From One Act to 40ths

Don’t forget the ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL at PRESTON PLAYHOUSE THEATRE from Wednesday, June 18-Saturday June 21.

To celebrate its 40th anniversary. MAWDESLEY AMATEUR DRAMATICS SOCIETY will be presenting the hilarious comedy ‘WHAT I DID AT SCHOOL TODAY’ by John Mee from Thursday, June 19 to Saturday, June 21 at 7.30pm in MAWDESLEY VILLAGE HALL

The action takes place in the fictitious Lloyd George Junior & Infants School where a new male supply teacher has just arrived called Dan (played by Adrian Barradell) who soon finds himself the centre of everyone’s attention including the scheming headmaster Clive Beasley (Finlay Robertson), the flirtatious Liz (Debbie Wells),whose attempts at seduction leave little to the imagination, a timid school secretary (Nicky Wolstenholme), the naïve Jenny (Lynsey Robertson) and the no-nonsense,down to earth caretaker. Maxine (Bridgett Welch).

To Dan’s delight an old flame from university Kate Jenkins (Emma Meen) is also teaching at the school.

As Dan and Kate endeavour to rekindle their love without the gossipy staff and pupils discovering their secret, the headmaster sets one of the pupils, Emma, the task of writing a story about what she did at school today while he busies himself attempting to fleece two prospective new parents out of their money.

But what will Emma’s story contain and why is she so desperate to prevent it from being seen?

A licenced bar will be open for the Friday and Saturday night shows.

Tickets are £8 each and can be purchased from Londis on New Street or by contacting MADS at: [email protected].

The play contains some mild adult comedy material and is not suitable for young children.

LIVERPOOL’S EVERYMAN THEATRE’S first collaboration is with Cornwall’s National Theatre, Knedehigh, and a radical new version of The Beggar’s Opera, John Gay’s classic musical satire.

DEAD DOG IN A SUITCASE (AND OTHER LOVE SONGS) is bursting with wit, wonder and weirdness.

An extraordinary Kneehigh cast of actor musicians shoot, hoot and shimmy their way through this twisted morality tale of our times...by turns shocking, hilarious, heartfelt and absurd!

Mayor Goodman has been assassinated. Contract killer Macheath has just married Pretty Polly and they plan to escape to a better world – but they aren’t going anywhere. Not if pickled pilchard, hair gel and concrete tycoon Les Peachum and his wife have anything to do with it.

See, they aren’t happy with their daughter marrying Macheath.

Not one bit.

Before the day is out Macheath will face the hangman’s noose and much more besides.

All the while, the dogs are howling, the pier is creaking, the babes are crying, the concrete is cracking and the truth won’t stay hidden for much longer…

Warning: This show contains loud bangs, smoke, strong language and dodgy delights amidst corporate conspiracy, hit men, and songs culled from the edge of existence. And yes, we will be putting a dead dog in a suitcase… don’t say we didn’t warn you!

The play runs from Saturday, June June to Saturday, July 12.

Evenings: 7.30pm (except Wednesday, July 2). Matinées: 1.30pm on Thursday, July 3 and Wednesday, July 9; 2pm on Saturday, June 28, Saturday, July 5 and Saturday, July 12; Twilight Perf: Wednesday, July 2 at 5.30pm. Tickets £11-£18

Joe Orton’s classic black comedy, ENTERTAINING MR SLOANE’ is playing BLACKPOOL’S GRAND THEATRE from Monday June 16th to Sat June 21st.

Kath and her elderly father, Kemp, live in a house on the outskirts of a rubbish dump. Their drab existence is interrupted by the arrival of a new lodger, the enigmatic Mr Sloane. Provocative and sexually ambiguous, Sloane soon has both Kath and her brother Ed competing for his favours. But all is not as it seems. Behind Sloane’s nonchalant demeanour lies a calculating psychopath with a dark and secretive past. Seduction, blackmail and murder lie waiting in the wings.

Entertaining Mr Sloane was first staged at the Arts Theatre in London in 1964, winning the London Critics ‘Variety’ award for Best Play of the Year.

Joe Orton was born in Leicester in 1933, his plays include Loot, The Erpingham Camp, The Ruffian on the Stair and What the Butler Saw.

Tickets: Monday to Saturday £15.50 to £19.50 Concession £2 off.