The Lowry's new season has got the lot
September – December 2011
Quality drama, delectable dance, sumptuous musicals and a whole lot of snow come together in The Lowry’s exciting September – December season.
Kicking off a stunning selection of drama is Northern Broadsides’ evocative exploration of the lives of the Brontë siblings with a nod towards Chekhov; We Are Three Sisters (Tue 20 – Sat 24 September). This is followed by the World première of All The Way Home (Thu 29 September – Sat 15 October). This exciting new comedy drama from the Library Theatre Company in association with The Lowry sees East Is East writer Ayub Khan-Din and acclaimed director Mark Babych explore the power of deep roots and strong family bonds. More not-to-be-missed dramatic treats include David Grindley’s multi-award-winning adaptation of R.C. Sherriff’s WWI-set masterpiece Journey’s End (Tue 8 – Sat 12 November) and Shared Experience’s astonishing and intense story of identical twins June and Jennifer Gibbons, Speechless (Tue 22 – Sat 26 November).
One of the undoubted dramatic highlights of the season comes from The Lowry partner company the National Theatre, which brings its critically acclaimed 1960s-set update of Carlo Goldoni’s 18th century comedy, One Man, Two Guvnors (Tue 11 – Sat 15 October) to our Lyric Theatre. This hilarious new comedy, which stars James Corden, opened recently to rave-reviews and is already proving to be one of the fastest-selling shows ever at The Lowry.
Opera North, another partner company of The Lowry, presents an exciting season of work including a concert version of Wagner’s monumental musical experience Das Rheingold (Sat 10 September), Puccini’s Madama Butterfly (Wed 16 & Sat 19 November), Gilbert & Sullivan’s Ruddigore (Tue 15 & Thu 17 November) and a brand new production, Tchaikovsky’s The Queen Of Spades (Fri 18 November).
Final season highlights from The Lowry partner companies come from two of the country’s best respected dance companies. Rambert Dance Company brings the World première of Artistic Director Mark Baldwin’s latest piece, Seven for a secret, never to be told (Wed 21 – Fri 23 September). This must-see performance is a celebration of Rambert’s 85 years at the heart of British dance. Looking forward to 2012, Birmingham Royal Ballet will bring its sumptuous production of Beauty and the Beast (Tue 24 – Sat 28 January 2012).
Contemporary dance highlights come in the shape of Candoco Dance Company’s Turning Twenty – Anniversary (Wed 14 & Thu 15 September), Shaun Parker & Company’s Happy As Larry (Tue 18 & Wed 19 October) and The Lowry’s company-in-residence, Company Chameleon’s, World première piece Gameshow (Wed 16 & Thu 17 November).
If musicals are more your thing there’s a whole host of high-kicking, high-note-hitting treats to suit almost every taste. Football fans who appreciate fancy footwork will love Dancing Shoes: The George Best Story (Mon 5 – Sat 10 September) which was a huge triumph when it opened in George’s native Belfast last year.
Those enamoured with old-fashioned Hollywood glamour will find all they need and more in the magnificent Top Hat (Tue 27 September – Sat 8 October). Starring Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen, this lavish adaptation of RKO’s motion picture features a sensational score by Irving Berlin that includes classics such as Cheek to Cheek, Let’s Face The Music and, of course, the eponymous Top Hat.
Bill Kenwright’s hit tribute to the songs and styles of the late 1950s and early 1960s Dreamboats and Petticoats (Mon 31 October – Sat 5 November) and the 2012 collaboration between The Lowry, The Hallé Orchestra and The Royal Exchange Theatre Wonderful Town (Sat 31 March – Sat 14 April 2012), cement The Lowry’s burgeoning reputation as the best place to watch high-quality musicals in the North West.
The September – December season can only mean one thing – Christmas! This year The Lowry is delighted to welcome another Bill Kenwright hit Scrooge (Mon 12 December 2011 – Sat 7 January 2012), which stars West End legend Tommy Steele. With stunning sets and costumes, specially created illusions by magician Paul Kieve, acclaimed for the magic effects in the Harry Potter films, and a fantastic musical score including December The Twenty-fifth, I Hate Christmas and the Oscar-nominated hit Thank You Very Much, this spectacular musical is the perfect Christmas treat for the family.
The Library Theatre Company builds on the success of last year’s A Christmas Carol with this year’s festive family treat The Wind in the Willows (Fri 2 December 2011 – Sat 14 January 2012). Directed by Chris Honer, this Alan Bennett-penned adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic tales of Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad, is a delightful alternative to traditional festive fare.
From October to January The Lowry will be snowed in, with three fantastic family shows. Starting the fun in October is Slava’s Snowshow (Wed 26 – Sun 30 October). This enchanting mixture of circus, drama and comedy culminates in a spellbinding spectacle guaranteed to bring out the child in the most cynical audience member. Another excuse to awake your inner child comes with the arrival of Raymond Briggs’ best-loved character The Snowman (Tue 22 – Sat 26 November). And if that’s not enough of the white powdery stuff, Lyngo Theatre & the Lyric Hammersmith bring their highly interactive family show Snow Play to The Studio (Tue 27 December 2011 – Tue 3 January 2012).
