North West Archives - North West End UK

20Feb

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Road – Royal Exchange

2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Exchange Theatre, an occasion celebrated with a season of productions entitled 'A Homecoming', welcoming artistic alumni back to direct and perform in the Levitt Bernstein-designed "spaceship" nestled within the Victorian splendour of the old Exchange building. New Artistic Director Selina Cartmell launches the programme in strong style with a revival of Jim Cartwright's seminal 'Road', boasting a star-studded cast, astonishing design, and an unfortunate modern relevance forty years after its premiere. When the Royal Court Theatre first staged Road in 1986, Margaret Thatcher was at the height of her power and British society was beginning to see the effects of her political credo. While some prospered in this new "Gordon Gekko...

The Wizard of Oz – Northwich Memorial Court

20Feb

By Dan GrimesNo Comments

North West

The Wizard of Oz – Northwich Memorial Court

In recent years, and thanks largely to the popularity of its spin-off cousin Wicked, it feels like the whole world has contracted Oz-mania. So, I was very much looking forward to this trip to Northwich to revisit the original tale. I also have fond memories of playing the cowardly lion in my final year at high school approximately one hundred thousand years ago. I can’t believe there is a person in the Western Hemisphere who needs the story setting out for them but briefly The Wizard of Oz tells how young Dorothy Gale (Sidney Causer) and her little dog Toto (Jess Hazel) is swept from her farm in Kansas to a magical faraway place – the land of Oz. Guided by Good Witch Glinda (Amy Rattenbury) and tormented by the Wicked Witch of the West (Laura Slater-Hatton) Dorothy follows the Yel...

20Feb

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

The Last Picture – HOME Mcr

This may be a tale told by a dog, but it isn’t a shaggy dog story. It is a moving and perceptive tale about hate, shame, pain and ultimately humanity. In dangerous times, amidst the mess of human existence, light can shine, and there is hope. Storyteller Robin Simpson bounds onto the stage and tells us he is Sam, an emotional support dog trained to look after us all. He has been assigned to a Year 9 class, which means children aged 13 to 14. Catherine Dyson’s script is structured through a series of pictures described by Sam. We are invited to imagine these images sometimes from the kids' perspective, at times from our own, and even to envision how the people in those photos might have been feeling at the time. A swastika has been drawn on a locker, and even though the children mi...

18Feb

By Paddy Darnell-WalshNo Comments

North West

Single White Female – Blackpool Grand

Nineties nostalgia arrives in Blackpool this week, in the shape of the new stage version of John Lutz’s psychological thriller Single White Female, made famous by the 1992 movie starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Adapted by Rebecca Reid, the story is updated to the present day and relocated to the UK. Whilst many aspects are in keeping with the original, this stage adaptation certainly attempts to reinvent itself somewhat. The plot centres around Allie, following the breakdown of her marriage. As she moves into her own apartment, struggling for money, she advertises for a lodger. In an interesting twist to the original, Allie now has angsty teenage daughter, Bella instead of a dog (thank goodness no labrador puppies are harmed in this production!). When Hedy takes up the o...

16Feb

By Codie WrightNo Comments

North West

Slamchester – 53two

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt in the past 24 hours, it’s that Manchester has an absolutely electric slam poetry scene - not only Slamchester where I was lucky enough to be a guest last night, but also through the many, many, many dates of events that charismatic host, Kieren King peppered through the night. Slamchester itself is a passionate evening of competitive poetry, where 8 incredible poets have 2 rounds of 3 minutes each to show off their spoken-word work to a raucous crowd and 5 judges. It was amazing to see how full the venue was on a rainy Sunday in February, and the atmosphere was really supportive. The night kicked off with Kieren King explaining the rules and warming up the mic with one of his own poems about his wife. Kieren was a warm host, who clearly cares a l...

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical – HOME Mcr

12Feb

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical – HOME Mcr

You’ve heard of Hercules, you may have heard of Perseus, but do you know Percy Jackson, the demigod of the new world? A best selling book series, two movie adaptations and, most recently, a multi series Disney television show. And it’s a musical. “The gods are real, and they have kids. And those kids have issues”. Sixteen-year-old Percy Jackson is expelled from yet another school. Just when he thinks there’s no hope for a kid like him, he finds out that he is a half-blood. The future of the world hangs in the balance, as Percy and his friends embark on a difficult quest encountering monsters, gods and all sorts of chaos. The stage show takes Rick Riordan’s first novel, “The Lightning Thief”, and adds an electrifying soundtrack to engage all audiences, whether child, adult, or dem...

Sheila’s Island – The King’s Arms, Salford

12Feb

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Sheila’s Island – The King’s Arms, Salford

Something quite special has been slowly brewing over the last couple of years at the King's Arms pub in Salford — and not just the excellent pint of Guinness. In this side-street boozer, incongruously wedged between Salford Central station and the bustling ring road, the husband-and-wife team of Colin and Lisa Connor have quietly established the tiny theatre nestled in the roof as a prime destination to see challenging and rewarding productions in the city centre. This dynamic duo have now taken the next step in their development by creating The Kings, a company of actors and creatives designed to showcase the wonderful talent our regional theatre network offers. First out of the blocks for The Kings is Sheila's Island by Tim Firth, a reworking of his earlier Neville's Island from 1...

The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me – Hope Mill Theatre

12Feb

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me – Hope Mill Theatre

On the wettest night of February, after battling my way through football traffic and rain-soaked streets, I arrived at the stunning Hope Mill Theatre ready to be transported. What followed was an evening of provocative, challenging and ultimately moving theatre: The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me, produced by Hive North by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc., written by David Drake, directed by Adam Zane, produced by Mike Lee, and performed by Gabriel Clark. Originally published in 1994, David Drake’s ground breaking solo piece has become one of the longest running solo plays in New York theatre history. Structured as a series of abstract, poetic vignettes, it charts a gay man’s journey of self-discovery against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis that devastated the LGBTQ+...

12Feb

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Barnum – Palace Theatre

P.T. Barnum was one of the most fascinating and controversial showmen in history; a man who built an empire on spectacle, ambition, and an unshakable belief in the power of entertainment. Barnum brings his extraordinary life vividly to the stage, charting his rise from humble beginnings to global fame, while exploring the personal sacrifices made along the way. It’s a rousing, uplifting musical that celebrates individuality, resilience, and the thrill of chasing impossible dreams. Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, this production moves at a thrilling pace from start to finish, rarely giving the audience a moment to breathe. It’s slick, polished, and bursting with theatrical flair, managing to balance emotional storytelling with jaw-dropping spectacle. From intimate character moments to full...

Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift – Blackpool Grand Theatre

12Feb

By Paddy Darnell-WalshNo Comments

North West

Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift – Blackpool Grand Theatre

Murderous happenings in Midsomer have been entertaining television audiences for almost thirty years. With over 130 episodes and still going strong, Caroline Graham’s iconic countryside drama arrives on stage for the very first time, with Guy Unsworth’s adaptation of 1997’s very first episode, ‘The Killings at Badger’s Drift’. Set in the fictional picturesque village of Badger’s Drift, the story centres around the death of a well-liked elderly villager, Emily Simpson. When her friend suspects foul play, DCI Tom Barnaby is called upon to investigate, uncovering hidden truths, sordid secrets and deadly rivalries. With a wonderful ensemble cast playing multiple roles, the production is slick and in the most-part entertaining, as they flip between playing victims and suspects, with cost...