Angela Kelly, Author at North West End UK

Now That’s What I Call Armageddon – Daneside Theatre

14Sep

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Now That’s What I Call Armageddon – Daneside Theatre

The idea of a ‘Now’ album highlighting the songs you'd want to listen to before the end of the world is certainly an intriguing concept. Although it’s easy to forget what ‘Now’ album we are up to, this performance by Trinity Amateur Operatic Society is clearly informing us that this is the final one! This album is badged as ‘the ultimate play list for the end of the world’ and directed by Simeon Green and Simon Matthews it is undoubtedly an innovative idea. The premise of the show is essentially about the songs that the public would want to hear as the end of the world approaches. The songs are entered into different categories such as ‘Ultimate song for singing in the shower’,’ …for motivation’, and even ‘…for driving with the window down.’ The backdrop to the stage displayed a T...

Madame Chandelier Saves Opera – King’s Arms, Salford

22Jul

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Madame Chandelier Saves Opera – King’s Arms, Salford

As part of Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2024, The Kings Arm in Salford welcomes the flamboyant, some would say ‘Diva’, Madame Chandelier, aka Delea Shand. With her one woman show, it’s safe to say this performance certainly does what it intends – Madame Chandelier, and her bright pink very high wig, single handedly throws her heart and soul into her mission to ‘save Opera’. Shand is a proud Canadian and full of charisma. She has many accolades to her name and previous sell out shows at The Edinburgh Fringe. She was also nominated for best newcomer in the 2019 Manchester Fringe and is clearly master of her craft which was instant as she performed as ‘Madame Chandelier’, immediately captivating the audience. Shand is open with the audience from the beginning in a most comedic wa...

22May

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Jesus Christ Superstar – The Lowry

The musical phenomenon that is 'Jesus Christ Superstar' graces the stage at The Lowry this week. With well-known lyrics by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber this version was initially performed at London's Regent's Park open air theatre and received an Olivier for best reimagined production in 2017. Directed by Alli Coyne, the story retells the final days of the life of Jesus up to his crucifixion. It is a revamped modern version and, in many ways, feels darker and ‘edgier’ than previous productions. It is perhaps the version that feels more ‘rock opera’ when compared to other productions and this adds to its success. From the opening scene of a guitar solo- there is a an intention that the audience are watching a rock concert depicting the final days of Jesus Christ to his crucifi...

18Apr

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Kinky Boots – Crewe Lyceum

Crewe Amateur Musicals Society (CAMS) are gracing the stage of the Crewe Lyceum this week with their 100th Anniversary show and a performance of ‘Kinky Boots’ and it must be acknowledged that this is certainly a brave undertaking. Having first debuted on Broadway in 2013, with an original score by Cindy Lauper, Kinky Boots has won an impressive six Tony Awards. This interpretation, directed by Sean Johnson- Hargreaves is certainly ambitious and was performed to a very excited packed theatre. Written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth, Kinky Boots is based on a true story and tells the tale of Charlie Price who is presented with the challenge of following his late Father’s footsteps when he is forced to save the family business. He meets the colourful drag queen, Lola, who he eventually works ...

A View From the Bridge – Players Theatre

12Mar

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

A View From the Bridge – Players Theatre

Directed by Josh Holden, Arthur Miller’s classic drama, ‘A View From the Bridge' is being performed this week at the Players Theatre in Cheadle Hulme. First performed in 1955, it must be acknowledged that to take on such a classic tale is a brave undertaking for any amateur theatre company. However, one thing that is certain is that this award-winning group are consistent in their passion to produce quality productions.Set near Brooklyn Bridge, the story follows ‘Eddie Carbone’, a working-class longshoreman and the arrival of his wife Beatrice’s two cousins who arrive illegally from Italy and stay with them in their apartment. Eddie had also become fixated by his wife's niece ‘Catherine’ and struggles to keep his complicated feelings to himself. The struggle deepens as Catherine falls in l...

