Coral Mourant, Author at North West End UK

17Aug

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Bring It On – Liverpool Empire Youth

It's all happening as the Liverpool Empire Youth Theatre return with another triumphant musical offering. Inspired by the noughties film which then went on to more success with multiple sequels, this Broadway hit takes the usual trope of high school romances and rivalries and adds a lot of cheer. The show focuses on Campbell, a seventeen-year-old cheerleader, who's world turns upside down as she changes school after finally achieving her dream of becoming captain. Not only is this school completely different, but it also doesn’t have a cheer squad! High- energy and relevant, this musical feels like a great choice for this talented group of youngsters. How refreshing to see teenagers actually playing teenagers! From the get-go, the show relies on its leading lady to guide it onwards. ...

27Apr

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

The Wizard of Oz – Palace Theatre

Nikolai Foster has taken many a musical theatre staple and put his own spin on them, with this show being another triumph to come out of the tried and tested method of starting at the Leicester Curve before becoming a big hit. Sending this spectacle out on a national tour is a no-brainer, bound to bedazzle theatre goers all over the country with its imaginative take on the heart-warming classic. Based on the book by L. Frank Baum, the tale has had many iterations, proving its generational appeal. But at the heart of its story, there’s a young girl on a heroic journey to find a place to belong. We are taken on this adventure by Dorothy (Aviva Tulley). The audience is in very capable hands here, Tulley’s voice soars as she delivers Over the Rainbow, and her performance encapsulates all...

A Song for Ella Grey – Liverpool Playhouse

14Mar

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

A Song for Ella Grey – Liverpool Playhouse

Greek myths have had many reimagining’s as their moral narratives and fantastical characters will always intrigue an audience. Based on the novel by David Almond, this adaptation takes the old cautionary tale of Orpheus and Eurydice and places us in modern day Northumbria. A group of sixth formers recall the story of their friend’s untimely death, a tale that conjures up grief, longing and fears of fleeting youth. The whooshing sounds of the ocean and ethereal drapes of cloth adorn the stage, where the actors tell us of Ella Grey. This five strong cast take us from Bamburgh beach to the depths of hell, remembering their dear friend and her demise. Elusive Orpheus appears in the waters and captivates the youngsters with his music and otherworldliness. Using shadows of silhouette with ...

Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit – Theatr Clwyd

13Mar

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit – Theatr Clwyd

All aboard the murderous train for a fast paced, laugh a minute ride! Amateur detectives, this is your time to shine and find the culprit. With this production, the company of Pinch Punch has managed to add more fun to the “murder mystery” trope, with a slick and silly show for all the family. The detective leads the audience through a tale of murder, mayhem and… whatever you want it to be! That’s the fun of this show, it is totally dependent on the audience’s input. Whether it be choosing a character’s occupation, the train destination, or who the tragic victim may be, it’s all up to you. The actors boast that they have never (and will never again) perform this show, and they take on whatever the crowd comes up with. Even the characters themselves were forged from snippets of audience ...

Sleeping Beauty: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – Theatr Clwyd

7Dec

By Coral MourantNo Comments

Wales

Sleeping Beauty: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – Theatr Clwyd

A theatre renovation was never going to stop Theatr Clwyd from putting on yet another smash-hit pantomime. Instead, the team have created their very own “Big Top”, where the usual madness ensues. The outdoor Big Top features a giant thrust stage, adorned with webs of light and tiered seating all around. No matter which side of the auditorium you sit in, the boundless energy of the cast makes sure that you are fully immersed in the pandemonium of this year's panto. This version of “Sleeping Beauty” is not the tale you may have in mind. Christian Patterson's script has a brilliant balance of classic pantomime charm and modern flair. There's still the typical spinning wheel curse, but this Princess values friendship and freedom over romance. Part of the reason that this twist works, ...

Heathers the Musical – Blackpool Opera House

13Sep

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Heathers the Musical – Blackpool Opera House

Teenagers wearing blazers, scrunchies and trench coats fill the Blackpool Opera House, and there’s no mistaking which show is hitting the town. Andy Fickman’s West End hit may have only closed at the Other Palace this month, but its national tour production is still slaying audiences all around the country. September 1989, Westurberg High. The jocks bully the nerds, the cool girls all have the same name and Veronica just wants to get by until college. Based on the cult-classic movie, Heathers is the classic high school survival story, but with a killer twist. Jenna Innes (Les Misérables) is gorgeously captivating as protagonist, Veronica. You can’t help but route for her as she stumbles through high school drama, boy troubles, and the added complications of accidental murder. Innes h...

10May

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Worth – Storyhouse, Chester

Four siblings turn a sad day of remembrance into a battle of “who suffered the most” when their deceased Mother leaves them next to nothing in the will. A brilliant premise makes a funny yet dark tale that doesn’t shy away from major themes. The list of trigger warnings in the play’s description will show you that this is no light and fluffy family affair, and although it is hard-hitting at times, you’ll still be laughing. A simple living room set up is littered in family heirlooms, and the mother looms over all as her portrait stares down on the action. Sudden red surges of light and booming sounds are dispersed throughout the scenes (a clever, unnerving tool used by Jai Morjaria and Nicola T. Chang), as the play descends more and more into chaos. The five-piece cast are strong ...

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Blackpool Grand

20Oct

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Blackpool Grand

Leicester Curve’s production of Beautiful completely changes the original blueprint of the musical. This staging is a cool, stripped-back version focusing on the music and sound that shaped one of the most successful singer-songwriters. At the start, we find an eager sixteen-year-old Carole Klein (yes, that’s right), trying to prove to her mother that she can be more than just a music teacher. The audience follows Carole through her song catalogue, all the way to her infamous performance of the Grammy award winning album Tapestry at Carnegie Hall. Set mostly in a recording studio, the stage easily shifts to more intimate spaces with simple furnishings and choreographed movements. It’s modern and almost metallic, with a giant “beautiful” sign adorning it at beginning and end. With the...

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Blackpool Grand

16Jun

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Blackpool Grand

Jim Cartwright's 90's hit “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice” tells the story of one talented girl and her reluctant rise to stardom in her local Northern town. It feels fitting to be back in Blackpool, surrounded by cabaret bars and illuminations, and this production deserves to be bringing in all the crowds here. This Olivier award winning play has had many revivals including a film starring Jane Horrocks and Michael Caine. It’s easy to see why, as the story of Little Voice is a charming tale of family, humour and small town dreams. At the heart of the play is LV herself; a young recluse who constantly listens to her late father's record collection. Overheard imitating the divas she adores, LV is forced to perform and struggles to find her own voice in the chaos and noise. The s...

26May

By Coral MourantNo Comments

Wales

Boeing Boeing – Theatr Clwyd

London Classic Theatre has brought back a West End and Broadway hit, and the famous Marc Camoletti play feels fresher than ever. With a new tour production directed by Michael Cabot, Boeing Boeing is farcical and outrageous in all the right ways. Paris, 1962 and Bernard has it all. An architect with a fancy apartment, he boasts of his perfectly organised life. Most organised is his love life. Never wanting to be bored, Bernard has three fiancées, all air hostesses with different airlines (so as never to overlap). But on one stormy evening, Bernard is in for a night of shock and surprises. With the maid having to stay on top of the lies, and the return of an old friend in the apartment, can Bernard keep his wits about him and the ladies none the wiser? The award-winning comedy has a l...