Newsdesk, Author at North West End UK

A Night at the Opera – Flat Pack Music Gala Concert

3Oct

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NEWS

A Night at the Opera – Flat Pack Music Gala Concert

Hot on the heels of their currently touring production of an English libretto version of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Flat Pack Music will be re-assembling for A Night at the Opera at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 12th October. Chester Cathedral is many things to many people: a vibrant community of worship, an ancient abbey, an archaeological treasure, a cultural hub, a centre of musical excellence and a unique blend of medieval and modern history. A Night at the Opera promises to add another layer with this magical musical journey which will create memories to be cherished for years to come. Featuring L’orchestra dell’Arte, conducted by Edward Peak, and joined by Mersey Wave Choir and the Runcorn Community Chorus, there will also be several professional soloists making up th...

West End and The Greatest Showman star Keala Settle will lead the cast in the UK premiere of the musical Fly More Than You Fall

13Sep

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NEWS

West End and The Greatest Showman star Keala Settle will lead the cast in the UK premiere of the musical Fly More Than You Fall

Tony nominated Broadway star Keala Settle is to lead the cast in the UK premiere of the new US musical Fly More Than You Fall at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 18th October- 23rd November. Based on lived experiences the uplifting and inspiring show navigates grief with some incredible songs that are bound to get stuck in your head! This isn’t just a musical, it’s a journey that will break your heart and mend it all in one night. Keala achieved global fame as the bearded lady Lettie Lutz in the film The Greatest Showman. Her moving rendition of the anthem ‘This is Me’ was a standout song in the movie, going on to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and a video on YouTube has now been watched 82m times. Sh...

Sebastian Faulks’s Birdsong is coming to the Playhouse

13Sep

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NEWS

Sebastian Faulks’s Birdsong is coming to the Playhouse

Sebastian Faulks’s epic story of love and loss, Birdsong, returns to the stage in a brand-new production for 2024 at the Liverpool Playhouse from Tuesday 8th to Saturday 12th October. Featuring award-winning actor Max Bowden (EastEnders), this production marks the 30th anniversary of the international best-selling novel. The critically acclaimed show, adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and directed by Original Theatre’s Artistic Director, Alastair Whatley, tells the story of one man’s journey through an all-consuming love affair and into the horror of the First World War.   Max Bowden (EastEnders) who plays Jack Firebrace said: “I’m so excited to be collaborating with Original Theatre again on a project close to my heart. Birdsong highlights the tragedy of war, yet the...

State Ballet of Georgia Release Trailer for Swan Lake

30Jul

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NEWS

State Ballet of Georgia Release Trailer for Swan Lake

The State Ballet of Georgia has released the trailer for its first visit to London, including leading talent and rising stars from Georgia alongside international guest soloists. Odette/Odille will be performed by Nino Samadashvili, a leading Georgian soloist and Principal Dancer at the State Ballet of Georgia; Laura Fernandez, who is half-Ukrainian and half-Spanish, and fled Moscow and her position as first soloist with the Stanislavsky Theatre in 2022 as Russia invaded Ukraine; Chloe Misseldine, who joins the State Ballet of Georgia as a Guest from American Ballet Theater; and Ukrainian soloist Anastasia Matvienko, who was previously star at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg and is now a principal at the Slovenian National Ballet. Prince Siegfried will be performed by leading...

Chariots of Fire at The Crucible production images released

11Jul

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NEWS

Chariots of Fire at The Crucible production images released

Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre has released images from their current production of Chariots of Fire. Adapted by Mike Bartlett (Doctor Foster, King Charles III) from the 1981 Oscar-winning film based on the remarkable events of the 1924 Olympics and directed by Sheffield Theatres’ Artistic Director Robert Hastie, this production marks the 100th anniversary of the true stories of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams and their record-breaking achievements. The cast includes: Bethany Antonia as Florence and Frank; Adam Bregman as Harold Abrahams; Richard Cant as Master of Caius; Waleed Elgadi as Sam and as cast; Bessy Ewa as Sybil; Sally Frith as cast; Tom Glenister as Aubrey Montague; Mark Lockyer as Master of Trinity; Lois Pearson as Jennie and as cast; Eddie-Joe Robinson as Schloz and as c...

