North West Archives - North West End UK

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time -Liverpool Empire

4Nov

By Bethany EastonNo Comments

North West

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time -Liverpool Empire

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time centres around Chris Boone, a 15-year-old who gets caught up in the mystery of her neighbour's dog being found murdered. Chris is autistic and is navigating the world around her whilst undertaking self-decided detective work. The play explores Chris's journey through this experience, including the relationships she has with her parents, teachers and neighbours. The play is adapted effectively by Simon Stephens from the original novel by Mark Haddon, released in 2003. There have already been several productions of this play and the author, Haddon, celebrates each new production team's opportunity to experiment with fresh ideas. The cast were excellent, embodying their characters effectively and believably. Chris (Alex Keenan) stole th...

2Nov

By Kevin EcclestonNo Comments

North West

Meet the Deans — Epstein Theatre

There’s nothing quiet about a Dean family reunion. In Meet the Deans, five grown-up children return to their mother’s house with plenty of baggage—and no intention of keeping it to themselves. Written, produced and directed by Kerry Williams, this lively Scouse family drama begins with the familiar chaos of relatives under one roof. Then a revelation close to home shifts the mood: tempers flare, secrets emerge and loyalties are tested. Broad comedy brings plenty of laughs, while a current of tenderness builds towards a poignant ending. Williams’ script moves between quick-fire jokes, physical comedy and quieter moments that reveal the family’s vulnerabilities. The humour and emotion sit comfortably side by side, and the cast makes the Deans feel like a family rather than a collection...

27Oct

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Jersey Boys – Regent Theatre

It’s always interesting to see a musical that, prior to going, you have heard so much about. From being awarded Tonys to a Grammy, plus an Olivier for best new musical in 2009, ‘The Jersey Boys’ has been seen by millions all over the world and tonight welcomes the audience to The Regent Theatre in Stoke. Directed by Des McAnuff and based on a book written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Ellis, The Jersey Boys is essentially the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. The title refers to the place they called home- New Jersey. It tells the story of four blue collar kids, the sons of Italian immigrants, who became one of the biggest ‘boy bands’ in the world. The fast-paced story flows effortlessly amidst hit after hit. From the beginning there is a sense that this musical is a...

Goldilocks and the Three Bears – St Helens Theatre Royal

26Oct

By Abigail PendleburyNo Comments

North West

Goldilocks and the Three Bears – St Helens Theatre Royal

Goldilocks and the Three Bears at St Helens Theatre delivered a lively and colourful pantomime experience that captured much of the fun and chaos families come to love. From the start the cast brought an infectious energy to the stage, clearly enjoying every moment as they worked effortlessly to keep the audience engaged. Their enthusiasm was one of the production’s strongest qualities and helped to create a welcoming atmosphere throughout. The show was jam-packed with bright visuals, playful costumes and plenty of classic panto humour. The audience both young and old were enjoying the slapstick moments, larger-than-life characters and the opportunities to join in with the story whether it is booing Baron Von Vipplemol as the baddie with a Gru like energy and theatrical villainy or chee...

26Oct

By Abigail PendleburyNo Comments

North West

The Shamrocks – Bridgewater Hall

The Shamrocks delivered an evening that transformed Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall into a space filled with music, emotion and pure celebration. Their performance built steadily throughout the night, beginning with beautifully crafted arrangements and rich harmonies, before growing into a full-blown party atmosphere that had the audience on their feet, dancing, singing and completely swept up in the joy of it all. Vocally, the group were flawless. Their harmonies were beautifully balanced, with each member bringing a distinctive tone that contributed to their resonant sound. Whether it was performing lively, foot-stomping numbers or more tender, reflective pieces, their voices carried effortlessly through the hall, showcasing not only their exceptional skill, but a real emotional depth t...

Catch Me If You Can – Northwich Memorial Court

23Oct

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Catch Me If You Can – Northwich Memorial Court

Catch Me If You Can follows the story of Frank Abagnale Jr as he runs away from an unhappy home life, reinventing himself as many characters, including a pilot, a doctor and even a lawyer, forging millions of dollars in cheques and staying one step ahead of the FBI. All while being chased by FBI Agent Carl Hanratty. The staging is fantastic with a runway style rostra that comes out from the main stage and surrounds a centre section of seating, making us all feel involved. The use of this extra staging is genius as it helps take the attention from the main stage so scene changes can take place. All of which are seemless and slick and, as with the main character, keeps on the move throughout. This brings the vision of director Ben Ireson to life, allowing the lead character, Frank Jr, to ...

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

22Oct

By Grace LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Go, go, Joseph! The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse has struck theatrical gold with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, delivering a dazzling production that proves this much-loved musical still has the power to bring generations together. Directed by Joseph Meighan, this is a fabulous production bursting with colour, energy, humour and heart. From the opening number to the final curtain, there is something to delight everyone, making it the perfect family-friendly night out and a wonderful reminder of why this musical has remained such a firm favourite for decades. Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat tells the biblical story of Joseph, his jealous brothers, his extraordinary coat and his journey from betrayal t...

English National Ballet: Romeo & Juliet – Palace Theatre

22Oct

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

English National Ballet: Romeo & Juliet – Palace Theatre

Few stories have endured quite like Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and in English National Ballet’s sumptuous production, Rudolf Nureyev’s choreography proves every bit as timeless as the tragedy itself. Rich in theatricality, romance and dramatic tension, this is a production that wears its classical heritage proudly whilst demonstrating ballet’s extraordinary capacity for storytelling. Across three acts, Nureyev’s choreography brings lovely clarity to the familiar narrative. From the bustling streets of Verona to the intimacy of the lovers’ encounters and the devastation of their final moments, the storytelling remains assured and accessible. Prokofiev’s magnificent score provides the emotional heartbeat, its familiar, rousing passages lending grandeur to the action whilst its quiete...

20Oct

By Bethany EastonNo Comments

North West

Mean Girls – Liverpool Empire

It is always a challenge when putting a loved classic on stage - although this iconic film feels like it premiered yesterday, it was released in 2004! It is no wonder then that so many in the audience were hit with nostalgia, as the familiar and well-loved characters were brought to life on stage and with song. The story was revisited in film format in 2024, demonstrating that its themes remain as relevant today as they were two decades ago and continue to resonate with a new generation of Mean Girls fan. The musical, based on the book by Tina Fey, follows Cady Heron (Emily Lane), a teenager who is home-schooled in Kenya but wants to experience life with other teenagers. Moving with her mum (Jennifer Ellison) to Illinois, Cady navigates the hierarchy of other students at North Shore Hig...

20Oct

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

The Mousetrap – Floral Pavillion

There are few productions that carry the amount of theatrical baggage as The Mousetrap. The legendary production, into it’s 75th year, is touring the UK for the third time, ready to prove that, even now, it still can keep its audiences guessing. The success of the evening depends on which of two camps audiences fall in – those who relish the nostalgia of a good old-fashioned murder mystery or those who find the 1950s pacing and plot a bit too traditional and, dare one say, predictable. The Mousetrap is set in a remote guesthouse, Monkswell Manor, recently taken on by a young, married couple Mollie and Giles Ralston (Emily Laing and Jack Hardwick). A mix of guests battle the blizzard outside to stay at the manor, from the prissy Mrs Boyle (Susan Penhaligon) to the excitable Christ...