Luke Stephenson, Author at North West End UK

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – St Helens Theatre Royal

5Dec

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – St Helens Theatre Royal

Panto season has landed upon us in the North West. Last night’s offering was Snow White and the seven dwarfs. Held at the Theatre Royal St Helens. A production produced by Regal Entertainments. This was a star studded cast bringing Christmas festivities this season. The show opened with the Wicked Queen (Maureen Nolan), wondering who the fairest of the land is. The Queen then summons ‘The Mirror’ (Leanne Campbell). The Queen (at least for now) was the fairest of the land. But only until Snow White (Chantelle Morgan) turns 18. This would lead to an evil plan to make sure The Queen remained the fairest of the land. Meanwhile, The Prince (Emrhys Cooper) of Coronationville, has been set out to find his new Princess and his first love has led him to Snow White. To keep the audience entertain...

21Mar

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Come Together – Liverpool’s Royal Court

Liverpool came together last night at the Royal Court Theatre to hear the Lennon and McCartney songbook. Written by Tom Connor and Mark Newnham who were playing The Beatles frontman, they came on to the stage and immediately included the audience with their relaxed approach and engaged with us as if we were all friends on the famous rooftop having a chat about how the lads came up with the songs that are famous among the Liverpool streets and the world. The lads gave us an insight into how Epstein was an influence on their career as well as how the songs almost sounded before Epstein tweaked it for example, ‘love me do’ Lennon was meant to sing the titled line. However, John couldn’t play the harmonica and sing it at the same time so gave the line to Paul and the rest is as they say his...

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch – Liverpool Playhouse

6Mar

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch – Liverpool Playhouse

Unfortunate, a musical parody by Robyn Grant and Daniel Foxx, has officially opened at the Liverpool Playhouse last night, telling the untold story of Ursula the sea witch from the Disney movie The Little Mermaid. Now I must say from the off that is absolutely not a story for younger audience members. I imagine those who attended last night may have received a shock, especially the parents. So, to the synopsis of the story. This musical started out at the Edinburgh fringe with a huge success. Now it is touring, it is a story of Ursula (Shawna Hamic from Orange is the New Black) narrating us through how she came to be the evil sea devil she is known for. After falling in love with Triton (Thomas Lowe) and a few raunchy episodes in the bathroom Triton wishes to ask her to be his wife and ...

Haunted Scouse – Liverpool’s Royal Court

16Feb

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Haunted Scouse – Liverpool’s Royal Court

A new play was upon us at the Liverpool Royal Court Theatre. Haunted Scouse by Gerry Linford, is a tale about husband Charlie (Michael Starke) who has sadly passed away, and he can’t complete his journey to the other side as there is something he needs to deal with first at home. His widow Molly (Lyn Francis) has turned to the bottle something she never used to do she feels alone as their son is in Australia. Molly blames herself for Charlie’s untimely death. All Charlie wants to do is give Molly a kiss and a hug just one more time as he is struggling with being on the other side but his guardian angel or should I say his auntie Peggy (Helen Carter) is on hand to guide him through to what he needs to do to get on to the other side. Charlie doesn’t like the fact that there is another gentle...

24Jan

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Pretty Woman – Liverpool Empire

It was opening night last night of Pretty Woman, a show with extremely limited tickets throughout its run so it was lovely to have been invited to do a review for this show. Upon arrival at the theatre and taking our seats we were made aware that there was a cast change for this week. The role of Vivian Ward was to be played by Elly Jay. Now I must admit I know of the film Pretty Woman, but I have never seen it. So, for those who do know, please bear with me while I explain. It's set in LA when Billionaire Edward Lewis (Oliver Savile) is about to shut down a company and make millions with his lawyer. He gets lost in his lawyer’s car and ends up meeting a lady of the night known as Vivian Ward (Elly Jay) Edward offers to pay for Vivian but not in the way you might think. He hires her to dri...