The Importance of Being Earnest – Royal Exchange

20Jun

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North West

The Importance of Being Earnest – Royal Exchange

When a play is so ubiquitous that most people with even a passing interest in the Arts have seen a theatrical production or filmed version of it, anyone thinking of purchasing a ticket should always ask themselves the question ‘Why bother?’ Fortunately, the Summer offering from the Royal Exchange provides the answer, giving a fresh, funny and resolutely modern take on this classic which should serve to please both new audiences and Wildean purists equally. Director Josh Roche and Designer Eleanor Bull initially present us with a stunning visual treat, the set taking its inspiration from the floral displays in a plethora of shops and coffee houses that infest our modern world. Suspended from the ceiling an enormous imitation flower display acts to illustrate the fake nature of the world ...

Merrily We Roll Along – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

18Jun

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North West

Merrily We Roll Along – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

With an uncanny sense of timing, Director Joseph Meighan and the creative team at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse open their production of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ on the same day it was announced that the current Broadway production won 4 Tony awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. So, if a trip to New York is beyond the budget of south Manchester residents, this week they get the opportunity to see a superb rendition of this poignant commentary on the nature of friendship at their local theatre instead. On its initial run in 1981, ‘Merrily’ closed after just two weeks and was a commercial disaster for Sondheim and co-writer George Furth, critics at the time found the storyline confusing and the characters unsympathetic and audiences agreed. But, as with many Sondh...

Twelfth Night – Shakespeare North Playhouse

12Jun

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North West

Twelfth Night – Shakespeare North Playhouse

As we approach the second anniversary of the opening of the Shakespeare North Playhouse, we can begin to assess its impact both within the local area and upon the wider northern theatrical scene. By teaming up with Not Too Tame, an independent theatre company based in Warrington for this version of ‘Twelfth Night’, we can see their intent to use of local voices to retell Shakespearean stories in an accessible way, an endeavour that was only partially successful in this production. Shakespeare’s tale of misunderstanding and cross dressing has undergone a renaissance in its popularity over the last decade, with the opportunity for directors to overtly queer the storyline and allow LGBTQ+ themes to be explored in the writing in an effective and sympathetic way. Whilst Director Jimmy Fairhu...

Jane McDonald: “With All My Love Tour is the one i’m most proud of”….And it’s not even started yet.

11Jun

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Interviews

Jane McDonald: “With All My Love Tour is the one i’m most proud of”….And it’s not even started yet.

The title “National Treasure” is one readily bandied about these days, but warm-hearted and witty Yorkshire lass Jane McDonald has to be one of the truest examples out there. Jane’s story is a great example of a girl done good; first captured 25 years ago on BBC docusoap The Cruise, Jane became an overnight sensation – and has spent the years since forging a hugely successful career as a singer and TV personality. Her solo shows have captivated audiences up and down the country, and now she’s back preparing to hit the road once more with an all-new tour With All My Love this autumn. The new tour, Jane’s biggest to date, starts with two nights at Blackpool’s iconic Opera House, stops off at The London Palladium and will close with what promises to be an extra special tour finale at...

11Jun

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NEWS

Casting announced for brand-new UK tour of Dear Evan Hansen with a little help from TikTok

The full cast is announced for the brand-new production of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning Best Musical Dear Evan Hansen. Ryan Kopel (Newsies) will play the iconic role of Evan Hansen, alongside Lauren Conroy (Into The Woods) as Zoe Murphy and Alice Fearn (Wicked, Come From Away) as Evan’s mum, Heidi. They will be joined by Helen Anker (Mamma Mia!) as Cynthia Murphy, Richard Hurst (The Lion King) as Larry Murphy, Killian Thomas Lefevre (Bat Out Of Hell) as Connor Murphy, Tom Dickerson (Heathers) as Jared Kleinman, Vivian Panka (9 to 5 the Musical) as Alana Beck and Sonny Monaghan (discovered via TikTok) as alternate Evan. This is the first production of Dear Evan Hansen in the UK to perform the show with an ensemble. The ensemble are Lara Beth-Sas, Will Forgrave, Dan...