East Midlands Archives - North West End UK

The Bodyguard – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

10May

By Robert BartleyNo Comments

East Midlands

The Bodyguard – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

It’s been over a decade since the tragic death of Whitney Houston, but that voice remains unmistakable. Setting a new standard for female vocalists, Houston in her prime was an effortless yet formidable force that dominated the charts in the 80s and 90s and became an idol to millions. The 1992 film “The Bodyguard” captured her at arguably the peak of her power and gave the world a soundtrack that remains the highest-selling film soundtrack of all time. Combining that soundtrack with Houston’s own classic back catalogue of hits, the stage adaption of “The Bodyguard” fleshes out the romantic thriller as a musical, and plays at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this week, with former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton as its lead. Rachel Marron (Thornton) is one of the biggest s...

6Apr

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

East Midlands

Annie – Alexandra Theatre

No One Cares For You a Smidge When You’re In An Orphanage Well, that’s the first production of “Annie” I’ve seen that ended with the theme tune to “Blankety Blank” - and for very good and poignant reasons. Read to the end to find out why… Like the Allied Carpets sale which never ended “Annie” is out on tour as if it were ever not on tour. Endless generations of kids have been weened on the show and the demand never seems to wane. It’s a staunch Broadway warhorse which has been inflicting its schmaltz on unsuspecting and, indeed, suspecting audiences since 1977 when it was wrenched kicking and screaming from a newspaper comic strip and thrust upon the Broadway to wild, unstinting and, it seems, endless acclaim. We gave them “Oliver!” they reupholstered him, changed his sex and gave hi...

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Leicester Curve

5Mar

By Robert BartleyNo Comments

East Midlands

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Leicester Curve

Carole King is such an exceptional songwriter (both with her husband Gerry Goffin and singlehandedly in her own right), that a biographical musical detailing her life and extensive back catalogue was inevitable. Sure enough, ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’ first hit US stages in 2013, transferring to Broadway in 2014 and the West End in 2015, and has also enjoyed a UK tour in 2017. Leicester’s Curve have teamed up with the Theatre Royal Bath and the Mayflower Theatre Southampton to create a new adaptation, which has kicked off a new UK tour this week. Spanning 1958 to 1971, ‘Beautiful’ tells King’s story from being a 16-year-old aspiring songwriter, to finding success with Goffin (in more ways than one), rivalry with fellow songwriters and friends Barry Mann and Cynthia...

Bedknobs & Broomsticks – Leicester Curve

12Feb

By Robert BartleyNo Comments

East Midlands

Bedknobs & Broomsticks – Leicester Curve

The magical world of Disney has a strong track-record on the world’s stages, having turned many of their animated classics into fully realised theatrical productions. Making its Broadway debut with ‘Beauty & The Beast’, breaking all Box-Office and Awards records with ‘The Lion King’, through to ‘Mary Poppins’, ‘Aladdin’ and most recently ‘Frozen’, they have shown that their timeless stories and songs translate beautifully to the stage, bringing beloved characters to life and enthralling audiences with stunning sets, innovative puppetry and lavish costumes. The latest title to be brought to our theatres is ‘Bedknobs & Broomsticks’. Originally released in 1971, the classic film starred Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson, and featured memorable songs by the Sherman Brothers...

Bedknobs and Broomsticks – The Alexandra, Birmingham

12Nov

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

East Midlands

Bedknobs and Broomsticks – The Alexandra, Birmingham

What a lot of scenery! If you like scenery this is the show for you! Acres it, yards of it flash by one after another - flat trees, flat doors, flat clouds, flat waves all causing this reviewer to wonder how they manage to store it all in the wings rather than consider the show. There really was a lot it… “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” is almost a Disney classic or if you work for Disney it’s a classic. It’s one step below “Mary Poppins” but quite a number of steps above “The Fox and the Hound” adapted from the novels by Mary Norton (who despite having invented the whole thing doesn’t seem warrant a credit in the programme…) and, of course, from the movie with Angela Lansbury. And like all good movies it moves and this stage adaptation from Michael Harrison attempts to move with the same vi...

18Feb

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

East Midlands

The Color Purple – Curve@Home

Based on the seminal prize winning novel by Alice Walker and later filmed by Steven Spielberg, Curve@Home in association with Birmingham Hippodrome presents this theatre in the round version of the award winning production. The Color Purple is a sprawling story about friendship and personal triumph through adversity as the main character Celie (played by the amazing T’Shan Williams) makes the journey from the dark heart of abuse and misery to the glories of personal fulfilment, kindness and love. In short, the story is about change and the power that it gives to the individual. It’s also a story about connection and the importance of community and family. This musical version (book by Marsha Norman with music by the fabulous Brenda Russell, Allee Willis & Stephen Bray) cleverly m...

Sunset Boulevard – Leicester Curve Online

13Jan

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

East Midlands

Sunset Boulevard – Leicester Curve Online

As it toured the country, Leicester Curve’s 2017 production was praised by audiences and critics alike. Now, the team has come back together and filmed the musical for home viewings, whilst the theatres it visited sadly remain closed. Nikolai Foster’s artistic take on the iconic show has elevated the plot, and in doing so, has created an even more captivating piece. The first number embodies the chaos and desperation of late-40's Hollywood, set to the familiar melodies of Webber. “Did I hear that chord sequence in Joseph, or was it Jesus? Or have I just heard it earlier on in this song?” Webber’s signature style is stamped onto the show from the get-go. Another thing that is noticeable straight away is the appeal of the leading man. Narrating directly to camera, Danny Mac (White Christm...

11Oct

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

East Midlands

The Color Purple – Digital Concert

The Color Purple – Digital Concert features reflections and performances from the cast and creative members of the 2019 Made at Leicester Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome co-production. This digital concert was recorded remotely over the Summer and commissioned to mark Black History Month. Directed by Tinuke Craig with Musical Direction and Piano by Alex Parker, the concert includes seven songs from the show including Brown Betty, African Homeland, The Color Purple and the stunning I’m here. In between songs we have cast and creatives talking about how important the show is, how it tackles many issues, especially those of which black women have had to go through and in some ways, still are. About the coming together of people and finding the strength within, and within your community to ...

My Beautiful Laundrette – Curve Theatre Leicester

8Sep

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

East Midlands

My Beautiful Laundrette – Curve Theatre Leicester

Britain in the 1980’s – a time of division and change and this is the setting for an adaptation and stage revival of Hanif Kureishi’s screenplay from that era. First off, I must say that it hasn’t worn that well and suffers from some shameless stereotypical characterisations that modern audiences would find hard to accept. Having said that, the company under the direction of Nikolai Foster provide a lively and thoughtful rendition of Kureishi’s script and most of the acting is fine throughout. This is a recording of a dress rehearsal for the actual stage show from 2019 and it does show somewhat – the sound quality is poor and the staging does seem a little slapdash, which is a shame because I’m sure the actual performance would’ve been so much better (there is a fuller review in our ...