Tuesday, August 25

Author: Stephanie Wiswall

A Christmas Carol – Thingwall Community Centre
5Dec By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments
North West

A Christmas Carol – Thingwall Community Centre

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and what a better way to get yourself into the Christmas spirit than immersing yourself in one of the best loved Christmas tales which has stood the test of time, Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. Wonderfully produced and directed by Charlotte Holguin. Thingwall Players have yet again produced a magical and captivating show that will engage adults and children alike. This company really do prove that you don't need the grand sets and huge venues to produce excellent theatre.  Their set (Robert Bowes) was a simple yet multifunctional space. Props (Caroline Doyle, Hayley Jeffrey and Laura Powell) were adaptable and reused for many different purposes. A cast of dynamic and versatile characters take you on this journey through London i...
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Top Hat – Liverpool Empire
30Oct By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments
North West

Top Hat – Liverpool Empire

Glitz, glamour, sophistication and flair, Irving Berlin's Top Hat takes to the stage to reinvigorate and regenerate the musicals of times gone by. A magical reminder of the sheer talent and romance of the theatre. Adapted for stage by authors Matthew White and Howard Jacques and based on RKO's motion picture. Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. Get your toes tapping from the moment the curtain is raised and watch in awe of the perfectly timed and varied choreography (Richard Pitt, Carol Lee Meadows and Kathleen Marshall) as the dancers showcase some iconic footwork from the soft shoe shuffle to an exciting crescendo for the end of act 1 of precision dancing in a revolution of the stage as a company. The staging (Peter Mckintosh) was grand and took you straight back in ti...
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The Tempest – Shakespeare North Playhouse
9Oct By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments
North West

The Tempest – Shakespeare North Playhouse

Monsters, sprites, humans, love and angst, sound like a delightful mix of intrigue and mystery. When in fact, you’re witnessing one of Shakespeare's works of art, produced by Tom Dixon and Will Orton. The Handlebards, a group of inspiring thespians who have made it their mission to bring environmentally friendly theatre on a journey to make it accessible for all. The Tempest has a simple set (Ellie Light) which doubles up as different staging props when needed and the group use comedic and creative ways to adapt their scenes and surroundings. The set also has the main protagonist Prospero all over it symbolising his monopolisation of the island and all who inhabit. The music and sound (Guy Hughes) within this production are beautiful and magical, also, a large portion of the music...
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Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Liverpool Empire
16Jul By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments
North West

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Liverpool Empire

A magical evening of rainbows, sparkles, music and performance. A real feel good show aimed at all ages which engages the audience from start to finish. If you're looking for a show to introduce children to musicals and also be thoroughly entertained yourself, this is the show you are looking for. A fun and captivating story of love, forgiveness and triumph. The story is superbly narrated by Christina Bianco from start to finish, with a pitch perfect vocal performance and an astonishing range, Bianco really deserved her standing ovation and rapturous applause at the end. The energy from her on stage was oozing with excitement and grit. Joined by the main man Joseph (Adam Filipe) an outstanding performance, I couldn't take my eyes off him every time he entered the stage, his presence was...
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A Play About a Dragon – Thingwall Community Hall
3Jul By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments
North West

A Play About a Dragon – Thingwall Community Hall

A brilliantly directed (Paul Arends) comedy caper of family fun set in the middle ages, a band of outlandish and peculiar players, down on their luck and needing a break, happen upon a seemingly remarkable opportunity from the dithery and doddery Lord Mollymop (Zoran Blackie) and his overly controlling Queen Lady Dottie (Samra Uddin), to perform for one King Stanley (Carl Latham). How could they resist!  Off the group set on their treacherous journey only to discover all is not what it seems... Their journey is coloured with a variety of characters they acquire on the way, whilst also in search of a replacement for their obnoxiously dramatic Lady Gwen (Chrysanthi Fergani). They meet the trickster Meg (Meredith Clayton) who isn't what she seems. The enigmatic and bold Bud (Da...
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One Man Poe – Shakespeare North Playhouse
1Jul By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments
North West

