Thursday April 5, 2012, The Times 25

Your guideWhat’s to what’s on, where and when On www.LONDON24.com Hey girls, its Orton’s satirical farce keeps its lustre raining men! Committed cast serve up a New show Raining Men is at the Woodville Halls theatre, in Gravesend, for three nights treat with cherries on top to mark the new season. If Joe Orton intended The scene was complete The cheeky musical comedy Loot to satirise contem- with Mrs McLeavy’s live-in features tunes from Barbara porary British attitudes nurse, Fay, most ably played Streisand, Shirley Bassey »towards death, catholicism, by Sarah O’Hanlon (step- and Judy Garland and tells the police and the judiciary, ping in at short notice), who the story of a bouncer, DJ the acerbic cut and thrust of manipulated the entire situ- and barman putting on a his 1965 farce was no less ation. surprising show. successful and lost none of With total matter-of- Described as The Full Monty its relevance in this produc- factness she commandeers meets Priscilla, Queen of the tion at Bexleyheath’s Ed- Mrs McLeavy’s clothes, Desert, the adult show has ward Alderton Theatre. wriggles out of an arrest for received rave reviews. While we may be less murder and secures a cut of scandalised today by Or- the proceeds. This was a Raining Men will run from ton’s writing, Viv Stapleton performance to relish. April 26 to 28. Tickets cost successfully directs a cast £17, group discounts are who deliver the ordinari- Seductive available. No under-16s are ness of the text with convic- However, it was not the allowed. tion. And the audience was only one. The cherries on treated to strong perform- Orton’s cake were the por- N For more details, call 01474 ances from a committed trayal of the forces of law 337774 or visit www. cast. and order played by Rich- woodvillehalls.com. Richard Banks presented ard Self, supported by Tom a suitably pathetic Mapleson, a young consta- McLeavy. ble Meadows. Broadway Waiting to bury his wife, Self excels as Truscott (of around whose death there the Yard), eking out every N Richard Self as Inspector Truscott and Sarah O’Hanlon as Fay in Joe Orton’s Loot are increasing whiffs of line with perfection. musical hit suspicion, he blended both His performance was se- naivety and resilience in a ductive with its “reasoned” Broadway musical hit Hello charming Irish brogue. morality and professional What’s playing where in theatres Dolly is being staged by the Steve Padgham, a slightly authority, convincing us in Sidcup Operatic Society at fey Hal, along with his side- a final satirical twist that it , Bromley 020 8858 7755 Sat, 7.30pm; Paul Merton – Out the Theatre in kick, Dennis, played by Rod would almost be ungracious 020 8464 7131 greenwichtheatre.org.uk. of My Head, April 9, 8pm. Wythfield Street, , Henderson, both reflected to refuse bribery at the end. www.atgtickets.com/The- Adventures in Wonderland, from April 18 to April 21, at the Ortonesque fascination What a treat! Churchill. April 6-9, 7.30pm. The Woodville Halls, Graves- 7.45pm, with a Saturday Steve Spencer for bad taste and amorality, Dancing Queen, until Sat, end matinee at 2.30pm. lugging the coffin around The Orchard Theatre 01474 337774 www.gravesham. 7.45pm ; WWOS Titanic the Tickets cost from £10.50 the room in order to replace The company’s next 01322 220000 gov.uk N Musical, April 11-14, 7.45pm. from the box office on 020 the body with the proceeds production is Strippers, May www.orchardtheatre.co.uk Show Me – Chris and Pui 8301 2681. from their bank robbery. 19-26. Theatre Dancing in the Streets, until April 12, 11am and 2pm. WEEKEND BOOT SALES Got something Birchmere Park, Southwood Road to celebrate? SE28 Saturdays, Sundays & Bank Holiday Monday Sellers 9am, Buyers 10am OPEN ALL YEAR - Cars £12 Vans £15 Free car parks & entry, toilets & refreshments 07508 248 392 MICHAEL JACKSON BIG SUNDAY TRIBUTE BOOT SALE The King of Pop, Back once again Fisher FC, Salter Road, SE16 5LH (near tunnel/Tesco) SATURDAY 2nd JUNE 2012 EVERY SUNDAY 11am HEN NIGHT Sellers from 10am Cars £10. Vans £15. Buyers 9-10am £1. From 10am 50p SPECTACULAR Whatever your Pay on entry. No booking needed. VV busy Male Dance Troop, Drag Compere special occasion, Easy Parking. No dogs. 1000s bargains & a few suprises as well share it with Massive Site • Very Very Busy • 381 bus SATURDAY 14th JULY 2012 FamilyNotices24 Bargains • Caterers • Toilets • Attractions All of our Tribute Nights include a four course meal, cabaret in-print and online. South ’s busiest Boot Sale and disco till 1am on a Friday and 2am on a Saturday For further details or to make a booking contact a member of our events team. Discounts / Bookings / Information The Inn on the Lake, A2 Shorne, Gravesend, Kent .co.uk www.boot.sales.com or phone 020 8309 5696 www.innonlake.co.uk 01474 823333