Friday, December 5

NEWS

The Mousetrap celebrates Guinness World Record breaking 30000th performance
NEWS

The Mousetrap celebrates Guinness World Record breaking 30000th performance

Agatha Christie’s iconic thriller The Mousetrap celebrates its 30,000th performance in the West End today and further extends booking through to spring 2026. The genre-defining murder mystery opened in 1952 and continues to enthral audiences at London’s St Martin’s Theatre, more than 70 years on. Marking the milestone, Guinness World Records adjudicator Will Munford presented the company with a certificate for the record title longest theatrical run. Craig Glenday, Editor in Chief says: “Guinness World Records has monitored this category from the very first edition in 1955. The Mousetrap overtook the previous holder in 1958 making it one of the all-time longest standing world records." Brian Fenty, Producer of The Mousetrap says: “As The Mousetrap celebrates its record-shattering 30,...
X Factor winner Joe McElderry stars in new version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Leeds Grand
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X Factor winner Joe McElderry stars in new version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Leeds Grand

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat returns to Leeds Grand Theatre after a sell-out run in 2023 and X Factor winner Joe McElderry will be playing Pharaoh. McElderry played the title role from 2017-18 in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s first major collaboration, and since then has been a regular on the stage as the lead in The Who’s rock opera Tommy and Club Tropicana: The Musical. “I have such a long history with the show and to re-join in a different role, this time playing Pharaoh, will be so exciting," says Joe McElderry.  “I can’t wait to perform to amazing audiences in Leeds in a show so close to my heart.” Joe McElderry (Pharaoh) and Adam Filipe (Joseph) in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat @ Sunderland Empire. (Opening 14-01-25) ©Tristram Kenton ...
New Vic Theatre stages brand new adaptation of A Matter of Life and Death
NEWS

New Vic Theatre stages brand new adaptation of A Matter of Life and Death

Staffordshire’s The New Vic Theatre will produce a rare stage adaptation of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s cinematic masterpiece A Matter of Life and Death on their in-the-round stage.   It’s been adapted by Artistic Director Theresa Heskins, who also directs, the production will open on Friday 28th March and run until Saturday 19th April.   It’s 1945 and British Pilot Peter Carter’s plane goes down just off the coast of England he doesn’t expect to survive, but miraculously, after leaping from his burning plane without a parachute, he finds himself face-to-face with June, the American radio operator who kept him company on his final journey. As the pair fall instantly and deeply in love, Peter discovers a celestial error has occurred – he was supposed to die bu...
Ghost Stories – Liverpool Playhouse
NEWS, North West

Ghost Stories – Liverpool Playhouse

Prepare for an unparalleled theatrical experience. Running until March 15th Ghost Stories is an extraordinary production brimming with moments of shock, suspense, and psychological tension that will deeply unsettle even the most fearless theatre goers. This chilling performance is strictly unsuitable for individuals under 15 years of age. Those sensitive to disturbing or anxiety-inducing experiences should carefully heed this warning before securing their tickets. Brace yourself; spine-tingling thrills await! After captivating audiences worldwide with record-breaking, sold-out performances and an acclaimed film adaptation, Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson’s Ghost Stories stands as a landmark achievement in horror theatre. Lauded by the Sunday Times as “genuinely scary fun,” this masterfully ...
Leeds Playhouse’s Animal Farm nominated for an Olivier Award
NEWS

Leeds Playhouse’s Animal Farm nominated for an Olivier Award

Leeds Playhouse’s co-production with Stratford East of Animal Farm has been nominated for an Olivier Award in the Best New Production in Affiliate Theatre category. As George Orwell’s classic novel celebrates its 80th anniversary it’s been adapted by Tatty Hennessy, who explores his core themes of loss of identity, the seductive allure of greed and the corrupting nature of political power. Designed by Hayley Grindle, this version was built in Leeds by the Playhouse’s skilled Costume and Workshop teams. All performances include live creative audio description performed in-character by a member of the cast as Orwell’s timeless warning to future generations is coming to the Playhouse from March 12th. Photo: Kirsten McTernan “I am beyond excited by this incredible honour,” says Ani...
An Evening of Irish Myths and Queer Love at Shakespeare North Playhouse
NEWS

