Jan Mellor, Author at North West End UK

Divorced, Beheaded, Died: An Audience With King Henry VIII – Shakespeare North Playhouse

9Oct

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

Divorced, Beheaded, Died: An Audience With King Henry VIII – Shakespeare North Playhouse

An intimate evening with the most famous monarch that ever lived – who could resist that! I have loved the Tudors and been fascinated particularly by the ‘antics’ of Henry V111 since my history lessons at schools. That as one of my favourite theatres – The Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescott - were holding ‘An evening with’ - I was very excited indeed to see how this legend would be portrayed. The performance was in the smallest of the theatres at the playhouse and as I took my seat – a front row of course – a large regal chair awaited us. Then to wonderful 16th century music, the magnificent monarch entered the room. The audience gasped – as there he was- in all his splendour, the noble tyrant, we all knew so well. Jack Abbot was awesome from the minute he ...

26Sep

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

King Arthur – The Lowry

I had never seen a production by the theatre group “Le Navett Bete” before. The theatre group decided on this name- as it loosely translates to “The Daft Turnip” and that being unusual, unique and fun- mirrors this talented theatre group impeccably. The show was being shown in the more intimate theatre at the Lowry and as we entered, we were met by an impressive backdrop/set of castle turrets, gothic windows, crenelations, scaffolds and towers (great work Fi Russell), and the opening scene of the three squires Edgar, Osbert and Dave in stocks and singing their woes. The audience (first two rows) had been given. latex fruit and vegetables to throw at these men and the audience loved it. As the three released themselves from the stocks – singing “I want to break free” we...

A Caravan Named Desire – Shakespeare North Playhouse

31Jul

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

A Caravan Named Desire – Shakespeare North Playhouse

I am an avid SNP goer and am always intrigued by the unique plays that are on shown there whether in the main ‘globe like’ arena, the upstairs small studio or the outside ‘Sir Ken Dodd’ space, each performance is memorable, worth my 12-mile journey to see ‘what’s on offer’. I am never disappointed. I was hoping that tonight was no exception. Tonight, I entered the intimate studio to a scene that showed a messy area of clothes, tippled-over chairs and strewn bottles of water. A couple were in the space looking frantic and tense and the woman was constantly checking her phone. The couple were arguing about whether the show should go ahead as the main female cast member had not attended. The man stated that the female had to step in and although she initially refused, she played the ...

Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare North Playhouse

17Jul

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare North Playhouse

I have seen the famous Shakesperean comedy “Midsummer Night’s Dream” numerous times, several of these in the wonderful Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot. Every time I have seen this play it has been delivered with a different view, a different perspective – in a different way. Although the story remains the same, the journey and the players take on various routes. I have also seen the amateur touring group the Handlebards do this very play, at this very theatre, before in 2023 but knew by seeing this innovative and unpredictable group, that the journey this evening would be unique and refreshing. And it was!! The cast consisted of four females, which in itself was a unique stance in theatre. The cast intermingled with the audience (which disappointingly was only around 60 peo...

24Jun

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

Macbeth – Norton Priory

Norton Priory near Runcorn is a fabulous historical place comprising the remains of an abbey complex dating from 12th to 16th centuries and an 18th-century country house all of which is now a museum, but wonderfully this is also home to some phenomenal outdoor theatrical experiences, some I have had the fortune to see. For this event – Macbeth – I was very excited to see what spin the theatre group- “Place for Us” could put on this iconic play. Firstly, the play delivered on the summer solstice, was delivered to an intimate audience of around 50 people in the woodland area of the priory and as we approached, a huge bell rang, mysterious sounds echoed through the trees and two witches met us praying on the ground, their faces full of scorn. This was a great way to enter this world of Sha...

Midsummer Night’s Scream – Shakespeare North Playhouse

20Jun

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

Midsummer Night’s Scream – Shakespeare North Playhouse

Well, what a wonderful pastime – to sit in an intimate circle, on a balmy summer evening (long awaited summer evening, I might add) in the garden theatre space - dedicated to the marvellous Sir Ken Dodd, listening to two incredible orators read spellbinding clips from three stories, all which had a spooky theme running through them - that kept every punter mesmerised. I must admit I was not aware circle, scripts to see, I adore the Shakespeare North Theatre in Prescott, as in addition to the classic Shakespearian comedies or tragedies, there is always the opportunity to see raw, new theatre, astonishing talent and varied layers of artistry and tonight was no exception, as the two readers – John Maguire and David Griffiths - stood within our circle, scripts in hand, reading through the...

The Phantom of the Opera – Brindley Theatre

15May

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

The Phantom of the Opera – Brindley Theatre

I have no words! I will try to express to you all the absolute stunning masterpiece that this production is. The iconic story of a disfigured musical genius, that lives under an opera house in Paris, who is besotted by a talented singer Christine and evokes fear and carries out murderous evil to get his way but whose love is lost as Christine finds love with an old flame, has been an Andrew Lloyd Webber work of genius for nearly 40 years and for the Centenary Theatre Group to have the opportunity to present this phenomenal musical in a local theatre is an opportunity this magnificent company could not resist – and rightly so. The talented cast, whom I have seen in various performances, give every show 100% and constantly show their amazing skills in both singing and dancing at every per...

10May

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

The Sound of Music – Liverpool Empire

Arriving at the bustling Empire theatre at Liverpool where rows of excited people were queuing to see the iconic story of a nun who becomes the mother of seven children, I was delighted to see that my favourite all time musical was still as popular as it was in the 60’s, when I went every weekend without fail, to see the film in my local cinema- ironically, here in Liverpool. So, for opening night to see the story brought to light by the BOST musicals company was, I knew, going to be a real treat. From the start, with the ever changing backdrop – bringing us the convent, the mountains and the exterior and the interior of the grand house ( great work by the projection designed Julian Butler) we were magically transported through this journey of Maria’s self-discovery from the start with ...

8May

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

The Kite Runner – The Lowry

I was not aware of the sport that is part of everyday life for young Afghan people – the joy and obsession of kite flying across the city of Kabul. This hobby is our equivalent to conker fights in the playground but enjoyed with far more passion and pleasure. This hobby can be enjoyed by the rich and poor alike and has been a tradition in Afghanistan for hundreds of years. Kite flying originated in China 3,000 years ago and although a sport of young boys is a hobby that continues throughout adulthood with equal determination, competitiveness and joy. The play “The Kite Runner” is the story of two young boys- Amir (played superbly by Stuart Vincent) a Pashtun who in the 1970’s lived in a large house with his strict father (played wonderfully by Dean Rehman) and their servant ...

19Mar

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

Sister Act – Palace Theatre

Arriving at the bustling theatre, where red carpet welcomed many an actor from the phenomenon that was Coronation Street, the evening started with fans in awe, the atmosphere electric and everyone ‘giddy’ with excitement for the show ahead. The Coronation Street actors had come along in their numbers to support their colleague the nominated favourite female soup star Sue Cleaver who for this epic show of female comradeship was playing the Mother Superior. Many people may know the film of Whoopi Goldberg played the husky blues singer Deloris Van Cartier desperate to make it big but in falling for a married mobster ends up, after watching this crook Curtis murder a gang member, is on the run for her own life. For this show, the threatened disco diva is played amazingly by Britai...