North West Archives - Page 104 of 174

26Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

All Shook Up – Daneside Theatre

For those who know me, know I am not the biggest fan of jukebox musicals, so would a trip to see the very same genre tonight in Congleton change my opinion? The short answer is no, however tonight was one of the best productions I have seen of the genre with powerhouse performances coming from the stage in rapid succession. I must start by mentioning the visuals created by Simon Matthews, who also directs the show. 8 video walls places across the stage left you in no doubt as to where the on-stage action was taking place. From an American street complete with moving bus to a disused fairground nothing on show tonight would have looked out of place on a West End Stage. Cleverly designed lighting from Nick Walker complemented the screens however at times a little more face light could hav...

The Bridges of Madison County – George Lawton Hall, Mossley

25Apr

By Hannah WildeNo Comments

North West

The Bridges of Madison County – George Lawton Hall, Mossley

I have long since been a fan of amateur dramatics, so when the chance came to review The Bridges of Madison County by the Mossley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (MAODS), I approached the performance with a healthy mix of trepidation and anticipation. The story has multiple points of reference from its many adaptations – firstly the 1992 novel by Robert James Waller, closely followed a few years later by the 1995 motion picture starting Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood, finally being adapted as a stage musical in 2013. And it’s easy to see why there has been multiple iterations of this story across the years that have captured the hearts and minds of audiences and performers alike. For those unfamiliar with the story of The Bridges of Madison County, it’s about an Italian expat ...

Little White Feathers – Hope Street Theatre

25Apr

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Little White Feathers – Hope Street Theatre

I’m often excited when I get to see new works especially musicals. Last night’s offering was called ‘Little White Feathers’ a story of love, loss and laughter with 17 original songs. This story is a tale of two ladies, firstly Vivian Edwards (Kate Mulrooney) who sadly lost her daughter as a young girl. A pain that never really goes away for a mother. She believes that when she finds a white feather it’s a sign from her late mother that she (her angel) is with her watching over her. Viv owns a costume shop in Liverpool with her husband Frankie (Tony Prince) and their motto is it’s always a yes, no matter of the request. In to the shop walks in a young American girl called Emmy (Beth McShane) from the Deep South. She’s in Liverpool on the search to find her biological father. Upon enterin...

Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror – The Lowry

23Apr

By Hannah WildeNo Comments

North West

Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror – The Lowry

Like many of the audience members filing slowly into The Lowry’s Quays Theatre, I had no idea what to expect from such an enigmatically titled show: Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror. However, taking my seat to face a dimly lit stage, complete with ostentatious ceilings, wooden “bleacher-style” seating, and a number of aerial equipment suspended in mid-air, I very quickly got the idea. However, what I was *not* expecting was the way in which this circus was brought to life. This production was presented by the Extraordinary Bodies theatre troupe, combining the extraordinary talents of deaf, disabled and diverse artists. Supported by the Arts Council England and The National Lottery, this company “creates powerful performances that celebrate our vast potential as humans, we explore a ...

Wyrd Sisters – The Little Theatre, Birkenhead

19Apr

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

Wyrd Sisters – The Little Theatre, Birkenhead

An enjoyable and charming romp through an enchanted world where 3 powerful witches stand on a dark, lonely heath conjuring up a magical plan which will see them use their witchcraft and sorcery within the realms of fate, time and destiny. Evil Lord Felmet murders the King of Lancre and takes over the throne. The 3 witches, Granny, Nanny and Magrat who have hidden the real heir to the throne must find a way of overthrowing Lord Felmet to make room for the true heir. Terry Pratchett’s 6th offering from the Discworld series is brought to life admirably by The Carlton Players. This fantastical tale pulls on a range of accessible references, mainly Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Hamlet. Adapted by Stephen Briggs and directed by Barry Prescott, this humorous...

