REVIEWS Archives - North West End UK

Stevie Parker: Big Bloke with Big Jokes – The Eagle Inn

28Jul

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Stevie Parker: Big Bloke with Big Jokes – The Eagle Inn

You’ve always got to admire someone willing to stand alone on stage for 90 minutes armed with nothing but a microphone and the hope that strangers will laugh. Stevie Parker is undeniably likeable company, and his enthusiasm for comedy never wavers, but unfortunately, he struggles to deliver. Built around the conceit that Parker will attempt to tell 1,001 jokes in a single show – a “non-contractually binding” world record attempt – the set rattles along at a reasonable pace. Yet quantity rarely translates into quality. Many of the jokes are groan-inducing dad jokes and puns, sometimes feeling a bit archaic in their occasional crudeness, while observational routines often wander off into tangents that are never quite brought back together. There are flashes of promise, but the deli...

28Jul

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

The Rocky Horror Show – Palace Theatre

The Rocky Horror Show has arrived at Manchester Palace Theatre with all the sass, sparkle, and outrageous fun that audiences could possibly wish for. Richard O’Brien’s iconic cult musical continues to delight generations of theatre-goers, and this latest tour proves exactly why it remains one of the most beloved musicals of all time! From the moment the curtain rises, the production immediately feels energetic, complete with humour, and an infectious sense of mischief. The simplistic set design perfectly captures the eccentric world of Frank’n’Furter, while the lighting and slick direction create a thrilling experience that keeps the audience engaged from beginning to end. Every technical element works seamlessly together, transporting the audience into the wonderfully bizarre universe ...

Ordinary Elephant – Edinburgh Traverse Bar

28Jul

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

Ordinary Elephant – Edinburgh Traverse Bar

There are Banjo jokes too numerous – and withering – but after an evening with Ordinary Elephant, in the apt setting of the Traverse bar, erstwhile gag-writers might be forced to revise their material. In the hands of Pete Damore are revealed hitherto unknown sensitivities and tasteful textures, a perfect complement to the soaring vocals and gentle guitar strumming of Crystal Hariu-Damore. It’s atmospheric and dreamy yet with an edge courtesy of insightful, well-observed lyrics, reminding one instantly of The Delines. ‘…born to be a bigot… don’t mean that I am one…’ from ‘Scars We Keep’ appears to hit home with every member of the audience. And the thing one quickly forgets is that it’s just them, husband and wife, with lushly matched vocals and a stringed instrument each. There’s nothing ...

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold – The Lowry

24Jul

By Helen JonesNo Comments

North West

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold – The Lowry

John Le Carre’s original novel The Spy Who Came In From The Cold was first published in 1963 and was his third novel, the plot very much triggered by the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961. Alec Leamas works for The Circus, a British intelligence organisation who are running spies between the West and the communist East. The Cold War issues are very dominant in the story. Leamas is trying to get his last agent out of East Berlin but as he makes his escape across No Man’s Land he is shot by the German counterintelligence officer Mundt. Back in the UK Leamas is keen to retire from service but the head of The Circus, a man known merely as Control has one last job for him which will silence Mundt forever. In order to do so, Leamus must appear to be out of The Circus...

23Jul

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Lord of the Dance – Hull New Theatre

Michael Flatley, creator of the legendary Lord of the Dance, says his “job in life is to make people happy”. Well, all I can say, Sir, is job very well done. On Wednesday evening, the crowds flocked into the Hull New Theatre to watch Flatley’s 30th anniversary tribute show to his creation with Lord of the Dance 30 amazing years of standing ovations. This was my third time of seeing the super-talented Irish man’s show and, each time I think it can’t get any better, it bloomin’ well does. The 30th Anniversary Tour promises brand-new choreography, stunning costumes, state-of-the-art special effects and cutting-edge lighting, ensuring an “unforgettable experience”. At curtain up, I was about to see if it would live up to its promise. A first look at the stage setting and it was ...

23Jul

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

Pub? – Salford Arts Theatre

A laugh-out-loud insight into how notto run a pub, serving up outrageous characters, brilliantly observed humour and plenty of workplace chaos. The Great Bear Productions create an entertaining night on shift at The Legless Lamb pub, where the frazzled staff are recalling the night’s events under the threat of another HR seminar! And for good reason! We’re treated to the kind of banter you'd expect in a local boozer; politically incorrect jokes, ridiculous "would you rather?" conversations, and the kind of nonsense that helps bored staff survive a long shift. The dynamics between the staff brings plenty of laughs, with a strong cast of recent University of Salford acting graduates who all possess natural funny bones. If Jason from HR ever set foot in the Legless Lamb, he'd h...

23Jul

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Jersey Boys – Bradford Alhambra

Back in fifties New Jersey there were three ways out of poverty – the army, getting mobbed up or become a pop star. Frankie Valli and his three mates formed The Four Seasons to take what they thought would be the easy option. But as well as massive hits like Sherry and Big Girls Don’t Cry, this surprisingly gritty tale of the perils of rags to riches pop stardom is not without its mob connection. Street hustler Tommy Devito is also a musician and discovers a vocal winning lottery ticket in Frankie Valli’s distinctive falsetto. Throw in the genius of songwriter Bob Gaudio and you have the Four Seasons who become the best selling boy band of all time with a string of hits. But like all successful bands they are brought down to earth thanks to internecine rivalries, ego and ...

23Jul

By Gemma PrinceNo Comments

London

Good For Her! – The Other Palace

Written and performed by Mollie Semple and directed by Kayla Stokes, Good For Her! is a sharp solo show that explores ambition, womanhood and trying to find yourself within a world fuelled by social media comparisons. We follow 28-year-old aspiring actress Iris as she flits between ambition, envy and self-doubt whilst grappling with toxic family and feeling overshadowed by those she stalks on Instagram. Comparison being the thief of joy certainly rings true for Iris’ story, which Semple plays extremely well, as we see her “having it together” persona quickly deteriorate with her incessant need to feel like she is doing better than her peers, shown through her obsessive and constant doom scrolling. Iris’ fractured relationship with her narcissistic mother, whose declining health f...

Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man – Sheffield Lyceum

22Jul

By Natalia PrucnalNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man – Sheffield Lyceum

Matthew Bourne’s ‘The Car Man’ at the Sheffield Lyceum is utterly stupendous. Despite the show not having been on tour in the UK for over 10 years, it has certainly returned with fervour. The performance had already begun before the audience had even filled the seats, before the lights even went down - with the dancers playfully flirting with one another, hanging signs up and fixing cars. With a show so full of action, passion, deception and desire, the immersive prelude was just a glimpse into what was to come. The creative direction and choreography of Matthew Bourne was deeply moving. It elegantly wove classical ballet with contemporary and modern dance. I particularly enjoyed the Act 1 finale, which featured line dancing and a hoedown during a party, contrasting deliciously with the...

22Jul

By Carole GordonNo Comments

London

Alice in Wonderland – Riverside Studios

Neon-bright, fast-paced and generally faithful to Lewis Carroll's original, Penny Farrow's version of Alice in Wonderland is a joy. It's somehow simultaneously fresh and modern while remaining a classic. There are very convincing puppets for some of the characters (think Avenue Q meets the Muppets) but director Nate Bertone has not been tempted to shoehorn in any of the current theatrical gimmicks like digital screens and steadicams to distract from the action. All the favourite characters of this beloved tale show up, portrayed by a terrifically talented ensemble who give it their all and then some, with on-point comic timing. Bored Alice is feisty, curious and played with the perfect degree of sweetness by Ailsa Erskine. When she chases Clare Brice's energetic ...