Johanna Roberts, Author at North West End UK

An American in Paris – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

15Nov

By Johanna RobertsNo Comments

North West

An American in Paris – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

Danny Elfman, best known for his scores to a wide range of films and, perhaps most recognizable of all, the theme tune to The Simpsons, has long been an admirer of Scottish virtuous percussionist Colin Currie, whom Steve Riech has described as ‘one of the greatest musicians in the world today’. This evening’s performance of the Percussion Concerto underlined why he is so deserving of such accolades. Percussionists are the goalkeepers of the orchestra world with many minutes of intense concentration while waiting to make an essential contribution to the overall performance. Here, however, the percussion section takes centre stage, with Currie playing an incredible range of instruments, ably supported by the Philharmonic’s percussionists. The cinematic quality of Elfman’s compositions was re...

Rachmaninov’s symphony No. 2 in E minor – Liverpool Philharmonic

12Nov

By Johanna RobertsNo Comments

North West

Rachmaninov’s symphony No. 2 in E minor – Liverpool Philharmonic

It is a measure of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s standing among the international music community that they can attract the very best to perform with the orchestra and choir. Nowhere was this more clearly seen than at last night’s performance, which saw young British award-winning conductor Adam Hickox take up the baton to conduct the orchestra in Rachmaninov’s symphony No. 2 in E minor, and internationally acclaimed violinist Ning Feng in Samuel Barber’s violin concerto. However, in keeping with the programming of traditional pieces with newer or lesser-known works, the concert began with ‘Nautilus’ by contemporary composer Anna Meredith. A short but intense piece featuring particularly the brass section, it was first composed in 2011 then orchestrated in 2021, Meredith says her i...

<strong>Puccini’s Messa di Gloria – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall</strong>

27Nov

By Johanna RobertsNo Comments

North West

Puccini’s Messa di Gloria – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

I’ve often wondered what factors go into the decision of programming classical music concerts. Apart from the logistical decisions, on an artistic level, there must be well-known and well-loved pieces to attract the audience’s attention and guarantee ticket-sales, while also drawing in audiences by offering something new and/or challenging. Last night’s concert at the Liverpool Philharmonic managed to resolve this conundrum by a combination of two well-known and one far less well-known piece while triumphing in all three. That said, Debussy’s symphonic Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune and what he called the "three symphonic sketches” that form La Mer, now familiar to and much loved by audiences around the world, were new and challenging for the audiences that first heard them in ...

14Feb

By Johanna RobertsNo Comments

North West

Fern Brady – Unity Theatre

The energy buzzing around Unity Theatre last night was an indication that this was an audience ready to enjoy themselves, and they weren’t disappointed. Fern Brady knows her audience and gave them exactly what they wanted – a night full of gritty but good-humoured observations on this world we all live in. If the aim of comedians is to present us with that world seen from a different angle, pointing out the inconsistencies and the absurdities in the quotidian, the surreal in the real, Fern Brady has a head start. Her recent diagnosis of autism has helped her understand why she has always felt that sense of not quite fitting in, of being on the outside. As she explains, the stage is the one place she feels she can be herself; it is her space, and there is no obligation to fit into anyone...

Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World – Liverpool Playhouse

10Dec

By Johanna RobertsNo Comments

North West

Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World – Liverpool Playhouse

I absolutely loved this show! Fantastically Great Women, a musical based on the picture book by Kate Pankhurst, aims to inspire children with stories about women who have claimed their place in history in a whole range of different fields. The concept is simple but effective. Jade (last night played by the outstanding Eva-Marie Saffrey), a 10-year-old girl on a school trip to the museum, is tired of restrictions and of never being listened to, and, we later find, is having difficulty coming to terms with her parents’ imminent divorce. Hence, she has decided to hide away in an off-limits section of the museum, the soon to be opened ‘Gallery of Greatness’. Picking up a toy plane, she wishes she could have an adventure – which is the cue for Amelia Earhart to make an appearance, quickly...

9Nov

By Johanna RobertsNo Comments

North West

Rajesh and Naresh – Unity Theatre

Seventy minutes, two actors, one set. That’s all that is needed to tell this touching story of how two men, with different backgrounds, different experiences, and different personalities, make a connection that changes their lives. The play opens with Rajesh (Brahmdeo Shannon Ramana), who works in a financial firm in London, and Naresh (Madhav Vasantha), who makes cricket bats in Mumbai, sitting on chairs on separate halves of the stage – the one in London and the other in Mumbai. Their initial actions as they prepare for the day clearly and concisely convey their personalities. Rajesh – young, good-looking, and seemingly self-confident – presents a sharp contrast to the 42-year-old Naresh, who focuses only on what he considers to be his faults. The action continues to develop separa...

12Jul

By Johanna RobertsNo Comments

North West

Under the Mask – Liverpool Playhouse

With the possibility of restrictions being lifted and mask wearing no longer being compulsory, Under the Mask is a timely and poignant reminder of the situation 18 months ago when Covid first hit our shores and our health service. An audio play by Shaan Sahota, herself a doctor, it tracks the first days of newly qualified doctor, Jaskaran (Aysha Kala), as she tries to navigate her way around a new job, a new hospital, and a new virus combining an almost documentary, prosaic tone with personal stories. If judged by conventional standards, it is by no means perfect, but as an experience reflecting a current social crisis that has affected us all, it is an important piece of theatre. As a theatrical experience, it differs from simply listening to a play on the radio. The audience ...

18Jun

By Johanna RobertsNo Comments

North West

Y’MAM – Everyman Theatre

Different languages express it in different ways – the straw that breaks the camel’s back, the final drop that makes the glass overflow - but all refer to the same moment of when the ‘red mist descends’ and anger takes over. We’ve all seen it – either in real life or on the screen, when ‘it all kicks off’ and a fight breaks out over nothing. Or over what seems like nothing, but as Y’MAM so eloquently explains, for the problem to exist, there must have been ‘an intro to the problem’. Y’MAM – written by and performed by Majid Mehdizadeh (aka Luke Jerdy) – is based on Majid’s own life. Both the writing and the performance are stunning, though there were some moments when the need to convey the energy means individual words were lost, which is a shame, as the use of language is remarkable. ...