North West Archives - North West End UK

The Railway Children – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

9Apr

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

The Railway Children – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

At the Altrincham Garrick Playhouse, opening night of The Railway Children, brought to the stage through Mike Kenny’s adaptation was met with eager anticipation from an audience ready to be transported into a timeless family classic. This much-loved story, originally written by Edith Nesbit, follows the lives of the Waterbury children, Roberta (Bobby), Peter, and Phyllis whose comfortable Edwardian life is turned upside down when their father is suddenly taken away. Forced to leave their London home, they relocate with their mother to a modest cottage called Three Chimneys in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside. Here, against a backdrop of rolling hills, wide skies, and quiet railway cuttings, the children begin a new chapter of resilience, discovery, and growth. Under the directi...

8Apr

By Dan GrimesNo Comments

North West

2:22 A Ghost Story – Liverpool Empire

“Do you believe in ghosts?” A question guaranteed to liven up any flagging dinner party. Social convention, in polite society, dictates that one should never discuss politics or religion—but this seemingly innocuous conversation starter can prove just as revealing and polarising. Views on the occult can offer insights into social status, educational attainment, upbringing, belief systems, and even morality. 2:22 A Ghost Story is the tale of a dinner party with a difference. New parents Jenny (Shvorne Marks) and Sam (James Bye) invite their longtime friend Lauren (Natalie Casey) and her latest squeeze, Ben (Grant Kilburn), to spend an evening in their new home. However, it soon becomes clear that Jenny’s motives run deeper than simply showcasing her asparagus risotto in their new open-pl...

Lark Rise to Candleford – Theatre by the Lake

7Apr

By Karen Morley-ChesworthNo Comments

North West

Lark Rise to Candleford – Theatre by the Lake

Lark Rise to Candleford is a joyous actor-musician production at Theatre by the Lake, that transports the audience back to the late 19th century and the English countryside way of life. Based on the semi-autobiographical trilogy by Flora Thompson, this adaptation has been written by Tamsin Kennard and is a warm, nostalgic production. This is the story of a woman, Laura, looking back over her life. Starting in the hamlet of Lark Rise, where she lived a simple life, but where she felt she didn’t quite fit in, she then moved to the bright lights of the nearby town of Candleford. Laura, played by Jessica Temple, travels the timeline of her life, and she rises to the part which demands her to be on stage throughout the whole production. Temple gives a natural and engaging performance. ...

4Apr

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

We Will Rock You – Liverpool Empire

Empire Youth Theatre’s production of We Will Rock You at the Liverpool Empire is an ambitious, high-energy showcase that highlights both the strengths and growing edges of a young cast taking on a demanding, full-scale musical. From the opening number, there’s a clear sense of commitment. We Will Rock You is no easy feat, requiring strong vocals, comic timing, and the ability to navigate a deliberately over-the-top and often chaotic script. The cast largely rises to the challenge, delivering Queen’s iconic songs with enthusiasm and, in many cases, impressive vocal control. Somebody to Love is a particular standout, showcasing Scaramouche’s vocals to great effect with a confident and engaging performance. However, at times the balance isn’t quite right, with the backing singers’ mic leve...

42nd Street – The Grand Theatre, Blackpool

2Apr

By Dan GrimesNo Comments

North West

42nd Street – The Grand Theatre, Blackpool

I have to start this review with a confession. I have a very serious addiction. I am, unfortunately, addicted to tap dancing—as a consumer rather than a participant, I hasten to add. My social media algorithms know this about me and, as part of our complex web of co-dependency, the apps ply me with endless reels of routines. It is through this rather sordid route that I became familiar with this musical and, until tonight, I had never actually seen the whole show—due in no small part to the fact that it is performed scandalously infrequently. If you’re a fan of pub quiz trivia, it might interest you to know that the show isn’t as old as you might expect. It was adapted in 1980 from the 1933 Warner Bros. film of the same name and went on to win Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Chore...

