North West Archives - Page 109 of 179

27Apr

By Emma WildNo Comments

North West

School of Rock – The Met, Bury

Without doubt The School of Rock is directorial triumph for Mark Rosenthal! Starting with the perfect casting of Alex Cohen in the lead role as dreamer, wannabe rock star, Dewey Finn. Once Cohen appeared, with the mannerisms and facial expressions of Jack Black (who starred in the 2003 film) down to a T, the audience knew they were in for a fun-filled night. Cohen’s energy, spectacular vocals and comic timing were superb throughout. Cohen’s acting was wholly believable as the unconventional rebel, who eventually changes attitudes in the prestigious Horace Green School. Tracey Dawson, as the Head Teacher of the elite, $50,000 a year school, perfectly contrasted Cohen’s anarchic character of Dewey Finn. Clearly a gifted actor, Dawson portrayed the different characteristics of Rosali...

26Apr

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

Macbeth – Liverpool Playhouse

An explosive fusion of live action and multimedia technology pops off the stage and saturates the senses, with this self-described ‘neon noir thriller’ styled interpretation of the Bard’s ‘Scottish Play’. Technical theatrical ground breakers, Andrew Quick, Pete Brooks and Simon Wainwright, otherwise known as Imitating the Dog, produce and direct this postmodernist retelling of Shakespeare’s “Wonder Boy”, Macbeth, brilliantly portrayed by Benjamin Westerby. The multiple layers of this clever production really do test the senses with various points of action taking place simultaneously, taking us on a rapid adventure through this tragic tale of the psychological and physical effects that come with the pursuit of power. If you’re familiar with the aesthetic of DC’s Got...

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead – The Lowry

26Apr

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead – The Lowry

Based on a 2018 novel which won the author Olga Tokarczuk the Nobel Prize for Literature, 'Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead' certainly takes the award for the most intriguing title to arrive at The Lowry in 2023. When you add leading actress Kathryn Hunter to the mix, spearheading a Complicite production, then theatrical mouths start to water at the prospect of these quality ingredients being brought together. However, despite an astonishing central performance as well as inventive and arresting visuals, by the conclusion I was left slightly confused and personally slightly underwhelmed. The production takes its name from a line in William Blake poem 'Proverbs of Hell' and the 19th Century romantic poet is at the heart of this layered and dark story, combining e...

26Apr

By Louise KershawNo Comments

North West

Pronoun – Altrincham Garrick Studio

Evan Placey’s Pronoun is the fourth production in Altrincham Garrick’s LGBTQ+ themed season and was written as one of ten plays for the NT Connections 2014 programme. Inspired by a homophobic encounter, Placey wrote the pieces as honest plays for teenage audiences to help them make their own minds up about the world. The audience last night certainly appreciated his efforts as this snappy, witty and quick paced piece worked its magic in this very enjoyable production. The young cast worked as a strong ensemble to tell the story of Dean (Portia Dodds) a transgender teenager transitioning from female to male during his A Level years. Despite being supported by family and friends, their pre-conceptions, constant questions and well intended care do not hide the difficulties they experience ...

26Apr

By David S ClarkeNo Comments

North West

Guys & Dolls – Forum Theatre, Romiley

This production is based on the stories and characters from the 1950 books written by Damon Runyon. These stories centred on the underground crime scene of the 1920s and 1930s and was written by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows around the already established music and lyrics of Frank Loesser. The original Broadway production premiered in 1950 and has enjoyed numerous revivals over the years. The show is set in Times Square in New York City but moves along to Havana in Cuba and eventually into the underground sewers of New York, but by the end everybody ends up where they belong. The show was complimented with a live band conducted by the excellent Ed Nurse as Musical Director with, for me, a particularly impressive female reed section, although all the musicians played their parts to perfection...

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...