VISITING THEATRE PRODUCTIONS AND EVENTS AT THE DUKES MAY 2000
There’s something for everyone at the Dukes this Spring, with a variety of visiting shows sandwiched between the Lancaster theatre’s successful Talking Heads and their forthcoming Williamson Park production, Don Quixote.
Starting on Saturday 6th May, Not the National Theatre present Women Laughing, written by Michael Wall. This is a dark comedy about two couples and their surprise discoveries about each other. For the under sixes and their families and friends, Monster Productions present The Terrible Grump from Monday 8th Saturday 13th May. On Saturday 20th May world-class Spanish entertainers Jaleo Flamenco will be at the Dukes to captivate and excite audiences with their infectious rhythms and fiery emotions. Compass Theatre then return to the Dukes after the success of She Stoops to Conquer with Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night from Thurs 25th Sat 27th May.
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Not the National Theatre present
Women Laughing
By Michael Wall
Women Laughing is an outrageously funny and painful play, to be performed at the Dukes on Saturday 6th May 8pm. This is a not-to-be-missed chance to see this dark
comedy by Michael Wall, an award-winning North-West writer who died tragically
young in a road accident in 1991. Women Laughing is on its first national tour, having been previously been performed at the Royal Exchange, Manchester, and the Royal Court in London.
The play displays Wall’s wicked ear for dialogue. Two couples are having a picnic in the garden. As the women prepare the nibbles, the men find the women’s laughter coming from the house very disconcerting as they attempt to make small talk about cars, the Japanese work ethic and European art. As the story progresses the men find the laughter more and more threatening and eerie, and as the plot unfolds we discover that everything is not as it seems, and there is a surprise twist at the end. Women Laughing features hilarious dialogue and the darkest humour, and a wild musical comedy finale.
The acclaimed Not the National Theatre was founded by former National Theatre players and is owned and managed by its actors. The company’s aim to combine acting of the highest quality with excellent plays has earned it its reputation as, "one of modern theatre’s big successes and achievements".
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Monster Productions present
THE TERRIBLE GRUMP
By Chris Speyer
Music by Ieuan Einion
The Terrible Grump has stunning music, a fabulous set and puppets to enthral the younger audience members, with a wonderful story. This show has plenty of audience involvement and a bright set to keep the youngsters captivated and entertained. It tells the story of Ocarina who is mad about music and decides to form a band. She enlists her dolls TraLaLa, Dumdedum and Bongo and sets up the Bingle Bongle Band. The Terrible Grump steals their favourite song and they need everyone’s help to get it back!
The Terrible Grump is brought to you by the same team who produced the popular Dukes shows Fishy Tales, The Enormously Big Weed and Why Do Bees Buzz? The fun is on from Monday 8th to Saturday 13th April, with tickets priced at £4 for children, £6 for adults.
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Jaleo Flamenco
With a new company of award winning artistes from Seville, Jaleo re-create the magic, excitement and colour of Andalusian life in a compelling new programme packed with brilliant rhythms and passionate drama. This prestigious event features the authentic dancers, singers and guitarists Ana Maria Blanco, Anabel Rivero, Carlos Ayala, ‘El Ingles’, Pepe ‘El Ecijano’ and Carlos Carbello. Tickets are priced at £12 (£10 concessions). Saturday 20th May 8pm.
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Compass Theatre Company
Twelfth Night
By William Shakespeare
From Thursday 25th until Saturday 27th May Compass Theatre will be back at the Dukes to perform Twelfth Night, Shakespeare’s timeless comedy of high spirits, mistaken identities and unrequited love. Viola finds herself shipwrecked and masquerades as a young man, becoming page to Orsino, Duke of Illyria. Viola finds herself stuck in the middle, between her growing affection for Orsino and trying to win the heart of Olivia for her master, while Olivia is falling for her! This production has an appealing sense of fun and with Compass’s characteristic verve they present a vivacious and dazzling production of Shakespeare’s much loved comedy.
Ends. 10.04.00