St Helens Theatre Royal Unveils A Packed Autumn Season

St Helens Theatre Royal is preparing for an Autumn season of mellow fruitfulness - as well as fantastic music, hilarious comedy, beautiful ballet, Beatles, Blues Brothers and no fewer than TWO pantomimes.

Oh yes it is!

The Corporation Street theatre has launched its fantastic new season outlining another brilliant programme of shows with something for everyone coming up between now and the New Year.

The new season launches with a tribute to a singing legend. South African songstress BeLinda Davids stars in The Greatest Love of All: The Whitney Houston Show on Friday 1 September. The production is the culmination of a life-long connection with the superstar to whom she pays homage.

It continues on Saturday 2 September with Buzz Hawkins: The Man Behind the Bradshaws, where writer-voicer-producer Buzz Hawkins brings radio's longest running favourite funny family to life on stage before your very eyes (with some help from Little Billy Bradshaw).

On Sunday 3 September the irrepressible Roy 'Chubby' Brown returns to the theatre with his show. But remember, it's not for the easily offended!

The Little Mix Experience on Friday 8 September pays tribute to the hugely popular girl group, performing all of their biggest hits!

There is plenty of brilliant musical nostalgia on the programme for September, with the music of Elvis celebrated in The King is Back, starring Ben Portsmouth, on Thursday 14 September, 80's Mania on Friday 15 September, The Carpenters Story on Saturday 16 September, the irresistible dance tunes of the Glenn Miller Orchestra on Sunday 24 September - featuring the Swing Time Jivers and the Polka Dot Dolls. There is also a popular tribute to Liverpool's own 60s pop star in The Billy Fury Years on Saturday 30 September.

Join the hilarious Grumbleweeds at their Laughter-Noon Show on Sunday 1 October and enjoy an afternoon of laughter, music, magic and more.

And there's more laughter guaranteed when the Master of Mirth, the Squire of Knotty Ash, Sir Ken Dodd, returns to St Helens Theatre Royal on Thursday 5 October with his hugely popular Happiness Show.

Music continues in October, starting with the Stars of Irish Country Show on Monday 2 October. Four of Ireland's favourites - Mick Flavin, Louise Morrisey, Stephen Smyth and Frank McCaffrey - are appearing on the same bill. Between them they have notched up more than 30 number ones and have toured all over the world.

Meanwhile all those Dancing Queens out there will want to grab their platforms and pull on their satin flares for Thank Abba For the Music on Friday 6 October.

Prepare to be on the edge of your seat when GinificeNT Productions presents The Haunting at Greenacre Cottage on Saturday 7 October. Young couple Mark and Stacey head off to a remote cottage in Wales for a well-deserved break with their young baby...but it soon becomes apparent something doesn't want them there.

The acclaimed Vienna Festival Ballet dances in to St Helens on Sunday 8 October with one of the world's best-loved ballets, Sleeping Beauty.

And the fairytale story also returns to the theatre later in the month when Sleeping Beauty becomes St Helens' unmissable half-term pantomime. Regal Entertainments' spellbinding show stars Claire Sweeney as the evil fairy Carabosse and Laura Gregory as the princess doomed to sleep for 100 years. The panto is on from Saturday 21 October to Sunday 29 October.

In between, the sassy musical Sister Act finds nightclub singer Deloris Van Cartier hiding out in a convent after witnessing a hit by her mob boss boyfriend. And hallelujah, she takes control of the woeful nuns' chorus and transforms it in to a brilliant singing group. The Pilkington Musical Theatre Company show runs from Thursday 12 to Saturday 14 October.

The talent of the late, great George Michael is celebrated in Faith - The George Michael Legacy on Friday 3 November. The show features international George Michael tribute artist Wayne Dilks together with his incredible seven-piece band and backing singers.

Shake a tail feather as The Chicago Blues Brothers - Back in Black Tour arrives at St Helens on Saturday 4 November, and then if you've still got some energy you can twist and shout at the Magic of The Beatles show on Thursday 9 November. The production looks back 50 years to bring the iconic music of the Fab Four to modern day fans.

And music comes bang up to date on Friday 10 November with The Big Pop Party bringing audiences all the hits from Olly Murs, Ed SHeeran, Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, performed by top tribute artists.

CBeebies' favourite Mister Maker makes a date for St Helens Theatre Royal on Saturday 11 November when he brings Mister Maker and The Shapes Live! as part of a UK tour, encouraging Mini Makers and their parents to make some noise.

Renowned psychic, TV and theatre star and the UK's favourite award-winning medium Sally Morgan is back and better than ever with her phenomenal interactive stage show Psychic Sally - Kisses To Heaven Tour on Thursday 16 November.

And there is another return, this time for the side-splitting comedy play The Salon, which is being staged from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 November. The Regal Entertainments' production stars TOWIE's Harry Derbidge, Benidorm's Philip Olivier, Olivia Sloyan, LeAnne Campbell, Sarah White (Brookside) and Emmerdale actor Peter Amory.

Favourites The Houghton Weavers play a live show at the theatre on Monday 4 December, and funny man Jimmy Carr brings his The Best Of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits Tour to the theatre on Thursday 7 December, promising all the best material from more than a decade-and-a-half of stand up in one show. Or two shows to be precise as he is appearing twice on the same evening.

Then it's straight in to Christmas with the return of the hugely popular St Helens Theatre Royal festive panto. This year Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be entertaining audiences young and old from Saturday 2 December to Sunday 7 January.

Home-grown comedy legend Johnny Vegas takes on the role of the voice of the mirror (mirror on the wall) and will be appearing via the power of projection, and the cast also includes Coronation Street and Wild at Heart star Lucy Jo Hudson as Snow White, Jack Rigby as the handsome prince and Richard Hazlewood as Herman the Henchman.

Highlights for 2018 include the return of Regal Entertainments' hilarious family panto production of The Wizard of Oz from Tuesday 13 to Sunday 18 February and the world famous Telebtubbies in their first ever theatre show which comes to St Helens on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 February. Strictly Come Dancing Stars Ian Waite and Oti Mabuse deliver a night of Latin and Ballroom numbers on Friday 18 May and one of the nation's most loved entertainers, Jane McDonald returns to St Helens Theatre Royal on Friday 22 June as part of her 20th Anniversary Tour.

Chantelle Nolan, Theatre Manager, said: "It's a really busy Autumn and Winter season for us here at St Helens Theatre Royal, and we're really thrilled to be able to reveal our brilliant line-up of talent which will be entertaining our audiences over the next few months.

"As usual there really is something for everyone, whatever your taste, age or budget. And of course, we can promise you that whatever you come and see, you will have a fantastic night out here at the theatre."

Book in person at the Theatre Royal Box Office Corporation Street, St. Helens, Merseyside WA10 1LQ (Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm). Alternatively, call 01744 756 000 or log on to: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

To post a comment, you must register and login.