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< Back Neville's Island ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ 21 February 2000 to 26 February 2000 By: Tim Firth Directed By: Dick Sails Designer: Stephen Bradshaw What a cock-up! Four out-of-condition businessmen get themselves marooned on an island on Derwentwater during a team-building exercise. Confident of rescue (at first), they prepare to dine on a shared sausage, but fog rolls in, they are menaced by wildlife and their SOS flares go unnoticed by November 5th revellers. The 'bonding' exercise turns into a carnival of recrimination with a surreal denouement. CAST Charlie Cook as Neville Barry Spencer as Gordon Hugh Everett as Angus Mark Edgar as Roy Sale & Altrincham Messenger's Review Team building is taken to extremes in 'Neville's Island', Tim Firth's testosterone driven comedy which is currently playing at Altrincham Garrick. A group of businessmen find themselves marooned on an island and try to come to terms with each other's irritating little foibles. It's a temperamental cauldron which takes seconds to boil over and when it does, it's impossible not to laugh. The brash Gordon gets the best lines, haranguing Neville for his inept leadership, Roy for his Christian beliefs and Angus for his uptight manner. But their experiences bring out the best in Neville and Angus, while smart alec Gordon is well and truly put in his place. All four characters will strike a chord with anyone who has worked in an office but they aren't stereotypes. The writer puts enough flesh on their bones to make us like and actually care about these guys. We all know someone like Gordon would be a nightmare to work with, but he's very funny, isn't he? The play does contain bad language but I felt it was in context. After all, when you're cold, wet and hungry minding your p's and q's won't be too high on your list of priorities. Barry Spencer seems to have cornered the market when it comes to playing rough types, and anyone who sees his Gordon will agree he does them superbly. Hugh Everett is a very believable Angus, the human equivalent of the cowardly lion and Mark Edgar grows on you as the screwed up Roy. But the real star of the show is the authentic island set created by Steve Bradshaw and his team. Take a bow guys, you deserve it. Rick Bowen

< Back Blithe Spirit ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ 8 November 1999 to 13 November 1999 By: Noel Coward Directed By: Maureen Casket In celebration of the centenary of the birth of "The Master" we proudly present one of his most famous plays. Charles Condomine, whose first wife Elvira has been dead for seven years, has been happy with his second wife, Ruth. After he invites the legendary Madame Arcati, a local medium, to conduct a seance at his home, Elvira returns from the dead. Determined to get Charles to herself forever, she arrranges an accident in which Ruth joins Elvira. Now plagued by the two spirits, Charles attempts to rid himself of them. Full of brilliant dialogue and hilarious situations, this is one not to be missed. CAST ... includes John Keen as Charles Ros Greenwood as Ruth Angela Wetherill as Madame Arcati

< Back Communicating Doors ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ 17 January 2000 to 22 January 2000 By: Alan Ayckbourn Directed By: Nigel Machin This ingenious comic thriller spans three time zones, each twenty years apart and joined by communicating doors. Beginning in 2014 a classy prostitute has a booking at a de luxe hotel, but not for her regular services. She is asked to witness a document detailing the murder of her client's two wives by his business associate. Escaping from the business associate she goes through the 'communicating door' and finds herself back twenty years and confronting Ruella, the second wife. Ruella is naturally sceptical until she, in turn, goes through the same door, meets Jessica, the first wife, and decides to rewrite the future. Written with Ayckbourn's consummate skill this comedy enjoyed a huge success in London.

< Back Scrooge (The Musical) ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ 18 December 1999 to 3 January 2000 Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL encompasses the spirit of Christmas and here, a familiar story is faithfully retold and embellished with glorious songs and spectacle. Follow the adventures of Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and the Christmas Spirits, in this wonderful celebration of Christmas. A spectacular for all the family. Featuring Geoff Noar as Scrooge himself with a cast of Thousands! By: Leslie Bricusse Directed By: Chris Corcoran

< Back Misery ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ 1 May 2000 to 6 May 2000 By Stephen King. Directed by Angie Wetherill. The greatest horror master of our time turns the screws of suspense to lock us into terrifying tension. Best selling fiction writer, Paul Sheldon, is cut off from civilisation by blizzards and is increasingly crippled by the tender loving care of No. 1 fan and nurse, Annie Wilkes. Annie is intent on using all her demonic skills to persuade Paul to change the ending of his latest novel - MISERY. She takes her time, won't be hurried, sparing neither details nor feelings in her quest for satisfaction. Remember the Oscar winning performance by Kathy Bates in the Hollywood movie? This stage version is even scarier... so be warned. Those of our patrons with a nervous disposition are advised to stay at home!! A two hander, it will feature Alison Davis and Dick Sails These two Garrick Stalwarts seem to have been cast as a couple on a number of occasions:- In "A Chorus of Disapproval" as Dafydd ap Llewellyn and Hannah Llewellyn In "When we are Married" as Albert and Clara Parker In "Company" (for Stages & Co) as Joanne and Larry SAM's view on "Misery" Welcome to Fright Night If you go to see Misery, the latest Altrincham Garrick show, I guarantee you'll shudder every time you hear the words "I'm your number one fan" after watching this dark, at times unbearably tense, psychological thriller. Alison Davis is at the top of her form as Annie Wilkes, the mad medic who makes Nurse Ratchett look like Florence Nightingale. When writer Paul Sheldon has a car crash he wakes up in the home of Annie and soon discovers that his carer needs a check from the neck up. She's crazy about his work to the point of obsession, is prone to the most violent mood swings and loves to play cruel mind games with her patient cum captive. We also discover that this frumpy wacko left her former profession under something of a cloud, suspected of causing the deaths of patients and colleagues alike. Altrincham Garrick audiences will know Alison more for her numerous appearances in amateur musicals but, as far as straight acting is concerned, she's been hiding her light under a bushel for far too long. She's so menacing my stomach turned over several times, and like many of you I winced during the harrowing "hobbling" scene. The acting jobs will flood in after this performance. Dick Sails (Paul) further cements his reputation as one of the Garrick's finest actors and he's highly accomplished when it comes to conveying both total despair and the black humour which brings welcome relief to a depressing script. Director Angie Wetherill must have had a ball working with these two. If you've seen the film you won't be disappointed by this stage version of Misery. The suspense is certainly there and like their big screen counterparts, Davis and Sails are a formidable double act. Unmissable. Rick Bowen

