Wednesday, August 26

Author: Paul Downham

Bowdonbury Festival Hailed A Brilliant Bank Holiday Success
3Jun By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

Bowdonbury Festival Hailed A Brilliant Bank Holiday Success

Hundreds of festivalgoers enjoyed a weekend of fantastic family fun at the Bowdonbury Festival over the May Bank Holiday and raised thousands of pounds in the process. The sun shone on the event at the Bowdon Cricket, Hockey & Squash Club at Altrincham where revellers enjoyed two days of top tunes from some of the UK’s biggest and best tribute artists. There was also a traditional funfair, pop up stalls showcasing the best of local businesses, a fantastic foodie village packed with delicious treats provided by regional suppliers and a selection of bars offering cocktails, craft gin and beer and special soft drinks. The festival opened on Bank Holiday Saturday with an evening of Disco Legends, featuring stellar tributes to Georg...
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Casting is Unveiled For The Wildest Show In Town…..
2Jun By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

Casting is Unveiled For The Wildest Show In Town…..

Greetings, salutations and welcome to the West End 2021 class of Westerberg High! Leading the cast in the highly celebrated return of Heathers the Musical in the West End is Christina Bennington (Bat Out Of Hell) in the role of high school geek Veronica Sawyer and Jordan Luke Gage (& Juliet) as the dark and moody teen, Jason Dean (JD). In the eponymous roles of ‘The Heathers’ is returning cast member Jodie Steele (Six) with her critically acclaimed portrayal of ‘mega bitch’ Heather Chandler, alongside Bobbie Little (Jesus Christ Superstar) as Heather Duke and Frances Mayli McCann (Evita) as Heather McNamara. They are joined by Lauren Ward (Fleming/Veronica’s Mother), Madison Swan (Martha)...
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The Hound of Baskervilles opens at Bolton Octagon in July
2Jun By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

The Hound of Baskervilles opens at Bolton Octagon in July

Bolton’s recently refurbed Octagon Theatre’s first inhouse production will be the Sherlock Holmes classic, The Hound of the Baskervilles. The comedy adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic adventure will be directed by the Octagon’s artistic director Lotte Wakeham and adapted for the stage by Steven Canny and John Nicholson. It’s the familiar story with a comic twist of world-renowned detective Sherlock Holmes and his colleague Dr Watson unravelling the mystery surrounding the untimely death of Sir Charles Baskerville. With rumours of a cursed giant hound on the loose, they must act fast to save the Baskerville family’s last remaining heir. Leading the case as the famous sleuth is Salford born actor and Octagon Youth Theatre alumnus Reuben Johnson joined...
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More Artists Announced for Manchester International Festival
1Jun By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

More Artists Announced for Manchester International Festival

More artists and further details have been announced for the 2021 edition of Manchester International Festival (MIF). The vibrant programme of original new work from artists across the spectrum of contemporary music, art and performance takes place in venues and spaces across the city and online from 1st – 18th July. Anz, AYA, Billy Nomates, Blanketman, Damon Albarn, Julie Adenuga, Julieta Szewach, Laurent Garnier, Lounge Society, Midas the Jagaban, Paul Saggers, Pip Millett, Rema and The Untold Orchestra will join the likes of the previously announced Angélique Kidjo, Akram Khan, Arlo Parks, Aaron and Bryce Dessner, Christine Sun Kim, Cillian Murphy, DJ Semtex, Forensic Architecture, Ibrahim Mahama, Marta Minujín, Lemn Sissay and Patti Smith at the Festival. ...
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Outstanding New Season Announced at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse
31May By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

Outstanding New Season Announced at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

After over a year in the dark, the new management team at The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse comprising of Artistic Director Joseph Meighan and Operations Director Sarah Louise Reilly have announced an outstanding new season as they bring live theatre back to the town. Highlights include a northern premiere of Disney’s The Little Mermaid and the return of their ever popular pantomime which this Christmas will see Peter Pan flying across the Garrick stage. The season opens with Curtain Up from Monday 20th - Saturday 25th September 2021 at 7.30pm. Curtain Up! Light The Lights! You’re invited to join a celebration of all things Musical Theatre as we kick start our Autumn/ Winter Season with a collection of your favourite songs from your favourite shows! A stylish and elegant evening...
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Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage set for Blackpool summer season
25May By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage set for Blackpool summer season

