Drama, dance and music for all tastes in a varied spring season (From Malvern Gazette)

Drama, dance and music for all tastes in a varied spring season

9:59am Friday 23rd November 2007

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THE Laurence Olivier award-winning play The Blackbird is among the highlights of Malvern Theatres' new spring season.

David Harrower's internationally acclaimed tale of two people who meet again 15 years after sharing an affair comes to Malvern from April 29-May 3 as part of its first ever UK tour.

Theatres chief executive Nic Lloyd said The Blackbird was one of several highlights among a very strong season.

"I think we've put together a very good, diverse programme, and I believe it's one of the strongest spring seasons we have had for some years," he said. "I'm really very pleased with it."

The season will also see a host of star names, many already familiar to Malvern audiences, treading the boards in a mix of new plays and classic favourites.

From February 11-16, Felicity Kendal stars in a new production of Noel Coward's The Vortex, which calls at the theatre prior to a run in London's West End.

The Vortex, regarded as the play that sealed Coward's reputation as one of the all-time greats, explores the narcissism of London's late 1920s aristocracy, focusing on the tempestuous relationship between glamorous socialite Florence Lancaster (Kendal) and her hedonistic son Nicky.

Vicar of Dibley and Four Weddings and a Funeral star James Fleet is also returning to the theatre, starring as hapless Euro-MP Philip Wardrobe in Richard Bean's new comedy In The Club, from February 18-23.

Edward Fox takes the lead in Legal Fictions, a double-bill of legal dramas from Rumpole of the Bailey writer John Mortimer, from April 14-19.

Nigel Havers will star in Alan Bennett's Single Spies in April, Simon Callow in the acclaimed Equus during May, and the English Touring Theatre returns with Uncle Vanya, directed by the legendary Sir Peter Hall and starring Neil Pearson.

Musical fans are well catered for, with Fiddler on the Roof, Hello Dolly and Blood Brothers on the horizon, while January sees the return of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, featuring Craig Chalmers from hit BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do.

The Russian State Ballet of Siberia visits Malvern from March 3-8 and dance enthusiasts can also enjoy Bahok, the new production from the Akram Khan Company and the National Ballet of China.

Another coup is the first visit of the Russian State Opera of Siberia, performing Madam Butterfly and La Boheme from May 19-24 as part of a drive to attract more international touring artists to Malvern.

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra will conclude its 2007-8 residency with shows in February, March and April and there will also be one-off shows from Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, comedian Jim Davidson, and legendary cricket commentator Henry Blofeld.

For tickets to any of the shows, call 01684 892277 or book online at www.malvern-theatres.co.uk.

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