< Back The Cemetary Club (sic) ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ 31 January 2000 to 5 February 2000 By: Ivan Menchal Directed By: Bill Clancy THE GOLDEN GIRLS - Ida, Lucille and Doris are - The Cemetary Club (sic). Every month they meet at Ida's to go and visit their respective husbands, graves. They gossip, bitch a little and prepare to become joint bridesmaids at a friend's umpteenth wedding and ... prepare for the future. A delightful comedy of romance. CAST Maureen Casket Leila Glancy Adele Singer Roger Metcalfe

< Back Haywire ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ 13 March 2000 to 18 March 2000 By: Eric Chappell Directed By: Alan Rothwel Bookseller Alec Firth is having an affair with assistant Liz and has craftily organised things so he can go to Spain with her without arousing the suspicions of his wife. What could go wrong? Plenty!! Arriving on his doorstep, in quick succession, are his Grandma Giles of a mother (come to stay for the duration), his son with a broken ankle, a pregnant daughter and an oversized puppy. Alec's attempts to escape with Liz are charted to hilarious effect and with wit and ingenuity. What more can you expect from a man who created and wrote RISING DAMP and gave us the marvellous Rigsby and Miss Jones? CAST Mike Shaw as Alec Helen Busby as Liz Carole Carr as Alec's wife Stella Fogg as 'The Mother!'

< Back The Office Party ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ 29 November 1999 to 4 December 1999 The office can be a minefield of social and sexual politics and the advertising group of Chapman and Howard is no exception. This hilarious look at the office Christmas party is innocent enough to begin with, but when the drinks flow and the good times roll the party soon threatens to get out of hand. As the evening reaches its climax, the party lurches from one disaster to another and the facade of the advertising business and the staff's private lives is stripped away. Another brilliant piece by John Godber. Directed by Richard Sails. CAST Steve Williamson as Gavin Hugh Everett as Andy Barry Spencer as Bob Stephanie Hawthorn as Pippa Laura Mottram as Patty Carl Walker as Lee Helen Busby as Jo

< Back Camelot ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ 18 October 1999 to 23 October 1999 Directed By: Terry Chandler Music by Frederick Loewe Book & Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner The Court of Camelot receives Guinevere as King Arthur's Queen. The fame of Arthur's Round Table brings the cream of Knighthood to Camelot and none is more renowned than Lancelot du Lac. Guinevere is attracted to Lancelot and is torn between her love for Arthur and her fascination for Lancelot. When their illicit love is revealed by Mordred they are sentenced to burn, but escape to France where Arthur finally forgives them. This breathtakingly glamorous musical will have costumes designed and made by our Wardrobe Master, Mike Shaw, will be under the direction of Terry Chandler and Mark Goggins will be our musical director. One not to be missed!

< Back The Merry Christmas Show ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ 11 December 1999 to We have no other information about this event beyond it being a one-night event on the 11th of December 1999. If you can provide any more information, please contact us.

< Back NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: The Importance of being Earnest ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ 2 March 2025 to Showing as though live on our Big Screen! The Importance of being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, directed by Max Webster. Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex education ) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy. While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate. Max Webster (Life of Pi ) directs this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London.

< Back Oppenheimer ˂ Previous Production Next Production ˃ 24 February 2025 to 1 March 2025 By Tom Morton-Smith Directed by John Cunningham Associate Direction by Carole Carr 1939: fascism spreads across Europe, Franco marches on Barcelona and two German chemists discover the processes of atomic fission. In Berkeley, California, theoretical physicists recognise the horrendous potential of this new science: a weapon that draws its power from the very building blocks of the universe. Struggling to cast off his radical past and thrust into a position of power and authority, the charismatic J Robert Oppenheimer races to win the 'battle of the laboratories' and create a weapon so devastating that it would bring about an end not just to the Second World War but to all war. Originally written for the RSC in 2015, Tom Morton-Smith's play takes us into the heart of science, politics and humanity clashing in the propulsive story of the Manhattan Project and the development of the world’s first nuclear bombs.