Leatherhead Theatre to stage Birds of a Feather

Birds of a Feather is coming to the stage in March.

The three stars of what was one of the BBC’s most popular sitcoms are re-united and will re-create their adored characters; sisters Sharon, Tracy and their sex-mad neighbour, Dorien with its original leading cast members, Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph.

Birds of a Feather ran for nearly 10 years throughout the 1990s becoming a massive hit and remains not only a classic comedy but also, as a female-centred long-running series, a truly rare gem.

This production was especially created for theatre by The Comedy Theatre Company, producers of the highly-successful tour of Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies.

Birds of a Feather runs from Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 March at The Leatherhead Theatre, 7 Church Street, Leatherhead KT22 8DN. Email boxoffice@the-theatre.org. Telephone 01372 365141.

Joely Richardson at the Rose Theatre

Award-winning film and television actress Joely Richardson makes a welcome return to the London stage for this major revival of Henrik Ibsen’s The Lady From The Sea.

Ellida (Joely Richardson) is married to Dr Wangel, and lives with him and his two daughters. But she feels claustrophobic and restless and swims in the sea every day. Ten years ago she promised herself to another man. On a late summer’s day he comes to claim her.

Ibsen’s elusive masterpiece offers a surprisingly optimistic answer to the riddle that he posed in A Doll’s House: happiness in marriage is possible, but only under the right conditions…

The Lady From The Sea is directed by Stephen Unwin, who has been widely hailed for his five productions of Ibsen, including an award winning Hedda Gabler at the Donmar.

The Lady From The Sea runs from Thursday 23 February to Saturday 17 March at the Rose Theatre Kingston. Telephone 08444 821556.

Murder On The Nile at Theatre Royal Windsor

Now in its seventh sensational year, the Agatha Christie Theatre Company presents a stylish new production of the queen of crime’s classic thriller Murder on the Nile. On board a steamer, cruising under the scorching Egyptian sun, honeymooners Simon Mostyn and his wealthy socialite wife Kay find themselves being pursued by an old flame of the newly wedded groom... Then tragedy strikes...

A body is discovered. And all fingers point to Simon’s ex fiancée. But everything is not what it seems, and holidaying cleric Canon Pennefather is drawn into a web of intrigue and deceit as he finds himself on the trail of a ruthless murderer.

Presented by the official Agatha Christie Theatre Company and starring Kate O’Mara, prolific stage actress and star of such TV hits as Dynasty and Bad Girls, Denis Lill, whose extensive TV career most recently includes ITV’s hit drama The Royal and Doctor Who, Susie Amy, star of 71 Degrees North and Footballer’s Wives, Chloe Newsome, who played Vicky McDonald in Coronation Street, Ben Nealon, fondly remembered as Capt Jeremy Forsythe from the long running ITV drama Soldier Soldier and ‘60s pop idol, Mark Wynter.

When: Tuesday 10 to Saturday 21 January. Monday to Saturday from 8.00pm. Additional shows Thursdays at 2.30pm and Saturdays at 4.45pm.
Where: Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, Windsor SL4 1PS. Telephone 01753 853888.

Much Ado to be staged in post war setting

Fast & Loose will be performing Much Ado About Nothing at the Riverhouse Barn in February.

Shakespeare’s comedy of wit, deceit and unlikely romance is here set among the spivs, home front and returning heroes of World War II.

As the troops come home from the war, two old adversaries - Beatrice and Benedick - resume their own private hostilities. To bring these two together will take the Commander’s greatest strategic skills.

Director David Cottis comes back to Fast & Loose following his successful and original productions of Dr Faustus and The Comedy of Errors.

Much Ado About Nothing is at the Riverhouse Barn, Walton-on-Thames KT12 2PF from Wednesday 15 to Saturday 18 February. Telephone 01932 253354. Visit www.riverhousebarn.co.uk

Sense and Sensibility

The award-winning Rosemary Branch Theatre in association with Tennison’s Quirk and Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre will be presenting Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen’s classic story of two sisters and their search for love in a society bound by financial fortune.

Elinor keeps her head, Marianne loses her heart in this comedy of manners and marriage, with beautiful imagery, original music, humour and heartbreak.

Sense and Sensibility will be staged from 7.30pm on Friday 23 March at The Vera Fletcher Hall, 4 Embercourt Road, Thames Ditton KT7 0LQ.

Telephone 0844 8848832. Visit www.rosemarybranch.co.uk 

Quince Players perform Cinderella to packed house

There is a party at the Cordes Hall and everyone is invited!

Cinderella is looking for her Prince Charming but her wicked Stepmother and ugly sisters will try anything to stop her going to the Ball.  With the help of her Fairy Godmother, buttons and her loveable dog, Max, can Cinderella make it to the Ball before time runs out? What has Grimelda put in Baron Von Trapdoor’s tea? And just who are Dim and Wit?

Go and enjoy another celebrated and much loved Quince Players pantomime with great songs and fun throughout.

When: Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 and Wednesday 18 to Saturday 21 January 2012 at 7.30pm (Please note: Many performances already sold out).
Where: Cordes Hall, Sunninghill. Telephone 01344 874200. Visit www.quinceplayers.co.uk/

Pantomime time in Windlesham

Windlesham Drama Group present Paul Reakes’ pantomime “King Arthur” at The Windlesham Theatre on Friday 3 February from 7.30pm and on Saturday 4 February from 2.30pm and 6.30pm. Tickets are £7 for adults and £4 for children. Telephone 01276 472870. Email treasurer@windleshamdramagroup.com. The Windlesham Theatre is in Kennel Lane, Windlesham GU20 6AA.