Paul Downham, Author at North West End UK

New space, new writing and new beginnings for 53two as they lay out plans to take them to 2023

19Jul

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NEWS

New space, new writing and new beginnings for 53two as they lay out plans to take them to 2023

53two launch first ever season in their new home with world premieres of new writing, the return of JB Shorts and opportunities for Greater Manchester talent to share their work as a part of several new platforms supporting multi-discipline creatives. 53two, only just over a year old in their new venue, are making moves to change the face of independent Manchester Theatre with a line-up of new writing and events that will champion their ethos of ensuring theatre and the arts are for everyone. For creatives and audiences alike, access is key. In September, the space affectionately known as ‘the arches’ will open its newly expanded 150-seater venue with brand new writing from Joshua Chandos. The one act, two hander will be brought to life by the venue’s Creative Director, Simon Naylor ...

19Jul

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ArtsGroupie to play brand new Shakespeare North Playhouse

Local Northern heritage and theatre CIC, Artsgroupie play the Sir Ken Dodd Performance Gardens July 23rd and 24th at the new Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot. “We are ecstatic to see two of our productions come alive in this exciting new theatre space. The Liver Bird and Kitty: Queen of the Washhouse celebrate two Iconic Northern favourites. Both shows champion Northern history and community spirit. Audiences are encouraged to embrace their imaginations and enjoy the classic oral tradition of storytelling.” John Maguire, Creative Director THE LIVER BIRD – a fun interactive performance for all the family What if the Liver Birds really did exist? Charlie J has heard all about Liverpool’s famous Birds from his Grandma’s stories but are they real? Has anybody seen one fly? When th...

Stage adaptation of the iconic movie BOUND to premiere in the UK

13Jul

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Stage adaptation of the iconic movie BOUND to premiere in the UK

Manchester, UK based Vertigo Theatre Productions have announced that they have been given permission to present a limited try out production of a new stage adaptation of the iconic film BOUND. The movie written by the legendary Wachowski sisters (The Matrix Movies, V for Vendetta, Cloud Atlas, Sesnse8) will be adapted to the stage by Vertigo's in house writer/director Craig Hepworth and will receive a workshop reading this November. Released in 1996, BOUND became an immediate critic favourite due to its beautifully crafted script, stunning direction and boundary pushing lesbian representation. To this day, Bound is the Wachowskis most critically acclaimed piece of work and is frequently voted as one of the best lesbian movies of all time. It starred Oscar nominated Jennifer Tilly (Bulle...

What He Said: A collection of short plays exploring male mental health

10Jul

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What He Said: A collection of short plays exploring male mental health

This July, the second show from Pique Niche Productions is coming to The Theatre at the Casa, Hope Street, Liverpool. What He Said showcases four plays from North West based writers. Each play explores mental health from a male perspective including the severe illnesses and death of loved ones, custody issues and the sense of belonging following the end of a romantic relationship, and political turmoil. We aim to raise awareness of issues affecting men in today’s society and these are four stories representing different aspects of that experience. We appreciate that gender exists on a spectrum and definitions of men and the male experience vary. Pique Niche Productions is a Liverpool based theatre company supporting new writing from the North of England, particularly writing exploring t...

St Helens Theatre Royal ‘Chucks’ more pantomime casting our way

9Jul

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St Helens Theatre Royal ‘Chucks’ more pantomime casting our way

St Helens youngster Jamie Leahey and his trusty side-kick puppet Chuck will join an all-star cast in his hometown’s Christmas pantomime Cinderella. Thirteen-year-old Jamie and Chuck recently wowed the judges and audience of Britain’s Got Talent with his excellent ventriloquist act. In June, he made it to the Grand Final finishing runner-up – winning a legion of fans along the way. The pair will appear as themselves as a speciality act in festive pantomime Cinderella from Regal Entertainments Ltd.* Cinderella will run at St Helens Theatre Royal from Saturday 3rd December 2022 to Sunday 8th January 2023. Tickets are on sale now from £18. As the latest addition to the all-star cast, Jamie and Chuck will star alongside fellow Britain’s Got Talent favourite comedian and musician Jon...

