Brian Madden, Author at North West End UK

Lord of the Dance: 25 Years of Standing Ovations – Palace Theatre

15Jul

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Lord of the Dance: 25 Years of Standing Ovations – Palace Theatre

It's hard to believe that 25 years have passed since Michael Flatley stepped aside from Riverdance and created Lord of the Dance. In fact, it's now 28 years since that spectacular Eurovision interval act, that I still think to this day is the only interval act to overshadow the song contest itself! Since then, it has gone on to sell over 60 million tickets in over 1000 venues across the world. It puts such a joyous smile on your face to watch these fantastic dancers in action. The audience were clapping along and cheering from the very beginning. I think it's the positive energy the show gives us that makes it so infectious. Gerard Fahy who composed the music for the original show has written some new music for this production. It feels more like an update than brand new material. ...

14Jul

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

The Hunchback of Notre Dame – Z Arts

Based on the 1831 novel by Victor Hugo, the Hunchback of Notre Dame has been transcribed into a musical with a little help from the 1996 Walt Disney production. The play itself has been written by Peter Parnell, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The Manchester Musical Youth group have decided to tackle this classic as their latest production. It must be said it’s been a good few years since I’ve seen the Hunchback of Notre Dame and this production is certainly a lot darker than I remember the Disney movie. There’s also the addition of new songs. Even though the play is set in Paris, it almost has a Greek feel to it. The numerous statues and gargoyles almost act as a chorus that is quite typical of many Greek plays such as Suppliant Women. From that point of vi...

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – International Anthony Burgess Foundation

9Jul

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – International Anthony Burgess Foundation

Set in the 1980s, Time & Again's production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is certainly an interesting take on the Shakespeare classic. Up until now this production had been staged outdoors in parks across the country, this seemed liked the first indoor production. You can tell a lot of thought has gone into this production and interpretation from Directors Laura Crow and Jon Turner. Comparing the Rude Mechanicals to the striking miners of the 1980s is a really fascinating concept. Also, the costumes are just absolutely on point - I'm sure the local charity shops were raided but I think we had it all from 'Frankie Says Relax' to the iconic 1980s perm. You can see there is more than a nod to the new romantics' movement taken for inspiration here. However, I must admit one thing I wa...

5Jul

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Sister Act – Palace Theatre, Manchester

30 years ago, Whoopi Goldberg played potentially her most iconic role of Deloris Van Cartier in the blockbuster classic; Sister Act. The movie has since been transferred to the stage as a musical. Despite being postponed two years due to the pandemic, it was definitely worth the wait and is of course, ‘Fabulous Baby’! In a cast that boasts many well-known faces including Jennifer Saunders, Keala Settle and Lesley Joseph, in comparison it is the relatively unknown ‘Sandra Marvin’ who plays the leading role. She certainly brought the sass needed to play the iconic role of Deloris. However, if I am being constructive, she does have a great voice, but it’s not that wow start quality that I would have expected from the leading lady. Saunders was hilarious in the role of Mother Superior. S...

18Jun

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

The Kid – HOME, Manchester

Charlie Chaplin is one of those iconic movie characters that I am embarrassed to admit I've never seen on screen until Manchester Camerata's live orchestral accompaniment of The Kid. The beauty of his movies is that a story can be followed without the use of dialogue. At first, I thought this would be screened on one of the cinema screens at HOME, however it took place in their main theatre space. The movie is projected onto a screen at the back of the stage. Given the movie was originally released in 1921, the person who managed to digitally restore and bring it up to viewable quality should be applauded. The movie, as you can imagine, is silent. Yet it is filled with humour from beginning to end. Obviously for the movie to work without any dialogue it does rely quite heav...

House of Ghosts – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

24May

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

House of Ghosts – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Murder mysteries are one of my favourite genres of fiction. So, I was extremely intrigued to see Alma Cullen transporting the iconic Inspector Morse from television to stage. Cullen has written some of the episodes for the TV series, so she should be able to bring some of that magic to the stage production. From the beginning this has the busy going ons of a play within a play. It was rather amusing to start with, but then got far too complicated. A lot of the actors looked and sounded very similar, so it was difficult to distinguish who’s who - which is vital in a murder mystery! The play is set in Oxford in the 1980s where a production of Hamlet is taking place. However, the young actor playing Ophelia (in this case Ciara Booker) collapses and dies on stage during the performance. ...

20May

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Werq the World – AO Arena, Manchester

AO Arena in Manchester played host to some of the most fabulous drag queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race last night. Featuring probably the world’s most malfunctioning time machine, Werq the World was full of laughs, fantastic costumes, bad lip syncing and amazing hairography. If you’re looking for a slice of diva, then you’re definitely in the right place. Hosted by the fabulous Asia O’Hara, the premise of the show is she is trying to use the time machine to take her back to Season 10 of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, where she can go back and snatch the title. What was amazing to see at AO Arena on this night, is not only how much love there is for the drag queens, but that it comes from all walks of lives. Some people had waited two years to see this show as the original run was cancelled due to...

Ross & Rachel – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

19May

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Ross & Rachel – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

They were arguably the biggest on-screen couple of the 1990s. But what happened after the cameras stopped rolling on Ross and Rachel? After all, no one told life was gonna be this way. Written by James Fritz, strangely this isn't a play about the iconic couple from Friends. Instead, it is about a young couple navigating their way through life until they're delivered a massive blow. What starts off as relatively light hearted takes a more sinister turn. To add to this, the play directed by Carole Carr, is essentially a series of monologues delivered by one actor. In this case Fiona Primrose rose to the challenge. Her dramatic scenes were when she shone brightest, but personally I would have preferred a more distinguished difference between the two characters. I did have the joy of see...

Jane Hair: The Brontes Restyled – Hope Mill Theatre

6Apr

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Jane Hair: The Brontes Restyled – Hope Mill Theatre

A salon in the village of Haworth, West Yorkshire is an unlikely location for a play to be set. However, we soon meet the stylists; Emily, Charlotte and Anne and finally it all becomes clear. This is a modern day look at the Bronte sisters written by Bradford lasses Kirsty Smith and Kat Rose-Martin. From the get go the characters are instantly likeable and have their own unique personalities. However, before going on with the review I must state on the night I watched the production the actor who plays Charlotte was isolating due to Covid-19. However, instead of cancelling the performance the ladies ploughed on and the stage manager stepped up to read the role of Charlotte, and she more than delivered. The action really starts when a post appears online from a ‘Lizzie G’ (any gue...

14Feb

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

An Adventure – Octagon Theatre

It's not very often you're treated to a play with 3 acts and that is exactly what An Adventure is. A three-act play, set in three countries over the space of three hours. First performed in London in 2018, this performance is its northern premiere. The story mirrors a lot of families who immigrated from India to the UK in the 1950s and 1960s. The production begins in 1954, not long after India and Pakistan split to become two separate countries. It follows the story of Jyoti (Saba Shiraz) and Rasik (Esh Alladi). It starts off as a sweet love story with political undertones. The story was inspired by writer, Vinay Patel's grandparents' life. From the moment Jyoti (Shiraz) steps on stage the audience are treated to a fierce, strong 16-year-old who is looking to find a husband. Rasik...