Harry Alty, Author at North West End UK

Shaun The Sheep’s Circus Show – Aviva Studios

17Dec

By Harry AltyNo Comments

North West

Shaun The Sheep’s Circus Show – Aviva Studios

For families looking for an alternative production this festive season, Aviva Studios has the European premiere of Circa and Aardman’s Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show. First appearing in Wallace & Gromit’s 1995 classic A Close Shave, Shaun has established himself as a firm favourite with families. Combining the cast of characters from Muddy Bottom Farm with acrobatics straight from a circus tent, this family-friendly extravaganza is primed to keep the kids entertained during the show’s run until January 4th. Our farm set fills the large stage of The Hall at Aviva Studios, with green fields and rural landscapes building out Shaun’s world. The impressive, sloped backdrop acts as a slide for our cast of adventurous sheep, drawing the biggest reaction from the audience as they launch down...

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical – Palace Theatre

29Nov

By Harry AltyNo Comments

North West

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical – Palace Theatre

Fitting the life story of a Grammy-award winning, two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee into a two-act musical is no easy task. But the current production of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, which is in residency over the 2025 Christmas period at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, is an emotional, gripping and entertaining production for both Tina Turner loyalists and those not as familiar with her work. Knowing that Tina was fully involved in the creation of the original West End production, and that she wanted to show both the highs and lows of her career, the show feels honest whilst feeling celebratory of the late legend. Known for her energetic stage presence, iconic looks and truly unique soul-rock vocals – brining Tina Turner to the stage is a demanding role. As such, the pr...

19Oct

By Harry AltyNo Comments

North West

Black Power Desk – The Lowry

Set with the backdrop of the Black British civil rights movement in the 1970s, Urielle Klein-Mekongo’s original musical Black Power Desk shines a light on the underrepresented figurehead activists of the time. This heart-felt, humorous and powerful piece showcases that although times have moved on, the struggles of our cast of characters are just as relatable today. Mixing in real news reports from the time, the musical quickly creates an authentic representation of the mistreatment of the Black community during this era of British history. Our story centres around two sisters, Celia and Dina, who must navigate their place in a world that seems poised to tear them down, whilst also discover who they are after the passing of their mother. From the moment Rochelle Rose enters the stage as...

2Aug

By Harry AltyNo Comments

North West

Worn Out – The Lowry

Filling the stage of the Quays Theatre is a stellar cast of gifted young performers and musicians, presenting Worn Out, a new musical brought to stage with the help of British Youth Music Theatre. This one-act musical tells the story of the fictional kingdom of Zloriv, based on Eastern European countries of the 18th century, that is unjustly ruled by King Kasimir who is more likely to look out for himself over his people. When not ruling, King Kasimir struggles to keep on top of his twelve rebellious Princess daughters, who act as the protagonists of this story. But when one of their regular outings into the local village reveals the truth of life for the local townspeople under their father’s rule – how will they support their fellow villagers? Our show is centred around a band of sist...

1Aug

By Harry AltyNo Comments

North West

A Manchester Anthem – Hope Mill Theatre

For a city steeped in music history, it is no wonder those who grew up in and around Manchester see it as an accompaniment to life. That is evident in A Manchester Anthem, a story that sees our protagonist at a crossroads in life where he must decide either to evolve into someone new or continue being the person he is. Written as a birthday gift to our solo performer Tom Claxton, playwright Nick Dawkins creates a comedic and poignant piece on that nervous period in the build-up to leaving for university. What shines in the writing is the authenticity and relatability, especially when it comes to the many characters we meet within this one-act play. Nick Dawkins creates a character that quickly gets the audience on his side, bringing them along for a night into the buzzing heart of Manch...

29Jul

By Harry AltyNo Comments

North West

Nuns of Fury! – Seven Oaks Pub

What happens when you combine the criminal-catching of Charlie’s Angels with beloved women of the cloth of Sister Act? Rocket Whip’s Nuns of Fury offers a unique look into the world of a crime-fighting, habit wearing, God-backed group who are on a mission to steal from the rich and give to the poor. This comedic musical, presented with blessings and favour from up above, is a great addition to this year’s Greater Manchester Fringe line-up. This show’s holy word comes from writer and co-director Liv Burton. Throughout the one-act musical, the plot falls into common tropes expected from a crime genre parody; a rag-tag-team of crime fighters, a cocky duo of criminals and over-exaggerated kung-fu fighting. Where this show differs and excels is when it breaks the fourth wall with a wink ...

14Jul

By Harry AltyNo Comments

North West

Patience – Social Refuge

July in Manchester means the return of the Greater Manchester Fringe - an opportunity for a variety of comedic performances to grace the many stages within the area. As part of the festival, Chip Slap Comedy brings this production Patience to the quirky venue of Social Refuge. This two-person comedy piece stars Rachael Dennis as a doting Mum trying to secure a spot at the local state school for her son. Her co-star is Marianne Walsh, takes on the increasingly difficult and unhelpful assistant to the headteacher, and is also the writer of the play. Both show impressive character work as they quickly bring reality and authenticity to their characters - for better or for worse, these are both characters you can picture in real life. The duo has great comedic chemistry, and it is clear ...

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

24Jun

By Harry AltyNo Comments

North West

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Taking on the life story and songbook of two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Carole King is no easy task - but this Altrincham Garrick Playhouse production, fronted by the incomparable Madeleine Healey, is a sure-fire hit. With high-production value, a top-tier company and imaginative staging, this feel-good jukebox musical is truly Some Kind of Wonderful. Director Joseph Meighan seamlessly moves through the nearly thirty musical numbers with simplicity and pace, whilst still managing to craft the emotional story beats between the numbers. Stage management ensures the scenes transition efficiently, as set pieces and decoration create the various environments for this biographical story. The live camera work during One Fine Day tapped into the Jamie Lloyd’s Andrew Lloyd Webber r...

Of Mice and Men – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

9May

By Harry AltyNo Comments

North West

Of Mice and Men – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

A classic literary tale, often studied by many British students as part of the GCSE syllabus, Of Mice and Men tells the story of George and Lennie as they traverse California in search of work during the Great Depression. Based on John Steinbeck’s novel, originally released in 1937, this production spotlights a typical ranch filled with migrant farmworkers who simply needed to survive the economic landscape. Despite the historic setting, the play’s themes of hope, misunderstanding and brotherhood still resonate with a modern audience, making the piece as poignant now as it was when first performed nearly 90 years ago. Upon entering the theatre, audiences are immediately transported to the Salinas Valley, with a quote from Robert Burns acting as a precursor for the story due to follow. F...

30Apr

By Harry AltyNo Comments

North West

Death of a Salesman – The Lowry

Despite Arthur Miller’s classic play Death of a Salesman first debuting on stage over 75 years ago, this Trafalgar Theatre and Raw Material production at The Lowry helps to demonstrate how the themes of the piece still resonate with a modern audience. This slick interpretation boasts a stellar cast, combined with effective staging, light production and set design resulted in audiences being transported to 1940s Brooklyn. Our story focussed on the Loman family, led by patriarch Willie who is expertly portrayed by David Hayman as the titular salesman. David Hayman expertly traverses this complex role and when combined with Andy Arnold’s meticulous direction and staging, creates a seamless demonstration of a deteriorating man. The piece presents Willie as a character of duality, wit...