Ed Stacey, from Greenfield, looks at who has been taking centre stage over the last month and must-see performances that lie in store
FREERANGE THEATRE AT THE SWAN INN, DOBCROSS: SPOONFACE STEINBERG by Lee Hall, June 18/19
A less likely storyline for an enjoyable night at the theatre is hard to devise.
Spoonface Steinberg is a one person play about an autistic young girl with terminal cancer. But it provides an uplifting, funny and inspiring experience that will long live in the memories of the audience. Both nights were sold out, but such was the surge of recommendation after the first night the play could have sold out a week long run.
Rebecca Fenwick as Spoonface is simply sensational; everything that a ‘tour de force’ accolade deserves.
Freerange Theatre hope to return to The Swan for a longer run, maybe next year, but I would head to Buxton for the fringe festival when ‘Spoonface’ has four dates in mid-July. Something really not to be missed.
OLDHAM COLISEUM – HAY FEVER by Noel Corward, June 14-29
It’s the Abigail’s Party for the 1920s: an upper class weekend house party where the excruciating hosts – the Bliss Family – make their guests squirm with embarrassment, and provide rich entertainment for the audience.
The stage set is utterly convincing with the art deco attention to detail paying dividends. Noel Coward’s witty dialogue sails successfully through the test of time, and the nine-strong cast – with no minor characters – play their parts to the full.
Artistic Director Kevin Shaw has another fine production to his credit that will continue to build the Coliseum’s reputation for entertaining theatre.
And there is another special week at the Coliseum when the touring production of Sebastian Faulk’s Birdsong is staged July 1-6.
Already a hugely acclaimed novel, a successful BBC 1 drama, and a hit West End production, this brand new touring adaption promises to be every bit as good.