Producer Karl Sydow is delighted to announce new 2021 dates for a UK and Ireland tour of a dazzlingly renewed version of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage including a summer season run at the Opera House Blackpool from Tuesday 3rd August – Saturday 28th August 2021. Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage is set to be one of the first major large scale shows to return to the Opera House Blackpool in over 12 months since the first lockdown began in March 2020 which saw the enforced closure of venues across the country. After bumper box office visits in 2016 & 2017, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage is sure to once again give visitors to Blackpool this summer the time of their lives. The iconic story of Baby and Johnny, featuring the hit songs 'Hungry Eyes', ‘H...
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The Mirror and the Light is set for the West End this year
25May By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

The Mirror and the Light is set for the West End this year

Producers Playful Productions and the Royal Shakespeare Company have announced that the third and final novel in the Wolf Hall trilogy, The Mirror and the Light has been adapted for the West End stage. The world premiere will run at the Gielgud Theatre from Thursday 23rd September for a strictly limited season until Sunday 28th November, with an Opening Night on Wednesday 6th October. Tickets go on sale on Thursday 27th May, sign up for more information and priority booking from 24th May at www.themirrorandthelight.co.uk   The play will be the concluding chapter of Dame Hilary Mantel's multi award-winning novels about the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell, all commissioned and developed for the stage by Playful Productions. The Olivier and Tony Award-winning Wolf Hall and Bring Up t...
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St Helens Theatre Royal’s Streamed Pantomime Jack And The Beanstalk Is Returning Live On Stage
25May By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

St Helens Theatre Royal’s Streamed Pantomime Jack And The Beanstalk Is Returning Live On Stage

Leading Panto Producers, Regal Entertainments have announced they are bringing back their recent successful online panto to the stage at St Helens Theatre Royal to be enjoyed by audiences and performed LIVE on stage.  The lavish fairy-tale production of Jack and the Beanstalk will be live at the theatre for 15 performances from Thursday 21st October – Sunday 31st October 2021 and tickets are now on sale! A cast of St Helens Theatre Royal favourites are coming together again to perform in the family favourite.    Timothy Lucas will reprise his role of Jack, Catherine Cunningham as Mrs Fleshcreep, Olivia Sloyan as Princess Jill, Reece Sibbald as Simple Simon, Mark Two as Dame Trott, and Jenna Sian O’Hara as Fairy Mary. The creative team includes director Chantelle ...
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The Lord Chamberlain’s Men announce Macbeth summer 2021 tour dates
24May By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men announce Macbeth summer 2021 tour dates

As previously confirmed, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, leading proponents of open air theatre return this summer with a thrilling and powerful production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It can now be confirmed that the production will open in Salisbury on 3rd June before embarking on a 14-week summer tour. The tour will call at more than 55 venues giving more than 60 performances with yet more venues and dates in the UK and mainland Europe still to be announced. The extensive summer tour will see the company perform in the gardens and grounds of some of the UK’s most significant, historically important and visually stunning castles, cathedrals and stately homes including; Chichester Cathedral (11th June), Hever Castle (13th June), Harewood House (17th June), Waddesdon Manor (24th June), Ham ...
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Full Programme Revealed For Inaugural Little LFT Event For New Works
22May By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

Full Programme Revealed For Inaugural Little LFT Event For New Works

A programme of 14 new works to be premiered at the inaugural Little LTF event in Liverpool this Summer has been revealed. Little LTF is a new strand to the hugely successful Liverpool Theatre Festival, which was staged for the very first time last September in response to an ongoing need for live entertainment during Covid-19. The outdoor festival at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church in Liverpool city centre was created by Liverpool theatre producer Bill Elms, who stepped in to bring entertainment back to audiences after theatres across the country were ordered to close their doors as part of the first Coronavirus lockdown in March 2020.  The festival was so well received last Autumn, that Bill was determined to take the event to the next level by introducing an open call for artis...
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