Whitney – Queen of the Night – Floral Pavilion

29Nov

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Whitney – Queen of the Night – Floral Pavilion

Last night I was able to review the sell-out show of Whitney – Queen of the Night at the New Brighton Pavilion. A show that has been seen in the west end and is currently touring the UK. This tribute show had all the back catalogue of hits but the late and iconic Whitney Houston, whilst also telling stories of her life for example she was the first black singer to appear on the cover of 17 in the 1980s. It certainly enjoyed not only the flawless vocals but hearing more about Whitney’s life. The show was a simple set up of 3 backing singers with a live band consisting of drums, guitar, piano and saxophone. I must apologise in advance, but I am unable to name the participants in the show due to not been given a programme or it due to being not listed on the webpages. However, it wa...

Scouse Dick Whittington – Liverpool’s Royal Court

16Nov

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Scouse Dick Whittington – Liverpool’s Royal Court

Let’s get ready to rumble, it’s the start of the festive season at The Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool with this year’s pantomime Scouse Dick Whittington. Written by Kevin Fearon and Directed by Mark Chatterton. In the City of Liverpool, it has all gone array, there are no cats within the city as King Rat (Andrew Schofield) has had them killed. Mayor Bradley Fitzwarren (Liam Tobin) is forced to step down as mayor and his daughter Alice (Hayley Sheen) are wondering who can replace him other than King Rat as Mayor. Meanwhile Holly Head (Lindzi Germain) and her son D*ck Head (Adam McCoy), have just returned from a lovely little holiday. When they see a dead cat in the road all of a sudden with a flash bang a fairy (Paige Fenlon) appears. She brings back Cat (Jamie Clarke) from the dead, but ...

By The Waters of Liverpool – M&S Bank Arena

7Sep

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

By The Waters of Liverpool – M&S Bank Arena

Tonight, I was lucky enough to be reviewing Helen Forrester’s ‘By the waters of Liverpool’ written by Rob Fennah and directed by Gareth Tudor Price. The play was meant to be at Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre but sadly due to its closure it was moved to the M&S Arena auditorium. Which actually seemed more fitting considering the title of the play. This play is a follow on from the previous ‘Two Pence across the Mersey’ which I had previously reviewed. This play set in 1939 on the brink of World War Two. As the play opened, we hear Neville Chamberlain making that dreaded amount from the cabinet room of 10 Downing Street. The story back tracks a couple of years prior when Helen (Emma Mulligan) is aged 18. We see that during this time in Helen’s life, her father (Tom Roberts) has become ba...

Dame Fanny And Her Fabulous Friends – Liverpool Theatre Festival

31Jul

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Dame Fanny And Her Fabulous Friends – Liverpool Theatre Festival

It’s pride weekend in Liverpool, a weekend of love, acceptance and unity. I was at another show within the programme of the Liverpool Theatre Festival at St Luke’s Bombed out Church. It was Dame Fanny and her friends Violet P and Debbie. Advertised as a family show. I didn’t know what to expect but what I got blew my mind. It was funny, engaging and ‘off the cuff’. Dame Fanny came out in a gorgeous dress in LGBTQ+ colours and welcomed her audience with open arms. She used her quick-fire wit when speaking to the audience and kept them in check. Fanny encouraged audience members to take the stage and show of talents for prizes to be won including a framed signed photo of Dame Fanny and a family trip to ArCains games. The audience and Fanny were very supportive of those who got up and ...

Shout! The Mod Musical – Liverpool Theatre Festival

31Jul

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Shout! The Mod Musical – Liverpool Theatre Festival

At the penultimate night of the Liverpool Theatre Festival, I was invited to review ‘Shout the (mod) Musical’ by Phillip George and David Löwenstein. It was performed by the students at Edge Hill University for their musical theatre course. A short synopsis of the show is that. It’s a show with hits from the 1960s including such hits as Son of a Preacher man, Goldfinger and of course Shout from LuLu. The show was about 5 women making their way through the 60s decade and overcoming stereotypes and prejudice. Each woman portrayed a different type of woman from the 60s and it looked at the personal journey of each of them. Whether questioning sexuality, their marriage and their love of Paul McCartney. We even had agony aunt columns and adverts plucked from the era. The musical was set in L...