North West Archives - Page 139 of 178

15Jun

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

I Am Not A Robot – King’s Arms, Salford

The potential dangers to humanity of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robots have been the meat and drink of numerous science fiction movies for decades. On TV the BBC sci-fi show, Doctor Who, back in the 60s, created the Cybermen, monsters who had once been human but had turned themselves into killing machines devoid of emotion. I Am Not a Robot explores this theme, cleverly grounding it with northern humour, whilst adding a touch of slapstick and a healthy dash of melodrama. The sparky script is punchy and witty which rattles along at a wonderful pace until the third act. It starts off in the bedroom of a luxury hotel somewhere overseas in the near future. Beth has won a luxury stay via Instagram and has invited her best friend, ambitious politician Karina, to share it with her. Ka...

14Jun

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Habeas Corpus – Lyceum Theatre, Oldham

“I’ve never seen anything like it since I was a locum in Liverpool.” So declares the diminutive Sir Percy Shorter in Alan Bennett’s 1973 farcical exploration of the randy side of Little England, named after the Latin legal phrase that roughly translates to ‘have the body’. Set in the residence of a Brighton and Hove GP, Arthur Wicksteed, the play is a saucy seaside postcard collection of characters and carry ons, each loaded with carnal frustrations and foibles. There’s Wicksteed’s wife, the frustrated Muriel who, neglected by her husband, longs to rekindle a past dalliance with Sir Percy. Her sister, the flat-chested Constance, buys fake breasts in the hope of literally boosting her chance of romance. The Wicksteed’s wimpish son Dennis is convinced he’s dying until his head is...

Opera North: Parsifal – Bridgewater Hall

13Jun

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Opera North: Parsifal – Bridgewater Hall

Opera North’s production of Wagner’s final work for the stage arrives in a blaze of glory from director Sam Brown’s theatrical staging in Leeds but what is served up at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester is much more muted in its dramatisation, and although the work was originally written with the orchestra below the stage to add acoustic and psychological drama, here it was very much centre and fore. Running at just over four hours stage time, Parsifal tells the story of the Knights of the Holy Grail, much of it narrated by a veteran knight, Gurnemanz (Brindley Sherratt). The castle of Monsalvat has been established by Titurel (Stephen Richardson) as a sanctuary for the Holy Grail and the Spear that pierced Christ’s side, before retiring in favour of his son, Amfortas (Robert Hayward), who...

The Return of the Rainbow Monologues – Liverpool’s Royal Court

11Jun

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

The Return of the Rainbow Monologues – Liverpool’s Royal Court

The Return of the Rainbow Monologues is a collection of eight short LGBTQIA+ themed monologues from Grin Theatre. Presented during Pride month, the show both explores the difficulties faced by the Community and celebrates the intricacies of the individuals belonging to it. Directed by Dan Scott, with creative direction from Kiefer Williams, the production feels particularly intimate in the beautiful studio space at the Royal Court. All four actors sit on the stage throughout the entire show, creating a feeling of togetherness during the individual performances. Rainbow lighting is used in keeping with the theme of the show and each half opens with a snippet from Over the Rainbow, which is both on theme and especially resonant on Judy Garland’s 100th birthday. The costumes and m...

10Jun

By Louise KershawNo Comments

North West

Find Me – Hope Street Theatre

Based on the true story of Verity Taylor, a young woman with undiagnosed autism, and the family attempting to understand and support her in a system that could not cope with her challenging behaviour, one could be forgiven for thinking this powerful play by Olwen Wymark is a modern commentary on a system in crisis, failing those who need it most. Not the case, I’m afraid. Written in 1976, Find Me depicts a family struggling to cope as they are failed and misunderstood by educators, medical staff, Social Services and the Crown Prosecution Service, the result being the conviction of a 20-year-old woman, institutionalized since the age of 11 years and 5 months, and admitted to a Psychiatric unit at Broadmoor, unable to be released without the express agreement of the Home Secretary. Her crime...

