ManchesterOnline

Elton: We will rock you

WHEN it first emerged that tub-thumping comedian Ben Elton was writing a musical based on the songs of Queen - or indeed any musical - it seemed an odd departure for the Manchester University graduate.

He explains: "I didn't set out to write musicals, although I wrote a couple at Manchester University. But at 23, I was writing television comedy like The Young Ones and at 25 I was writing Blackadder."

Three Sisters @ Royal Exchange

THERE'S a notion in some quarters that classic Russian drama tends to be long, gloomy and, quite frankly, rather hard going.

Despite some committed work by the actors, Sarah Frankcom’s disappointing new production of this Chekhov classic at the Royal Exchange is unlikely to disabuse anyone of this idea.

Brassed Off @ Oldham Coliseum

IF you enjoyed the film, which kick-started the careers of our own Pete Postlethwaite and Ewan McGregor, then you'll find Paul Allen's stage adaptation of Mark Herman's screenplay equally funny and poignant in turn.

In fact Paul Allen was in the audience along with several members of the Emmerdale cast supporting colleague Stuart Wade who played Biff Fowler.

New Buxton season revealed

BUXTON Opera House has just annnounced its autumn season, including the latest from LipService, the return of Horrible Histories, a special appearance by Katherine Jenkins and an impressive Fringe season, including the MEN Theatre Award-winning The Judgement Of Mr Jenkins.

Sophia on the Fringe of success

SOPHIA Rashid is the writer and director of the groundbreaking one woman show Dance Without Movement.

She talks to Alice Hutton about breaking down stereotypes and her mission to bring the arts into Oldham.

High fives for 24:7 festival

AFTER a fifth successful year, the 24:7 festival is now, undoubtedly, established as a vital part of Manchester's vibrant theatre scene.

Last week the fringe event staged 80 performances of 16 new plays in four non-theatrical spaces in the city centre, with the average audience attendance up 41 per cent on last year.

Foyer of fun is free for all

COMEDY, belly-dancing and jazz clarinettist Arun Ghosh are among the highlights of a summer season of Special FX, the popular programme of free entertainment staged every Friday in the Royal Exchange foyer.

Guitar-toting funny man Duncan Oakley headlines a stand-up comedy bill when the season kicks off tonight. Guest compere Des Sharples introduces a line-up which also includes John Goodfellow and Mike Newall.

Now booking!

A QUICK run down of the theatre and dance shows appearing in Manchester over the next few months... a lot of the shows will be reviewed on M.E.N. Online soon after they open.

M.E.N. Student Guide: Theatre and comedy

WHEN it comes to theatre, Manchester has its own holy trinity of venues then consistently lay on the most commercial or critically-acclaimed shows or both – the St Ann Square’s the Royal Exchange, Oxford Street’s Palace Theatre and Quay Street’s Opera House.

Text vote on eXtra Factor

IT'S set to get a teeny bit competitive for the stars of new comedy musical The eXtra Factor.

For the show, which takes an ironic look at reality shows, will in true talent search-style end each night with an audience text vote to decide who is the best singer on stage.

Joker Gest's new musical

THERE'S never a dull moment in the world of David Gest.

So when the I'm A Celebrity... star and showbiz producer decided to head to Manchester this week, The Diary couldn't wait for a catch-up over afternoon tea.

Story's still going strong

WEST Side Story's mix of dance and drama makes hearts skip even after 51 years, says Kevin Bourke.

Marti is loving devil of a role

SCOTTISH singing heart-throb Marti Pellow was in devilishly fine form as he launched his latest starring role in the decadent surroundings of city centre restaurant Negresco.

For Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti is to star in the new musical production of The Witches of Eastwick - as the mysterious and devil-like Daryl Van Horne who seduces three desperate housewives in small- town America.

Gaynor strips off at Lowry

BREAKING the ice wasn't too tricky for the stars of the new musical of hit film Calendar Girls, according to actress Gaynor Faye.

For former Coronation Street and Fat Friends star Gaynor laughs that the very first time she and her co-stars met last month, was to throw off all their clothes for this new photo from the show.

Lorna lands at The Lowry

SCREEN icon Judy Garland's daughters are like buses - you don't see them for ages then two come along at the same time.

Just after Liza Minnelli wowed Manchester's Bridgewater Hall her half sister Lorna Luft has announced she will perform at The Lowry.

Mary Poppins popping in

FOLLOWING a smash-hit West End run, Mary Poppins is heading to Manchester.

Lancaster-born Lisa O'Hare will star as Mary Poppins and Daniel Crossley (from Southport) as Bert.

Peter Pan role for Gemma

SELF-CONFESSED tomboy Gemma Atkinson says she can't wait to get to grips with her latest role.

The former Hollyoaks star, glamour model and WAG heads an all star cast as Peter Pan at Manchester's Opera House at Christmas.

"Playing Lisa Hunter in Hollyoaks was such a glamorous role," she says. "I had to be prim and proper all the time, whereas with Peter Pan, I can be the tomboy that I am."

Bell to ring again for Musical

THE popularity of High School Musical is not set to let up anytime soon, it seems.

For not only can we expect to see the American teeny musical transferred to an ice show at the M.E.N. Arena early next year, a theatre version will also follow in its footsteps in the spring.

Royal Exchange's autumn/winter season

CLASSIC Chekhov, Greek tragedy, a 50th anniversary production of an iconic Manchester drama, a vintage wartime farce and the world premiere of the latest play from acclaimed Canadian playwright Brad Fraser are all part of the Royal Exchange's newly-announced autumn-winter season.

Sarah Frankcom directs season opener Chekhov's Three Sisters, playing from September 10 until October 11.

Bolton Octagon's 40th anniversary season

THE multi-award-winning Octagon Theatre, Bolton, celebrates its 40th anniversary season from September 2007 to July 2008 with nine plays, including five world premieres, plus all sorts of special events. The season will also re-visit the work of significant local writers such as Jim Cartwright, reflect the cultural diversity of the region and, in its own way, offer something of a history of world drama.

The Library's autumn/winter season

THE regional premiere of Tom Stoppard's lauded drama Rock'n'Roll is just one of the highlights of the new season unveiled by the award-winning Library Theatre Company.

The Library has landed a real coup with the first production outside London of Tom Stoppard's superb contemporary drama, Rock'n'Roll, a chronicle of the troubled story of Czech history from the Prague Spring of 1968 to the Velvet Revolution of 1989. At the same time, the play celebrates the liberating power of rock music.

Oldham Coliseum's autumn/winter season

OLDHAM Coliseum has just announced its autumn/winter season which blasts off on September 4 with a second opportunity to enjoy Brassed Off.

Four different brass bands - Dobcross, Marsden Silver Riverhead Brewery, Mossley and Delph - will be playing live throughout the run, which finishes on September 27.

Library Theatre's autumn/spring season

WHEN I heard that the Library Theatre are opening this year's autumn/spring season with Noel Coward's Private Lives, I was a bit taken aback. Isn't that the sort of stuff another big city-centre Manchester theatre - let's just call it the Rex, shall we? - are more usually likely to do?

The Lowry's autumn/winter season

FROM Calendar Girls and Le Grand Cirque to the Royal Shakespeare Company's Romeo and Juliet, The Lowry has just announced a typically diverse line-up for its Autumn/Winter season.