Before The Studio gets snowed-in, however, there’s a wide range of exciting new work to be seen in The Lowry’s most intimate space. Continuing its commitment to new and up-and-coming writers, directors and theatre companies, The Studio’s ‘In development with The Lowry’ strand continues to go from strength to strength with two exciting new productions. Theatre Ad Infinitum’s Translunar Paradise (Thu 8 – Sat 10 September) is a moving journey through life, death and enduring love while Milan Govedarcia & Theatre In The Mill’s NeverBeenSeen piece Narcissus & Echo (Wed 5 – Fri 7 October) transforms the classic Greek myth into a chamber opera.
Other NeverBeenSeen pieces premiering in The Lowry Studio this Autumn and Winter include Organised Chaos Productions’ All Because Of Molly (Thu 1 – Sat 3 September), Too Write Productions’ Charlie Bangers (Fri 23 & Sat 24 September) Happy Theatre Collective’s Just One Day (Thu 29 September – Sat 1 October) and the conclusion of Come As You Arts North West’s touching anti-war trilogy The Lonely Clouds Of Guernica (Thu 10 – Sat 12 November).
As ever, there are laughs a-plenty at The Lowry as our three theatre spaces play host to a wonderful selection of well-known and up-and-coming comic talent. Highlights of the September – December comedy season include I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue (Sun 4 September), Jack Witehall: Let’s not speak of this again (Sat 17 September), Jason Byrne: Cirque de Byrne (Sat 24 September), Paul Foot: Still Life (Mon 10 October) and Daniel Sloss: Joker (Mon 14 November).
To round off the perfectly-formed season in our theatres there’s a whole host of musical delights including the wonderful The Unthanks & The Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band (Tue 13 September), The Overtones (Tue 18 October), The Hollies (Sat 22 October), Midge Ure: Uncovered (Sun 6 November) and Martin Simpson (Sun 6 November).
There’s plenty to see offstage at The Lowry as well when Adolpe Valette: A Pioneer of Impressionism in Manchester (Sat 15 October 2011 – Sun 29 January 2012) opens in our Galleries. This comprehensive exhibition provides a chronological survey of Valette’s work, a multi-talented artist and a fascinating player in the panorama of early 20th century British and French painting. The life story of Adolphe Valette, with a foot in two countries, the UK and France, is one of exemplary modernity. As well as providing the first overview of his work in 17 years, this exhibition also brings new research and understanding to Valette’s relationship with LS Lowry. Many of the works are loans from private collections which have not been seen before in public galleries.
There’s still time to see our summer blockbuster exhibition Warhol and The Diva (Sat 25 June – Sun 25 September). This unmissable exhibition presents original silk-screens, photography and film depicting Warhol’s most desirable divas including Marilyn Monroe, Grace Jones and Mick Jagger, as well as the artist himself. Alongside these iconic works, a collection of unprecedented photographs show Warhol rubbing shoulders with those he immortalised throughout his career.
If you want to see striking pictures of pop-culture icons you should also pay a visit to our newly-extended Nadav Kander: Selected Portraits, 1999 – 2011 photography exhibition which is now open until Sunday 18 September. This stunning collection features work that has never been exhibited before, including images of Eric Cantona, Cheryl Cole, Tinie Tempah and head shots of Take That for their latest album, Progress.
Also still showing in our Galleries is Queer to Stay: 21 Years of Manchester Pride (ends Sun 16 October). This exhibition tells the story of the Festival using film, photography, stories and memorabilia and highlights the impact Pride has made on LGBT communities in and around Manchester. From its humble beginnings as a collection of bring-and-buy stalls outside Manchester’s Rembrandt Pub to its current position as one of Europe’s largest and liveliest celebrations, Manchester Pride has become a key date in the UK’s Festival calendar.
As ever, our Galleries play host to Lowry Favourites which brings together a selection of works from the Lowry Collection, including paintings and drawings, alongside important loans from public and private collections around the UK.
Please note that the Galleries are open late until 7.30pm on the below dates so if you’re seeing a show you can pop into the Galleries and enjoy our latest exhibitions.
Wed 21 September
Tue 8 November
Wed 16 November
Sat 19 November
Fri 9 December
Tue 13 December
Thu 22 December
Wed 28 December
Sat 6 January
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Pictures
Pictures of theatre events and exhibitions in Adobe RGB format are available to download from our image library. Visit www.thelowryimages.com. New users need to register by clicking on ‘register’ on the left hand side of the page, fill in the required information (which includes creating your own password) and click ‘create account’. You will then have access to images via the log-in page.
Notes to Editors:
The Lowry celebrated its 10th anniversary on 28 April 2010 and has spent 11 years delighting, engaging and challenging both local and national audiences with the very best in visual art and performance. The Lowry Centre Trust is a not-for-profit charitable organisation and registered charity (no. 1053962). All income supports our world-class Theatres and Galleries programme, the care and display of the LS Lowry Collection and our life-changing Community and Education work. The Lowry’s Chief Executive, Julia Fawcett was awarded an OBE for services to the Arts in the Queen’s 2010 New Year Honours list.