Katie Leicester, Author at North West End UK

10Dec

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Robin Hood – Opera House, Manchester

It’s pantomime season once again, that magical time of year when theatres fill with laughter, music, mischief, and festive cheer. Robin Hood is my second pantomime of the season, and it captures everything that makes panto such a cherished Christmas tradition for families. It remains the perfect introduction to musical theatre for children as it’s colourful, silly, interactive, and bursting with joy. But make no mistake, the adults were laughing just as much as the kids. Jason Manford leads the show as Robin Hood, the familiar hero of Sherwood Forest who steals from the rich to give to the poor, all while hopelessly smitten with Maid Marion, played delightfully by Sarah Vaughan. Manford’s ease with an audience and natural stand-up rhythm makes his Robin warm, nimble, and consistently fu...

6Dec

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Pantoville – St Thomas’s Church Hall

Written & directed by Michael Pirks Returning once again to review a Michael Pirks Soup Production feels less like an assignment and more like coming home. Since first meeting Pirks in 2024, I’ve been hooked on his brilliantly spirited writing, and Pantoville - my fifth of his shows, proves yet again that his creative well runs deep and delightfully wild. While his previous works I’ve seen have been plays, this venture into pantomime is nothing short of a triumphant stroke of genius. With all the essential ingredients of a classic panto - singing, dancing, audience participation and of course the timeless cries of “He’s behind you!” and “Oh no you didn’t!”, Pirks not only honours the tradition but elevates it. The script is enriched with beloved Disney and storybook characters, g...

14Nov

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Miss Saigon – Palace Theatre

The 2025 tour of Miss Saigon has descended upon Manchester’s Palace Theatre, a moment I approached with a mixture of excitement and nerves. This musical is, without question, my unrivalled favourite of all time. Having seen it over 50 times, I know the script, staging, and emotional landscape inside out. So, would this new version soar like a phoenix… or fall short? Miss Saigon follows Kim, a young Vietnamese girl forced to work in a Saigon bar after losing her family. There she meets Chris, an American soldier, and over one night their lives become bound by a powerful, unexpected love. When Saigon falls, Chris is airlifted out in the chaos, unaware that Kim has survived and is now raising their son, Tam. Determined to protect her child at any cost, Kim endures years of hardship while C...

Manchester Musical Youth’s 11th Anniversary Concert – Manchester College

2Nov

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Manchester Musical Youth’s 11th Anniversary Concert – Manchester College

Manchester Musical Youth (MMY) marked its 11th anniversary in spectacular fashion with a celebratory concert at Manchester College, showcasing the incredible breadth of talent that has become synonymous with this outstanding theatre group. With over 100 students taking part, from apprentices to main stage performers - this was more than just a concert; it was a heartfelt celebration of eleven years of nurturing young talent and transforming passion into performance. Headed by the dynamic husband-and-wife duo Kimberly Holden (Musical Director) and Dave Holden (Director), MMY once again proved why it is renowned for producing some of Manchester’s finest young performers, many of whom have gone on to excel on professional stages and screens. The evening featured 23 musical numbers s...

10Oct

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Finding Nemo Jr – Z-Arts

It’s time for the Apprentices to shine! Manchester Musical Youth’s (MMY) latest production, Finding Nemo Jr, swam onto the Z-arts stage this week and what a splash it made. With a 34-strong cast of young performers, this vibrant musical adaptation of Disney and Pixar’s beloved underwater adventure truly showcased the depth of talent within MMY’s apprentices. Directed by Shannon Holland with Sarah Barron as Assistant Director and produced by the ever-fabulous Kimberly and Dave Holden, the production captured the heart and humour of the original film while allowing every performer to sparkle. Finding Nemo Jr features music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and a book adapted by Lindsay Anderson. The story follows Marlin, an anxious clownfish father who embarks ...

23Sep

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

The Buddy Holly Story – The Lowry

Written and produced by Alan Janes, The Buddy Holly Story has been delighting audiences worldwide since it first opened in 1989. Having toured across continents and played to more than 22 million people, the show has become a staple of jukebox theatre. Now, under the assured direction of Matt Salisbury, it arrives at The Lowry Theatre with a vibrant new cast who capture the energy, charm and tragedy of a legend of early rock ‘n’ roll. The production follows Buddy Holly’s short yet dazzling career between 1956 and 1959, classed as the golden years of rock ‘n’ roll. Starting out as a country musician in Lubbock, Texas, Buddy quickly realised his sound belonged to a new era. With The Crickets, he forged a distinctive style that blended country roots with rhythm and blues influences, produc...

Send in the Clowns: A Little Flop of Horrors – Hope Mill Theatre

17Sep

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Send in the Clowns: A Little Flop of Horrors – Hope Mill Theatre

Returning for their fourth outing at Hope Mill Theatre, the boisterous cabaret troupe behind Send in the Clowns: A Little Flop of Horrors once again delivered an evening of wickedly funny, musically sharp, and gloriously risqué entertainment. Having caught their last production (C*ck of Ages) back in May, I was curious to see if they could outdo themselves and they certainly rose to the challenge. The four-strong cast – Fatt Butcher, Blu Romantic, Dahlia Rivers, and Alanna Boden proved to be a powerhouse ensemble. Vocally, they were outstanding, effortlessly switching from the sultry tones of Cabaret to a comedic delivery of Dear Evan Hansen, and the playful belting of a song from Annie. Their mash-up medleys, including an inspired collision of Chicago, Oliver! and Les Misérables, were ...

A Chorus Line – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

8Sep

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

A Chorus Line – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

There are certain shows that feel timeless in their simplicity and power, and A Chorus Line is one of them. The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse’s current production, directed by Joseph Meighan, captures that magic beautifully, offering a night of theatre that is both dazzling and deeply human. The story, set in the world of Broadway auditions, follows director Zach Wilson (played here with presence and precision by Joseph Meighan himself) as he whittles down a group of hopeful dancers competing for a coveted spot in his new chorus line. The show strips back theatrical spectacle to its essence, focusing instead on raw storytelling with its mirrored backdrops and nothing else allowing the cast’s talent and truth to shine. What sets this production apart is the electric chemistry between M...

29Aug

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr – Z-Arts

Manchester Musical Youth once again proved why they have built such a strong reputation for delivering high-quality family entertainment with their latest production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr. With music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, and adapted for the stage by Jeremy Sams, this classic tale was given a fresh, imaginative twist by producers Dave and Kimberly Holden. The story follows eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts and his two children, Jeremy and Jemimah, who, with the help of the spirited Truly Scrumptious, transform an old racing car into the magical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Together, they embark on a fantastical adventure to the land of Vulgaria, ruled by the bumbling Baron and Baroness, encountering spies, danger, and laughter along the way. ...

Moulin Rouge! The Musical – Palace Theatre

22Aug

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Moulin Rouge! The Musical – Palace Theatre

Step inside Manchester’s Palace Theatre this month and you are no longer in the North West of England - you are transported straight into the beating heart of Montmartre. For its UK tour, Moulin Rouge! The Musical has transformed the venue into a lush Parisian nightspot; its boxes crowned with the glittering red windmill and a striking blue elephant symbolising Satine’s dressing room. Even before the first note is sung, the effect is spellbinding, and the theatre itself is part of the spectacle. Directed by Alex Timbers with a book by John Logan, the musical reimagines Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film for the stage. At its core lies the romance between Christian (Josh Rose), a wide-eyed, penniless songwriter, and Satine (Verity Thompson), the glamorous star of the Moulin Rouge. Christian dreams...