Interviews Archives - North West End UK

Reece Dinsdale returns to Leeds Playhouse to play Scrooge

24Nov

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Interviews

Reece Dinsdale returns to Leeds Playhouse to play Scrooge

Reece Dinsdale is Yorkshire acting royalty and is once again back at his spiritual home Leeds Playhouse taking on the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge in their festive version of A Christmas Carol. The Normanton born actor played Jack Rover in what was then the West Yorkshire Playhouse’s very first production when they opened with Wild Oats, and since then he has starred in eight more shows at the Leeds theatre. Away from the stage, where he also worked at the National Theatre, Reece began his successful TV career opposite John Thaw in the hit sitcom Home to Roost. He’s also appeared in Threads, Spooks, Life on Mars, Murder on Mind, Silent Witness and Ahead of the Class with Julie Walters. He has the rare distinction of being killed off in both Corrie and Emmerdale, but both soaps hav...

Fishnets and Fame: Adam Strong Embraces His Dream Role

26Jun

By NewsdeskNo Comments

Interviews

Fishnets and Fame: Adam Strong Embraces His Dream Role

Bright lights, corsets, and glorious transgression: this July, the iconic Hull New Theatre will be taken over by one of stage musical’s most outrageous characters—Dr Frank ’n’ Furter. Standing centre stage is Adam Strong, the Sunderland-born performer embarking on his debut in this legendary role as part of the blockbuster UK tour running from 14th to 19th July. Where are you from? I grew up in Sunderland and am based just outside of Durham, although I'm never there due to work. When did you first realise you had some talent and who encouraged you? My sister was a dancer for many years, and I used to love watching her, especially in the panto at the Sunderland Empire, which she did for many years. She was the one who encouraged me to get started in musical theatre and hel...

Pilot Theatre’s new play with music Mary and the Hyenas tells the story of a pioneering feminist

3Feb

By NewsdeskNo Comments

Interviews

Pilot Theatre’s new play with music Mary and the Hyenas tells the story of a pioneering feminist

Pilot Theatre usually offer their audience plays with a contemporary cutting edge, but this time for Mary and the Hyenas they’re gone back in time to tell the story of a pioneering feminist from the 18th century. Born in Beverley near Hull, Mary Wollstonecraft worked as a schoolteacher, a governess and as a translator for a London publisher before publishing her first book, Thoughts on the Education of Daughters, in 1787. This was followed by the still influential her later work on the place of women in society published as A Vindication of the Rights of Woman five years later, which at its core is a plea for equality in the education of men and women. The Vindication is widely regarded as the founding document of modern feminism. Written by Maureen Lennon for this producti...

The wicked White Witch rules over Leeds Playhouse’s festive extravaganza

20Nov

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Interviews

The wicked White Witch rules over Leeds Playhouse’s festive extravaganza

The extravagant festive shows at Leeds Playhouse have become the stuff of legend and this year they are bringing back The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. They last staged C.S. Lewis’ classic children’s book to packed houses back in 2017, as four young evacuees venture through a mysterious portal in a wardrobe finding themselves at the heart of a war in the permanently wintery land of Narnia. Katy Stephens has taken on starring Shakespearian roles with the RSC, the National Theatre and at London’s Globe Theatre, but has headed north to play the villainous White Witch, who rules Narnia with an icy iron fist. Our features Editor Paul Clarke caught up with Katy between rehearsals to talk about the challenges of playing such an iconic villain, and why live theatre is still the best nigh...

Joanna Carrick, writer, and director of The Ungodly at Southwark Playhouse Borough

24Oct

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

Interviews

Joanna Carrick, writer, and director of The Ungodly at Southwark Playhouse Borough

As we move towards winter with its dark nights; Halloween, or to give it its Celtic name, Samhain; is our first festival to celebrate ‘as the dead walk the earth’ according to ancient myths. Witches have become a part of this festival, undoubtedly due to the witch trials, and the many ‘witch’ deaths. The Ungodly delves into the mid-17th century era of the witch trials, focusing upon Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins’ stepsister Susan Edwards. North West End UK’s Deputy Editor, Caroline Worswick, discussed the witch trials with the play’s writer and director Joanna Carrick. The Ungodly begins its story in 1645, set in the village of Mistley, on the Stour Estuary. Can you explain how the Witch Trials were introduced into 17th-century England? It was a t...

