Stephanie Wiswall, Author at North West End UK

21May

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

North West

Sunny Afternoon – Liverpool Empire

Sunny Afternoon captures the spirit of The Kinks with grit, energy, and undeniable heart, delivering a musical that feels both raw and deeply human. Rather than presenting a polished version of the band’s rise to fame, the production leans into the tensions, frustrations, and contradictions that shaped the music, giving the show an authenticity that resonates throughout, directed by Edward Hall. What makes the musical particularly effective is how closely the songs reflect real life. Tracks such as “Waterloo Sunset,” “Days,” and “You Really Got Me” emerge naturally from the emotional struggles of Ray Davies and Dave Davies, revealing the loneliness, ambition, and family conflict beneath the swagger of the 1960s rock scene. There is something wonderfully unvarnished about the production ...

The Complete Works of Jane Austen Abridged – Thingwall Players

21Mar

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

North West

The Complete Works of Jane Austen Abridged – Thingwall Players

Who needs to know Jane Austen's works to perform them? Certainly not Trevor (Kyle Jensen) when he unexpectedly throws himself into a performance of her complete works with two Austenites, or Janeites (depending on how big a fan you, yourself are). Determined to deliver their show Jessica (Bethany Cragg) and Charlotte (Meredith Clayton) enlist Trevor after the unforeseen resignation of the final piece of their original trio. Cragg was soft and spritely as Jessica, wrapped up in the love and triumphs of Austen's story. Clayton contrasted this character well with her more serious and grouchier take on Charlotte. My absolute favourite was Trevor as Jensen took on a variety of voices and roles fluid in both genders and had the audience in stitches. Extremely good physicality throughout hi...

11Mar

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

North West

The Constant Wife – Liverpool Playhouse

Take a step back into the 1920s with the Constant Wife which is based on the original play by W. Somerset Maugham and has been creatively adapted and revived by award winning Laura Wade and directed by Tamara Harvey. Despite being written nearly a century ago, Wade has beautifully written the play to maintain its original class, themes and sophistication; however, the play still feels surprisingly modern. An exploration of marriage, independence, and social hypocrisy. Meet Constance Middleton (Kara Tointon), well kept, organised, controlled, poised and who glides around stage with grace. The perfect wife and mother. However, all is not what it seems. Be prepared for a brilliant and comedic tale filled with surprise, wit, laughter, intrigue and an array of characters with wonderfully con...

Priscilla Queen of the Desert – Liverpool Empire

10Mar

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North West

Priscilla Queen of the Desert – Liverpool Empire

Glittering, joyous, and unapologetically bold, Priscilla Queen of the Desert bursts onto the stage as a dazzling celebration of identity, friendship, and resilience. Directed by Ian Talbot. Based on the 1994 Australian film of a similar name, this stage musical transforms the road-trip story into a vibrant theatrical spectacle packed with iconic disco hits, stunning choreography (Matt Cole) and exuberant costumes (Vicky Gill). A show absolutely NOT to be missed! The story follows three friends Tick (Mitzi) played by Kevin Clifton, Adam/Felicia (Nick Hayes), and Bernadette (Adele Anderson)—as they travel across the Australian outback in a battered old school bus named 'Priscilla'. Along the way, they encounter both hostility and kindness, forcing them to confront prejudice, pers...

27Feb

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

North West

The Memory of Water – Everyman Theatre

Welcome to 1996 and into the family home of three very different sisters as they reminisce, reveal and ruffle each other’s feathers after the passing of their beloved mother. Welcome to Olivier award winning comedy The Memory of Water by Shelagh Stephenson and directed by Lotte Wakeham. A quick witted, passionate and heartwarming show which takes you on a rollercoaster of a journey through all aspects of grief. From the anger, sadness, uncertainty, memories and comfort. This comedy takes a deceptively simple premise—three wildly different sisters reunited for their mother’s funeral—and turns it into a sharp, funny, and unexpectedly tender study of family friction and love. Set entirely in the bedroom of their late mother Vi. Entering the auditorium the staging is set (Katie Scott) yo...

