REVIEWS Archives - North West End UK

20Nov

By Amanda HodgsonNo Comments

North West

That Love Thing – HOME Mcr

This moving and entertaining piece follows the inner life of Peter, a man living with cerebral palsy, and his companion Michael, as they narrate the ups and downs of life with a serious disability. All the touchstones of Peter’s life – including his love of music and Shakespeare, his relationships with his unseen mother and brother, the travails of sex and dating, and his love/hate relationships with his various wheelchairs – are covered with wry humour. Just enough detail is given in each vignette for the audience to feel that the sketch is authentic and serious without overpowering the momentum of the show. Gradually we are introduced to main characters in Peter’s life – some real, some fictional, some perhaps both, including the Satanic Mr C.P., who appears to mock and torment...

20Nov

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

An Inspector Calls – Liverpool Empire

With the size and grandeur of the Empire stage, any play has a feat to reach the farthest eyes and ears in the audience. Especially a play that has such a wide and respecting reputation, not to mention a sell-out run to precede it. I didn't watch that initial tour of this production, so I have no comparison. That said, I was keen to see the calibre of the National Theatre re-produced, albeit with a hint of apprehension as to whether it would feel big enough for a space so different to the intimate Littleton. However, sat way back in the stalls I was pleased to feel so much life from the distant stage. The characters were bold and worked very hard to keep us in that world of tailcoats and silk gloves. Sheila Birling (Leona Allan) had humility, and a subtlety needed to counteract Mr an...

20Nov

By Anna Ní DhúillNo Comments

North West

1984 – Liverpool Playhouse

In a new adaptation of Orwell’s seminal classic, Theatre Royal Bath productions bring their take on 1984 to Liverpool’s Playhouse. Adapted for stage by Ryan Craig and directed by Lindsay Posner, the meticulous design of the piece means as soon as you enter the auditorium, you step into the authoritative, totalitarian world in which our characters cannot escape. Setting up the Playhouse as a panopticon is an exciting start to a story that has thrilled audiences since first being published in 1949. Sadly, once the houselights dim, the thrill that Orwell constructed is slowly deflated by a meandering, technology-reliant production. It is a truly difficult task to adapt a text that is held up as a modern classic, that the majority of the population has read before they reach their mid-t...

20Nov

By NewsdeskNo Comments

North West

Blood Brothers – Palace Theatre

Full disclosure that in well over forty years of watching and reviewing theatre I have always managed to avoid watching this musical paean to our Scouse cousins down the M62. I am certainly in the minority, as since its inception in 1983, Willy Russell’s ‘Liverpudlian Folk Opera’ has been garlanded with awards galore, toured the world and clocked up over 10,000 performances in the West End. So, after a little nudge from my Liverpool FC supporting editor, I braved the November sleet and snow and made the trip to the Palace Theatre in Manchester to catch its latest incarnation and finally see what all the fuss is about. The story of the Johnstone twins ‘as like each other as two new pins’ and their enforced separation - one given a life of rich opportunity whilst the other is condemned to...

Rocky Horror Show – Opera House, Blackpool

20Nov

By Rebecca CaseyNo Comments

North West

Rocky Horror Show – Opera House, Blackpool

I spent my evening at Blackpool Winter Gardens, as a Rocky Horror Show virgin, I cannot believe the level of commitment of some of the costuming from the audience members, one guy was literally in gold boxing shorts and a wig and heels. I have heard before of the active audience participation during this production, in fact one of the reasons why this musical is so popular is due to said participation, but it is something that needs to be seen to be believed. Another reason is the Musical score, with catchy tune such as ‘The Time Warp’ and ‘Sweet Transvestite’ which will leave you humming on your way out of the theatre. Rocky Horror also a movie from 1975 has been a cult classic for many years. With the music lyrics and book by Richard O’Brien, this melodramatic, twee, tongue in cheek p...

