Search Results

< Back The Rivals ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ to 12 August 2019 Bramwell, Madge Daniels, Marion Davenport, Alfred Dean, William J Dunn, Robert Hooper, Alfred Kauffman, M H Osborne, Edgar Rourke, Norah J Ruse, Marjorie T Shankland, Martin Smith, J B

< Back Go Back for Murder ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ to 11 April 2017 Classic mystery by the Queen of Crime After receiving a letter from beyond the grave, Carla Crale believes her mother, who died in prison, was wrongly convicted of her father's murder. In a passionate attempt to clear her name, she persuades those present on the day of her father's death to return to the scene of the crime and go back 15 years to recount their version of events. An unusual take on the traditional murder mystery, the action of the play slips seamlessly from past to present, examining the danger of relying on personal testimony warped by time, prejudice and perception. By studying each suspect's testimony, and the various inconsistencies between them, the drama arrives at a disturbing and terrible truth. This production is proudly sponsored by The Vegetarian Society Cookery School [gallery columns="4" ids="https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_0299-Small.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_0315-Small.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_0712-Small.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_0445-Small.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_0684-Small.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_0597-Small.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_0760-Small.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_0573-Small.jpg|"] Production Photographs by Vish Sharma CAST Justin Fogg - Anthony Morris Carla - Parissa Zamanpour Caroline Crale - Lindsey Barker Phillip Blake - Jonathan Black Meredith Blake - Steve Searcy Elsa Lady Melksham - .Fiona Primrose Miss Williams - .Chris Perry Angela Warren - Georgina Goodchild Amyas Crale - John Keen REVIEW by Julia Taylor for The Messenger Whodunnit keeps you guessing to the end Altrincham Garrick will have your mind buzzing all week after their production of Agatha Christie?s Go Back for Murder. It is well named because lead character Carla takes us back 20 years as she tries to prove that her mother, who died in prison, was wrongfully detained for her father's murder. During the slightly slow first Act, Carla, with the help of a solicitor, Justin Fogg, addresses the witnesses from the original trial. Each interview takes the form of a duologue between Carla and a witness and is a good way of registering each character with the audience. After the interval, the protagonist manages to arrange a semi re-construction of the murder scene. Parissa Zamanpour who plays Carla with an immaculate Canadian accent, does a fantastic job of illustrating her determination to clear her mother. In the flashback Lindsey Barker captures the dilemma faced by Carla?s mum, Caroline, at the time of the murder. Anthony Morris is effective as Justin Fogg and Christine Perry's governess is credible. Jonathan Black is equally believable as Phillip Blake and Steve Searcy as his brother, Meredith. John Keen, who plays Amyas, the murdered man, is every inch an artist and adulterer, whilst Georgina Goodchild successfully plays both the adult and young Angela Warren, not an easy task. I especially like Fiona Primrose as the femme fatal, Elsa Lady Melksham. She oozes stage presence. She, too, successfully travels back in time. You still won't know whodunnit until the very end as is Agatha Christie's way. Star rating ★★★ Reviewed by Johanna Hassouna-Smith for Manchester Salon Agatha Christie's classic 1960 play has been revived with great success by the Altrincham Garrick Playhouse. Before dying in prison for supposedly poisoning her husband fifteen years ago, Caroline Crale wrote a letter to her daughter Carla professing her innocence. Carla aided by Justin Fogg, a young solicitor, persuades those present on that fatal day to return to the scene of the crime to find out what really happened. The two act play, cross cuts between past and present to tell the story. At times, it is Christie's writing which lets the play down, with the first act being a series of duologues retelling events of the past. Although the actors might have sped up the dialogue in this, the repetition of expository conversations felt tedious toward the end of the act. The second half re-enacts the fateful day as the characters recall events through flashback, voice over narration and some spot-lit monologues. For this reason, the second half had more energy and pace and was undeniably more entertaining. The play, is a classic 1960's Crime Drama and the design team have done a marvellous job of transporting us to the era. The detailing of the floral back drop of act one was really eye catching and set the scene perfectly upon entering this large auditorium. Act two began with a fabulous reveal of a stunning naturalistic set of the apartment where the murder took place. The use of space was expertly presented with numerous areas for secret liaisons and spying on one another. This was a really impressive sight to behold and a joy to watch the actors 'play the stage'. For an amateur production, the acting was fantastic and all of the cast clearly explored their roles through imaginative interpretations. The standout performer of the evening was definitely Parissa Zamanpour, in the role of Carla, Caroline Crale's daughter. Her Canadian accent and subtle reactions, really brought a sense of sophistication to this naturalistic crime drama. Zamanpour's Drama training was on full show as her disciplined performance really lit up the stage, despite being burdened with some drab scenes in the writing of her role.