19Apr

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

The Beekeeper of Aleppo – The Lowry

Christy Lefteri’s 2019 bestselling novel was inspired by her work over two summers at a refugee centre in Athens. She felt that no one would tell their story, so she decided to humanise the tale of the asylum seeker and created a heart-breaking tale of love and loss. In a world where politicians implore people to “Stop the Boats” this dramatization brings to life the fractured life of the refugee in those dinghies. It tells the story of Nuri and Afra who have to flee the bombed-out city of Aleppo in Syria. He, along with his cousin Mustafa, was a beekeeper living in harmony with nature until the civil war tore everything apart. The story is told in a fragmentary way on an ingenious set which enables the action to move effortlessly from scene to scene. We are taken backwards and forwa...

Katherine and Pierre – Hope Street Theatre

18Apr

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

Katherine and Pierre – Hope Street Theatre

A fast and lively ride through the many shades of love and passion, blended on a cheerful palette of music, clowning, mime, drag, and queerness, well and truly served through its impactful choreography. Bringing together an enjoyable fresh piece of original physical theatre which leaves you satisfied and entertained. Performed and created by TalkSmall, a duo made up of East 15 graduates Bobbie Twaddle and Ellie Begley, we’re introduced to Katherine (Twaddle) and Pierre (Begley), whose story of entanglement is told through the back catalogue of Katy Perry. Fondly known as the “Queen of Camp”, Perry’s music and aesthetic is emulated nicely by TalkSmall through their bright and bold energetic performance, replicating the fast-paced cheekiness of Perry’s pop hits. Lip synching their w...

This is Merseybeat – The Tung Auditorium

16Apr

By Donna M DayNo Comments

North West

This is Merseybeat – The Tung Auditorium

This is Merseybeat, compiled by Cavern Club resident band, The Shakers, is a fun, musical trip down memory lane, showcasing the songs performed by a selection of bands and solo artists on Mathew Street from 1962 onwards. The first half of the show features a projection of the interior of the original Cavern Club, as host, Paul Codman introduces the venue, year and sound of Liverpool which changed the lives of a generation. The Shakers are wearing the suits and ties associated with the era and begin a high energy performance of Merseybeat songs from the early sixties. One left-handed guitarist and body language reminiscent of The Beatles recorded performances add to the aesthetic of a different time. Lead guitarist, Liam Mannion’s vocals on a Quarrymen style cover of That’ll Be The Da...

Martha, Me and My Family – Unity Theatre

16Apr

By Carole BaldockNo Comments

North West

Martha, Me and My Family – Unity Theatre

A lot of us dream of becoming rock stars, and Saphena Aziz, half Guyanese, half Indian, a wholly talented and original writer and performer, gets the chance to become a Vandella. That story is the hook but what reels you in is her family’s history, coupled with her ability to bring to life the different characters, from Martha, to her friends, to her redoubtable, valiant mother. At so many points, the audience was nodding in recognition, whether the volatility of family relationships or the fakeness of a telephone voice. As for history - we do not know the half of it: slavery may have been abolished throughout the British Empire in 1833 - it was simply replaced by the insidious practice of indenture. But we all dream of escape, making it to a better life. Yet for too many people, it ...

Pride and Prejudice *(*sort of) – Storyhouse Chester

12Apr

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Pride and Prejudice (sort of) – Storyhouse Chester

Based on the original story by Jane Austin, Isobel McArthur has reimagined and rewritten an hilarious version of this well-known story, told through the eyes of the servants. The cast of five play every character through the story, changing costumes and characters on the go in this extremely perfectly choreographed play, with some character changes happening right there in front our of eyes. Even before the play starts are we are involved in the story with the servants out in the audience cleaning and each time the bell rings, they shout ‘coming’ and off they go to their next ‘job.’ Our cast this evening are Lucy Gray, Dannie Harris, Leah Jamieson, Emmy Stonelake and Megan Louise Wilson and they have the audience almost crying with laughter with phenomenal comic timing and brilliant ...