First time theatregoers and communities who otherwise might not be able to afford theatre tickets will benefit from a new partnership between Prescot-based Shakespeare North Playhouse, Warrington theatre company Not Too Tame, and Warrington Borough Council. SNP and Not Too Tame’s production of Twelfth Night (June 7-29) - with Les Dennis headlining alongside a lineup that includes multiple Warrington-born artists and musicians - promises a fresh approach to Shakespeare's classic. Les Dennis follows his hero Ken Dodd when he plays puritanical and pompous servant Malvolio in the Shakespeare North Playhouse production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (June 7-29). He said: “Ever since I went to Stratford with the school and saw it, I have always wanted to do it. The great Sir Ken Dodd famously played the part and the fact that Shakespeare North has a Doddy garden through the support of Lady Dodd and the Sir Ken Dodd Foundation is an additional bonus. How tickled I am to be following in his footsteps.” Liverpudlian Les boasts a 50-year showbiz career, having risen as a comedian in the 1970s and dominated Saturday night TV in the 80s and 90s. He recently returned to Saturday night TV with a turn on Strictly Come Dancing, and as an actor has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company, English National Opera and many more, in hit plays and musicals. He's also been a regular on Coronation Street. In advance of Twelfth Night, Warrington will be the location for events, performances and workshops for residents to get a taste of the show throughout this month Spoken word events and workshops will take place in venues across the town, including Warrington Museum and Art Gallery and Pyramid Arts Centre. A highlight of the taster activities will be special pop-up performances of the play itself at Warrington Market (May 24) and the Irish Club (May 30). The production aims to achieve significant social impact, with a possible 10,000 attendees overall, with 1,000 Pay What You Decide tickets for residents of priority Warrington postcodes. Claire Will, director of marketing at SNP, said "We are delighted to team up with Warrington Council to bring this production to fruition. We are not only reimagining Shakespeare for contemporary audiences but also empowering diverse voices and communities." Eleanor Blackburn, Warrington council’s head of inclusive economy, leisure and culture, said: “It will be a unique production, celebrating diverse voices and helping make theatre accessible for a broad audience. It’s also great news that, in the run-up to June, people in Warrington will be able to enjoy a range of performances, events and workshops. It’s a great way of connecting with people of all ages.” More info and tickets here

Written by Harvey Fierstein, music by Cyndi Lauper, based on the film written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth Storyhouse, Chester May 8th-18, 2024; 2 hrs 10 mins The film of Kinky Boots is approaching its 20th birthday and is widely seen as a funny, challenging and charming story of self discovery. The story is based on fact: 90 per cent of Northampton's shoe industry had disappeared under the challenge of cheaper imports and high labour costs, and one struggling shoe company had to diversify to survive. How would the impressionable new owner who inherited the business ensure its survival? A chance encounter with a drag queen he tried to save from an assault but ended up needing medical attention gave him an idea for a niche promotion in a competitive market. Why not make shoes sturdy enough for a man, but in female styles? This was the start of a collaboration and friendship that caused each to examine who they were and why they were doing what they did. Storyhouse’s production is brimming with energy and enthusiasm, a fast-paced and at times glitzy production. The characterisations are great: Danny Becher as Charlie and Duane-Lamonte O’Garro as Lola/Simon develop a chemistry that carries the plot. Lola’s complex character is developed well - at times brash and sexually-charged, at others insecure and vulnerable. The supporting cast members also portray their characters well, in particular Seren Sandham-Davies as Nicola, upwardly-mobile and manipulative at times; Leah Vassal as Lauren - working class, awkward but passionate, and Roddy Lynch as Don - prejudiced and aggressive at first, but eventyually brought round. The distinctive aspect of the production is the finale, labelled as "immersive" theatre: the foyer is transformed into a Milanese catwalk and the audience is invited to view the fashion show as its audience. While this innovation is a welcome one, imaginative and interesting, the movement of audience members from theatre to foyer was awkward, and the production lost momentum that was hard to recapture. This doesn't detract from a polished, well-choreographed production that remains true to the original story and its underlying themes. The show speaks oceans about accepting yourself and those who are "different". More than that, we also see a young entrepreneur act with consideration for his workers instead of pure profit, and the history of the factory being taken in a new direction to find a market for a changing society. Congratulations to Storyhouse for producing a fresh, energetic performance that makes a point of encouraging young talent. The audience showed their appreciation with a well-deserved standing ovation. More info and tickets here

If creativity runs right through you like Blackpool rock, you might want to enter the seaside town's Power Play playwriting competition. The contest is part of the Old Electric Theatre's innovative festival, which supports new writing for the stage and is running until July at Blackpool’s newest theatre. This literary competition officially launches on May 17 and invites writers to submit original scripts that showcase themes with resonance to Blackpool. The winning writer will see their script workshopped and cast for a fully-rehearsed production, which will be performed to the public and invited industry professionals on July 27. The runner-up plays will be workshopped in front of the public and invited industry professionals in July (dates to be confirmed). All submitted plays should be original pieces not previously been performed, and thematically linked to Blackpool and the current experience of living in, growing up in, or regularly visiting, Blackpool. Each piece must be between 45-75 minutes long and suitable for performance by four or fewer actors . Old Electric artistic director Melanie Whitehead, said: “The Power Plays title is intended to act as provocation for thinking about the power dynamics of Blackpoo, with a view to enacting positive change. We want to hear your stories!” The four-month festival also includes visiting artist Q&As, new live productions, a pioneering primary schools programme, peer to peer projects and keynote masterclass sessions with top literary names. More info about the writing competition here