< Back Spark in Judea ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ to 12 August 2019 Baker, Rosina Bayliss, Frank Collins, Kathleen Downs, James Ellis, Eric Poppleton, Howard Talbot, Ernest K

< Back Silly Cow ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ to 12 December 2013 Anyone familiar with Ben Elton's flair for dialogue will know that they are in for an 'Adult Treat'. Doris Wallace is a tough tabloid columnist with a devoted following. She appears to have everything she could want: Toy boy, with unlimited stuff from Columbia; an attentive P.A.; a tame accountant; a loyal friend who is organising for her to have her very own TV show. But Doris is riding for a fall from grace - with a vengeance. Her 'coterie' is not what it seems and Doris is in for a very, very humiliating experience. Revenge can be sweet. CAST Barry Spencer as Sidney Janet Slade as Doris Pam Nolan as Peggy Allan Taylor as Douglas Matt Lees as Eduardo Rehearsal Photos [gallery columns="5" ids="https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sillycowa.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sillycowb.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sillycowc.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sillycowd.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sillycowf.jpg|"]

< Back A Yank in Lancashire ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ to 12 August 2019 Brewer, Brian B Fletcher, Alfred Glazebrook, K Harry Grimshaw, Harold Larbalestier, Jacqueline Wiltshire, H John Woods, Vera

< Back Manford's Comedy Club (Postponed) ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ to 2 July 2017 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Closure Update In line with Government instructions we are classed as a non-essential business and no member of staff is able to continue working at the theatre until Government restrictions ease. Please be assured that the vast majority of events have been postponed and not cancelled so therefore all tickets remain valid. Once we are able to operate again we will be in touch with you with details of the rescheduled dates. You can then transfer your current tickets to the new date, however if you are unable to transfer to the new date or don’t wish to have your ticket transferred to another production you will be given a full refund. You will not lose any money. This is an unprecedented event for our venue, and we thank you for your continued support and loyalty. Best wishes Your Garrick Playhouse Team. FRIDAY NIGHT COMEDY SPECIAL AT THE GARRICK THEATRE It's Friday night!..It's comedy night as Manford's Comedy Club brings another one of its hilarious, sell-out shows to the Garrick. This live comedy show that features The Best in Stand Up comedy with some of the funniest, award-winning comedians on the UK comedy circuit, who are all personally chosen by Jason Manford. The Garrick Playhouse is a firm favourite with Manford's comedians. Please subscribe if you would like our regular FREE Garrick Newsletter, as well as all the Garrick Production & Membership News together with the latest Special Offers [inbound_button font_size="20" color="#c8232b" text_color="#ffffff" icon="thumbs-o-up" url="http://altrinchamgarrick.hosted.phplist.com/lists/?p=subscribe " width="" target="_blank"] Click HERE to Subscribe[/inbound_button]

< Back Double Demon ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ to 12 August 2019 Angell, Jean Hunter, Mollie Innes, Margery Jennings, Dorothy Shaw, Trevor

< Back The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019 film) ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ to 31 August 2020 This recent adaptation of Charles Dickens’ most optimistic novel explodes onto the screen with a riot of eccentric characters, cinematic invention and utter joy. A cast of great character actors truly inhabit their richly comic and moving roles with unabashed gusto. This is Dickens at his most colourful and entertaining. The cast includes Dev Patel, Peter Capaldi, Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton, Ben Whishaw and Paul Whitehouse. This screening will (as always) be introduced by Barry Purves with informed trivia, anecdotes and some background of the production. The bar will be open before and after the show. Come and join us in a friendly, informal and Covid-19 safe atmosphere, to take advantage of sensational screening facilities as well as our low prices and free car park.

< Back The Billy Fury Years ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ to 17 July 2019 ‘The Billy Fury Years’ really is the definitive Billy Fury stage show... ...ever !’ Hailed as “the best Fury since Fury”, Michael King and his fantastic collection of musicians take you on a journey through the musical career of Britain’s best loved rock n roll legend, filled with Billy Fury’s greatest hits and more delivered live in true Fury style. This is a night of pure breathtaking Billy Fury entertainment plus the best Fury sound you will hear!. ‘The songs span Fury’s entire career from his initial record release (Maybe Tomorrow) through to his final one, Forget Him – which, thanks to this thoughtful and welcome tribute show, his legion of fans never will’ - Lee Wilkinson. The Stage ‘King captured fully the sound, the gestures, the mannerisms, even the physical appearance of arguably Britain?s greatest Rock and Roll singer’ - The Beat Magazine

< Back The Heiress ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ to 12 August 2019 Billcliff, Lillian Dean, Ken Harris, Frank Healey, Tim Stroud, Barbara Turner, Marion Woods, Vera

< Back Charley's Aunt ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ to 20 June 2016 Charley and Jack love Amy and Kitty. Amy is about to go away, and Charley thinks he may miss his opportunity to ask for her hand. Then he discovers that his aunt, a Brazilian woman he hardly knows, is coming for lunch. How fortuitous! Now the aunt can chaperone while the boys ask the girls to marry them. Naturally, things don't go as planned. Donna Lucia, the aunt, is late, and their friend, Lord Fancourt Babberley (Babbs) shows up in drag. He is convinced to pretend to be Donna Lucia, and a wild afternoon of mistaken identity, young love, old love, angry uncles, and one beautiful, exotic aunt ensues. In the end, just as it looks like Uncle Stephen is going to ruin everything, the real Donna Lucia steps in and graciously puts an end to the madness. All the lovers end up together and happy, except for Uncle Stephen, who was starting to fall for Babbs ! [gallery columns="8" ids="https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DSC_5926.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DSC_5681.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DSC_5854.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DSC_5405.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DSC_5507.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DSC_5631.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DSC_5391.jpg|,https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DSC_5914.jpg|"] CAST Stephen Spettigue - Richard Sails Colonel Sir Francis Chesney, Bart - David Reynolds Jack Chesney - Jamie Sloan Charley Wykeham - Callum Anderson Lord Fancourt Babberley - Paul Antony Brassett - Dave Midgley Donna Lucia D'Alvadorez - Carole Carr Amy Spettigue - Vicky Siddle Kitty Verdun - Laura Crow Ela Delahay - Liz Fraser Prompt - Margaret Kenyon ASM - Carol Gibson Review by Julia Taylor for SALE AND ALTRINCHAM MESSENGER By George, a man in drag, upper class buffoons and the oldest trick of all mistaken identity - makes for solid comedy in the Garrick?s production of Brandon Thomas's Charley's Aunt. It features Jack Chesney, a clipped speaking Jamie Sloan and an amusing Callum Anderson as Charley Wykeham. Charley is the guy with the aunt. She comes in handy as a chaperone when, in the prim and proper year of 1920, the pair want to invite two young ladies for lunch. Unfortunately, the aunt doesn't materialise, so posh actor friend, Lord Fancourt Babberley (Paul Antony) steps in. 'She' is the centre of all the fun. In his post drama school debut, Paul follows in the footsteps of such greats as Arthur Askey, Frankie Howard and Danny La Rue. And does almost as well. His portrayal of Charley's aunt contrasts well with everyone else who play it straight in a mad sort of way. The two girls, Laura Crow's Kitty Verdun, and Vicky Siddle's Amy Spettigue fawn over the 'old lady' who wholeheartedly heterosexual, laps it up. Complications arise when two older gents fancy the so-called aunt. It's a whirl of fun from beginning to end. The climax comes when the real aunt appears. Well performed by Carole Carr, she conceals her hand long enough to take in the goings on. This almost farce-like play, is complemented by three imaginative sets courtesy of Margaret Norris, elaborate costumes by Mike Shaw and his team and the superb direction of Alan Clements. Star rating ★★★★ Review by Rick Bowen for STAGESTRUCK AS a comedic concept, it's as old as the hills and yet the sight of a man in a dress still gets laughs, especially when the masculine mannerisms show through his disguise. Cross dressing isn't just for Christmas and pantomimes, as those who see this clever if not side-splitting comedy will verify. Plays like these require a cast with exemplary timing and take it from me, these Garrick actors don't disappoint. Jack Chesney and Charley Wykeham are two likeable if unashamedly vacuous young toffs who have set their caps at two very eligible young ladies, Amy Spettigue and Kitty Verdun. Lunch is in the offing, but the two chaps have no chance of getting their girls without the presence of a chaperone. That's where Charley's aunt, Donna Lucia D'Alvadorez comes in. But the course of true love never runs smooth, as they say, and very drastic, 11th hour action is required Jamie Sloan and Callum Anderson are an engaging double act as Jack and Charley, convincing going into emotional meltdown when their best laid plans go horribly wrong. Paul Antony is jolly good fun - to pinch the parlance of the upper crust circle we find ourselves in - as their unlikely saviour Lord Fancourt Babberley. Some of these character names are just plain ridiculous. Carole Carr, an actress with quite a stage presence, brings a perfect sense of poise and elegance to the role of Donna Lucia. As the nights draw in, a dose of frothy fun is just what lovers of summer like me need. But I would really like to see the Garrick turn its hand to say, a Neil Simon comedy. If any theatre has the talent in depth to do it, Altrincham Garrick does. Star rating ★★★ Review by Mark Dee for North West End The Garrick's season kicks off to a comedic start with the classic farce, Charley's Aunt. Written by Brandon Thomas, a contemporary of Oscar Wilde, Thomas was an