16Dec

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Jack and the Beanstalk – Regent Theatre

Well, it's here again (oh yes it is!), one of the most important dates in Stoke- on-Trent’s calendar. Its panto time! Written by Alan Mc Hugh, this year it is ‘Jack and The Beanstalk’ being performed at The Regent Theatre and perhaps more importantly, it is the return of Stokes very own and very much loved, Jonny Wilkes. Directed by Wilkes and Owen, both who also perform in the production, most must be familiar with this popular story of Jack who is asked to sell Daisy the cow at Market and returns with a bag of beans. The beans grow into a colossal beanstalk that Jack must climb to get to the top and save the day. Wilkes plays the part of Jack, a (very) simple soul who sells the families beloved cow ‘Daisy’ at the market (Leek Market that is). Wilkes is a master at treading the fine...

28Nov

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

God of Carnage – Cheadle Players

Written by Yasmina Reza, ‘God of Carnage’, a play that was originally written in French and translated by Christopher Hampton, graces the stage of the Players Theatre in Cheadle Hulme this week. Directed by Bruce Taylor, this was certainly an interesting performance choice from an amateur theatre company. Having been lucky enough to see Reza’s play ‘Art’ in London's West End in the late 1990’s it was exciting to see another of her plays. ‘God of Carnage’ was certainly a challenge to an amateur theatre company. Proud owner of a Tony Award in 2009, the story is set in a New York apartment. It relays the story of two couples, ‘Veronica’ (Sarah Howsam), and ‘Michael’ (Matthew Powell). The second couple, ‘Annette’ (Alexandra Severn) and ‘Alan’ (Christopher Billington) are invited to discuss ...

1Nov

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

2:22 A Ghost Story – The Lowry

Written by Danny Robins and directed by Matthew Dunster and Isabel Marr, ‘2:22 A Ghost Story’ is an Olivier Award nominated thriller that first premiered in the West End in 2021. Having already captivated the West End, this gripping story is now on the move to impress more audiences across the country. Appropriately opening at the Lowry on the evening of Halloween only added to the audience’s anticipation. The story is essentially about the potential haunting of a new home. New mum ‘Jenny’ (Louisa Lytton) argues that the house is haunted and her husband, science obsessed ‘Sam’ (Nathaniel Curtis), vehemently disagrees. Over the night Jenny becomes more and more desperate to quash all of Sams ‘scientific theories’ as she is convinced there are strange ‘ghostly’ occurrences in the house. &...

The Ocean at the End of the Lane – Regent Theatre, Stoke on Trent

13Sep

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

The Ocean at the End of the Lane – Regent Theatre, Stoke on Trent

The award-winning fantasy novel, ‘The Ocean at the end of the Lane’ written by Neil Gaiman has now been adapted by Joel Horwood for stage and is performed at The Regent Theatre in Stoke on Trent this week. With its sold-out debut at the National Theatre and having received several Olivier Award nominations, it was intriguing to see the translation from book to stage. Directed by Katie Rudd the story centres around a man who is transported back to the time of his 12th birthday. Gaiman himself wrote it as a short story for his wife to share aspects of his childhood with her and stated that he was keen for it to contain ‘emotion’ as this is what she loved. It certainly delivers on what Gaiman intended, as from the opening scene it was clear that the story was taking us in a magical and myt...

How I Met My Mother – Ukraine Fringe Online

23Aug

By Angela KellyNo Comments

REVIEWS

How I Met My Mother – Ukraine Fringe Online

Produced by RibbitRePublic Theatre and being performed for Ukraine Fringe, ‘How I Met my mother’ is a solo performance by Jonathan Paterson. Directed by Vanesa Quesnelle the show is an autobiographical narrative of one man’s experience of living with his mother who has Dementia. The story telling is on point from the opening of the show- Paterson is immediately charming, warm and engaging. Stage presence comes naturally to Paterson and the audience are captivated. His storytelling is relayed both in the present time and also in the past as he alternates between the two which works well as he relays his story with nothing held back. The show provides an insight into Paterson as a performer also through his honesty in relation to his ADHD, explaining this to the audience as he closes a do...