Anything Goes – Palace Theatre, Manchester

9Jun

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Anything Goes – Palace Theatre, Manchester

Manchester is basking in theatrical bliss right now. We’ve just bid farewell to Beauty and the Beast and are getting ready to welcome the Lion King back to the city later in the year, but before that the SS American has docked in the city with a stellar cast proving that literally Anything Goes. Originally opening on Broadway in 1934 the show has gone through many re inventions, the last being the 2021 revival which played in London’s Barbican Theatre and mirrors this UK tour before it returns to the Barbican this summer. Cole Porter sure knows how to pen a tune with some of his most famous songs featuring in this 2 and a half spectacle. For those not familiar with the plot, the story concerns madcap antics aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London. Billy Crocker is a stowa...

9Jun

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Me and My Girl – Storyhouse Chester

Chester Operatic Society are celebrating their centenary this year and they have brought the classic that is Me and My Girl to the Storyhouse, Chester. Me and My Girl follows the story of Bill Snibson, a Cockney from Lambeth, found to be the long-lost Earl of Hareford. This is a type of rags to riches story as the family try to change Snibson to become the type of Earl that is stated in the previous Earl’s will, but as Snibson does not want to give up his ‘Girl,’ Sally Smith, will he be able to convince the family that he is right to person to inherit the title and Estate of Earl of Hareford or will he leave it all behind and return to Lambeth and his girl? Artistic direction and Choreography provided by Rob Stevens with assistance from Laura Morris and Musical Direction from Wendy D...

8Jun

By Donna M DayNo Comments

North West

The Vicar of Dibley – Gladstone Theatre

The Vicar of Dibley is a beloved sitcom and Bebington Dramatic Society’s production is an affectionate interpretation which shows a good deal of respect to the show’s original cast and crew. Well performed and sweetly funny throughout, this entertaining piece of theatre, directed by Betty Oliver, has a warm and cosy atmosphere. The play opens with a fun and awkward welcoming announcement from the title vicar, Geraldine (Jane Wing) and the infamous Alice Tinker (Jenny Dewhirst). As Alice fumbles her lines, Geraldine predictably takes over, before the village of Dibley comes to life at a Parish Council meeting chaired by David Horton (David Oliver). The longstanding vicar of the village, Reverend Pottle, has died, and the Council are discussing his replacement. When Geraldine arrives howe...

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Liverpool Empire

8Jun

By Anne PritchardNo Comments

North West

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Liverpool Empire

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a musical show collaboratively written by musical theatre legends Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber, based on an Old Testament bible story. For those not familiar with the story, it is about Jacob who has a large family of twelve sons. He has more affection for one of his sons, Joseph, and favours him over his eleven brothers. He has a special multi-coloured coat made for him and this causes jealousy among the brothers, so they decide to sell Joseph into slavery; after doing so they take his beautiful multi-coloured coat back to their father telling him that his beloved son has been killed. Joseph has an ability to interpret dreams and his predictions for people had proved correct prior to being in captivity. This comes to the no...

Derren Brown: Showman – Liverpool Empire

1Jun

By Jenn McKeanNo Comments

North West

Derren Brown: Showman – Liverpool Empire

Forget Hugh Jackman, the greatest showman of our generation without a doubt is Derren Brown. The prominent illusionist rose to fame in the early 2000s, starting with the TV show Mind Control and other shows such as Trick of the Mind and his specials Sacrifice, Miracle: Faith or Fiction and The Push are currently available to stream on Netflix, with more available on All4. He has always stated that he is able to manipulate the mind and use psychology to work out people’s actions. More often than not, he is able to do exactly what he says and has stunned audiences worldwide. In today’s fickle age, over 20 years after his rise to fame, he is still as popular with audiences and able to stun them to silence in awe at what he does. Unfortunately, I can’t go into detail about what we wi...