/SEVEN DAYS
MONDAY Comedy / Jon Richardson Despite becoming a husband and father since his last tour, acclaimed funnyman and TV panel show regular Jon Richardson has lost none of his trademark neuroticism – as this latest tour, the aptly-titled Old Man, hilariously demonstrates. Mr Richardson’s misery is very much comedy’s gain.
The Lowry / thelowry.com / 0843 208 6000 / Monday, May 29 to Wednesday, May 31 / £24 TUESDAY Theatre / Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story The American rock and roll legend that is Buddy Holly is the focus of this jukebox musical which follows his rise until his final star performance before his untimely death in a plane crash at the age of 22.
Palace Theatre / atgtickets.com / 0844 847 2275 / Tuesday, May 30 to Saturday, June 3 / £20.40 to £40.40 Theatre / Out of this World Part psychological thriller, part medical drama, this latest show from acclaimed writer-director Mark Murphy combines music, projections and aerial choreography to spellbinding effect.
The Lowry / thelowry.com / 0843 208 6000 / Tuesday, May 30 and Wednesday, May 31 / £14.50 to £18.50 Theatre / Ray Cooney’s Out of Order With impeccable timing, Ray Cooney’s Olivier-winning political farce – concerning a junior Tory minister and his attempts to have an affair with a secretary from the opposition party – makes a welcome return to the theatre stage. The cast includes Shaun Williamson (EastEnders, Extras), Sue Holderness (Only Fools & Horses, Green Green Grass) and James Holmes (Miranda).
Opera House / atgtickets.com / 0844 847 2275 / Tuesday, May 30 to Saturday, June 3 / £12 to £38.50 WEDNESDAY Theatre / We Come From Far Far Away Extremely topical, this child-friendly show (for ages ten-plus) from New International Encounter puts the refugee crisis under the spotlight. Based on real-life testimonies of young refugees from Syria and Afghanistan, the ambitious production blends storytelling, shadow puppetry, comedy, clowning.
Contact / contactmcr.com / 0161 274 0600 / Wednesday, May 31 to Friday, June 2 / £11/£6 concs Theatre / The King Lear Shakespeare’s King Lear has been given a contemporary update, shifting the action to a cosy pub – where the monarch is now a pub landlord – courtesy of clownish, physical theatre specialists Shifting Sands. Fittingly, the company will be performing the show at two popular north west pubs: Bury’s The Clarence and Ramsbottom’s Grant Arms.
Wednesday, May 31, 12.30pm and 7.30pm @ The Clarence, Bury, and Thursday, June 1, 7.30pm @ The Grant Arms, Ramsbottom / £10 to £15, tickets available from The Met, Bury – themet.biz / 0161 761 2216