, to 21 February

Review: Alexander Ray Edser, 10 02 15

A heart-warming story, warmly told.

Coventry
COUGAR, THE MUSICAL: Donna Moore
Belgrade Studio
Runs: 2h 05m, one interval, till 06 June

Review: Alexander Ray Edser, 19 05 15

A fresh and fun look at an age-old issue

Cambridge/Bristol.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
by

Cambridge Junction Clifton Way CB1 7GX To 4 January.
11am 28, 29 Dec, 2-4 Jan.
3pm 27-30 Dec, 1-4 Jan.
7pm 30 Jan.
Relaxed Performance 28 Dec 11am.
TICKETS: 01223 511511.
www.junction.co.uk

then Tobacco Factory Theatre Raleigh Road Southville BS3 1TF 1-18 July 2015.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Sat 2.30pm, 9, 16 July 1.30pm.
BSL Signed 13 July.
Relaxed Performance 7 July 1.30pm.
TICKETS: 0117 902 0344.
www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com

Runs 2hr One interval.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 24 December.

Lively, playful and inventive.

Birmingham
THE BODYGUARD: Based on the screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan, Book by Alexander Dinelaris
Birmingham Hippodrome
Runs: 2h 35m, one interval.
Birmingham Hippodrome till Saturday 5 September
Info: www.birminghamhippodrome.com
www.thebodyguardmusical.com/tickets/

Review: Alexander Ray Edser 07 08 15

An exceptional thrill

Mansfield.
SLEEPING BEAUTY: Andrew Ryan.
Palace Theatre
Tkts 01623 633133 palacetheatre@mansfield.gov.uk.
Runs: 2h 5m: one interval: till 4th Jan.
Performance times: 10.30am some days till Christmas, 2.30pm most days, 7.00pm most days, 12pm and 4pm Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. No performances on Suns, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Signed Performances 12th Dec 7pm and 13th Dec 2.30pm.

Review: Alan Geary: 5th December 2014.

A fun-filled, spectacular and glamorous show.

Stratford Upon Avon
LOVES LABOUR’S WON (MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING): William Shakespeare
RSC – Stratford upon Avon
www.rsc.org.uk
Runs: 2h 45m, one interval, till 14 March 2015

Review: Alexander Ray Edser, 01 11 14

Well and happily won.

OF MICE AND MEN: John Steinbeck
Birmingham Rep and The Touring Circuit
Runs: 2h 15m, one interval, to 01 11 14
The production will tour in 2015 - details tbc

Review: Alexander Ray Edser, 14 10 14

A tale of bad times, that are still with us.