North West Archives - Page 118 of 180

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 ...

Rock of Ages – Winter Gardens, Blackpool

21Feb

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

Rock of Ages – Winter Gardens, Blackpool

Are you ready to rock? Buckle up for this jukebox musical, belting out nonstop 80s classic soft rock riffs which will leave you fist pumping and head bobbing well after the final guitar crunch. 1980’s USA is a country still recovering from the post-Vietnam war conflict which caused economic and political uncertainty, creating an anxiety which led to an American identity crisis. Bands such as Journey, Europe and Starship were making music and writing lyrics which talked to the disenfranchised youth of the day with messages of hope, fighting for what you believe in and pursuing your dreams. These messages resonated with young people who admired the flamboyant, long haired rock gods, their vitality representing freedom and liberation in contrast to the condescending voices of a...

21Feb

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

The Rocky Horror Show – Opera House

"The Rocky Horror Show" is a classic musical that has captivated audiences for over four decades. As someone who recently had the pleasure of attending a live performance of the show at the Opera House in Manchester, I can confidently say that it is a truly unforgettable experience. From the moment the show begins, you are transported into a world of science fiction and horror, complete with catchy music and outrageous costumes. The cast of characters is eccentric and colourful, and the audience is encouraged to participate in the show by shouting out lines and using props. This creates an atmosphere that is both lively and engaging, making it a truly unique theatrical experience. The musical numbers are a true highlight of the show, with memorable songs such as "The Time Warp" and "...

The Shawshank Redemption – Regent Theatre

21Feb

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

The Shawshank Redemption – Regent Theatre

Producer Bill Kenwright has taken on a classic this time that’s for sure. Since it first appeared on screen in 1994 and known for perhaps being one of the most popular movies of all time, it must be said that a transfer of ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ to the stage was a brave undertaking. Based on the Stephen King novella, and adapted for stage by Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns, ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ is set behind the bars of a maximum-security prison. Directed by David Esbjornson, the play highlights the story of Andy Dufresne (Joe Absolom) who, despite expressing his innocence, is handed a double life sentence for two murders. The story depicts Andy’s friendship with Red (Ben Onwukwe) and shares the highs and many more lows of life inside the prison over a time span of 20 years. Jo...

Mozart’s Requiem – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

19Feb

By Ezzy LaBelleNo Comments

North West

Mozart’s Requiem – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Transporting the audience back to 18th Century Vienna, Mozart's Requiem does not disappoint. The orchestra, conducted by Award-winning German conductor Corinna Niemeyer, was complemented by appearances from Victoria Randem (soprano), Eléonore Pancrazi (mezzo-soprano), Stuart Jackson (tenor) and Benjamin Appl (baritone). The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir were in full, lively voice. Opening with Haydn's Symphony No.49, La Passione, the concert began as it meant to go on. Niemeyer animatedly gesticulated at the front to lead the orchestra through the allegro piece, paying particular attention to the contrasts between loud and quiet, light and dark. Haydn's work is written in the 'storm and urge' style with a somewhat unusual structure for the time. All four movements are in F minor...

The Wizard of Oz – St Helens Theatre Royal

18Feb

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

The Wizard of Oz – St Helens Theatre Royal

It’s Pantomime season again in St Helens with this half term’s offering of The Wizard of Oz Directed by Reece Sibbald. Dorothy (Maddie Hope Coelho) is caught in a twister storm and is transported to the Land of Oz with her little companion the very cute and adorable ToTo the Dog. However, in order to get home she must seek to find the almighty Wizard of Oz down the yellow brick road. However, it wasn’t going to be quite so easy as she first thought as the Wicked Witch (Bethany Grace) vowed to make Dorothy pay for killing her sister when her house landed on her after the twister. Glinda (Hayley Russell) reassured Dorothy by saying as long as you have those Ruby Shoes on your feet the wicked which couldn’t harm her. Upon her journey she found a Scarecrow (Reece Sibbald) who needed a Brain...

A Bunch of Amateurs – Rainhill Village Hall

17Feb

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

A Bunch of Amateurs – Rainhill Village Hall

When one of your favourite satirists meets one of your favourite theatre companies what could possibly go wrong? Well for all the right reasons, quite a lot in this ‘love letter to amateur dramatics’ penned by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman and directed by Lynn Aconley. The question is what happens when spoilt, arrogant Hollywood star Jefferson Steel (Gerald Walker) washes up, pursued by journalists (George Lowe; Tom Nevitt), and meets a struggling group of actors including their premier star Nigel Dewbury (Rick Young), the local B&B owner Mary Plunkett (Rosetta Parker) and local handyman Denis Dobbins (Richard Parker), all of whom are capably coordinated by their director Dorothy Nettle (Jo Webster). This is a different kind of Stratford however and with the threat of the venue being s...