St. Helens Theatre Royal Announces Winter 2013 Season.

With another spectacular season drawn to a close, St. Helens Theatre Royal is delighted to announce what it has in store for audiences for the remainder of 2013.

October provides hilarious comedy courtesy of Jongleurs Comedy Club, the U.K.’s leading comedy outlet dedicated to bringing the biggest and brightest comics straight to the theatre for you pleasure. Comics Steve Shanyaski, Alex Boardman and Will E. Robo, under the watchful eye of M.C. Mickey D. are heading to the Theatre Royal for the first time ever to provide laughs a minute evening of comedy capers.

The Theatre Royal is delighted to welcome back a number of firm favourites this October including  Jack the Ripper: a 21st Century Investigation; a must see presentation where retired British Police murder squad detective and leading Ripper expert Trevor Marriot brings to light new facts on the world’s most infamous cold case. They also have Let’s Hang On; a celebration of the music and magic of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Dominic Kirwan, Ireland’s finest performer of country, pop, traditional Irish music and, of course, his trademark show-stopping ballads.

Music will be provided for this October as The Johnny Cash Roadshow; the number one tribute to the great Johnny Cash and one of the highlights of this season is the return of the hotly anticipated Regal Entertainments’ autumn production and the Theatre Royal is pleased to announce that The Ciggie Run is back! Running from 16th – 19th October Brookside favourite Louis Emerick is back in role of Chrissie alongside Kev Seed, Charlie Griffiths, Ben Engelen, John F. Doull and Ozzie Yue as they bring to life the laugh a minute tales of Chrissie, Franna and Lash as they plan a ciggie run to subsidise their income during the recession with hilarious consequences.

Comedy icon Ken Dodd will perform for one night only and the sound of legendary Rock band Queen will bring the roof down on this October as the theatre hosts an evening with the Magic – A Kind of Queen; the first and still the best tribute to the world’s finest performers. Returning to the Theatre Royal after last year’s production of Evita, The Phoenix Youth Theatre is proud to present Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most popular musical The Phantom of the Opera. Running for five performances and performed by a cast of 18-21 year olds, showcasing the cream of the North West’s up and coming theatrical talent, The Phantom of the Opera features classic songs such as The Music of the Night, All I Ask of You and Masquerade. This performance has been arranged with special permission from The Really Useful Group and will be accompanied by a live orchestra playing the original West End orchestrations.

After a chock-a-block October a charming performance will be opening up November as the spectacular Essence of Ireland will be on hand on with their brand new all singing all dancing show which combines breathtaking dance routines with the very best of Irish music and a touch of Irish craic. ELO Experience is back with their own tribute to Birmingham’s greatest musical export and Vienna Festival Ballet be entrancing audiences with Snow White, the latest in their critically acclaimed ballets.

December can only mean one thing; the critically acclaimed St. Helens panto is back for 2013 and is set to be the biggest and best show ever as Regal Entertainments brings Peter Pan to the stage as this year’s festive feast. Each year, the theatre royals Christmas panto get bigger and bigger and this year’s outing is set to the most adventurous yet as Strictly Come Dancing megastar Brian Fortuna will be swapping La La Land for Neverland and taking to the stage in the role of Peter Pan alongside much in demand Theatre Royal favourites Nick Cochrane, Leah Murphy, Clare Simmo, Richard De Vere, Charlie Griffiths and Marc Lawlor and Simon Foster this will be a truly magical end to an outstanding year!

Chantelle Nolan, Theatre Manager said “I couldn’t wish for a better line-up for our brand new season. With many shows returning after successful runs the Theatre Royal is the place to be this winter. I am personally excited about the return of The Ciggie Run; a show which is always a smash hit with our audience, and not forgetting of course Peter Pan; the latest of our critically acclaimed pantos. It was a real coup for the theatre royal to have landed Strictly star Brian Fortuna as our Peter and it just goes to show that the Theatre is going from strength to strength.”