North West Archives - Page 131 of 173

12Jul

By Alison BainesNo Comments

North West

Arcadia 87 – Salford Arts Theatre

In this Manchester Fringe Festival production in the heart of Salford, we’re transported back to an 80’s era Brighton Pier. Live a Little perform their debut show Arcadia 87. The company consisting of 5 MA graduates from The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA); 3 Brits and 2 Americans, who endeavour to create new, innovative devised theatre that connects their stories. The story sees 4 strangers brought together when a storm hits the pier: when they become locked in an arcade to hide from the rain, things move very quickly, and they find themselves spilling their deepest, darkest secrets in order to be released. The script is a bit rough around the edges, it lacks cohesion, moving rapidly through the plot whilst never giving enough to develop characters, relationsh...

Do you remember the first rhyme? – Gullivers Lounge

11Jul

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

Do you remember the first rhyme? – Gullivers Lounge

There’s no shortage of fringe shows exploring how and when people find their creative outlet. At first glance, Lisa O’Hare’s one-woman show on her mid-life epiphany (it’s not a crisis), and her re-discovery of poetry, might feel like it’s covering well-trodden ground. That doesn’t make it any less valid, though. An empathetic and enigmatic performer can help an audience enjoy anew a familiar story. That’s exactly what’s achieved in Do you remember the first rhyme?. Part monologue, part poetry performance, O’Hare transitions effortlessly between prose and verse. The show might take a little while to get going but as soon as the first self-penned rhyme is performed the audience relax in the knowledge they’re in the hands of a fabulous performer of spoken word. In some ways, the show...

10Jul

By Donna M DayNo Comments

North West

The Great Gatsby – Hope Street Theatre

The Great Gatsby is an infamous tale of hedonism, debauchery and some of the most deeply shallow people ever created in American literature. While some people raised eyebrows over this burlesque version at Liverpool’s Hope Street Theatre, skilfully directed by Tom Martin, there probably isn’t actually a better story to inject with some sequins, ostrich feathers and the sophisticated glamour that burlesque brings to the stage. The play opens as it means to go on, with lots of dancing. Decadence is apparent from the outset with beautiful period costumes and shining masques concealing the identities of the revellers from each other, their husbands and wives, and the audience. The choreography is excellent, and the entire cast flawlessly come together as one group. Nick Carraway (Jordan Bar...

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – Rainhill Village Hall

9Jul

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – Rainhill Village Hall

Set up just over a year ago, The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe, directed by Samantha Moores with support from Choreographer Amy Balfour, is Individuality Youth’s first full production following last Christmas’ ensemble event at the same venue. Siblings Lucy (Bracken Keyte), Susan (Lexie Haslam), Peter (Grace Spencer-Storey), and Edmund (Laia Morgan) are staying at the Professor’s house when Lucy steps into wardrobe and out again into the magical world of Narnia, a land of Beavers (Ella Davies and Ellen Rose Challinor) and Leopards (Louisa Nelson and Reeve Keyte) amongst other animals and where she meets Mr Tumnus (Elijah Dunne). All is not well though as The White Witch (Helena Hanlon) assisted by Maugrim (Alyssa McCormick) and Dwarf (Holly Spencer-Storey), terrorises all. It soon...

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – International Anthony Burgess Foundation

9Jul

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – International Anthony Burgess Foundation

Set in the 1980s, Time & Again's production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is certainly an interesting take on the Shakespeare classic. Up until now this production had been staged outdoors in parks across the country, this seemed liked the first indoor production. You can tell a lot of thought has gone into this production and interpretation from Directors Laura Crow and Jon Turner. Comparing the Rude Mechanicals to the striking miners of the 1980s is a really fascinating concept. Also, the costumes are just absolutely on point - I'm sure the local charity shops were raided but I think we had it all from 'Frankie Says Relax' to the iconic 1980s perm. You can see there is more than a nod to the new romantics' movement taken for inspiration here. However, I must admit one thing I wa...

9Jul

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

Vice Versa – Unity Theatre

The Unity Theatre tonight Host ‘Vice Versa’ by Dorcas Seb. As the audience gathered in this quaint theatre, it was clear by the volume of the crowd that there was some excitement in the air to see this modern piece of theatre. We are welcomed into the auditorium where Dorcas is already performing, moving robotically around the stage in immaculate stylised movements. When the show begins, we soon see why Dorcas Seb can be described as a ‘multi-disciplinary artist’ as her talents unfold through acting, movement, song, poetry and lots more. She has created something very unique with this production which is a one-woman, one act performance. The story takes us into the cyber world, and we are fully immersed thanks to the fantastic auditory and light stimulation within this production. Do...

8Jul

By Jo TillotsonNo Comments

North West

Gypsy – Buxton Opera House

Let Me Entertain You! And we certainly were entertained last night as Gypsy opened at the Buxton Opera House as part of the annual Buxton International Festival. Gypsy, written by Jule Styne (music), Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) and Arthur Laurents (book), premiered on Broadway in 1959, and tells the story of Mama Rose and her two daughters: June and Louise, as they navigate the world of American Vaudeville in the 1920s and 30s. Rose has become known as the ultimate show business mother – the pushy mum who puts all her energy into seeking success and stardom for her daughter; but there is so much more to this story, which I won’t spoil here if you haven’t seen it yet! This is by far the funniest production of Gypsy I’ve ever seen; director Paul Kerryson has leaned into every singl...

8Jul

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Much Ado About Nothing – Victoria Baths

For one night only, the stunning Victoria Baths in Manchester is converted into the Messina Holiday Camp, as the Time & Again Theatre Company bring their touring production of 'Much Ado About Nothing' indoors into this stunning Edwardian water palace. Substituting the location of Shakespeare's most performed comedy from 16th Century Sicily to a 1950's British seaside resort may seem incongruous, but it allows the deck chair and parasol props to be placed in an idealised fantasy world, utilising the sumptuous fabric of the building to create a convincing whole. In addition to the relocation, the company made the decision to cast some of the leading roles as female to represent the existence of same sex relationships in every period of history, even buttoned up post-war Britain. This ...

6Jul

By Codie WrightNo Comments

North West

School of Rock – Liverpool Empire

I left School of Rock at the Empire on Tuesday a mixture of feelings: on one hand, I was buzzing with the energy of a fantastic show, with an electric finale and ultimate feel-good vibe. On the other hand however, I was deflated - knowing I will never, nor have ever been, as equal-parts cool and insanely talented as the child cast that were on the stage tonight. Because as Andrew Lloyd Webber himself assured us at the start of the show, yes, they do play their own instruments live! The story follows the film almost exactly. Dewey Finn (Jake Sharp) is living with, and sponging from, his best friend Ned Schneebly (played exquisitely by Matthew Rowland) and his long-suffering girlfriend Patty (Nadia Violet Johnson). He has been threatened with eviction by the pair, as well as being kicked ...

The Crisp Review LIVE – King’s Arms, Salford

6Jul

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

The Crisp Review LIVE – King’s Arms, Salford

‘The Crisp Review LIVE’ does what it says on the packet: crisp connoisseur Adam Evans brings the antics of his snack-rating vlog to a live audience for the very first time. Set up in lockdown, The Crisp Review was born out of the desire to receive free crisps in exchange for an all-encompassing video critique. Adam shares his taste-testing methods, which cover everything from texture to value for money, and have even managed to bag him some complimentary samples. The show starts out strong, with Adam’s dry wit and self-effacing humour tickling the whole room. On-stage musings are interspersed with comedic highlights from his social media channels; his disapproval of saucy branding and triangular tubes are as relatable as they are on-topic. A light-hearted yet informative Q and...