Event type: Theatre

Warrington based First Act, will be bringing Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik’s award-winning musical Spring Awakening to The Hope Street Theatre in a fresh and vibrant new production.

Based on the 1891 German by Frank Wedekind, Spring Awakening tells the story of teenagers discovering the inner and outer tumult of adolescent sexuality. Set in mid-19th-century Germany, the musical, with its alternative and folk-infused rock score, explores oppression, freedom, teenage angst, and the dangers of hiding the truth.

First Act launched in 2017 with a simple vision: create acting classes for young performers which developed skill, technique, and talent; an acting school where theatre education is the primary goal.

Since its incorporation First Act have been delivering curriculum-based classes where students from Warrington, Halton and St Helens can explore, a wide variety of theatre and musical theatre-based classes in a fun and safe environment.  A place where they can learn, engage, develop, and inspire each other.

Spring Awakening will be directed by Kit Phillips, with Choreography from Ceris Shadwell and Musical Direction Ashley Walsh. The company will feature: Jack Wright (Melchoir), India Poulaud (Wendla), Isaac Harthill (Moritz), Poppy Williams (Ilse), Toby Holmes (Hanschen), Jake Burke (Ernst), Olivia Hebden (Martha), Harvey Farrell (Georg), Jess Ratcliffe (Anna), Daniel Wilson (Otto), Isobel Green (Thea), Amy Groves (Ina) alongside an adult company of actors including: Seb Farrell, Neil Atherton, Abbie Rippon, Amanda Avery and Fabienne Dunbar.

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (Europe)

SPRING AWAKENING can be booked through their website at www.hopestreettheatre.com or via telephone on 0344 561 0622

The animals of Manor Farm drive out the farmer and run the farm themselves. A revolution. And then what? Then freedom. Every animal will be free.

Old Major, the prize boar, calls the animals of Manor Farm together. He has had a strange dream of a better future.

The event is held Playhouse, 26-30 April 2022, 7.30pm. There are additional matinee shows 1.30pm, 28 April and 2pm, 30 April. See here for tickets.

George Orwell’s world-famous fable tells the story of a revolution and its aftermath. Re-imagined by an award-winning creative team, Animal Farm is a dynamic, daring and contemporary take on a timeless story.

Animal Farm is directed by Robert Icke, whose version of 1984 (co-adapted and directed with Duncan Macmillan) was a smash-hit in the West End and on Broadway. This brand new production features puppetry by Toby Olié (whose credits include War Horse, Running Wild and Goodnight Mister Tom) and is designed by four-time Olivier award-winner Bunny Christie.

The Children’s Theatre Partnership creates bold and imaginative theatre for young people, engaging new audiences and aiming to inspire a life-long love of theatre.

A musical play adapted and directed by David Wood, based on the book by Judith Kerr.

The event is held Liverpool Playhouse, 12-14 October, shows start 11am and 2pm. See here for tickets.

Direct from the West End, the Olivier Award nominated smash hit show, The Tiger Who Came to Tea returns on tour.

The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger!

Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos. Don’t miss this stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem… expect to be surprised!

St Helens Theatre Royal’s brand-new Christmas panto has been officially launched.

Leading panto producers Regal Entertainments recently revealed its festive show is Goldilocks And The Three Bears with Hollyoaks actor David Tag leading the cast.

The spectacular seasonal production promises St Helens audiences a fantastic festive treat complete with madcap comedy capers and all the fun of the circus – including circus skills and stunts performed by cast members.

Goldilocks And The Three Bears will run at St Helens Theatre Royal from Friday 10 December 2021 to Sunday 9 January 2022. Shows are held various times, including some matinee and morning performances.

Tickets are on sale now starting from £16. You can book here.

Award-winning theatre company, Naughty Corner Productions, will see their ninth production debut at The Hope Street Theatre this October.

SHEEP was due to open in March 2020 but had to cancel due to the pandemic restrictions. Despite the 19-month delay the company are excited about finally bringing the production to the stage with the original cast and company.

The event is held Hope Street Theatre, 14-16 October, 7.30pm. Tickets can be booked through their website at www.hopestreettheatre.com or via telephone on 0344 561 0622.

On Thursday 14^th October the production will feature an after-show Q&A session with the full company.

In SHEEP, five friends take a trip to the Lake District to relive their booze and drug-fuelled university days and escape from their banal and disappointing lives. When they wake up to a sheep with its throat cut open and a used condom dumped on top of it, with no recollection of what’s happened, they are forced to confront the reality of who they are.

Written by Oliver Beck and directed by Mike Dickinson.

Ben and Sally are searching for the perfect pet, but instead the zoo send a far too big elephant, a far too grumpy camel, and a far too jumpy frog.Whatever will they send next!

Rod Campbell’s much-loved lift the flap book has been a firm favourite with children and parents for nearly forty years.Lovingly adapted for the stage, his distinctive illustrations leap from the page in this colourful show packed full of puppetry, songs and, of course, all the animals from the zoo.

The show is held St Helens Theatre Royal, 21/22 March, starting 4pm, 21 March, 10.30am and 1pm, 22 March. See here for tickets.

With lots of laughs and audience interaction, Dear Zoo is the perfect introduction to theatre for young children. Join us and find out whether the zoo will send the perfect pet…in the end!