Showman: An Evening With Anton Du Beke – Buxton Opera House

19Nov

By Natasha AspdenNo Comments

North West

Showman: An Evening With Anton Du Beke – Buxton Opera House

On a nippy November night, just on the cusp of turning to winter, myself and my partner had the pleasure of being invited to review the latest Strictly Theatre Co. offering at the beautiful Buxton Opera House. As a not so fussed Strictly Come Dancing viewer my partner was semi hesitant about coming to watch “Showman: An evening with Anton Du Beke”, but after some arm pulling and fluttering of eyelashes he finally relented and I’m glad he did! Accompanied by a supporting cast of 6, plus the dulcet tones of Lance Ellington, Anton Du Beke shone in this showcase of all things jazz and golden age. From dancing the Viennese waltz and Tango with the outstanding Polina Mayer, to joining the ensemble of an Irving Berlin mash up, this show had something for everyone. Anton welcomed us as an au...

19Nov

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

London

Kindliness – Barons Court Theatre

Set in mythical country torn apart by war, Kindliness tells the story of a man (Malcolm) who must choose between his family and the young immigrant (Mimmi) with whom he is having an affair. Writer and producer Daniel Chaves, who also plays Malcolm, has crafted a script which attempts to tackle themes of xenophobia, racism, and tribalism. As such, Kindliness is a direct response to the many atrocities and conflicts ongoing around the world. The premise is certainly promising and, combined with Jenny Eastop’s dynamic direction, Kindliness had the ingredients to be a poignant, timely production. Indeed, when the show is firing on all cylinders, such as whenever Malcolm’s wife, Amara, delivers casual and cutting xenophobic comments, it is raw, haunting and depressingly real. Sadly, howe...

19Nov

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Hairspray – Hull New Theatre

Hull New Theatre was packed to the rafters on Monday evening, in anticipation of watching Hairspray - “the hilarious, joyous and most inspiring musical of all” according to the press release. Did it live up that that description? You bet. I loved every madcap minute. It’s 1962 America - Baltimore to be exact - and teen schoolgirl Tracy Turnblad (Katie Brace) is desperate to appear on her favourite TV programme, The Corny Collins Show. Corny (Joseph Bristow), invites teens to show off their dancing skills, but racial segregation is prevalent in America at that time, so all of the dancers are “white”, with a “negro” night being held every so often. Corny’s show is sponsored by a hairspray company, and Tracy’s ears prick up when she hears of a competition for a Miss Teenage Hairsp...

A Vicar of Dibley Christmas – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

19Nov

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

A Vicar of Dibley Christmas – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Bringing the much-loved Vicar of Dibley to life on stage is no small task. The iconic characters, rapid scene changes, and the demands of adapting a TV script for live theatre present significant challenges, yet the Altrincham Garrick Playhouse production rises admirably to the occasion. Director Pete Brassington acknowledges the complexity of staging this comedy, particularly the numerous costume changes needed to depict the passage of time. You can't talk about the Vicar of Dibley without mentioning the leading lady, and in this case, it was Meg Brassington stepping into the role of Geraldine Granger, made famous by the iconic Dawn French. Her sardonic tone and impeccable comic timing, accentuated by “pauses” and subtle expressions, anchor the production with authenticity and humour. ...

16Nov

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Opera North: The Magic Flute – Lowry

Opera North’s English Version of Mozart’s two-act opera hints at the fantasy but lacks the magic necessary for the classic fairy tale rescue of a princess by a handsome prince. Tamino (Egor Zhuravskii), a young prince, is being pursued by a terrible dragon and in his attempt to escape he passes out and is unknowingly saved by three mysterious Ladies (Charlie Drummond; Katie Sharpe; Hazel Croft). As they depart to alert the Queen of the Night (Naomi Quant) to his presence, Tamino regains consciousness only to meet another strange figure, that of Papageno (Emyr Wyn Jones), the bird catcher, who also works for the Queen, and deceitfully claims to have defeated the monster. He is punished when the three Ladies return by having his tongue sealed with a magic spell. Tamino is presented with a...