actor and playwright of some distinction, and wrote many 'comedies of manners' which proved exceedingly popular at the time. Sadly, none have survived save their titles, excepting Charley's Aunt; which tells the story of three young men studying at university, all desperately in love and somehow manage to convince one of the men to dress up as another's millionairess widowed aunt from Brazil (where the nuts come from!) in order that they might use her as a chaperone in order to get closer to the girls and tell them how they feel. And of course, as everyone knows, in farce, nothing ever goes according to plan but of course, again, according to the rules of farce, everything works out fine in the end! Of course, the plot and scenario are very dated and laboured; and despite some excellent one-liners, the script really doesn't sparkle, and cross-dressing in our modern society is neither new nor shocking; and so it was a really quite surprising choice for Altrincham's Garrick Playhouse with which to commence their 2016 / 2017 Season. Even more surprising was director's Alan Clements choice to set the play in the year 1920. The play was first performed in 1892 and that year transferred to the West End for a then record-breaking run of 1466 performances. Numerous revivals have been mounted over the years, and, just as a little historical back-note, when Thomas's daughter Amy Brandon-Thomas took over the role of Kitty, she insisted on setting each new version in the present despite the negativity of critics saying it would be better played in the period in which it was written. That argument continues to this day, and of course, setting the play in our present would not work at all, but I am uncertain as to why 1920 was chosen. It is only 2 years since the end of the First World War and Britain was still recoiling from that, and our three young male protagonists would undoubtedly have been called up and seen active service, and so, for me at least, this choice didn't work. The set too was also one of the least convincing I have seen at the Garrick. In the first act the greenery being flown in for the second was clearly visible, and the grey stones on the outside to the apartment's main door looked very much like breezeblock. Even when they were reverted in the second act into the garden scene, I couldn't get the breezeblock image out of my mind. In the first scene it is morning and yet it was dark and black looking through the window. The scene change into the third scene however was very swift and cleverly thought through. I liked the idea of the auditorium chase sequence, and it was not overlong, bringing us back on to stage for the start of the third scene. I would have liked to have had less light on stage during this change though. It was rather distracting seeing stage hands in modern clothes and wearing headsets in the 1920s! Alan Clements direction was, in the main, quite solid and well thought through; despite many of the more physical and comedic moves seeming somewhat laboured. Maybe since this was opening night, they will be more at ease with them and allow them to become more natural now they know they work. It was the entrances and exits in the second act which simply didn't make any sense for me. Especially those which involved entering and exiting the apartment. It was a very well chosen cast and all brought a great deal to the production, with some lovely little characters emerging. It is an incredibly difficult task though for modern actors, to ask them to recreate the moods, body-languages, voices and mannerisms of 1920 in a play which was written with the moods, body-languages, voices and mannerisms of 3 decades earlier. Special mention should be given though to Callum Anderson as Charley Wykeham and Liz Fraser as Ela Delahay who did indeed manage to strike this delicate balance extremely well. The two older gentlemen in the play, Colonel Sir Francis Chesney (David Reynolds) and Stephen Spettigue (Richard Sails), brought with them a sense of decorum and chivalry quintessential to that era, which, without this, the whole play would have fallen flat completely. But of course the whole play either falls or floats on the performance of Lord Fancourt Babberley who spends majority of the play in drag as Charley's aunt. In this production this pivotal role was played quite superbly by Paul Anthony. It didn't just float, it sailed magnificently! Anthony pitched the role just right, playing the aunt with a certain ungainly manliness but never resorting to panto dame roughness. The highlight for me which saw both the best acting and captured the era's manners and decorum superbly was the vignette in the garden scene between Sir Francis and Babberley as Charley's aunt. If the actors relax a little more into their roles, and the pace is picked up [remember this is Musical Hall style farce and not Coward-esque gentility] then Charley's Aunt will become a great opening to this season and a production to be remembered with joy and pride.

< Back When Knights were Bold ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ to 12 August 2019 Byrne, Patsy Clarkson, Norma Dunton, Mona Garland, Lorna Gratton, Valerie Hamblin, Mary Jones, John Glynn Kennedy, Brenda Larbalestier, Jacqueline Martin, Jean Norval, Hilda Roberts, Susan Royle, Dudley Sandeman, Thelma Smart, Brian Walton, Barbara Waterhouse, Ann Wiltshire, H John Winstanley, Margaret Wood, Barrie Wyton, Doreen