North West Archives - North West End UK

Little Shop of Horrors – Octagon Theatre, Bolton

26Apr

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Little Shop of Horrors – Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Composer Alan Menken is best known nowadays as the man who, together with Writer Howard Ashman, revitalised the Walt Disney franchise in the early 1990’s, through their work on The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. Indeed, such is his creative genius that he is one of only 19 people in all entertainment history to be classified an EGOT, winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony for work spanning five decades. Tonight, we have the opportunity to enjoy one of Menken and Ashman’s earlier creations from 1986, with a cracking revival tour of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ reaching the Octagon Theatre in Bolton. ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ has become a staple Amateur and Youth theatre production over the last thirty years, combining a small cast with a relatively simple set it can be st...

Boys From the Blackstuff – Liverpool’s Royal Court

25Apr

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

Boys From the Blackstuff – Liverpool’s Royal Court

After its sell out run last Autumn and news of a transfer to the National Theatre, this production remains keenly awaited. The industrial, bare-boned set frames a strong start. Punchy, witty and clear are the performances, with a sense of foreboding about what’s to come. That ever-present feeling of foreboding is what keeps this play alive. Other than the everyday feel, the unassuming personalities on stage and the important subject matter, this play survives, just, on likeability of characters. As someone not originally from Liverpool, especially not in the mid-80s, I fear that presenting to a non-scouse audience, this production would not hit emotional beats as strongly when those watching do not necessarily understand the realities of this quintessentially scouse story of struggle. ...

The Legend of Ned Ludd – Everyman Theatre, Liverpool

25Apr

By Carole BaldockNo Comments

North West

The Legend of Ned Ludd – Everyman Theatre, Liverpool

The cast list is handed over rolled up like a treasure map (as well as a poster: a sinister robotic head against a binary code background); you need a few clues because this random collection of vignettes doesn’t always shed much light. And you could call it irony that a play dealing with commercialism and the Industrial Revolution, machines taking over, has a High Tec setting, yellow scaffolding with what looks like an Amazon warehouse at the back, fronted by a factory. Props are robustly manhandled or pop up through the floor or are doled out on conveyor belts. Including clothing; the cast are booted and suited as it were in a brown and beige peasant uniform, which helps enable role and gender swapping: fair play, Shaun Mason as the sulky little girl hankering after a balloon, while ...

25Apr

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Bonnie & Clyde – The Met, Bury

Bonnie & Clyde," performed by PADOS (Prestwich Amateur Dramatics and Operatic Society), is a thrilling ride through the tumultuous lives of America's most notorious outlaw couple. With a haunting score by Frank Wildhorn and a gripping book by Ivan Menchell, this musical adaptation brings the tragic love story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow to the stage with passion and intensity. The cast of "Bonnie & Clyde," all non-professionals, deliver powerhouse performances that captivate from start to finish. Both leads, Matt McGoldrick as Clyde and Izzi Smith as Bonnie showcase impressive vocal prowess and emotional depth. However, while the singing soars, there are moments when the acting doesn't quite reach the same level of excellence. Some performances feel slightly disconnected ...

24Apr

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

The Addams Family – Daneside Theatre

Trinity Amateur Operatic Society (TAOS) presents The Addams Family at the stunning Daneside Theatre in Congleton from the 23rd – 27th of April 2024, directed by Paul Downham, assisted by Izzy Rowe and based on characters created by Charles Addams and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. The Addams Family has become enormously popular over the years for many theatre companies, this being my fourth viewing of the show in less than 6 months. I have witnessed some great performances of this show but none as outstanding as TAOS’s delivery of this classic spooky tale. I feel quite anxious about writing this review as I want to ensure I pay justice to this phenomenal cast and crew on their outstanding delivery of The Addams Family that they so right...

24Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Ghost the Musical – George Lawton Hall

Ghost first premiered just down the road in Manchester back in 2011 and is based on the hit 1990 film written by Bruce Joel Rubin and starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore alongside Whoopi Goldberg. The movies transition began its journey to the stage in 2008 as detailed by Bruce Joel Rubin in a revealing 2021 interview with North West End UK which you can see HERE. Following its sold-out run in Manchester a transfer to the West End followed and subsequently Broadway. Australia and Asia tours followed and subsequently a UK tour followed. Now produced by Bill Kenwright LTD, the show starts a new UK tour later this year. The original production was lauded for its technical innovations, showcasing mind-blowing illusions and changing the face of musical theatre forever. The latest vers...

24Apr

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

The Kite Runner – Liverpool Playhouse

Settling into a packed auditorium, there was a palpable expectation. Another world class story has been taken to the stage and I was keen to see if it was going to work. Hanif Khan takes his place at the front of the stage. A hush descends, but the play is yet to start. Filling the space with sound, he plays his tabla drums with gentle tenacity, bringing the Liverpool crowd into another world. This musical intro is something familiar to theatre goers that can go one of two ways, either the performance that follows is over-acted to the point where our presence in this new world is glaringly false or where we are truly transported. I’m glad to say this performance is of the latter. Amongst frequent soundscapes made by performers, this production aptly delivers the essence of Khaled Hosse...

24Apr

By Rebecca CaseyNo Comments

North West

2:22 A Ghost Story – Blackpool Grand

I don’t usually sign up to review performances that aren’t musicals, but something about this one drew me in. Coincidentally an article written by ‘The Stage’ popped up today, talking about the West End transfer of this production, so already I was expecting good things, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. I was so pleased to see such a full venue this evening at The Grand Blackpool. Written by Danny Robins, 2:22 has a very small cast featuring only four principles and two supporting cast members. All of the action takes place on the same set, a living room/ dining room open plan downstairs of a house, the events take place over the period of one evening. I don’t want to give too much away, because I really don’t want to spoil anything; But I can say that the cast members were ...

Derek’s Mojo: Questionable Behaviour – Unity Theatre

22Apr

By Andrew LeeNo Comments

North West

Derek’s Mojo: Questionable Behaviour – Unity Theatre

A much more adult addition to Liverpool Improv festival than the shows that had come earlier in the day, Questionable Behaviour was performed by the comedy duo Derek’s Mojo, made up of Monica Gaga, and Jodyanne Richardson. If I’m honest, I didn’t really understand what was going on, but the story did not seem to matter too much when there were two such likeable, funny performers on the stage. The improv work here was outstanding, the ability to take dialogue in one direction, and then another, and another, but do it with such synchronicity is a skill that only two people who have worked together for a long time can achieve. Gaga and Richardson have a chemistry that is simply unmatched, they clearly have so much respect and love for each other. They maintained a sense of realism even in...

The Oickers: Fruit Smoothie – Unity Theatre

22Apr

By Andrew LeeNo Comments

North West

The Oickers: Fruit Smoothie – Unity Theatre

The Oickers performed a ‘Who’s line is it anyway?’ style game show as part of Liverpool Improv Festival. There is something truly remarkable about this kind of improv. You are not a character, you are yourself, and you are exposed. Hats off to The Oickers, who were brave and bold, and put it all on the line whenever they go out and do this. The performance was a resounding success. The audience spent 40 minutes in stitches, and such a huge percentage of the jokes were well received. Even the ones that fell flat were followed through, and the ability to laugh at yourself is absolutely crucial in this scenario. If anybody gets the opportunity to watch The Oickers at a future event, I would strongly recommend it. There is something extremely recognisable and likeable about them. We...