Michelle Knight, Author at North West End UK

8Dec

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

Cinderella – The Rose Theatre

The Rose Theatre hosts Chris Bush and Roni Neale’s Christmas characterisation of Cinderella featuring a cast of professionals and the young company. What strikes you immediately is the set, with its small compact house, with its larder fridge, cereal boxes, chairs emulating stepping stone access to the attic bedroom above. The illusion of a fully functional home was truly amazing. Throughout the production the revolving house becomes the scenes of the pumpkin carriage, the castle and the forest. A clever use of the staging and lighting that enabled a sense of magical wonder, credit to Ryan Dawson Laight. The young cast kick off the show with lanterns and ensemble of “Where does the time go”. A strong start to open Act 1 and into the story of Ella pla...

The Magic of Christmas – Brick Lane Music Hall

29Nov

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

The Magic of Christmas – Brick Lane Music Hall

Brick Lane Music Hall, a hidden gem situated in the heart of the docklands. Founded by Vincent Hayes MBE in1992. This resurrected church is the home of entertainment on a grandiose level. A theatre dining experience serving laughter, music hall cabaret and party time fun. When you walk in you are struck by the attention to detail to replicate early 20th century British theatre. The Magic of Christmas did not disappoint and with each costume change came a gambit of old and new classic Christmas songs and carols. From David Essex’s Winter’s Tale to I’m dreaming of a White Christmas to an amazing performance of The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl’s Fairytale of New York. A guest appearance by ‘Royal appointment’ ...

20Nov

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

Jurassic – Soho Theatre Upstairs

Tim Foley’s short sixty-minute play is a satirical spin on the film franchise Jurassic Park. Boxed up and packaged in such way that the actors themselves physically and figuratively fight it out in true dinosaur style. Set within a financially stricken university the Dean calls in Jay an academic in palaeontologist to his office. Jay is faced with being laid off due to academic losses, poor performance, scandal and anything the Dean could put upon him. Examples of failings ‘losses’ Jay appeared on countdown and lost to a ‘little old lady’ his performance Dean explained brought the university into disrepute. Jay hangs out in the student bar and is too familiar with the female students, “you are bringing the university into disrepute” time after time. Unhappy with his fate Jay takes steps to...

The Assembled Parties – Hampstead Theatre

29Oct

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

The Assembled Parties – Hampstead Theatre

First impressions, this play has no boundaries when it comes to flaunting American political ideology and Jewish patronage. But it is difficult to comprehend where it is positioned within the context of contemporary societal life in Manhattan in the 1980’s. Is this a drama about exposing family truths and values in the guise of Christmas tradition, rented housing, or world affairs. There are more questions than answers in this adaptation of Richard Greenbergs American stage play, The Assembled Parties. Set in an opulent rented apartment, West Side New York a proud extended Jewish family settle in to share and celebrate a Christian festival ‘Christmas Lunch. Their son Scotty is home from college and has invited his pal Jeff Sam Marks to join in the celebrations. Jeff’s relationship with ...

The Soon Life – Southwark Playhouse Borough

20Oct

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

The Soon Life – Southwark Playhouse Borough

The Soon Life opens with precise staging, a brightly lit room with a sofa, table and garniture you would expect to see in any home. However, this was different a birth pool was inflated and positioned to one side of the room. Birthing books visible, a moses basket assembled, a sign of welcoming a new life, a baby. This was a planned home birth during a time of unknown risks from Covid 19, and hospital considered an unsafe place to give birth. Phoebe Mcintosh is Bec a mixed-race young woman, pregnant and in the early stage of her labour. Whilst bouncing on her birthing ball in a zen state, calm, in control, listening to direction from her headphones, in walks the ‘ex’, Alex, (Joe Boylan). This disruption sets the tone of the play and the couple’s timeline in their relationship which brou...

17Oct

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

Private Lives – Rose Theatre Kingston

What a life of ruse, where “Love and Chaos Collide” in Noel Coward’s Private Lives. It is evident that some knowledge of Noel Coward,his character as a playwright, composer and director, would stand you in good stead to appreciate this play. Coward was a distinguished actor flamboyant full of wit and charm using the English language like a tool to convey drama, comedy in a unique style that became his trademark. Private Lives a 1930 Coward’s comedy classic has seen many revivals in the past and this new production directed by Tanuja Amarasuriya has a sleek “modern connection” to the original. Written about the lives of a couple separated by divorce only to meet again on their honeymoon night with their new spouses. Their eyes meet on the hotel balcony, the chemistry reignites, and rekin...

Top Hat the Musical – New Wimbledon Theatre

15Oct

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

Top Hat the Musical – New Wimbledon Theatre

Top Hat, a musical genre from bygone days comes to the New Wimbledon Theatre with style and grace. What is striking from the outset is Peter Mckintosh set designs which spin round and glide on and off stage to create the perfect scenic backdrop for this timeless performance. Together with Yvonne Milnes their costume design was exquisite and transports you right back into the grandeur of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, this did not disappoint. This 1935 crazy comedy with quirky storylines and ‘goofy’ mishaps is reflected very well in this version of Top Hat. A catalogue of mistaken identity, love and romance sees Jerry Travers played by Phillip Attmore shine with his toe tapping dance moves, sublime and joyous to watch. Complimented by Lindsay Atherton as Dale Tremont. In this perf...

Troilus And Cressida – The Globe Theatre

6Oct

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

Troilus And Cressida – The Globe Theatre

Troilus and Cressida is a lesser-known play by Shakespeare influenced by Grecian context and features characters from Greek Mythology. It centres and draws on the Trojan war.” Inside the walls of Troy Prince Troilus, Kasper Hilton-Hille tells Pandarus he loves Cressida her niece”. In a sequence of match making events by Pandarus the deed was done made simple by the fact, that Cressida confessed she had secretly betrothed herself to Troilus. In act of bad luck Cressida’s father, Calchas a defector to the Greek camp has offered her to the Greeks in a twist that changes everything for the young lovers. The heart of the story is centred around the two camps; the Greek and Trojan soldiers lying idle in their ways and flouncing their combat battle talk to wage war with each other. The Trojan ...

The Importance of Being Earnest – Noel Coward Theatre

3Oct

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

The Importance of Being Earnest – Noel Coward Theatre

When you see a cast list inclusive of Stephen Fry and the players of The Importance of Being Earnest, you know you are in safe hands. This production brings joy, silliness and exquisite delivery of an old classic. The witty puns and charm don’t disappoint, and the extravagance of the set and costumes throws you into high society elegance. This Oscar Wilde play first performed in 1895, is the last of his drawing room plays. It centres around two young men about town who in their mission to avoid their life of obligation and responsibility both take on the persona of ‘Earnest’, to gain the affections of two eligible young women. “Living a double live has its drawbacks” and amongst the mayhem this revised rendition brings sparkle and nonsense to the stage like you have never seen before. ...

29Sep

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

Punch – Apollo Theatre

“Inspired by the true story Punch” this production at the Apollo Theatre features a small but impressive cast of six and production team credited for bringing this life story to the West End stage. The staging is set to resemble a dark place for a conclave, on the steps, the bridge and on stage which enabled an astonishing style of creative movement, as the actors moved freely and smoothly from character to character, to scene change in synchronised motion. Credit to Leanne Pinder the movement was so emotionally moving aligning with the tragedy and empathy, which I’m sure was felt very strongly by the audience, just WOW. Scenes with strobe and flashing lights, the play has references to violence, death, alcohol and substance misuse. What strikes you in the opening scenes of th...