Wednesday, December 25

NEWS

We need YOU at Edinburgh Fringe
NEWS

We need YOU at Edinburgh Fringe

It is that time of year again and Edinburgh Fringe is fast approaching playing across the Scottish capital from the 4th to the 28th August with the promise of 1000’s of shows to see at the most famous celebration of theatre anywhere in the world. Last year our team of reviewers who are based in the city or travelled up from parts of the UK to see shows for us managed to cover an impressive number of shows, but that was a fraction of the 3,334 shows performed. North West End UK are looking to make substantial additions to our team for the 2023 Fringe and it could be you! We are looking for people who love theatre based either in Edinburgh or who are travelling to Fringe this year. Whilst there is no minimum number of fringe shows we ask you to review, we have a minimum of 4 shows we a...
Factory International to premiere stage adaptation of Oliver Jeffers’ award-winning children’s book, Lost and Found
NEWS

Factory International to premiere stage adaptation of Oliver Jeffers’ award-winning children’s book, Lost and Found

Children and families are invited to experience the world premiere stage adaptation of Oliver Jeffers’ award-winning children’s book, Lost and Found (Nestlé Smarties Book Prize 2005, Blue Peter Book Award 2006) as part of Factory International’s opening season at their flagship new venue in Manchester. Adapted and directed by BAFTA award-winning director Will Brenton (CBeebies, Coronation Street), the show will premiere on Friday 15th December this year and run until Saturday 6th January 2024. Lost and Found is a heart-warming, magical story of friendship and loneliness, following the journey of a little boy who one day finds a penguin on his doorstep. The official adaptation of the much-loved story will take to the stage for the very first time in Manchester. The show is produced...
Preview: Idlib by Storm in the North
NEWS

Preview: Idlib by Storm in the North

Let’s start off making bread – the Syrian way. We will mix the dry ingredients, in a bowl bought in a Souk from Idlib before the troubles. Then we will add the water… then wait for it to rise. While the yeast does its work, we will witness a brand-new real-life drama set in north-west Syria. The action takes place in a building with no electricity, no food, and a line of bullet holes in the wall. However, it is a story not of despair but of kindness. Then we will take a breath, have a conversation about what we have seen and what is happening in our world. We will also explore the role of food in our own lives. And when the bread is ready, cooked in front of our eyes, and the room is filled with the smell of freshly-baked bread, we will share it with our friends and neighbours – a...
Don’t feed that plant at Buxton Opera House!
NEWS

Don’t feed that plant at Buxton Opera House!

Following the success of Sweeney Todd, West Side Story, Oliver! and Rent, Buxton Opera House will once again be showcasing talented local performers in its production of Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Buxton Opera House CEO, Paul Kerryson. This sci-fi rock musical has become a cult favourite, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman (the creative geniuses behind Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast and Aladdin). It features songs Somewhere That’s Green, Dentist, Suddenly Seymour and Don’t Feed The Plants. The community cast includes Buxton’s own Karina Booth as Audrey and Chesterfield’s Jamie Smith as Seymour. Whilst not on stage, Karina runs her own youth theatre in Buxton, as well as regularly working with Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre’s...
Fancy being Oliver or the Dodger at Leeds Playhouse?
NEWS

Fancy being Oliver or the Dodger at Leeds Playhouse?

Leeds Playhouse has launched an open casting call to find young actors to star in the leading roles of Oliver and Dodger as well as the Children’s Ensemble in its new staging of Oliver! that opens in Leeds this November. The Playhouse is working with leading casting directors Keston & Keston, who supported the theatre’s search for Charlie Bucket as part of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical, which is currently on tour across the UK. Open auditions will be held on 27th and 28th May to find Oliver, Dodger and members of the Children's Ensemble.  All young people who meet the casting criteria and who register by 17th May will be seen by the team. They must be 9-12 years old, under 5ft tall and live within an hour’s commute of Leeds city centre. This is a paid role,...
Hale Barns Carnival returns this summer
NEWS

