North West Archives - Page 111 of 174

Around the World in 80 Days – Blackpool Grand

2Mar

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Around the World in 80 Days – Blackpool Grand

Shakespeare once famously compared the world to a theatre stage in As You Like It – tonight, theatre company Tilted Wig have turned things on their heads to make the stage a world. This energetic take on Jules Verne beloved tale of Phileas Fogg, the London gentleman who wagers his fortune and reputation on a bet that he can circumnavigate the globe in 80days or less, has been adapted and directed by Juliet Forster. Forster has added a new depth to the journey by weaving it around the real-life memoirs of Nelly Bly, a pioneering American journalist who took on Fogg’s fictional journey and bested his time by a week. And she cleverly takes time to address the more uncomfortable moments of oppressive patriarchy and colonialism within Verne’s novel, without glossing over or censoring them...

2Mar

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

Mother Goose – Liverpool Empire

A special show. For obvious celebrity reasons, this panto was a sell-out, and it met all expectations. This show really does allow you to leave all your troubles at the door because it is laugh-a-minute, and the vivaciousness of the cast and crew fills the room. There was a bright energy from all performers which was felt and proved by a standing ovation. Some wacky highlights to give you a flavour, were a conservative cake-loving pig, a gin-loving Queen Consort, water guns and a golden egg-laying goose, to name a few. Aside from the dramatic royalty that stars in the show (tough they do so with professional aplomb), I want to take time to mention other standout elements. Oscar Conlon-Morrey, playing Jack Goose, brought abounding energy with him when he came onstage. One...

The Rocky Horror Show – Storyhouse, Chester

1Mar

By Grace AnnabelNo Comments

North West

The Rocky Horror Show – Storyhouse, Chester

This evening I had the immense privilege to attend this ‘guaranteed party’ in all its glory, live at The Chester Storyhouse Theatre. Upon entering the theatre, I was greeted with the Rocky Horror tradition of audience dressing up in flamboyantly fabulous costumes (inspired by the show itself). This was complimented greatly by the intimate setting of the Storyhouse theatre, giving the audience a feeling of being fully involved in this production from the outset. In this cult classic, innocent sweethearts Brad and Janet, stranded with their broken down vehicle during a storm, discover the dilapidated and eerie mansion owned by Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite scientist. As they lose all innocence, Brad and Janet meet a mansion full of wild characters. Fast-forward through elaborate danc...

28Feb

By Jo TillotsonNo Comments

North West

The Bodyguard – Regent Theatre

Grammy award-winning singer and actress Rachel Marron has a stalker, and he’s getting bolder and cleverer by the minute. Enter bodyguard Frank Farmer, a rather emotion-less figure with a guilt complex, who is charged with the protection of Rachel, her son Fletcher and her sister Nicki. Echoing the successful 1992 film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, this musical diverges slightly from the well-known plot, but all the key moments that a fan of the film would be looking for are incorporated into this stage musical, which premiered in London in 2012. The strength of the film lay in its soundtrack, and that is definitely what makes this musical so enjoyable. Filled to the brim with iconic songs made famous by Houston: including “One moment in time”, “Saving all my love for yo...

The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals – AO Arena

28Feb

By Codie WrightNo Comments

North West

The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals – AO Arena

The National Lottery's Big Night of Musicals celebrates all things theatre, as well as putting a spotlight on those community projects, funded by the big hand itself - many of which are a way to bring the Arts to people who might not otherwise be able to access it. And what a night. I danced - as expected. I sang - as expected. But I didn't expect to cry as much as I did and come out with a bit of a crush on Jason Manford! Manford was our host for the evening and a better man for the job there couldn't be! Unlike other stars I've witnessed at taping (*cough* Cordon *cough*) he was the same person when the camera was rolling as he was when he was between takes. A smooth professional during links but cracking wise with the audience in the small moments of down time, and really bring...

26Feb

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Chicago Blues Brothers – Opera House

The Blues Brothers hit movie theatres in 1980 and very soon after that, became a cult Classic; filled with feel-good blues music, iconic quotes and those recognisable black shades and trilby hats which have become a firm favourite at any fancy dress party! The insatiable fun and energy of that film has been kept alive thanks to the Chicago Blues Brothers; the group has been touring for over 30 years and their blend of high energy routines and feel good numbers has delighted thousands of audiences around the world. Their latest tour: titled ‘Cruisin for a Blues in’ is a hit filled show which takes you on a journey through the music capitals of the USA with an incredible soundtrack which has the entire Manchester audience dancing in the aisles. Chris Hindle and Gareth Davey star as ...

National Theatre Live at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse – Othello

26Feb

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

National Theatre Live at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse – Othello

The creative team at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse have recently teamed up with National Theatre Live to bring some of the best British theatre to suburban south Manchester, our reviewer Paul Wilcox went along to check out the offering: The opportunity to watch the best of London theatre without the expense and general inconvenience of a trip to the South Bank is never one I am going to refuse, and Altrincham Garrick Playhouse have certainly pulled out all the stops to recreate the theatrical experience as closely as possible, judging by last night’s presentation of 'Othello'. Broadcast in the main 400 seat auditorium, the huge screen allows every detail of the performance to be observed up close and personal with the added advantage that every seat in the house is the best one. Small to...

26Feb

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Song from Far Away – HOME Mcr

Originally performed in Brazil then the Young Vic in 2015, the revival of Song from Far Away has opened at HOME, Manchester. The piece is set several years after the event and is told through the letters he has written to the brother he has lost. Willem, a 34-year-old man living in New York, receives a phone call which tells him it’s time to go home to Amsterdam. Will Young delivers this single-handed play beautifully, telling the story of Willem’s journey home to an estranged family and a forgotten relationship. Set in what seems to be one room with a sofa and a chair, a couple of tables and a huge set of curtains at the back, as the story unfolds, through the use of lighting and the movement of the curtains, you are transported to numerous locations, an airport, a hotel, Willem’s p...

23Feb

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Beginning – Royal Exchange Theatre

A romantic comedy concerned with meeting and falling in love in a modern city, may conjure up images of Renee Zellweger and Meg Ryan romping through a fairytale version of New York or London in your mind's eye. However, any expectations of 'Bridget Jones' or 'When Harry Met Sally' should be firmly set aside before watching 'Beginning'; this production is something far more interesting and substantial to kick off 2023 at the Royal Exchange Theatre. The premise is deceptively simple; Laura (Erin Shanagher) and Danny (Gerard Kearns) are the last couple left standing amidst the detritus of her housewarming party, initial mutual attraction is made plain from the outset but the opportunity is missed, with the jeopardy of the next two hours 'will they or won't they get it on' played out in rea...

22Feb

By Philip EdwardsNo Comments

North West

Steel Magnolias – The Lowry

There has been a theory knocking about that there are no great parts for older female actors being written. Well, that’s not quite true is it. Because, even if “Steel Magnolias” was written in the 1980’s the story is timeless and each of the six characters offer are, in their own way great, from Annelle with her mysterious past to Ouiser Boudreaux who is larger than life and an open book. Author Robert Harling based each of the six characters on people he grew up with. It must have been like growing up on the set of “The Golden Girls” with all the zinging one liners and “girl talk” he has recalled. Set in the hair salon owned by Truvey Jones, at the heart of the story are Shelby and her mother M’Lynn what happens to them during the two years of the story and the friendship of the other ...