Blathine Maguire, Author at North West End UK

27Sep

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

Boyzlife – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

What a pleasure it is to step inside the beautiful philharmonic hall, Liverpool, steeped in history and class, this venue is totally unique and provides great variety when it comes to music and performances. This was exactly the case tonight when the striking stage which usually hosts the philharmonic orchestra was swapped for a huge pop throwback known as ‘Boyzlife’. ‘Boyzlife’ is made up of some familiar faces, Keith Duffy who rose to fame in Boyzone and Westlife’s original Brian McFadden. These two singers have joined forces in the last number of years to create their own music and of course, to relive the classics. Noting that they have 21 number one hits between them, this duo is no stranger to the stage and the world of pop music. Tonight marks the start of their ‘Old School Tour’...

18Aug

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

Twelfth Night – Liverpool’s Royal Court

“Twelfth night” is a comedy written by William Shakespeare and it’s believed to be dated back to 1601. Today, in the grand old year of 2022, ‘Old Fruit Jar Productions’ bring you their own interpretation of his historic piece of theatre, in the quaint studio of Liverpool’s Royal Court. The cast caught our attention straight away as when we arrived, the fascinating “Sir Toby” was residing in my designated seat, warming it up for me while he snored and drunkenly moaned like a forgotten stag on Matthew Street! Luckily some of the theatre staff woke up this sleeping beauty, so I could take my seat. Toby managed to stagger from the chair to the stage, where he collapsed in another drunken heap and the show hadn’t even started- a clear sign of things to come! Being honest, ‘Shakespeare’ is...

9Jul

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

Vice Versa – Unity Theatre

The Unity Theatre tonight Host ‘Vice Versa’ by Dorcas Seb. As the audience gathered in this quaint theatre, it was clear by the volume of the crowd that there was some excitement in the air to see this modern piece of theatre. We are welcomed into the auditorium where Dorcas is already performing, moving robotically around the stage in immaculate stylised movements. When the show begins, we soon see why Dorcas Seb can be described as a ‘multi-disciplinary artist’ as her talents unfold through acting, movement, song, poetry and lots more. She has created something very unique with this production which is a one-woman, one act performance. The story takes us into the cyber world, and we are fully immersed thanks to the fantastic auditory and light stimulation within this production. Do...

One Man, Two Guvnors – Liverpool Playhouse

30Jun

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

One Man, Two Guvnors – Liverpool Playhouse

Liverpool Playhouse Theatre welcomes The West End and Broadway hit comedy “One Man, Two Guvnors”. Following its roaring success when the show was first performed in 2011 and starred James Cordon, it is a delight to see production companies ‘Octagon Theatre Bolton’ and ‘Theatre by the Lake’ have taken this show on the road and is gracing our Liverpool Playhouse stage this summer. The audience are welcomed by the sweet tones of the cast who also make up the house band in this production. Elevated on the first floor of a striking set, the band set the mood for this fun, energetic production set in 1963. The theatre is alight with flashing bulbs that give fantastic seaside holiday vibes, in keeping with the Brighton setting. The story begins in the home of Charlie (Rodney Mat...

The Legends of American Country – Floral Pavilion

30Apr

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

The Legends of American Country – Floral Pavilion

JMG music group present ‘The Legends of American Country show’ which is currently touring around Ireland and the UK and tonight, the delightful Floral Pavilion had the pleasure of finally hosting this celebration of country music after it was postponed one year ago. The show is opened by our host Anthony McBrien who comes from a village named Derrylin in County Fermanagh. Anthony is joined on stage by his co-star Tracy McCauley from Banbridge in County Down. It is no surprise that the stars of the show come from Ireland given the huge Irish-American connections when it comes to country music although it was a delight to see a full, enthusiastic, country-loving audience ready to greet them tonight in New Brighton. This show prides itself on “taking you to Nashville and back” in one ni...

9Mar

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

The Addams Family – Liverpool Empire

The Addams Family Musical opened on Broadway in April 2010 and had its first UK premiere in 2016. Six years later and this show is back doing the rounds once again with Liverpool’s Empire Theatre kicking off this Kooky UK tour! Most of us know the famous Addams family and this show is no different in that it welcomes one and all, “the living, dead and the undecided”! ‘Morticia’ and ‘Gomez’ Addams are a devoted husband and wife who live in a wonderfully creepy and loving home with their two children ‘Wednesday’ and ‘Pugsley’. Wednesday and her new boyfriend ‘Lucas’ arrange for their families to meet for the first time and both long for just “one normal night”. Is this going to be possible in the murky, mysterious Addams home? Well, the famous ‘Uncle Foster’ isn’t far from the action...

8Mar

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

Dead Good – Unity Theatre

Vamos Theatre, in a co-production with Corn Exchange and a co-commission with London International Mime Festival present “Dead Good”, performed tonight at The Unity Theatre Liverpool. Having never seen or heard of ‘Vamos Theatre’ before, I was very intrigued to find out what this masked performance had in store for the audience. A few hours later and it’s gone from being a theatre group I have never heard of, to one I will never forget for all the right reasons! When you hear the basics, “it’s a masked performance, with no words”, I think it’s quite natural to be sceptical as you do wonder how that could ever be something to ‘wow’ but trust me, after watching this talented group, do their very talented thing, you’ll be left astonished. The first thing to credit is not only t...

8Mar

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

Coming Home – Hope Street Theatre

Tonight, at Hope Street Theatre, Change the Act group present ‘Coming Home- Theatre unplugged’. This is a show inspired by producer and performer Callum O’Rourke’s own experience, and it explores the meaning of ‘home’. The show has been broken up into sections where songs are performed based on a wider theme such relationships, both positive and complicated, hope, love, loss and many more. It is not surprising to hear that the 6 cast members have been hand-picked from 100 auditionees as the talent, vocal range and entertainment value of this group knows no limits. Whether performing as soloist, duets, or a full company number, these talented singers belted perfection at every opportunity. It goes without saying that there are certainly no weak links within this cast and the ...

30Jan

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

Jersey Boys – Empire Theatre

‘Jersey Boys’ is touring the UK at the moment and tonight it’s the opportunity of the Empire, Liverpool to host the famous four as we watch the story of Frankie Valli & the four seasons unfold live on stage! This jukebox musical, which was written in 2004, celebrates the group that took the world and the music industry by storm in the 1960s and the 1970s. The story is quite basic compared to other musicals but perhaps this is because it’s much closer to the truth than most musicals. It starts at the beginning where a young Tommy DeVito (Dalton Wood) is in and out of trouble and trying to make a break in the music industry. He takes a young Frankie Valli (Luke Suri) under his wing and alongside Nick Massi (Norton James), they make a band. They are on the lookout for a fourth member a...

School of Rock – Palace Theatre Manchester

5Jan

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

School of Rock – Palace Theatre Manchester

Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the most famous composers when it comes to the world of musicals but what some may not realise is that as well as his classics such as ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘Evita’, ‘Cats’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera’ written in the 70s & 80s, he more recently wrote ‘School of Rock’ which premiered on Broadway in 2015. To kick off this new year of 2022, this smash hit musical has come to the Palace Theatre to rock the socks off this Manchester audience! Based on 2003 film, this musical follows the story of Dewey Finn (Alex Tomkins) who is desperate to make it big in a mighty rock band. Dewey takes an opportunity to make some money as a substitute schoolteacher, posing as his best friend, Ned Schneebly (Matthew Rowland). When he meets the kids of Horace Green Primary ...