Hannah Esnouf, Author at North West End UK

Dracula: Mina’s Reckoning – Liverpool Playhouse

25Oct

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

Dracula: Mina’s Reckoning – Liverpool Playhouse

This play lends itself perfectly to the spooky season. Aberdeen Performing Arts and the National Theatre of Scotland have created a uniquely adapted tale from the late 19th Century. Dreamlike Scottish folk music swaddles you into the world of the play, where the audience held their breaths about what might happen. Scottish culture is not in the mainstream theatrical circuit, so it was educational as well as entertaining for the audience. The way that this production was adapted by Morna Pearson from Bram Stoker’s American story, with detail, humour and a real sense of world building, meant the audience really bought the world of Aberdeen’s hospital for women and the characters in it. Lighting (Aideen Malone) and sound (Fraser Mackie) were parts of the production that I really enjoyed...

Jesus Christ Superstar – Liverpool Empire

24Oct

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

Jesus Christ Superstar – Liverpool Empire

High expectation was felt amongst the sell-out crowd and this performance lived-up to and exceeded its title as a classic of British musical theatre. Tom Scutt (set and costume) and Drew Mconie (choreography) brought something new and exciting to this particular production. The industrial feel of the set, the paring back to bare metal really added to it and allowed those performing to shine and the multipurpose props were a savvy touch. Also, the movement elements of this piece were really impressive. Rugged, grounded and grungey would be the terms I would use, which brought a new take to the show to highlight the turmoil and obsessive themes of the story. All cast members gave their all in the physical demands of the routines which paid off, and their energy was felt right to the back ...

High Times and Dirty Monsters – Liverpool Everyman

12Oct

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North West

High Times and Dirty Monsters – Liverpool Everyman

A colourful, vibrant celebration of how it feels to be young and different in today’s society. Keith Saha has developed a production that is going to start important conversations and that is testament to the honesty of the stories and the real issues that they explore. Structured as a collection of four short stories following four young British people that have to deal with issues not limited to homelessness, ableism and financial difficulties, the play presents an earthy realism, and the representation is broad and necessary. As a whole, the piece is a sensory delight. Visually and audibly the three companies that created this show, 20 Stories High in a co-production with Graeae, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and LEEDS 2023 have produced a space that is inclusive and wholesom...

TONY! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] – Liverpool Playhouse

12Oct

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

TONY! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] – Liverpool Playhouse

As calls for another general election loom and the Labour Party conference ongoing only a few miles away, this show couldn’t have come at a better time. A quirky, fresh and gutsy performance that can be followed by all, it is the story of how the pop Prime Minister rose and fall. Harry Hill and Steve Brown have concocted a truly original piece, one that spans decades and international conflict, but has been overseen by the keen eye of Peter Rowe so that the farcical can shine and the ‘piss-take’ attitude can successfully overshadow the turbulent geo-political events at the mercy of New Labour at the beginning of the millennium. Stand out aspects of the performance included the live music. Mr Brown’s lyrics and score are equally funny and intelligent. From a singing princess Di to a d...

12Jul

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

Greatest Days – Liverpool Empire

Matt Wesley and his creative team have brought to life Tim Firth’s story of true friendship and finding ourselves within life’s unpredictability. Framed by a fantastic Take That soundtrack I thought the show was hitting almost all of the right notes. A standout aspect of the performance was the orchestra. Josh Cottell and his talented musicians provided an outstanding backing track for the duration of the show. Being visible from the audience, Josh’s conducting was great to watch. Considering the popularity of the soundtrack, they lived up to all expectation and delivered the feet-stomping, hand-clapping kind of music, perfect to fill the grandiose setting of the Empire. For the performers, I must mention a few highlights. Firstly, my appreciation must go to all female actors and sin...

Family Tree – Everyman Theatre, Liverpool

8May

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

Family Tree – Everyman Theatre, Liverpool

Matthew Xia has produced an outstanding serving of unremembered history. A fascinating celebration of black life, past and present, and the importance of what connects us all in the human condition. Mojisola Adebayo’ s powerful words were tackled by the cast with sensitivity and flare, and a quick mention to Aminita Francis for handling the difficult poetic language of Henrietta Lacks with nuance and verve. This is a story that spans ninety minutes but captures centuries. A performance that does not shy from cultural celebration but shares the infectious energy of Diane Alison-Mitchell’s traditional dance and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers cultural song. It will definitely make you smile. It was evident that a lot of research has been put into this production. It is a searing lesson of...

The Ocean at the End of the Lane – Liverpool Empire

3May

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

The Ocean at the End of the Lane – Liverpool Empire

A celebration of the worlds possible to create onstage. Katy Rudd and Joel Horwood, along with their creative teams have transformed Neil Gaiman’s story into a masterclass of theatre making. The attention to detail and appreciation for the magical realism of the world in and around the Hempstock’s farm, did not go unnoticed. The slick choreography and complicated set changes proved part of the magic and kept the audience gasping and giggling at just how they did it. Photo: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg Standout aspects were Ian Dickinson’s sound design and Samuel Wyer’s puppets. With delicate power, these aspects of the performance brought more life and atmosphere to the stage than any other. A perfect accompaniment to the actor’s performances, that kept us believing in the world onstage a...

30Apr

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

The Manopause – Hope Street Theatre

As a new piece of writing, it has promising prospects. I will firstly highlight those aspects that I thought went well. The actor who played Pete, was a solid standout. His way of demonstrating the slouched apathy of life post-50 felt the most natural and was therefore the most comedic. Michelle Parker’s set worked well as your typical pub, but I wanted more, especially between Act 1 and Act 2. Having no change of set, or costume, or position of actors was jarring and begs the question why there was an interval in the first place. Having said that, the audience found the performance and some of the dialogue very funny and relatable (from what I heard!), which is always a good start. To get this play to the next level, it needs some editing. Paul Daley’s writing had great...

29Mar

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

The Winston Machine – Unity Theatre

Brought to us by the critically acclaimed Kandinsky, we see a fusion of worlds decades different, but with mirrored tensions of grief, purpose and place. An awesome use of effects and controlled dialogue led to a crisp performance that I would watch again. The teamwork on stage was apparent and which led to an impressive and at times funny mode of storytelling. Unfortunately, I am unable to identify who exactly played on stage, but each performance lent itself to the quality of the work, with detail and precision used in each moment. The conviction and presence of the players was palpable. Their use of singing, swift accent changes and physical movement were again impressive. Together with an emotive soundtrack with modern flavours meant the audience were fully immersed in the performan...

The Bodyguard – Liverpool Empire Theatre

21Mar

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

The Bodyguard – Liverpool Empire Theatre

This performance definitely packed a punch. Serving all the glitz and glamour required in the set, costumes, lighting (and even fire!), to paint Rachel Marron’s celebrity status, the Empire lived up to expectations once again. Melody Thornton as lead, and Ayden Callaghan as her bodyguard looked the part but played comfortably, at times overshadowed by the intense production effects around them. That said, bringing their extensive performing knowledge to the stage, they allowed the other cast members to shine, and who will be the main focus of this article. Iesa Miller, as Fletcher, was a bright spark. His smile shone right to the back row and his voice was not out of place next to the pop stars. Emily-Mae, as Nicki Marron, stole the stage every time. She sang to a brilliant...