Ron Ellis’ Theatre column

The play is one part of The Norman Conquests trilogy, which charts the wildly comic events at a country house over the course of a weekend.

The action revolves around Norman (played by Tom Courtney in the West End), a lascivious librarian who just wants to make people happy – especially himself.

He has designs upon Annie.

The only problem is he is married to her sister, Ruth, and Tom, the village vet, is trying to pluck up the courage to ask Annie to marry him.

Then there’s Annie and Ruth’s brother Reg and Reg’s wife Sarah, who Norman has also taken a shine to.

Add in parsnip wine, a proposed dirty weekend in East Grinstead and some missing fuse wire and you have the recipe for hilarity and hysterics as Norman tosses one emotional bomb after another into the bosom of his wife’s family.

Ayckbourn is a master at revealing the frustrations that bubble beneath the surface of family relationships and sheds light upon marriage, love and passion whilst giving us plenty of laughs.

Sell A Door Theatre Company presents the Broadway and West End smash-hit Avenue Q The Musical live at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool ,from Tuesday-Saturday, July 1-5. 7.30pm evening 2.30pm Sat. Matinees 2pm.

Avenue Q was the winner of the 2004 Tony award for best new musical, best book of a musical and best original score!

Directed and choreographed by Cressida Carré, it is a laugh-out-loud musical that tells the story of a recent college graduate named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q.

There, he meets Kate Monster (the girl next door), Rod (the Republican), Trekkie Monster (the internet sexpert), Lucy the Slut and other colourful types who help Princeton finally discover his true purpose in life!

Tuesday-Saturday Evenings at 7.30pm. Saturday: Matinee at 2pm. Box Office: 01253 74 33 39 or visit blackpoolgrand.co.uk.

The award-winning Una Voce Opera Company is holding its Annual Summer Soiree on Saturday, July 5 at St Edward Hall, Sacred Heart Catholic College, Great Crosby.

Doors open at 6pm for 6.30pm and guests will be served with strawberries, cream and sparkling wine.

The concert features songs from Musicals, Operettas and Shows performed by Natasha Agarwal, soprano; Faye Anglesea, mezzo-soprano; Maria Caravanas, mezzo-soprano; John Pattison, tenor; Lorna Rushton, soprano; Ben Sweeney, tenor and Ehren Agarwal.

Accompaniment is by Miss Kirsty Ligertwood (musical director) and the Guest of Honour is The Right Reverend Monsignor John Furnival.

Tickets (incl.refreshments), are £12, Concessions £10.