Something for everyone as Port Sunlight’s Gladstone Theatre announces new season line-up

Aug 20 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

PORT Sunlight’s Gladstone Theatre is serving up a stellar selection of musicals, plays and variety during its new season.

The season launches on Saturday, August 30 with a unique concert, “An Evening of Song and Brass” featuring the Swansong choir together with the Port Sunlight Lyceum Brass Band.

Other highlights include the return of the Riverside Players with their production of Jane Austen’s classic novel “Pride and Prejudice” and The Business of Murder, performed by Bebington Dramatic Society.

The Port Sunlight Players are presenting Terry Pratchett’s “Wyrd Sisters” in October and Wallasey Operatic Society members return to the theatre later in the same month with “Oliver!”

The festive season will see the popular Pauline Daniels on stage with “Pauline’s Christmas Comedy Cracker” and the Houghton Weavers performing a special Christmas concert.

The Port Sunlight Players’ annual pantomime will be “Jack & Jill” - followed by Hoylake and West Kirby Theatre Group’s annual rock and pop pantomime in January.

Theatre marketing co-ordinator Alan Davies said: “Even this side of Christmas we’ve got four plays and four musicals and we’ve mixed that up with a small amount of one-act variety shows, including the return of Billy and Wally.

“The plays go from farce to serious drama, for example we’ve got Pride and Prejudice, which is the first time for many years that the Riverside Players have come into the theatre.”

Last season was the most successful yet at the Gladstone and proceeds have been ploughed into further theatre improvements.

During the summer recess the performance box office has been extended and additional stage and technical equipment has been installed.

Alan added: “Last year we were more fully booked than ever before and we had more evenings when we were open for public performances.

“Our audiences increased by 23 per cent in total over the year and as a result we’ve been able to channel money back into theatre improvements. The new season is a good mix and we hope there’s something to suit everyone.”

For more information about the new season visit www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk or call the box office on 643 8757.