Scot Cunningham, Author at North West End UK

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – The Lowry

13Sep

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – The Lowry

Since 2017, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has opened up minds and hearts with an extended West End run, feature film adaptation and now a second UK tour. Inspired by the documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, this feel-good musical tells the story of a secondary school leaver who decides to live out his fantasy of being a performer by attending prom in a dress. The legend of Jamie New (Ivano Turco) is spangled with playful physical comedy, sassy put-downs and hysterical punchlines, all courtesy of Tom MacRae’s snappy book and lyrics. Music by Dan Gillespie Sells provides a seriously catchy soundtrack of pop bops and moving solos for Jamie’s relevant- and turbulent- journey to self-expression. ‘And You Don’t Even Know It’ is a tone-setting party anthem of an opening number that sees o...

Ahoy! Ballad of the Time Kraken – Salford Arts Theatre

30Jul

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

Ahoy! Ballad of the Time Kraken – Salford Arts Theatre

A confusion of school disco music, playground lyrics, art room props, nativity choreography and dress-up box costumes make this poorly performed, barely-plotted absurdity of a musical unfit for performance in front of a paying audience in its current state. You wouldn't swab the poop deck with this two-and-a-half-hour shamble. ‘Ahoy! Ballad of the Time Kraken’ continues at Salford Arts Centre until 29th July with tickets available from https://manchester.ssboxoffice.com/events/ahoy-ballad-of-the-time-kraken/ Reviewer: Scot Cunningham Reviewed: 28th July 2023 North West End UK Rating: ★

26Jul

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

Cruise – HOME Mcr

After two crowd-pleasing West End runs, this vibrant, gritty HIV-based drama journeys outside London for its first time. Through a tell-all phone call to Switchboard answered by the young and inexperienced Jack, Michael recounts his supposed final years in London following a HIV diagnosis that gave him 4 years left to live. Jack Holden imbues the piece with wholehearted zest as he bounces, climbs and dances around Nik Corrall’s versatile industrial set. Capably taking on all roles- that’s some thirty characters, though a few may be surplus to requirement- Holden never wavers, captivating the audience with his energy alone. This is by no means a one-show, though: on-stage music producer John Patrick Elliott supplies an intense electronic score, the beats, tunes and synth of which t...

22Jul

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

The Crisp Review: LIVE – King’s Arms

Having tickled audiences’ palates at last year’s Fringe, Adam Evans takes to the stage once more with a presentation packed to the rafters with all things crisp-related. If the title doesn’t give his game away, Adam unapologetically spells it out: he reviews every variety of the potato snack imaginable with the aim of encouraging suppliers to send him free bags. A high-and low-light reel of his videos offers a hilarious insight into the review process. Adam gives honest verdicts on crisps’ names, texture, flavour, and value, regaling everyone in the room with observant critiques. In person, his nonchalance and cynicism allow him to deliver one satirical quip after another, but put-downs (almost entirely aimed at himself) tagged onto the end of them regularly get the biggest laughs...

8Jul

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

Transparency – 53two, Manchester

Jaden Adams invites the world into a snippet of a transgender male’s life: expect an emotive solo performance packed with passion and playfulness. A prying parent forces Jack to come out about his transness sooner than he wished. In this multi-faceted account, he reveals the ups and downs that followed. Though aspects of the narrative may sound bygone, the northern working-class setting- where views on trans rights still lack progression in many households- should be taken into consideration. Adams is an endearing storyteller who tackles sensitive topics with deft. His zealous acting skills show great potential as he switches between roles, garnering plenty of laughs as Jack’s niggling nan. Everybody roots for Adams’ character from the start as he addresses hurdles from being ...

6Jul

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

Wasteman – King’s Arms, Salford

In a sequin-studded change in his career path, Joe Leather whimsically recounts how he traded hi-vis for high heels in this endearing one-hour play. Despite dabbling in drag in former times, regrettable events have led him to boxing up his dreams. However, a new opportunity tempts our refuse-collecting queen to rediscover their passion for performing. Leather embraces his ‘imaginary’ audience and entertains us with engrossing words, song and dance while jumping between a past and present narrative. His stage presence is cheeky and charming, and he capably juggles additional minor roles with expressive mannerisms and accents. While there are plenty of funnies laced throughout the script, a quantity over quality situation in terms of humour is sometimes apparent: where too many ...

Amy Webber: No Previous Experience – King’s Arms, Salford

5Jul

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

Amy Webber: No Previous Experience – King’s Arms, Salford

Ambitious opera graduate Amy Webber occupies the King’s Arms theatre space with a stand-up routine composed of music, role-play and just a little bit of job-hunting. Opening with a playful sing-through of her CV, the piece throws in plenty of anecdotes throughout to keep it laugh-a-minute. The way Webber ad-libs lyrics and fumbles on her mini keyboard is reminiscent of Peep Show’s hapless, wannabe musician Jeremy Usborne (in the most complimentary way). Applying an energetic and quick-witted persona as she enacts different occupations- from teacher to therapist- Webber also employs some tongue in cheek audience interaction. While no one offered any exciting career leads for her on this occasion, she shares some frivolous networking pointers nonetheless. Radio impersonations an...

The SpongeBob Musical – Opera House, Manchester

18May

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

The SpongeBob Musical – Opera House, Manchester

SpongeBob SquarePants- the Nickelodeon sensation beloved across the world- made his Broadway debut in 2017. For the first time, the residents of Bikini Bottom are shipping their musical to the UK, promising seafaring silliness for fans both old and new. The impending eruption of an underwater volcano threatens to wipe out SpongeBob’s hometown: while he sets out to save the day, the other citizens plan an evacuation fundraising concert. Plot thinness is no issue here as a splendidly diverse cast puts everything into embodying their characters, making every scene an immersive joy. Anyone who has seen the show will appreciate the vast inclusion of its treasured sea creatures; Mrs Puff (Eloise Davies), Larry the Lobster (Theo Reece), Old Man Jenkins (Reece Kerridge) and Gary the Snail al...

Death Drop: Back in the Habit – Opera House

10Mar

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

Death Drop: Back in the Habit – Opera House

Are they really going to make a habit of this? Get on your knees and say your prayers: another killer comedy in the Death Drop series has descended upon Manchester. Long-serving man of the cloth, Father Alfie Romeo (LoUis CYfer) has been told about strange goings-ons at the St Babs convent. He goes to meet the flock of eccentric nuns, but his holy presence doesn’t necessarily guarantee their safety from ungodly fates. There is a Holly Stars-shaped hole in this sequel, both on-stage and in the script; she established the original Death Drop as an uproarious, Northern powerhouse of a play. With frequent references to ‘The Great British Bake Off’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’, it seems that Rob Evans’ writing is instead intended to appeal to a much more mainstream audience. That being sai...

<strong>Realms of Glory – 53Two</strong>

17Dec

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

Realms of Glory – 53Two

As the Christmas Markets and colourful pantomimes take over Manchester’s culture scene, tucked away in a pocket of Deansgate, a seasonal offering from 53two comes in the form of Imaginality Production’s ‘Realms of Glory’, a World War Two-inspired musical. The Manchester Blitz of 1940 sees munitions worker Lizzie entombed in her home at Christmastime by the heavy bombings. Trapped and alone, she reminisces about times gone by. A theatrical festive feast is promised in the show’s synopsis, but a lack of story depth and characterisation leaves little to feed on. The focus is on Lizzie’s ‘love at first sight’ relationship with RAF pilot Robert and their desire to raise a family, with time also dedicated to her friend Mavis, who falls for Jim. What unfolds is simply a series of sombre soa...