North West Archives - Page 119 of 173

<strong>The Day After The Fair – Birkenhead Little Theatre</strong>

14Nov

By Bev ClarkNo Comments

North West

The Day After The Fair – Birkenhead Little Theatre

These days, theatre gives us so much choice from minimalist to technical wizardry, contemporary themes and hard-hitting issues but every so often its pleasant to spend an evening watching a well written, old-fashioned play, that tells a story with rounded characters and strong production values. The Carlton players presented The Day After the Fair at the Little Theatre, Birkenhead this week. Based on Thomas Hardy’s short story, with a slight similarity to the plot of Cyrano de Bergerac in that there is a deception: a lover gains the assistance of another to write letters on their behalf. Originally set in the 1890s and adapted by Frank Harvey, Carlton players set their production in an Edwardian Salisbury, in the drawing room of the Harnham family. Arthur is the chairman of their fam...

<strong>A Christmas Carol – Gladstone Theatre</strong>

11Nov

By Bev ClarkNo Comments

North West

A Christmas Carol – Gladstone Theatre

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without ‘A Christmas Carol’ whether you read it, rewatch an old film or better still see it live at a theatre! There are many versions, but West Kirby Musical Theatre Company is presenting one I haven’t seen before at The Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight until Saturday. Book and lyrics by Chris Blackwood and music by Piers Charter-Robinson, who give us the same familiar Dickens’ story but with lots of new tunes and a few additional characters. In the main the songs are very good, reminiscent of Oliver! Scrooge! and others – some with lyrics so fast and furious it was like a Gilbert and Sullivan libretto and a challenge for any performer. Yet others were melodic and memorable. Perhaps, as the show lasted nearly three hours, there could have been a few less...

Rita, Sue and Bob Too! – Theatre Royal, St Helens

11Nov

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

Rita, Sue and Bob Too! – Theatre Royal, St Helens

This show was hilarious – I have to say that from the beginning -as it was rip- roaringly hilarious play and a true tonic to the soul! I went to the wonderful St Helens Theatre Royal with my best mate, she was my best mate from school, and we had loved the 1987 cult classic film when we saw it decades ago and so went together to rekindle memories and see how the live show compared to the film. It did not disappoint. With a strong and local cast of Michael Parr (Emmerdale) as Bob, Jessica Ellis (Hollyoaks) as Michelle, Crissy Rock (Benidorm) as Mum, Jamie Greer as Dad, Kay Nicholson as Rita, and Olivia Sloyan (Blood Brothers) as Sue, it was set to be a remarkable show. From the onset, when the announcer warned that the show had bad language and some scenes of a sexual nature the audie...

<strong>Confetti – Unity Theatre</strong>

10Nov

By Kiefer WilliamsNo Comments

North West

Confetti – Unity Theatre

As part of Homotopia 2022, Quick Duck Theatre brings us this one-man queer rom com show to the Unity stage. It had its debut at this year’s Edinburgh fringe festival and received some well-deserved reviews during its run. Written and performed by Will Jackson (who also brought his show Yours Sincerely to last year’s Homotopia) Confetti tells the endearing story of Felix, wedding planner extraordinaire who is helping set the stage for his best mate’s wedding. Felix’s story takes in all the events leading up to the wedding (including the traditional hen night shenanigans) and Jackson’s vibrant script is definitely a homage to the gay best friend (always reduced to the minor character position in more traditional rom com’s). Photo: Emma Jones It is just so good to hear positive an...

<strong>Bombay Superstar – The Lowry</strong>

10Nov

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Bombay Superstar – The Lowry

Phizzical: Belgrade Theatre Coventry and New Wolsey Theatre brings this Bombay/Bollywood style Musical to The Lowry Theatre for five nights only. Artistic Director Samir Bhamra stated that Bombay Superstar was dedicated to his mum whose love for Bollywood cinema flowed between their veins. Bhamra witnessed many Bollywood films growing up where he saw larger than life stars unite people through their onscreen stories, inspiring him to create his 50th project in the hope to unite audiences in an era where people need to unify again. It seems that most of the influential Bombay Superstar of the 1970-80s inspired his storyline specifically the flamboyant Rajesh Khanna of the early seventies. The story of Bombay Superstar tells the tale of a naive 16-year-old girl whose mother dies and go...

