Paul Downham, Author at North West End UK

5Sep

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

SIX: Teen Edition – Heald Green Theatre

As a reviewer, I find it easier to write reviews of shows that do not quite hit the mark as you have something to criticise specifically, and harder to write glowing reviews without gushing too much over what you’ve just seen on a stage. This review is going to be VERY hard to write. SIX written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss began its life at the Edinburgh Fringe back in 2017. In just 7 short years it has arguably become one of the greatest success’ of the Fringe now being performed worldwide to sell out audiences by professionals and youth groups. I can best describe this show as the Tudor X-Factor. In a concert setting each of Henry 8th six wives compete to see who is the most popular each performing solo numbers to win over the audience’s vote. There is nowhere to hide in this s...

Ghost The Musical – Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

23Aug

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

London

Ghost The Musical – Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

The stunning Aylesbury Waterside Theatre last night hosted the opening night of the latest UK tour of Ghost the Musical which extends into 2025. This musical will forever be judged against the original production which began in Manchester in 2011. Sadly, in today’s climate it will never be possible to tour this show in that original format due to the ever-rising costs and the logistical complexities the show displayed. In this production, slightly updated from its last tour the set serves its purpose but no more and audiences need to accept that. Based on the hit movie Ghost is a story about Sam Wheat who is murdered on his way home from visiting his girlfriend Molly’s art exhibition and becomes trapped between this world and the next. His subsequent journey teaches him the circumsta...

Bonnie & Clyde – Knutsford Little Theatre

15Aug

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Bonnie & Clyde – Knutsford Little Theatre

Tonight was my first visit to both Knutsford Little Theatre and Together For Theatre Productions to witness their latest offering Bonnie & Clyde. This is a musical rarely performed by amateur societies as it is tough to stage with the story moving so fast from one location to another and the underscore not allowing much wriggle room. The story of Bonnie & Clyde needs little explanation, bad boy meets good girl, and good girl turns bad due to the blindness of love. It doesn’t end well for our lead actors as is highlighted at the very start of the show. Together For Theatre have had no issues attracting a stellar cast to perform this gem of a musical which should be performed so much more. The score is stunning, the story compelling, everything points to a West End an...

Cats: The Beyond Broadway Experience – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

29Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

Scotland

Cats: The Beyond Broadway Experience – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

This production of the iconic stage musical, Cats, is brought to us by a huge cast of accomplished young performers The programme lists 31 principals and 161 ensemble members. This is a truly ambitious production, with challenging songs and movement, and the cast rise to the occasion, showcasing their impressive dance, vocal and acting skills. The show is comprised of a series of “chapters”, each introducing us to either a character, or an aspect of the community of Jellicle Cats. At the interval, some audience members told me that they were struggling to follow the story, but perhaps it is better to think of the piece as a collection of interconnected stories. As Grizelda, Kirsty Montgomery has the challenge of singing the haunting song, Memory. As well as being vocally demanding, t...

24Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

& Juliet – Opera House, Blackpool

Ever wondered what might’ve happened if Juliet hadn’t died? Well, there’s life after Romeo! With a hilarious script from David West Read (Schitt’s Creek), the story offers Juliet a new beginning, and a second chance at love, as it explores what might’ve happened if she hadn’t ended it all over Romeo. Intertwined with pop hits by song-writing juggernaut, Max Martin, & Juliet feels fresh, fearless and an awful lot of fun. The opening number, ‘Larger than Life’, set the tone for the evening. Everything about this show, indeed, felt larger than life! The set design from Soutra Gilmour was epic, using a very clever blend of moving furniture and projections to bring the stage to life. Video designs and animations, from Andrzej Goulding, were similarly superb. Paloma Young’s costume design...

24Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

West Midlands

Cluedo 2 – The Alexandra, Birmingham

Based on the popular board game of the same name and the successful original Cluedo play, Cluedo 2 arrives in Birmingham in its mysterious glory. Fading rock star Rick Black is trying to relaunch his career. He’s invited his entourage (with very familiar names) to his multi roomed mansion for the first play of his new song. However, someone in the house has other ideas and chaos soon ensues. Is everything as it seems? Who did what to who where and with what? A “spoof” like this has a style of performance that is unlike a serious play, everything is exaggerated a little more than normal, overly dramatic poses and reactions, adding to the comedy. The whole cast (including the bear) worked together to bring the game and story to life with strong characterisations throughout. Ev...

20Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Ghost The Musical – Storyhouse

On what was one of the hottest days of the year so far, the welcoming arms of the Storyhouse’s air conditioning system was very much appreciated as I took my seat to see D&S Productions latest show, Ghost The Musical. Having seen this show many, many times before in a number of guises I was looking forward to seeing how they tackled what is a complicated show to stage. The show centres around banker Sam Wheat (Chris Doyle) and sculptor Molly Jenson (Kate McHenry) who not long after moving into their new loft apartment in New York are torn apart when Sam is murdered in a failed mugging. Sam then becomes stuck between this world and the next and stumbles across phony psychic Oda Mae Brown (Gabrielle Stanfield) who helps him discover best friend Carl Bruner (Jack Parry) is not who he t...

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Holden Hall

28May

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Holden Hall

‘Way, way back many’ months ago Alderley & Wilmslow Musical Theatre Company (AWMTC) were dealt a huge hammer blow following the discovery of RACC concrete at their planned venue (NK Arts) for their next show Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which was due to play there in January this year and its subsequent closure on safety grounds. Now 4 months later tonight the show had a triumphant opening night at their new venue Holden Hall at the magnificent Cheadle Hulme School. Along with many other people, Joseph was my first introduction to theatre apart from the school nativity and the show holds a special place in my heart as a result of it being my mum’s favourite show. Tonight, AWMTC did this show more than justice with first class performances from the first note to the l...

Bonnie & Clyde – Palace Theatre, Manchester

8May

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Bonnie & Clyde – Palace Theatre, Manchester

In just 2 weeks Disney’s Aladdin flies into the Palace Theatre, one of the most anticipated shows of the year. But stop right there! This week Bonnie and Clyde drives onto the Place stage to raise a little hell in what so far, for me is the theatrical highlight of the year. I am lucky enough to be able to see some of the best theatre this country has to offer visiting Manchester and this show leave me after two and a half hours struggling to find fault with it in any way whatsoever. The staging, lighting, sound, orchestra and cast are faultless from the first gunshot to the last. In a story that is never going to have a happy ending Katie Tonkinson (Bonnie) and Alex James-Hatton (Clyde) display a fiery emotional chemistry from the first moment they meet to the final fade of the li...

24Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Ghost the Musical – George Lawton Hall

Ghost first premiered just down the road in Manchester back in 2011 and is based on the hit 1990 film written by Bruce Joel Rubin and starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore alongside Whoopi Goldberg. The movies transition began its journey to the stage in 2008 as detailed by Bruce Joel Rubin in a revealing 2021 interview with North West End UK which you can see HERE. Following its sold-out run in Manchester a transfer to the West End followed and subsequently Broadway. Australia and Asia tours followed and subsequently a UK tour followed. Now produced by Bill Kenwright LTD, the show starts a new UK tour later this year. The original production was lauded for its technical innovations, showcasing mind-blowing illusions and changing the face of musical theatre forever. The latest versi...