Know your theatre: Wales’ largest producing theatre opened in 1976 next to County Hall, in a complex opened by the Queen. The theatre has a proud history of major productions with star international names. Theatr Clwyd productions are seen throughout the year both in Wales and on UK tours. Appointed as artistic director in 2023 Kate Wasserberg, formerly artistic director of new-writing company Stockroom and Cardiff's The Other Room, is overseeing an ambitious, £35m redevelopment project to create a large extension at the front, including a new three-storey foyer and restaurant, bar and cafe. The building has three performing spaces and a multi-purpose function room, and though the redevelopment will massively upgrade facilities, the theatre spaces won't be changed. The main Anthony Hopkins Theatre is a single-raked tier seating up to 569, with five wheelchair spaces. The Emlyn Williams Theatre is a flexible studio space for 147-250. Studio 2, built to TV broadcast standards, can hold up to 120 for performance events and is used as a second rehearsal space. The theatre also has a small cinema (capacity 113) and a large function room used for gigs (capacity 240). Theatr Clwyd Address: Raikes Lane, Mold, Wales CH7 1YA Phone: General inquiries and box office: 01352 344101 (line open 10am-6pm) Facilities: The theatre complex is large, containing theatre spaces and other events and refreshment facilities. The theatre website is here . Disabled visitors are well catered for with wheelchair access to all floors, disabled parking spaces, an induction loop for hearing aid users, some "relaxed" performances when audience movement and noise are acceptable, and facilities for visual impairment. See here for details. Parking: Once in the Mold area prominent signage points you to the theatre complex. Currently, an underground car park is closed but parking is available on a tiered open air car park. Avoid parking immediately in front of the building. Online box office: Go here if you haven't booked online at Theatr Clwyd before, or find the show on the website and follow the bookings link. Email box.office@theatrclwyd.com with queries.

Know your theatre: Clonter Opera Theatre, Congleton Clonter, sometimes called ‘the Glyndebourne of the North’, is on a working farm in the Cheshire countryside, not far from the Jodrell Bank radio telescope. Clonter began as informal gatherings in a barn, with seating on bales of straw. Today the venue has a 400-seat theatre (though a former hen house is still part of the backstage facilities), and a well-established programme of events. Clonter notably showcases young operatic talent, but also jazz and folk. Front of house now offers sufficient accommodation for the entire audience to enjoy a meal under one roof, either before or part-way through the performance (ordered from the house caterer or your own picnic), which is something even Glyndebourne cannot offer. Expect to meet the Cheshire set in full cry (especially after imbibing during a long interval) as your fellow opera-buffs, but this stage frequently offers future international stars in the making, so it can be worth it... Address: Swettenham Heath, Trap Rd, Congleton CW12 2LR Phone: General inquiries and box office: 01260 224514 (10am-4pm Mon-Fri and performance days). The theatre is large, the building boasting separate rooms of various sizes, allowing it to function as a theatre and for corporate hires and schools use throughout the year. The theatre website offers a range of accommodation choices for long-distance visitors. Disabled visitors are well catered for Facilities: Parking: There is a drop-off point outside the theatre entrance, and free parking. Eight bays close to the main entrance can be reserved for those with reduced mobility. Online box office: Go here if you haven't booked online at Clonter before, or here if you have. You need to open an account for online booking.

Know your theatre: Opened in 1887, the Coliseum was one of the oldest British theatres still operating, and was much loved by its loyal supporters – perhaps more so since its demise in March 2023. Once a circus, in the 1930s it was briefly a cinema before becoming the members-only Oldham Repertory Theatre. It was said to be one of the most haunted theatres in Britain, and a famous stage death occurred there in the 1940s. By the 1950s-60s the resident company helped to form the careers of Coronation Street stars Jean Alexander, Pat Phoenix, Roy Barra-clough, William Roache and local girls Barbara Knox and Anne Kirkbride. In 1978 it became the Arts Council and local authority-supported Oldham Coliseum, offering a mix of professional productions of its own and other touring shows, It was famous for its massively-popular annual pantomime. Plans for a new building were scrapped in late 2018 and the withdrawal of an Arts Council "NPO" grant in late 2022 led to the theatre's closure in March 2023. Plans are supposedly in place for a smaller replacement within three or so years, which might not retain the name. Coliseum Theatre, Oldham (closed Mar '23) Address: Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Fairbottom Street, Oldham OL1 3SW Phone: Facilities: Parking: Some on-street metered parking. Bradshaw Street car park is nearby, with a concessionary rate after 6pm. More information here Online box office: