Angela Kelly, Author at North West End UK

Shrek The Musical – Northwich Memorial Court

19May

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Shrek The Musical – Northwich Memorial Court

Knutsford Musical Theatre Company (KMTC) return to tread the boards in Northwich again, only this time it is the swamp that takes over the stage, as Shrek and friends pay a visit! Directed by Ben Ireson, the musical is based on the well-known, Oscar winning film by DreamWorks – an ambitious task perhaps but one that KMTC have wanted to embrace for several years having been given the rights to perform it five years ago. With recent outstanding performances in terms of KMTCs productions of ‘Do you hear the people sing?’ and prior to that the fabulous ‘Ghost The Musical’, it is safe to say that ‘Shrek The Musical’ is a mammoth task, surely even for this award-winning musical theatre company. Intrigued prior to the performance and with so many questions such as ‘How will the swamp appear on...

Electric Rosary – Royal Exchange Theatre

29Apr

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Electric Rosary – Royal Exchange Theatre

This week the Royal Exchange welcome the exhausted nuns from St Graces Convent to the stage in Tim Foleys award winning production ‘Electric Rosary’. Winner of the 2017 Bruntwood Judges Prize, this innovative production depicts the scenario when two very different worlds collide and ‘technology’, in its finest form, is introduced to a struggling Convent. Writer Tim Foley must be applauded for creating a very thought-provoking concept. Originality in abundance and a fascinating mix of a sense of ‘old school’ religion, a sense of sci-fi, and the issue of what faith means in the future, it is certainly like no other play around. In addition, it is also full of laugh out loud moments. Director Jazz Woodcock-Stewart ensured the cast carried out an exceptional role in combining the fairly ser...

30Mar

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

The Addams Family – Regent Theatre

The Addams family pay a visit to the neighbourhood of Stoke-on-Trent this week in all their darkest finery. Based on characters created by Charles Addams and with lyrics and music written by Tony Award nominated Andrew Lippa, it was evident from the opening that this kooky musical comedy was going to be something special. Directed by Matthew Wight, the story is essentially about ‘Wednesday’ (Kingsley Morton), daughter of Morticia and Gomez Addams. She has fallen in love with the seemingly ‘normal’ Lucas Beineke (Ahmed Hamad). Lucas and his family are invited to dinner ‘chez Addams’ and spooky dark fun over a dinner ensues. Morton’s role of ‘Wednesday’ was outstanding. With vocals entirely suited to musical theatre she commanded the stage and stomped about being the angry daughter of ...

15Mar

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Chicago – The Regent, Stoke

Originally directed by Bob Fosse, based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins and with music by John Kander, ‘Chicago’ graced the stage of the Regent Theatre in Stoke on Monday night. Directed originally by Walter Bobbie and with a recreation of the original direction by Stacey Haynes, ‘Chicago’ was set in the decadent 1920s and tells the story of the flamboyant ‘Roxie Hart’ (Faye Brookes) whose lover is murdered when he threatens to leave her. The story unfolds as she is desperate to avoid conviction. With several well-known names in this particular cast, the surprise of the night was the role of classical tenor, Russell Watson. Whilst his vocals were never in doubt, his acting was unknown but from his performance with ‘the Girls’ to ‘All I care about’ it was evident he would not disap...

10Mar

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

American Idiot – The Plaza, Northwich

Based on rock band Green Days album of the same name, and with original lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong, ‘American Idiot’, the musical, is performed by the Mid Cheshire Musical Theatre Company (MCMTC) this week. Having first performed in 2009, winning several awards including a Grammy for best musical show album, MCMTC now grace the stage at Northwich Plaza with their version directed by Louise Colohan. This energetic rock musical tells the tale of Jonny (Blair Smith), Will (Scott Heath) and Tunny (Jack Parry) and their desire to escape a very oppressive and overwhelmingly ‘hum drum’ suburbia. With a score that includes the songs from Green Days original ‘American Idiot’ album this production was certainly a brave undertaking by MCMTC. The cast were all outstanding, however it would b...

The Pirates of Penzance – Daneside Theatre

18Nov

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

The Pirates of Penzance – Daneside Theatre

‘The Pirates of Penzance’ is undoubtedly one of the most popular of all the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoires, and this week, The Daneside Theatre welcomes the Pirates to Congleton, possibly sailing via the River Dane? Performed by Congleton Amateur Youth Theatre (CAYT) this is Essgees rather unique Australian version of the show. First performed in 1994 and having gone global this was certainly a brighter, livelier version from the offset. The story is so well known by many but if you have never seen it, it relays the story of the very innocent Frederick (Alex Wilson) who is taught his Pirate apprentice skills by The Pirate King (William Vickers). It tells the tale of his time with the Pirates and Ruth (Ellie Shirley) and falling in love with Mabel (Lucy Picken). CYAT are a varied bu...

A Streetcar Named Desire – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

16Nov

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

A Streetcar Named Desire – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

First performed on Broadway in 1947, Tennessee Williams ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ is a tragedy that highlights the inequalities of society in post war America. The play particularly shares the negative effects experienced by women during this time. Associated by many as one of the most significant of all American plays, it is certainly a brave step that the Altrincham Garrick Playhouse have undertaken in performing this epic tale. For those unfamiliar with the story, the play relays the story of Blanche Dubois (Kathryn Worthington) who arrives in New Orleans from Laurel, Mississippi having been given “a leave of absence” from her teaching role. She moves into her sister Stella’s apartment (Fiona Primrose) in the unbearable heat of New Orleans that she shares with Stella’s husband, the ...

Do You Hear the People Sing? – Northwich Memorial Court

22Oct

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Do You Hear the People Sing? – Northwich Memorial Court

It’s clear to see that theatres are delighted to open their doors again all over the country and the award-winning Knutsford Musical Theatre Company (KMTC) are one company who demonstrate this as they welcome audiences back to Northwich Memorial Court this week. This is KMTCs first concert since lockdown and in an evening that provides a wide array of songs from musicals, it was obvious that the intent of the evening was certainly to be an evening of celebration. There could be no denying from the opening number of Clare Moorhouse’s performance of ‘Tell me it’s not True,’ with the KMTC from the fabulous ‘Blood Brothers’ that the quality of the entire evening was going to be exceptional. As the evening unravelled it was hard to believe that this was amateur theatre as the energy from ...

28Sep

By Angela KellyNo Comments

West Midlands

The Woman in Black – Regent Theatre

It is always great to see a show that is so well established in theatres. Having been viewed in the West End for over 30 years, Susan Hill's ‘Woman In Black’ has its routes firmly embedded on the stage. Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation ensures that this chilling, eerie story continues to put fear in to the most fearless of audiences. For those that may not be aware, and without giving the game away, the story is essentially about the retelling of a traumatic occasion in Lawyer, Arthur Kipps life and he asks ‘The Actor’ (Anthony Eden), to tell his tale. With a silent woman in black appearing when you least expect it, it is clear she is intent on seeking revenge. With just two speaking actors in the performance (Anthony Eden and Robert Goodale) the gripping tale is retold as the reality of...

Sunshine on Leith – Northwich Memorial Court

23Sep

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Sunshine on Leith – Northwich Memorial Court

After 2 years away from the stage due to Covid restrictions, Mid Cheshire Musical Theatre Company (MCMTC) invite audiences to Northwich Memorial Court for their much-awaited return, with the relatively new musical, ‘Sunshine on Leith’. Having first toured in Scotland in 2007 and then adapted into a feature film in 2013, ‘Sunshine on Leith’ is the story of Ally and Davy, two soldiers, and their eager return to civilian life in their much-loved hometown of Edinburgh following a tour in Afghanistan. It is a tale of friendship and love and the obstacles that prevent Ally and Davy returning to a life that is not quite what it was before they left.. From the very beginning it was clear that a great deal of thought and effort had gone into the styling of the set through the projection (Simo...