One Man Poe – Shakespeare North Playhouse

Described as a 'marathon of the macabre' by director and performer Stephen Smith, this performance of some of Edgar Allan Poe's most renowned stories is captivating from start to finish. Although, I was only fortunate enough to see the abridged version of the show featuring two of the four main stories, I would relish to see the remaining stories and urge people to take a dive into the grisly, dark world of One Man Poe. How one man can thoroughly engage an audience so that you are able to hear a pin drop is a great achievement and Smith should be so incredibly proud. The portrayal and delivery of the lines was done with such passion, clarity and perfection, that the audience felt every lurid and desperate emotion within each story. The minimalist set and the fantastic use of the prop...
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Bad Girls the Musical – Rainhill Village Hall
20Jun By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments
North West

Bad Girls the Musical – Rainhill Village Hall

A musical adaptation from the 1990s TV series Bad Girls with a few familiar roles amongst the cast such as the gobby and cocky Shell Dockley (Laura Riley) and the loathsome and despicable Fenner (Paul Robinson). When the show opens, you meet a colourful array of characters from the sweet and saintly Wing Governor Helen Stewart (Michelle Williams) who is battling against older, more defiant guards such as Fenner, and the stoic and patronising Sylvia "Bodybag" Hollamby (Ruth Gibb) to bring more humanity and empathy to the prison. Due to an uprising in the block, Stewart (who has been falling for an inmate) is in hot water and her budding love story between her and the strong and defiant inmate, Nikki Wade (Diane Glover), is under threat. A very fragile and naive portrayal of Rachel Hic...
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Much Ado About Nothing – Shakespeare North Playhouse
12Jun By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments
North West

Much Ado About Nothing – Shakespeare North Playhouse

Ever seen a punk version of Shakespeare? No, well take a seat for Laura J Harris's adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing. With a colourful cast of emerging LGBTQ+ and Northern talent, I can guarantee you haven't seen Shakespeare quite like this. Set in the North West of England during the 1980s We have the cunning and dastardly Captain Don John (Mike Bell) who orchestrates mayhem with his band of mischief makers Boracchio (Amy-Lou Harris) and Conrad (Elinor Boult). The trio play great villains and they are the characters you want to see brought to justice in the end. Entangled in their corrupt plan are the poor lovers Claudio (Coda James Neil) and Hero (Shannon Lancashire). Both characters were well portrayed with some excellent emotive scenes, especially Claudio, a very powerful and mov...
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Terminal 2 – Shakespeare North Playhouse
7Jun By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments
North West

Terminal 2 – Shakespeare North Playhouse

Terminal 2, is a short play written by the very talented writer and director David Payne. It explores the very important topics of sexuality, grief, life and death, but don't be fooled into thinking you're in for a hard hitting evening, I can guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised. Taken on a rollercoaster of emotions, this performance had me laughing and crying all the way through. Terminal 2 explores the topics in a sensitive but light hearted way which equally gives you time to soak up every emotion and leaves you thinking about what really matters. Two strong characters lead you for the entire journey. Lynda (played by Janice Fryett) was a bubbly, lovable character who exudes care, love and compassion. Fryett portrayed Lynda brilliantly with excellent comedic timing and tone, g...
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Ormonde Ensemble – Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room
15May By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments
North West

Ormonde Ensemble – Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room

This performance was created to bring female composers and those from underrepresented backgrounds to the forefront.  A stunning 5 piece orchestra with the ability to delight and alight your senses taking you on a journey through your imagination, accompanying you with the sweet sounds and emotions. The performance began with the exciting, cheerful and exhilarating Ligeti Six Bagatelles, like layers of waves crashing together to create one almighty storm of beautiful sound. The players perfectly in symphony and a pleasure to hear were superb. Playing a mixture of both newer and more familiar compositions. Cara Houghton (flute), Helena Mackie (oboe) and Isaac Prince (clarinet) providing the chase and thrill within my imagination with their gentle, tinkering and cheery notes w...
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