Paul Downham, Author at North West End UK

19May

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Casting announced for LIVE capture performance of Heathers the Musical

Bill Kenwright & Paul Taylor-Mills are excited to announce the cast for the eagerly anticipated recording of the hit production of Heathers the Musical, a project with Steam Motion and Sound. The cast for the filmed production are Ailsa Davidson (Veronica Sawyer), Simon Gordon (Jason “J.D” Dean), Maddison Firth (Heather Chandler), Vivian Panka (Heather Duke), Teleri Hughes (Heather McNamara), Vicki Lee Taylor (Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s Mom), Mhairi Angus (Martha Dunnstock), Liam Doyle (Kurt Kelly), Rory Phelan (Ram Sweeney), Oliver Brooks (Kurt’s Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach Ripper), Andy Brady (Ram’s Dad/Principle Gowan/Veronica’s Dad), Benjamin Karran (Beleaguered Geek), Chris Parkinson (Hipster Dork/Officer McCord), Jermaine Woods (Peppy Stud/Officer Milner), Eleanor Morris...

Original cast to get it wrong again for just 2 weeks

9May

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Original cast to get it wrong again for just 2 weeks

The original cast of The Play That Goes Wrong are reprising their roles for two weeks as part of the production’s current UK tour, 10 years after they first performed the play at The Old Red Lion Pub Theatre. The original cast from the 2012 run, Rob Falconer (Trevor), Dave Hearn (Max), Henry Lewis (Robert), Charlie Russell (Sandra), Jonathan Sayer (Dennis), Henry Shields (Chris), Greg Tannahill (Jonathan) and Nancy Zamit (Annie) reunite to perform The Play That Goes Wrong to UK audiences for the first time in over five years, playing at Opera House Manchester, 30th May – 4th June 2022, and Theatre Royal Newcastle, 6th – 11th June 2022. The Play That Goes Wrong is on its 5th UK tour, running until 21st August, and is blundering its way through its 8th year in the West End, currently b...

Greater Manchester and Edinburgh Fringe are back!

5May

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Greater Manchester and Edinburgh Fringe are back!

As the arts continues to return to what we used to call normal, we are starting to look ahead to both Greater Manchester and Edinburgh’s Fringe festivals. North West End UK has been supporting GM Fringe since our creation in 2014 and Edinburgh Fringe since 2018 following our expansion, and we are looking forward to the biggest year yet at both festivals. We are currently busy recruiting reviewing teams at both locations and look forward to having the largest number of reviewers onboard prior to the opening of each festival. If you know of anyone interested in joining our team for either just the festival or all year round reviewing, please ask them to contact the relevant email address below. GM Fringe runs from the 1st – 31st July and Edinburgh returns from the 5th – 29th August. We...

The Addams Family – Opera House, Manchester

20Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

The Addams Family – Opera House, Manchester

Dinner is served this week down at the Opera House in Manchester. Hosting are the most ‘normal’ family you’ll ever hope to meet! Matthew White directs with music and lyrics from Andrew Lippa. Wednesday Addams has met the love of her life, Lucas Beineke and following their secret engagement has organised dinner to allow the two families to meet and to pick the perfect moment to reveal their news. During dinner, other secrets are revealed, and the evening does not go exactly as the young lovers planned. Scott Paige returns to the show after a short break to narrate the story as Uncle Fester. Paige owns every scene he appears in with exemplary comic timing and facial expressions. Ryan Bennett as larger than life butler Lurch takes his time on stage before captivating us all at the clima...

Passion starring Ruthie Henshall to play 4-week run at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester

18Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Passion starring Ruthie Henshall to play 4-week run at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester

Full casting is now announced for Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine’s Passion this May: Dean John-Wilson (Steven Spielberg’s Masters of Air, Apple TV; Aladdin) will play Giorgio, the man who finds himself at the heart of a passionate love affair, alongside Olivier nominated Kelly Price (What’s New Pussycat?, Birmingham REP; A Little Night Music, Menier Chocolate Factory and Garrick Theatre) as Clara. The cast is completed by Adam Robert Lewis (The Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty’s Theatre), Charlie Waddell (South Pacific, Chichester Festival Theatre), Danny Whitehead (Wicked, UK tour), Dalton Harris (The X Factor), Ray Shell (Starlight Express, The Lion King), Steve Watts (As You Like It, Cheek by Jowl), and Tim Walton (Matilda the Musical, RSC). They join the Olivier Award winner and mus...

18Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

The Queens are taking you to court

Worldwide hit musical SIX, created by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, will play three open-air concert performances at Hampton Court Palace, reuniting the original West End Queens and performing within the iconic main courtyard of their infamous ex-husband’s former residence on Sunday 19th June and two performances on Monday 20th June 2022. This production, staged in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces – the independent charity which cares for Hampton Court Palace - will see the global musical phenomenon staged outdoors for the first time, in front of an audience of over 3,000 at each performance. SIX Live at Hampton Court Palace will reunite the original West End line-up of Olivier Award nominated cast members; Jarnéia Richard-Noel (Catherine of Aragon), Millie O’Connell (Anne Boleyn...

Gary Barlow’s A Different Stage comes to the West End

18Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Gary Barlow’s A Different Stage comes to the West End

Acclaimed singer, songwriter, composer and producer, Gary Barlow is bringing his theatrical one-man stage show, A Different Stage, to London’s West End, with a string of dates announced today. He will perform at The Duke of York’s Theatre from 30th August to 18th September, with tickets on sale Wednesday 23rd March at 10am from www.adifferentstage.show To date, Gary has performed sold out performances of A Different Stage at The Brindley in Runcorn, Cheshire and the Lowry Quays Theatre in Salford. He’s currently performing another sold out run at The Playhouse in Liverpool before he heads to Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre from 22nd March. Limited tickets are available for select dates in Edinburgh from www.adifferentstage.show A Different Stage, which Gary Barlow created with h...

18Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Meet the West End stars of tomorrow!

Three sets of twins who are starring in Identical, the new musical adaptation of The Parent Trap at The Lowry from Friday 19th August - Saturday 3rd September 2022. After a five-year casting search and multiple auditions across the UK, three sets of talented identical twins are about to become Britain’s latest musical theatre stars. The trio of twins will be starring in Identical, the new musical adaptation of Erich Kästner’s novel ‘The Parent Trap’ directed by Olivier & Tony award-winning director Sir Trevor Nunn and produced by Kenny Wax whose current hits include ‘SIX the musical’ and ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’. Identical tours to The Lowry from Friday 19th August - Saturday 3rd September 2022. They say you should never work with children or animals, but this summer Olivier an...

Red Riding Hood Announced as Everyman’s iconic rock n roll panto returns for 2022

15Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Red Riding Hood Announced as Everyman’s iconic rock n roll panto returns for 2022

The legendary Everyman rock n roll panto is back for 2022 and this year we’re telling the tale of Red Riding Hood from Friday 25th November 2022 to Saturday 14th January 2023. You might think you know the story of Red Riding Hood, but this is the tale Everyman style! There will be outlandish and sparkling costumes, plenty of plot twists and surprises, and full to the brim with musical hits performed by a company of supremely talented actor musicians. We’re thrilled to welcome back regular team member Adam Keast with more cast news to follow. As the theatres continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic, audience confidence is growing particularly for joy and fun-filled experiences, that can be shared with family and friends. The iconic rock n roll panto is the perfect treat...

15Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Summer Season announced at Theatr Clwyd

Theatr Clwyd has announced a massive summer season of activity. The season boasts an incredible mixture of musicals, comedy, drama, music, and family activities. The venue welcomes the return of many community performers that have not been able to take to the stage since before the pandemic. Theatr Clwyd produces brand new productions in this season. Celebrated Virgins, A Story of the Ladies of Llangollen (20th May-4th June) is a brand-new production written by Katie Elin-Salt and directed by Eleri B Jones. Based on the true story of Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby. When they fell in love, they were forced to leave their homes and cast out by society. Taking up residence in Llangollen they became minor celebrities, forced to witness their own lives written about by those who could nev...