Interview with Stella Powell-Jones, Director of Eurydice at Jermyn Street Theatre

5Oct

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

Interviews

Interview with Stella Powell-Jones, Director of Eurydice at Jermyn Street Theatre

North West End UK’s Deputy Editor, Caroline Worswick, discussed Jermyn Street Theatre’s exciting new production of Eurydice with director Stella Powell-Jones. A play written by Sarah Ruhl, it draws its inspiration from the Greek mythical tale of the beautiful Eurydice and the musically talented Orpheus, whose doomed relationship has been re-told by many ancient storytellers, including Ovid and Plato. Eurydice was written in 2003 by Sarah Ruhl, why do you feel that now is good time to re-imagine the play? On one hand, Eurydice is about something pretty eternal: love and earth. How do we deal with death? Does love survive death? What would we do if we got a second chance? Sarah wrote the play while mourning her own beloved Father. My own Dad died unexpectedly when I was young...

Lindsay Rodden talks about her new play Jennie Lee for Mikron Theatre

9Sep

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Interviews

Lindsay Rodden talks about her new play Jennie Lee for Mikron Theatre

Thousands of people have changed their lives through the Open University thanks to the vision of radical Labour MP Jennie Lee. Her life story is now Huddersfield based Mikron Theatre’s latest production, written by Lindsay Rodden, with original songs and integrated audio description charting the extraordinary life of a pioneering Scottish politician. She was also the first Minister for the Arts, but many people will never have heard of her work that enabled so many to better themselves through the Open University, which only came into being through her sheer doggedness. Lee was also married to NHS founder Nye Bevan, but her achievements make so her so much more than a footnote in someone else’s past. In the classic Mikron tradition four actors/musicians will tour Jennie Lee...

Jane McDonald: “With All My Love Tour is the one i’m most proud of”….And it’s not even started yet.

11Jun

By NewsdeskNo Comments

Interviews

Jane McDonald: “With All My Love Tour is the one i’m most proud of”….And it’s not even started yet.

The title “National Treasure” is one readily bandied about these days, but warm-hearted and witty Yorkshire lass Jane McDonald has to be one of the truest examples out there. Jane’s story is a great example of a girl done good; first captured 25 years ago on BBC docusoap The Cruise, Jane became an overnight sensation – and has spent the years since forging a hugely successful career as a singer and TV personality. Her solo shows have captivated audiences up and down the country, and now she’s back preparing to hit the road once more with an all-new tour With All My Love this autumn. The new tour, Jane’s biggest to date, starts with two nights at Blackpool’s iconic Opera House, stops off at The London Palladium and will close with what promises to be an extra special tour finale at...

Relive the playlist of your life as Craig Revel Horwood brings NOW That’s What I Call a Musical to Liverpool

8Jun

By NewsdeskNo Comments

Interviews

Relive the playlist of your life as Craig Revel Horwood brings NOW That’s What I Call a Musical to Liverpool

Get ready to relive the playlist of your life at the brand new NOW That’s What I Call A Musical. Celebrating 40 years of the iconic and chart-topping compilations brand NOW That’s What I Call Music, which has sold an estimated 200 million copies worldwide, this fun-filled production is bursting with hits from Whitney Houston, Wham! Blondie, Tears For Fears, Spandau Ballet and many more. Written by award-winning comedian Pippa Evans, and directed and choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing legend Craig Revel Horwood, the heart-warming and funny story takes audiences on an uplifting journey down memory lane Here, director and choreographer Craig Revel Horwood reveals all about the show... What sort of night are audiences in for when they come to see NOW That's What I Call A Music...

Designer Hayley Grindle is determined to make The Bard accessible

10Mar

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Interviews

Designer Hayley Grindle is determined to make The Bard accessible

Hayley Grindle is one of our brightest and busiest designers but her two current projects couldn’t be more different. She’s been working with tech wizards imitating the dog on their bold reimagining of the Frankenstein legend and is back at Leeds Playhouse conjuring up the madness of Macbeth directed by her long-time collaborator Amy Leach. Hayley and Amy have already created acclaimed reworkings of Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet. This time the duo reunite for a second go at one of Shakespeare’s darkest political dramas. Our Features Editor Paul Clarke caught up with Hayley to talk about the challenges of designing for two very different companies, and how design can draw audiences into even the densest texts. So, what was your inspiration for Frankenstein given it’s a story tha...