Tony Barker talks theatre

And over to Tony:
The big news in theatreland this month is that the only radio station in this area with a focus on the stage is devoting more airtime to it. Canalside Community Radio’s Theatre Show is now 50% longer and is now on the air from 6.30-8pm on Thursdays. The show, presented by theatre enthusiast Tony Barker, first went on the air in December 2008 when the community radio station was launched. The programme has a primary focus on amateur theatre and there are some 15 dramatic societies which have been featured since the start. Once a month, the show welcomes David Chadderton, the Macclesfield-based writer of the British Theatre Guide for the North West, to look at productions in the Manchester area and general theatre news. Tony says: “Although Canalside Radio’s area is really Macclesfield and surrounding small towns and villages, people travel greater distances to theatre, so you can hear about productions in Congleton, Knutsford, New Mills and Cheadle Hulme during the show, and have a chance of winning tickets for various productions.” Over the next month, you can hear about the highlights of the Gawsworth Open Air Theatre Festival which starts in July, plus the Wilmslow One-Act Play Festival, and, of course, about the theatrical highlights of the Bollington Festival. Canalside Community Radio 102.8FM and online at www.ccr-fm.co.uk<http://www.ccr-fm.co.uk/>. 27 April – 2 May Talking Heads at MADS, Little Theatre, Lord Street, Macclesfield. The group performs three of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads: the monologues of Her Big Chance, A Lady of Letters, and A Cream Cracker Under the Settee. Tickets 01625 611974. 7.45pm start. 5-9 May The Importance of Being Earnest by Bollington Festival Players, Arts Centre, Bollington. Tickets: 01625 875326. 11 May The Tragical History of Dr Faustus by Christopher Marlow on Monday 11 May, 8pm, Festival Marquee. Tickets £10 and £6. 17 May An Audience with Barrie Rutter, the artistic director of the Northern Broadsides Theatre, 8pm, Festival Marquee. £10. 23 May Wind in the Willows by the Leeds Theatre Touring Company, 2pm, Festival Marquee. £8, children £3. 23 May John Godber’s Weekend Breaks – family holidays at their worst in his gritty northern style. Leeds Library Touring Company. 5pm, Festival Marquee. £10 and £6. 26-30 May Anything Goes, by the Bollington Light Opera Group, Civic Hall, tel 01625 431038.Do you have any theatre news? Contact Tony by emailing petuariapress@hotmail.com.