An Evening of Irish Myths and Queer Love at Shakespeare North Playhouse

Liverpool-based Irish theatre-maker Anna Ní Dhuill is set to bring their new show ‘This is Not My Beautiful House’ to the Shakespeare North Playhouse Studio this May. Building off its success at the Galway Theatre Festival in 2024, where audiences called it “incredible” with a “richness of imagination and language”, Ní Dhúill and company Cult Collective are so excited to bring their work to a Scouse audience. A story of myth, legend and identity, ‘This is Not My Beautiful House’ is a one-person play in the Irish language. With English surtitles, the show revolves around an unnamed artist as they wait in their studio for their partner to come home so that they can reveal their secret and finally come out as non-binary. As they wait, they begin to delve into their recent obsession wi...
Whip-crack-away as Calamity Jane rides into Leeds Grand
NEWS

Whip-crack-away as Calamity Jane rides into Leeds Grand

The revival of The Watermill Theatre’s Calamity Jane starring Carrie Hope Fletcher comes to Leeds Grand Theatre before a West End run.   It’s based on the beloved Doris Day movie, andthis foot-stomping new production features all the sure-fire classic songs including The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away), The Black Hills of Dakota, Just Blew in from the Windy City, and the Oscar-winning Secret Love. The fearless, gun slingin' Calamity Jane is biggest mouth in Dakota territory and always up for a fight. She'll charm you hog-eyed though, especially when trying to win the heart of the dashing Lieutenant Gilmartin or shooting insults at the notorious Wild Bill Hickok. But when the men of Deadwood fall hard for Chicago stage star Adelaid Adams the touch rebel struggles to keep her jea...
Liverpool Improvisation Festival 2025
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Liverpool Improvisation Festival 2025

North West End UK are delighted to be attending, and writing about this year’s Liverpool Improvisation Festival, with shows to be held at The Unity Theatre, and improv workshops which will be held at the Joe H Makin Drama centre - LJMU.  If you have never seen an ‘improv’ show or (if we can use the older word) ‘extemporisation’ show, then you are missing a treat.  For those of you who are old enough, you may remember the show ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ hosted by Clive Anderson, which was many people’s introduction to improv, but if you are a young thing, go to YouTube for a taster session, it’s a classic!  Every show at this festival is a world premiere, no storyline is the same, and as an audience member, you are the co-creators, so your genius suggestions are the inspir...
Dear Evan Hansen – Palace Theatre
NEWS, North West

Dear Evan Hansen – Palace Theatre

After debuting a decade ago, audiences are elated to see the hit modern-day musical Dear Evan Hansen finally grace the Manchester stage as part of a UK national tour. With an impressive cast, innovative staging and a host of earworm hits – it was clearly worth the wait. The musical follows Evan (Ryan Kopel) struggling to traverse his high-school days, he is an awkward outsider who struggles to form friendships in his often-cruel teenage years. In his efforts to fit in, Evan gets caught up in a web of lies that sees him finally be the one thing he had always desired – important. Over the runtime the show explores a range of topics from mental health, family roles and friendship all against the backdrop of a generation growing up completely immersed in the world of social media. Set de...
It’s all Cushty as Only Fools and Horses: The Musical comes to Leeds Grand
NEWS

It’s all Cushty as Only Fools and Horses: The Musical comes to Leeds Grand

For fans of classic British comedy it’s all cushty as Paul Whitehouse reprises his West End starring role as lovable Grandad in the UK and Ireland tour of the smash-hit show Only Fools and Horses: The Musical. Joining The Fast Show legend at the Grand are Wicked star Sam Lupton as Cockney chancer Del Boy and Tom Major making his professional theatre debut as his daft brother Rodney. It’s all kicking off in 1989 Peckham as the yuppie invasion of London is in full swing, but love is in the air as Del Boy sets out on the rocky road to find his soul mate. Meanwhile Rodney and Cassandra prepare to say ‘I do, and even Trigger is gearing up for a date. Boycie and Marlene give parenthood one final shot as Grandad takes stock of his life, and decides the time has finally arrived to get his pi...