Tracey Bell, Author at North West End UK

DeathDrop: Back in the Habit – Sheffield Lyceum

11Jan

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

DeathDrop: Back in the Habit – Sheffield Lyceum

Directed by Jesse Jones, created by Christopher D Clegg, written by Bob Evans and brought to the stage by Tuckshop; who have become engrained in the West End, bringing true Drag to the mainstream; and Trafalgar Theatre Productions, DeathDrop – Back in the Habit is the second instalment from Death Drop Cinema Universe (DDCU) proving there is an audience for this madcap drag escapism. Described by its creator as a ‘horror-murder-slasher-religious-comedy’ this production is by no means the usual second-rate sister to its 2020 predecessor. This second instalment may be charmingly and intentionally basic, but it doesn’t DRAG-its-heels and goes to show things improve as they grow! The production is a homage to drag gone by, of panto dames, the roster of Drag legends, queer bars and performanc...

<strong>The Sound of Music – Rotherham Civic Theatre</strong>

2Nov

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Sound of Music – Rotherham Civic Theatre

The Sound of Music - based on the true story of the von Trapp family and taken from Maria von Trapp’s memoir, ‘The Story of the Trapp Family Singers’ has wowed audiences and critics alike since its Broadway debut in 1959. With their last collaboration of music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and the book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, the musical is a timeless classic. After winning five Tony Awards including Best Musical, it was adapted into an award-winning film in 1961 starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. This romantic and unforgettable musical takes place in Austria as a time of impending war. Lively novitiate Maria, how has clear cut plans to become a nun even though she has trouble following the rules of the abbey. Wisely, Maria is sent by M...

20Oct

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Commitments – Sheffield Lyceum

I had been waiting for this one, as a fan of the novel-cum-cult film by Roddy Doyle and I certainly enjoyed my evening. This musical whilst a 5-star juke box musical night’s entertainment, leaves the purists amongst us longing for a more politically developed and socially aware production. Instead of the slight nod to the issues of drugs and disillusion in the 1980’s Dublin, early comments such as ‘the Irish are the blacks of Europe’ are unfortunately never fully explained and explored. The production in effect sells itself out to the jukebox genre whilst promising to be so much more, it runs in the veins of similar productions such as We Will Rock You rather than dealing with the issues like Green Day’s American Idiot. But all that said The Commitments is was a cracking night of Rhy...

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula The Sea Witch – Sheffield Lyceum

6Oct

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula The Sea Witch – Sheffield Lyceum

(Warning :- this is NOT a children’s show, it is firmly and deliciously an Adult Parody with vulgar, blue jokes and imagery – leave the kids at home with a babysitter!) I have always found the Disney princess’ lacking personality and in a word… boring! Now, the Villians, that’s a different kettle of fish and none did I identify with more than Ursula from Hans Christian Anderson’s and later Disney’s - The Little Mermaid. A strong, larger than life female with sass, attitude and in three words… big, brash and bold! Ursula is unconventional and superbly bucks the norm with an independent style and flair that any young woman would do well to have in their armour. So, why must she be a baddie because she doesn’t fit the stereotypical images of what a women should look like and be...

West Side Story – Rotherham Civic Theatre

5Oct

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

West Side Story – Rotherham Civic Theatre

Great gusto delivering an iconic show. A long-time favourite of many, West Side Story which is based on the concept of Jerome Robbins – as a modern day telling of Romeo and Juliet - is synonymous with Robbins famous choreographic style. Collaborating with Arthur Laurents as writer and the legendary composer Leonard Bernstein with Stephen Sondheim as lyricist; West Side Story was always going to be a hit. From its film versions in 1961 and 2021 to its innumerable stage productions the musical has engaged people for the last 65 years. Set in the 1950’s, the musical resets Romeo and Juliet onto the New York streets and the world of rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. Maria, sister of the Sharks gang leader Bernardo, falls in love with Tony, the once Jet who has drifted away from...

28Sep

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Bugsy Malone – Sheffield Lyceum

Originally conceived at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in 2015 - This is the first UK touring musical production based on Alan Parker’s 1976 much-loved movie - Bugsy Malone and it is an absolute delight! Directed by Sean Homes with choreography by Drew McOnie this production keeps its roots firmly true to the film yet adds a spicy and slick new presentation. If you haven’t seen this movie, Bugsy Malone is a gangster spoof musical, set in the American prohibition era, where the cast are played by children and the guns are replaced by messy custard pies and splurge. It follows the story of two rival gangs, vying to be top dog, led by Fat Sam and Dandy Dan. Enter Bugsy Malone to save the day. The moral being - we are better together than divided. The staging problem of this musical has a...

27Jul

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

School of Rock – Sheffield Lyceum

Sheffield was raising the decibels into the stratosphere last night with the England Women’s Team winning the Semi Final against Sweden in the Euro22 competition at Sheffield Bramall Lane ground and the School of Rock opening at the Sheffield Lyceum, Sheffield really was the place to be! The city was euphoric – Sheffield Rocked! School of Rock is written by Julian Fellowes of Downton Abbey fame with Lyrics by Glenn Slater, the dialogue is both topical and sassy and extremely funny on numerous occasions. The music by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber is as expected, catchy with some great songs such as Top of Mount Rock, Stick it to the Man and If Only you would listen. Anna Louizo’s sets are compact, yet well designed to move fluently and at speed between the Horace Green school rooms, Ned Schne...

21Jul

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Singin’ in the Rain – Sheffield Lyceum

Last night, I spent a gloriously nostalgic evening at the theatre watching the spectacle that is Singing in The Rain, it felt like a childhood embrace from a favourite grandparent - warm, happy, secure and where I belonged! We all know of the 1952 MGM classic musical comedy film ‘Singin’ in the Rain’, as it has been named as one of the greatest musical movies of all time. Made famous by the cast of Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds, it light heartedly charts the 1920’s depiction of performers caught up in the transition from silent films to the ground-breaking ‘talkies’. Centring on the silver screen romantic pairing of Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont - the darlings of MGM studios. Everyone has trouble adapting to the changes but none more than Lina Lamont, a beautiful screen...

14Jul

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Wedding Singer – Montgomery Theatre

After three long years and three cancelled shows Woodseats Musical Theatre Company finally and joyously make it back to the stage with their production of The Musical Comedy, The Wedding Singer. . so get ready to party like it’s 1985! With the Book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Harlihy, Music by Matthew Sklar and Lyrics by Chad Beguelin, this production is directed by Ian Walker, and I particularly liked the breaking of the 4th wall as the performers used the space on the steps and in the audience – nice touch. The Choreography is by Amber Parry and Lilly Abram and the Musical direction by Dominic Ridler. The 8 strong band sounded great, and the balance of their sound was good. I must note that Ridler is unusually an MD who plays drums, his performance in the pits in itself is very flambo...

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice –Theatre Royal Wakefield

24May

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice –Theatre Royal Wakefield

Looking forward to an evening of Comedy- Drama, one of Britain’s greatest modern plays whilst initially appearing superficial is anything but, with its dark and subversive message underpinning the blatant humour. Jim Cartwright’s Golden Globe winning 1998 film of Little Voice (written to showcase the vocal talents of Jane Horrocks) was originally proceeded by the 1992 Olivier award winning stage release. This is the story of trying to find your own voice in a world of desperate noise. Sara Perk’s imposing set is impressive, replicating a two-storey dilapidated terrace house, where we see both upstairs and down concurrently (it took 12 hours to erect the stage manager told me, a tall order on a touring production). The 80’s touches of furniture and décor and are just right, and the conce...