2Apr

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Mean Girls – The Regent Theatre

‘Mean Girls,’ originally written by Tina Fey in 2004, is gracing the stage at Stoke this week. It is an amusing musical comedy based on the film version. In its musical format it was an instant success and since it was first performed in New York in 2018 where it received much accolade and was nominated for several Tony awards. It then travelled to London and has been a huge success ever since. Directed by Casey Nicholaw it includes an extremely talented bunch of stars that are certainly ‘all things musical theatre’. The story is essentially about a group who call themselves ‘The Plastics’ who see themselves as the leaders of North Shore High School in every way. The ringleader is the evil ‘Regina George’ and it tells the tale of her taking new girl ‘Cady’ under her wing and the battle ...

2Apr

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Private Lives – Royal Exchange

The Royal Exchange’s recent renaissance under its newly installed artistic director, Selena Cartmell, continues apace with a sparkling revival of Noël Coward’s Private Lives. This is a production that deftly balances the play’s barbed wit with the art deco glamour of its setting, while allowing something darker to seep through the cracks: a distinctly Pinteresque unease beneath the polished surface. Coward is often caricatured as the world-weary, dressing-gown-clad wit, all epigrams and elegance. But there has always been more to him than that. Ever since seeing the Citizens Theatre’s 1988 production of his early play The Vortex—with Maria Aitken and a startlingly young Rupert Everett—it has been clear to me that Coward’s work carries a sharper, more serious undercurrent. His outsider’s...

The Shawshank Redemption – Liverpool Playhouse

2Apr

By Emma LambeNo Comments

North West

The Shawshank Redemption – Liverpool Playhouse

The Shawshank Redemption is a based on Stephen Kings 1982 novella, set in a maximum-security penitentiary. It spans over 20 years and follows the inmates stories, primarily focusing on our main character Andy. Joe McFadden plays him in such a genuine, real manner, you can’t help but sympathise and root for him. His chemistry with the mesmerising Ben Onwuke as Ellis ‘Red’ is gripping to watch. Red being the audience’s narrator and having the most dialogue, including several long monologues, still managed to capture the attention of the audience and keep them hooked. There were a few times he made the audience laugh out loud, including a scene where Andy informs Red how much money is waiting for him on the other side, which was a nice break from the heavy going moments. Coronation star Bi...

Madama Butterfly – Opera House Manchester

30Mar

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Madama Butterfly – Opera House Manchester

At the Opera House Manchester, audiences were treated to a poignant one-night-only performance of Madama Butterfly, presented as part of Ellen Kent’s farewell tour. With music by Giacomo Puccini, and based on a play by David Belasco, the opera first performed in Milan in February 1904, remains one of the most enduring and emotionally devastating works in the operatic canon. Structured in three acts, Madama Butterfly tells the tragic story of Cio-Cio San, a young Japanese girl who marries the American naval officer B.F. Pinkerton. In this production, Pinkerton was portrayed by Oleksii Srebnytskyi, while the role of Cio-Cio San (Madame Butterfly) was taken by Elena Dee. Their union, arranged under Japanese law for 999 years but subject to monthly dissolution, reflects a cultural and ...

27Mar

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Erin & Ern – The Lowry

It’s charming and filled with laugh-out-loud moments; Eric & Ern at The Lowry is a nostalgic celebration of one of Britain’s most beloved comedy double acts! Written by Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens, Eric & Ern takes audiences back to the golden era of light entertainment, performing a selection of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise best bits that made them became the nation’s favourite duo. This show is a must for any Morecambe & Wise fans with a show filled with warmth and affection for the pair, capturing not only the iconic humour but also the deep friendship at its core. The duo on stage have the personalities down to a tee; they are superb; Ian Ashpitel as Eric and Jonty Stephens as Ern demonstrate impeccable comic timing and undeniable chemistry. They don’t sim...