Around the South (From Daily Echo)

Around the South

10:01am Friday 20th January 2012 in Stage News By Lorelei Reddin, Entertainments Editor

ANTON du Beke and Erin Boag return with a sensational new show.

The popular dance couple will be joined by singer Lance Ellington, superb guest dancers and a Live Orchestra conducted by Richard Balcombe.

The show includes music from George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Kander & Ebb and Cole Porter featuring classic hits such as An American in Paris, Fascinating Rhythm, It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing), The Blue Danube Waltz, Don’t Rain on My Parade, Cavatina and many more.

Anton and Erin’s Let’s Do It is at Bourenmouth’s Pavilion theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday.

n THE smash hit production of Jonathan Lynn and Antony Jay’s play Yes, Prime Minister will tour again from Monday, starting at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Prime Minister Jim Hacker and Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby face a country in financial meltdown.

The only prospect of salvation comes from morally dubious allies – leading to deliciously comic consequences.

The show’s Graham Seed is best known for his role as Nigel Pargetter in BBC Radio Four’s The Archers since 1983.

An associate member of RADA, Michael Simkins has made film and television appearances as well as starring as Billy Flynn in Chicago and in Mamma Mia.

Yes, Prime Minister runs until February 4.

n BILL Kenwright’s production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s family musical Joseph is at Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts next week.

Any Dream Will Do runner up Keith Jack takes on the title role.

Retelling the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours, this magical musical includes the songs songs Those Canaan Days and Close Every Door To Me.

n THE Haymarket in Basingstoke begins the New Year with an inspiring play about the transforming power of theatre.

Our Country’s Good, which won the Olivier Award for Best Play when first performed, runs from Wednesday to Saturday before beginning a national tour.

Written in 1988 by British playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker, and based on real events, Our Country’s Good charts the true story of the first penal colony in Sydney, Australia during 1788.

A British ship arrives with a cargo of soldiers and convicts, transported abroad for their country’s good.

As the soldiers struggle to impose order on the outcasts of the old society, a benevolent governor seizes on the notion of a play. In the shadow of the gallows and the gum tree, the convicts gather under the direction of 2nd Lieutenant Ralph Clarke and rehearsals begin for ‘The Recruiting Officer’.

The inspiring and engaging tale stars Aden Gillett (Jack Maddox in The House Of Elliott) and Philip Whitchurch (Chief Inspector Philip Cato in The Bill).

n Brendan Cole – Live and Unjudged will return to the Kings Theatre in Southsea tonight.

Join Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendan and his fantastic cast of dancers and musicians for an evening of live music, dazzling performance and all the magic of dance.

This intimate show, bursting with all your Ballroom and Latin favorites, will give you an up close and personal evening with one of Strictly’s most charismatic performers.