The Grand Canal Theatre recently released info on their upcoming season and its a very impressive and promising line up indeed. Featuring several touring productions straight out of the West End and a number of high profile acts in one off concerts it seems the theatre is going from strength to strength and we’re finally seeing the kind of calibre of show that can make use of this impressive space. Check out what they have in store after the break.
First up, starting next Monday is Calendar Girls, the stage play adapted from the movie of the same name. “A group of ordinary women do something extraordinary and spark a global phenomenon when they persuade one another to pose for a charity calendar with a difference! Based on an inspiring true story, Calendar Girls is quirky, poignant and hilarious.” The tour features Lynda Bellingham, Bernie Nolan and Jennifer Ellison and many more ladies in various states of undress. This show cleaned up in the West End and was a huge success with both audiences and critics alike. If you enjoyed the movie, you’re sure to love this (although similarly, if you didn’t, you probably won’t!). Runs from Mon 7 - Sat 19 Feb.
Next up is Stomp, the award winning percussion and dance based show that takes everyday clutter and junk, throws in some dance and comedy and transforms it all into something special and unique. Stomp has been featured on the Oscars, parodied on The Simpsons and played Broadway and the West End for several years now. Its a unique theatrical event unlike any other and you really have to experience it live to understand what all the fuss is about. You’re unlikely to see anything quite like this on an Irish stage for a while, so take this opportunity to see this special show. Running for less than a week between Tues 1 and Sun 6 Mar.
Jekyll & Hyde. So here’s something really interesting. A musical based on the Robert Louis Stevenson novel. This show originally opened on Broadway back in 1997 to mixed reviews. Nevertheless it ran for over 1500 performances and has a very strong following among many Broadway fans. Playing both title roles here is West End star Marti Pellow (the role was played on Broadway by The Hoff trivia fans). A really unique show and a very interesting choice of production for the Theatre to bring over here, this is well worth a look. Runs Mon 7 - Sat 12 Mar.
The Russian State Ballet is back to the Grand Canal again this year, after opening it last year to a roaring success. On offer this year is Swan Lake (Wed 16 - Sat 19 Mar) and Giselle (two days only, Fri 18 - Sat 19 Mar). Very little to say on this one. Its Ballet. Its a world class company. Get your Black Swan fix and go see the real thing (minus the insanity and unsightly injuries of course).
Starting the following week is Chess, the other musical from Abba’s Benny and Bjorn. Even if you know nothing about this incredible show you’ve certainly encountered the music, featuring as it does such songs as ‘One Night in Bangkok’, ‘Anthem’ and ‘I Know Him So Well’. Chess is a very powerful and moving show and really showcases the undeniable writing talent of the Abba boys in a more mature and gritty setting. Directed by Strictly Come Dancings’s Craig Revel Horwood this may face a danger of delving into camp territory however it features a cast of West End vets so we can only hope that the strength of the material shines through. The absolute must-see of the season IMHO. Runs Tues 22 - Sat 26 Mar.
The Sound of Music is running for the month of April making it easily the Theatre’s longest resident this year. Clearly they have confidence that this show will bring in the crowds. And lets face it - why wouldn’t it? I’m not going to try to sell this show to you, you either love it or loathe it. The draw here, beyond the music and story and lavish production straight out of London’s prestigious Palladium Theatre, is headliner Jason Donovan. Now don’t scoff, he had quite a respectable and well received turn in Priscilla Queen of the Desert just a few years ago so isn’t a stranger to the stage. Check before you buy your tickets though as he won’t be appearing at every performance. Runs from Tues 5 - Sat 30 Apr.
Monty Python’s Spamalot is coming in May and I’ll admit to being super excited about this one. (Full disclosure: I may have seen this twice before, once on Broadway with Hank Azaria and David Hyde Pierce, and a second time in London with Tim Curry himself). Its classic Python so steer well clear if thats not your thing, but for the rest of us this is one of the funniest things you will ever see on stage, complete with farting Frenchmen, flying cows, and a bunch of Knights Who Say Ni. Yes it features ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’, and yes, you can sing along. Its also got a pretty awesome cast featuring Phil Jupitus, Todd Carty and Jodie Prenger. Go see it!! Runs Mon 9 - Sat 14 May.
Also to look forward to over the next few months: Colm Wilkinson on Sun 20 & Wed 23 Feb, Maroon 5 on Thurs 24 Feb, especially for the kids, The Wiggles on Sun 22 May, Michael Ball on Tues 24 May, and bringing us into the Summer, your mother’s favourite, Chris De Burgh on Fri 27 May. As usual stay tuned to Culch for news and reviews of all of these and more over the coming months.
