Theatre and dance

Box Office Hot Tickets

April 23, 2009

Philip Pullman's acclaimed fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials becomes a two-part stage spectacle at Oxford Playhouse, next week.

Nicolas Wright’s adaptation of the books into two plays uses both actors and puppets to bring Pullman’s magical story – set partly in Oxford itself – to life.

The production has performances from Wednesday to Sunday. For tickets call 01865 305305 or log on to www.oxfordplayhouse.com.

In an event marking the Playhouse’s 70th anniversary Pullman will discuss the trilogy and his thoughts on the stage show tomorrow at 5pm.

Liza Goddard and Christopher Cazenove play a pair of cash-strapped aristocrats who are facing financial ruin in a new play currently being performed in Windsor.

To get themselves back on track they decide to allow tourists into their stately home for guided tours, only to find that one guest has rather more than sightseeing on his mind.

The production is a revival of the West End comedy hit The Grass Is Greener and is currently being performed at The Theatre Royal in Windsor until Saturday, May 3.

For tickets, call the theatre on 01753 853888 or log on to www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk.

Shakespeare’s delightful comedy Twelfth Night is at The Haymarket in Basingstoke in a visiting production from the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.

The play promises a glorious mix of song, bawdy humour, drunken antics and high-flown passions

It runs until Saturday, May 3. For tickets call 01256 844244 or visit www.anvilarts.org.uk.

Judith Kerr’s picture book The Tiger Who Came To Tea, is on stage at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud until Saturday.

The family-friendly play is packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos.

David Wood’s musical adaptation has performances in the morning and afternoon.

For tickets call 01483 440000 or log on to www. yvonne-arnaud.co.uk.

On Sunday little ones can enjoy a new production of a play about a hippo and his birthday present.

In Little Hippo and His Magic Pen, a small hippo sees amazing things in a red pen, given to him by his father. The question is how can he get them out?

The Tam Tam Theatre will present its interactive show at 11.30am and 2pm. For tickets call the box office on (0118) 960 6060 or log on to www. readingarts.com.

A trio of local plays will be performed on Reading stages this weekend.

The Shinfield Players present their adaptation of Lust at Whitley Wood theatre from Friday to Sunday (and again next weekend).

The 16th century set play is a bawdy farce not suitable for under 16s. For tickets, call (0118) 975 8880.

The Sherfield Players present three one-act comedy dramas in The Tristram Trio, again this weekend. The show will be performed from today until Saturday. For tickets, call 01256 882426.

Finally, the Triangle Players in Tilehurst will turn the Methodist Church Hall into its stage for Peter Coke’s comedy Mink, which sees a gaggle of friends seek their fame and fortune by selling on some furs.

It has performances on Friday and Saturday. For tickets, call (0118) 967 8168.

Box Office

Basingstoke – Central Studio

An Audience with Paul Daniels. Sat. 5 Nights, 10 Plays … 100 Years. Apr 27-May 1. Details: 01256 418318.

Basinsgstoke – The Anvil

Elkie Brooks. Thurs. London Mozart Players. Fri. Andy Parsons Citizens! Sat. The Fureys and Davey Arthur. Sun. Pam Tillis. Tues. Flames of the Dance. Weds. Details: 01256 844244.

Basingstoke – The Haymarket

Twelfth Night. Until May 2. Details: 01256 844244.

Bracknell – South Hill Park

Stones in His Pockets. Until Sat. Oumou Sangare. Sun. Lucky Sods. Apr 29-May 2. Details: 01344 484123.

Didcot – Cornerstone Arts

Howard Read, Steve Day, Tom Craine. Fri. The Rats. Sat. Details: 01235 515144.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud

Killing Time. Until Sat. The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Thurs-Sat. Details: 01483 440000.

High Wycombe – Swan

All The Fun of the Fair. Until Sat. Beyond the Barricade. Sun. 10cc. Tues. Details: 01494 512000.

Maidenhead – Norden Arts Centre

Celebrity Piano Recital: Joanna MacGregor. Sat. Little Hippo and His Magic Pen. Sat. Marc Joseph. Sat. The Rest is Silence – The Tao of Hamlet. Tues. Maidenhead Drama Festival. Apr 28-May 2. Film club presents: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (12a). Thurs. Details: 01628 788997.

Newbury – The Watermill

The Merchant of Venice and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Until May 2. Details: 01635 46044.

Newbury – Corn Exchange

Ross Duo – cello and piano. Fri. Humble Boy. Sat. James Lisney. Weds. Details: 01635 522733.

Newbury – New Greenham Arts

Helen Watson. Fri. Details: 01635 522733.

Oxford – Playhouse

Fiddler on the Roof. Until Sat. His Dark Materials. Apr 29-May 3. Details: 01865 305305.

Oxford – New Theatre

Manon. Until Sat. Chicago. Apr 27-May 2. Details: 0844 847 1585.

Reading – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane

Lust. Fri-26. Details: (0118) 975 8880.