<strong>The Addams Family – Waterside Arts</strong>

9Nov

By Hazel BumbyNo Comments

North West

The Addams Family – Waterside Arts

This was my first visit to The Waterside Arts Centre which contains The Robert Bolt Theatre. It’s very welcoming and the bar area was nice. The theatre is a very nice small-ish space but with tiered seating that was ample, comfy and deep to award you almost full view of all of the performance area. The set hidden away from view to begin with except for a couple of messy gravestones at the front nicely lit. Once revealed, it was clear to see a well-constructed set with staircase that seemed very sturdy as used several times (including running up and down them) – always good when your stairs don’t move, I’ve found. With cobwebs and dust everywhere, it was well designed and worked as the backdrop for every scene. With cast moving furniture and props, yet another show wi...

<strong>Bugsy Malone – Opera House, Manchester</strong>

9Nov

By Alison BainesNo Comments

North West

Bugsy Malone – Opera House, Manchester

Grab your sequins, pin-striped suits and splurge guns because Bugsy Malone is in town! This sparkling revival is packed with glamour, amazing choreography and a cast of future musical theatre stars. If you weren’t already aware, the show is performed by a complete cast of young people, however this is no school nativity, far from it in fact. The plot, light though it may be, follows the much-loved Bugsy Malone (Gabriel Payne) a penniless past boxer who just wants to take his new love, Blousey (Delilah Bennet-Cardy) to the shining lights of Hollywood to fulfil her lifelong dream of becoming a star. Bugsy gets mixed up in the New York gangster war of Fat Sam (Albie Snelson) and Dandy Dan (Desmond Cole). Custard pies are flung as rivalries flourish, but things get serious as the gangs b...

<strong>Seascapes and Mountains: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic</strong>

9Nov

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Seascapes and Mountains: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

On a grey, drizzly day in the city, a packed Philharmonic Hall is ready to escape the gloom outside for an aural expedition that will take us from the wilds of the Scottish Hebrides to the heights of Swiss Alps. Conductor Laureate (and ‘honorary Scouser’ as of 2009) Vasily Petrenko is greeted like an all-conquering hero and doesn’t hesitate to whisk us off on the first part of our journey as the familiar strains of Mendelssohn’ Hebrides overture, ‘Fingal’s Cave’ fill the hall. Petrenko is so ‘at one’ with his orchestra, it’s as if he never left. The magnificent harmonies swell together to bring the vast arches and columns of Staffa’s famous sea cave, and Mendelssohn’s musical inspiration, to life. The swaying of conductor and orchestra alike mirrors the waves that one can picture cra...

<strong>The Mousetrap – Liverpool Empire</strong>

9Nov

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

The Mousetrap – Liverpool Empire

There's been a murder within the community. Now when you think of murder mystery shows you either get a 3-course meal or your gathered around a Cluedo board wondering if it was Colonel Mustard in the billiard room with the knife. But this, however, was a full-scale production at the Liverpool Empire theatre. Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap directed by Ian Talbot OBE and Denise Silvey. A new guest house has opened, and the hosts Mollie Ralston (Joelle Dyson) and Giles Ralston (Laurence Pears) are ready and waiting to welcome their guests. However, all is not as it seems, a murder has been committed by someone in a long coat, light scarf and a velvet hat. Everyone is a suspect. The first guest to arrive is Christopher Wren (Elliot Clay) an architect who loves to cook and find every person...

<strong>The Haunting of Blaine Manor – Epstein Theatre</strong>

5Nov

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

The Haunting of Blaine Manor – Epstein Theatre

Halloween may have passed, with thoughts turning towards mince pies and Maria Carey, but our ensemble tonight is not quite ready for us to completely escape all things that go bump in the night. Written and directed by award-winning writer Joe O’Byrne, ‘…Blaine Manor’ takes us back to the 1950s, introducing us to renowned American parapsychologist Doctor Roy Earle, (Peter Slater) famous for discrediting hauntings and exposing fake mediums. He has been invited to a séance at the most haunted building in England, but it soon becomes clear that there are more demons lurking than just the ones that Blaine Manor claims to house. As a storm sets in, secrets and lies are ripe for revealing, as well as the manor’s more unearthly inhabitants. The Epstein is an excellent choice for tonight’...