Breaking into Little Theatre

Directed by Mark Jones and produced by Ian Ormonroyd, this is the heart-breaking true story of Alan Turing, the mathematical genius who cracked the German Enigma code and helped Britain win Would War II and is widely considered the father of modern computing.

Openly gay at a time when homosexuality was illegal in Great Britain, his behaviour was toleratedand he was given every resource needed to crack the code. But once the war was over, the system turned on him, and superiors began to regardTuring as a security risk.

The play recalls the story of his times at Bletchley Park and Manchester University, the family who supported him, the people he loved and lost, the colleagues who admired him. It’s a fascinating drama about someone grappling with his own personality, and the troubled life of a creative thinker who helped shape the 20th Century.

This production reunites the award-winning director and star of last year’s Hound of the Baskervilles. Tickets £6 (Mon-Wed) and £8 (Thurs to Sat) from Malcolm’s Musicland. 01257 264362

PRESTON PLAYHOUSE hosts the return of Jeff Brailsford’s one-man show, KINGS OF COMEDY: SECOND HOUSE for one night only on Saturday March 1, and every penny will go to the Theatre Development Fund.

After last year’s full house for this entertaining show, which raised over £1700 towards ‘Raising The Roof’, Jeff returns with all new material from some of the great wireless and TV comedians of the last 50 years including Billy Bennett, Max Miller, Sandy Powell, Charlie Chester, Ted Lune, Mick Miller, Al Read, Ken Dodd, Arthur Askey, Arthur English, and dozens of others, spilling the beans on the famous, and nicking the best of their gags.

This show was a sell-out last year so book early. Tickets £7 from Box Office 01772 252288 or online at www.prestonplayhouse.co.uk

Coming to LIVERPOOL PLAYHOUSE for five days from Tuesday March 4 is Frederick Knott’s darkly gripping thriller DIAL M FOR MURDER. Famously filmed by Alfred Hitchcock, it is now on a UK tour starring Christopher Timothy as Inspector Hubbard.

Tony is convinced his wife is having an affair. We watch mesmerised as he plans what must surely be the perfect murder… until it falters in the most unexpected way.

Claustrophobic, frightening, Lucy Bailey’s exciting new production reclaims this brilliant and erotic tale of betrayal, passion and, ultimately, murder.

Performances start at 7.30pm with matinees Thursday (1.30pm) and Saturday (2pm). Tickets £12 - £23.

The evergreen musical SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS is coming to the LIVERPOOL EMPIRE for one week from Mon Feb 24 with matinees Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets £12.90 to £8.90. Tel.0844 871 3017

A sensational new production with colourful costumes, fabulous sets, special effects and sassy high energy performances. Directed and Choreographed by US award winning Patti Colombo.

At the LOWTHER PAVILION, LYTHAM on Wed March 26 at 7.30pm is MOZART BY CANDLELIGHT, an evening of classical music and song, from the producers of A Viennese Strauss Gala, with excerpts from The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, Cosi Fan Tutte, Don Giovanni.

Beautiful settings, costumes and lighting, and of course candles, the European Baroque Ensemble and Singers transport you back to the sumptuous past, performing some of the most memorable pieces of Mozart. Tickets £17 from the Lowther Box Office. 01253 794221