Red carpet celebrations after a year at The Savoy

7Jul

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Red carpet celebrations after a year at The Savoy

With frocks galore and towering heels (and that’s just the audience) it’s hard to believe ‘Pretty Woman: The Musical’ has been running for a year at the Savoy Theatre – such was the excitement. The original run began at the Piccadilly Theatre in February 2020; however, performances were cancelled after just one month due to the pandemic. The show re-opened at the Savoy Theatre in July 2021. Based on the classic film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, ‘Pretty Woman: The Musical’ is a romantic comedy telling the story of a chance encounter between sex worker Vivian Ward (Aimie Atkinson) and businessman Edward Lewis (Danny Mac). Keen to have a date but no romantic tangles, Edward invites Vivian to escort him to a number of events. But time spent together deepens their relationship...

5Jul

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First look at A-Typical Rainbow

Based on real events from the perspective of the writer and the autistic community, JJ Green will lead the cast as Boy for the limited run at The Turbine Theatre. The rest of the cast will be made up by Caroline Deverill (Mother), James Westphal (Father/Doctor), Conor Joseph (Jake/Daniel), Joy Tan (Abby/Thomas/Lara) and Maya Manuel (Emily/Mrs Whiteman/Rachel). Boy has always seen the world differently to most people. Where they see monochrome, he sees the world in vivid and brilliant technicolour. As Boy grows up, he faces increasing pressure to conform to the black and white logic of the 'real' world, a way of thinking that doesn't make sense, and forces him to suppress his unique and beautiful view of life. A-Typical Rainbow is the World Premiere debut play by autistic writer JJ...

Wilton’s Music Hall announce exciting and ambitious autumn season

5Jul

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Wilton’s Music Hall announce exciting and ambitious autumn season

Today Wilton’s Music Hall announces a magnificent Autumn season for August-December 2022, with an impressive array of world-class theatre, music, comedy and opera in collaboration with a variety of distinguished production companies and talent. London’s most festive venue is thrilled to present the world premiere of The Wind in the Willows Wilton’s [24th November – 31st December] for its Christmas spectacular. This brand-new adaptation written by Piers Torday (The Last Wild series), is based on Kenneth Grahame’s much loved The Wind in the Willows and set in modern-day London. The Wind in the Willows Wilton’s is a fun, festive show for all the family, bringing up-to-date the Edwardian original with a playful wit and charm, with our heroes tackling modern-day climate issues (although Toad...

Phantom of the Opera extends with new performance schedule

5Jul

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Phantom of the Opera extends with new performance schedule

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at Her Majesty’s Theatre is delighted to announce that booking is extended to Saturday 4th March 2023, with a new performance schedule from Monday 3rd October 2022. The Christmas performance schedule is also announced. From Monday 3rd October the new performance schedule will be: Monday at 7.30pm Tuesday at 7.30pm Wednesday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm Thursday at 7.30pm Friday at 7.30pm Saturday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm A previously announced, from 1st August Killian Donnelly will play The Phantom alongside Lucy St. Louis as Christine Daaé, Matt Blaker as Raoul and Kelly Glyptis as Carlotta, Matt Harrop as Monsieur Firmin, Adam Linstead as Monsieur André, Greg Castiglioni as Ubaldo Piangi, Francesca Ellis as Madame Giry and Ellie Young as Meg Giry. At ...

West End production of Hamilton extends booking to March 2023

5Jul

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West End production of Hamilton extends booking to March 2023

Jeffrey Seller and Cameron Mackintosh, producers of the West End production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s HAMILTON, are delighted to announce that booking is extending at the Victoria Palace Theatre to 3rd March 2023. Reuben Joseph plays the title role of Alexander Hamilton with Simon-Anthony Rhoden as Aaron Burr, Allyson Ava-Brown as Angelica Schuyler, Shan Ako as Eliza Hamilton, Roshani Abbey as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds, Trevor Dion Nicholas as George Washington, Waylon Jacobs as Marquis De Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Emile Ruddock as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, Jake Halsey-Jones as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton and Joel Montague as King George III. At certain performances the role of Alexander Hamilton is played by Alex Sawyer. The cast also comprises Jade Albertsen, Curt...