Hale Barns Carnival returns this summer

Hale Barns Carnival returns this summer with a spectacular weekend filled with live music, entertainment, family fun, fairground attractions, fantastic food and two all-star evening concerts. The popular annual event takes place on Saturday 22nd July and Sunday 23rd July 2023. And organisers are delighted to announce their biggest headliners to date, with multi-million selling 70s legend Graham Gouldman of 10CC, R&B superstar Alexander O'Neal and TV's Craig Charles all performing over the fun-filled weekend. On Saturday 22nd July, 10cc lead member; Graham Gouldman will perform an exclusive set for Hale Barns Carnival featuring all the bands biggest hits including The Things You Do For Love, Dreadlock Holiday, Rubber Bullets, I'm Not in Love and many more. The band, original...
From the Cobbles to Centre Stage
NEWS

From the Cobbles to Centre Stage

HER Productions, Unseemly Women & Girl Gang Manchester are delighted to announce the casting of Christine Mackie - Coronation Street’s much loved Dr Gaddas - in the title role of their joint Shakespearian production, Lear. Playing at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester from June 7th – 18th, followed by Shakespeare North’s Cockpit Theatre from June 21st – 24th – this will mark the companies’ fifth, all female and non binary joint Shakespearian production. Directed by Kayleigh Hawkins, Mackie will take a fresh and boundary-less approach to the iconic tragedy of the ageing monarch who, before dividing up their vast kingdom between their daughters, asks them to prove which loves them best. This LEAR will explore the monarch colliding with the working class; the very people they have abandon...
Centenary Theatre Company present Strictly Movie Musicals at The Brindley Theatre
NEWS

Centenary Theatre Company present Strictly Movie Musicals at The Brindley Theatre

Following on from their sell out production of Elf the Musical in November 2022, Centenary Theatre Company complete their trilogy of revue shows showcasing some of the finest songs from the movies. This is one not to be missed. Strictly Movie Musicals features songs from MGM Classics, Oscar Winners and Animated Feature Films to name a few. Centenary have been working on the show since January, finessing the production to ensure they continue to perform to the highest standard for their audiences. Rehearsals are going brilliantly, with the cast learning some fantastic choreography to make the show a real crowd pleaser. Centenary Chairperson Ria Hall said: “We are so excited to be returning to the Brindley with a third and final ‘Strictly Musicals’ show. We’re all incredibly pro...
Exciting Line-up at the Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden
NEWS

Exciting Line-up at the Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden

If, like me, you have never been to Prescot, it’s a sleepy historic town which now has at its heart a crown of glory – Shakespeare North Playhouse: a modern spacious complex that stands in the centre of the town by the church and gardens and it is a welcoming, beautiful space as soon as you enter. With gift shop, large airy coffee shop and three wonderful performance areas. This was well worth the wait! In the 1590s a remarkable theatre stood in Prescot: The Playhouse hosted performances made possible by the Earl of Derby and later the Cockpit Theatre was the inspiration for this contemporary building. Twenty years ago, conversations were had, and plans begun. Last year it opened to audiences, bringing live theatre to the heart of its community.  In less than a year Shakespeare ...
Sit down and stop rocking the boat at the Forum Theatre
NEWS

Sit down and stop rocking the boat at the Forum Theatre

Returning to The Forum Theatre following their 'flawless' and 'incredible' 5-star production of 'Sister Act', the East Cheshire Musical Theatre Company are excited to bring you their spring 2023 production of the Broadway classic, 'Guys and Dolls'! With music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows the show is directed by Thom Copestake, Musical Direction by Ed Nurse, and Choreography by Sally Hilliard and Heidi Fletcher. Set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City, Guys and Dolls is an oddball romantic comedy featuring unforgettable songs such as ‘Luck Be A Lady Tonight’ and ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat’. Gambler Nathan Detroit tries to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck; meanwhile,...