The Woman in Black – Liverpool Playhouse

25Feb

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North West

The Woman in Black – Liverpool Playhouse

Step back in time with one of the most popular and spine-tingling tales in the history of London’s West End, 'The Woman in Black' by Susan Hill. Currently touring the UK after its successful long reign in London, I had the absolute pleasure of witnessing last night’s production in Liverpool’s very own Playhouse. The playwright for this production was Stephen Mallatratt and it was directed by Robin Herford. The tale of the Woman in Black has had audiences gripped for over 30 years, it’s legacy and accomplishments have led it to become an equally prosperous film franchise starring Daniel Radcliffe. A macabre tale of one Mr Arthur Kripps (Philip Stewart), a young and carefree solicitor who has his future mapped out with his soon-to-be-wife, is sent to an unsettling and ominous estate to fi...

29Jan

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North West

The Ghost of Graves End – Unity Theatre

Step back in time and delve into the creepy yet comedic story 'The Ghost of Graves End’ written by Robert Farquhar and directed by Lucy Thatcher. Poet Charles (Greg Jones) is unknowingly seeking employment via his overly zealous fiance (Georgia Chadwick) when she thrusts upon him a rather intriguing position as a tutor. A new opportunity which Charles soon comes to realise, may be more than he bargained for. A peculiar and strange pupil William (Chadwick), a collection of odd happenings and all too real dreams makes this a collectively creepy watch. However, to keep the show more light hearted and fun, comedy is cleverly interwoven throughout the scenes, characters and storyline. Deliciously dark and wickedly witty, audiences are kept engaged by the frantic atmosphere and ever changi...

16Jan

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North West

Rapunzel – Rainhill Village Hall

Looking for a fun filled magical night? Look no further than Rainhill Musical Theatre Company's wonderful production of Rapunzel. Rainhill pleasantly surprise me every time I see them by adding magical moments which are unexpected and fun within their shows. The show is opened by the adorably ditzy Fairy Dandruff (Lauren Bewley) who appealed beautifully to the kids in the audience with her dozy but sassy character. In perfect contrast, you are then introduced to Mother Gothel (Lynsey Corner), mean, vindictive but with an element of Edina from Absolutely Fabulous which gives her a brilliant all round comedic edge. A character you love to hate. Moving on to Dame Fanny (David Flanagan), Pascal (David Stevens) and King Bouffant (Gavin Simpson-White) they had good chemistry on stag...

Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts – Liverpool Playhouse

14Jan

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North West

Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts – Liverpool Playhouse

Twists, turns, murder and mystery sound like your kind of evening? If so, join the dynamic cast of characters in Inspector Morse at the Liverpool Playhouse from 13th to 17th January 2026. The staging is set, the lights are low and you are plunged into an intriguingly immersive scene. A murder! Who killed sweet or troubled Rebecca? (Eliza Teale) Our main man, the likeable and quirky Inspector Morse (Tom Chambers) takes to the stage, accompanied by his more stable and rule following partner Lewis (Tachia Newall). Both dive into a shady past of wealth of characters from calm and composed Ellen (Teresa Banham), the wild and rough Freddy (James Gladdon), unstable and erratic Justin (Spin Glancy) and the messy and divaesc Verity (Charlotte Randle). Special mentions to Josh Katembela ...

Flint Street Nativity – St Hilda’s Church

12Dec

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

North West

Flint Street Nativity – St Hilda’s Church

They say never work with children or animals! Well, as you can imagine, directing a nativity performed by a class of seven-year-olds is enough to test the patience of even the calmest of people. Mizzis Horrocks and her class, with their squabbles and specific interests trying to be stubbornly squeezed into the birth of the baby Jesus, culminates in one excellent comedic musical which is bound to get you in the jolly spirit of Christmas. Woolton Drama Group present to you 'The Flint Street Nativity' directed by Georgina Anwyl and Andrew Parsons. Stage Management by Charlotte Titley. An assemblage of diverse characters takes to the stage to entertain and delight you for the evening. Firstly, let's start with the angelic perfectionist Mary herself (Jenny Snell), there's one in every cla...