North West Archives - Page 151 of 173

School of Rock – Palace Theatre Manchester

5Jan

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

School of Rock – Palace Theatre Manchester

Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the most famous composers when it comes to the world of musicals but what some may not realise is that as well as his classics such as ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘Evita’, ‘Cats’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera’ written in the 70s & 80s, he more recently wrote ‘School of Rock’ which premiered on Broadway in 2015. To kick off this new year of 2022, this smash hit musical has come to the Palace Theatre to rock the socks off this Manchester audience! Based on 2003 film, this musical follows the story of Dewey Finn (Alex Tomkins) who is desperate to make it big in a mighty rock band. Dewey takes an opportunity to make some money as a substitute schoolteacher, posing as his best friend, Ned Schneebly (Matthew Rowland). When he meets the kids of Horace Green Primary ...

22Dec

By Andrew LeeNo Comments

North West

Dreamgirls – Liverpool Empire

In its simplest form Dreamgirls is a story about dreams. It asks the question of how far people will go to get them, will they step on the dreams of others to get them. Add to this the backdrop of how people have historically stolen other people dreams in the music industry, and you have a story with depth, soul and glamour. One thing is for absolutely sure, and that is that Dreamgirls has all the ingredients to be an incredible piece of theatre; show-stopping songs, an important historical backdrop, fascinating characters, dance numbers, and Effie White. The only question you have to ask yourself is whether this production would succeed at getting the recipe right. The answer is a resounding yes. This production of Dreamgirls is without a doubt one of the best shows to come to Liver...

22Dec

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

Beauty and the Beast – Epstein Theatre

With COVID having affected pretty much everyone and everything possible over the last 18 months, it is wonderful to see theatre’s such as Liverpool’s Epstein reopen its doors to do exactly what it does best: Entertain! This year, the Epstein pantomime is ‘Beauty and the Beast’ starring TV’s Ben Richards as ‘Gaston’. It has to be said in the first instance, that unfortunately, the wicked COVID spell was not far away and tonight, the leading man was replaced by Tom Fothergill, who was one of the cast’s senior dancers but stepped up to play ‘Gaston’ at the last minute. The same goes for the ‘Fairy’ who was replaced by the cast’s choreographer Nazene Langfield, with only around an hour and a half to go! First and foremost, congratulations to this team of experts for pulling off these challe...

It’ll Soon Be Christmas – Rainhill Village Hall

20Dec

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

It’ll Soon Be Christmas – Rainhill Village Hall

Individuality Youth were set up by long-term musical theatre professional Samantha Moores last July as a community venture for children in and around Prescot, Rainhill and Whiston. Despite the background challenges presented by the pandemic they have gone from strength to strength running weekly classes, broken into two groups, for children aged 6 to 18, with this their first production. With the spirit of Christmas very much to the fore – and don’t we need something to celebrate right now – Moores directs and produces with support from choreographer Amy Balfour and technical assistance from experienced hands Tony Dagnall (stage manager), Les Dagnall (lighting) and Karen Woods (sound). The children have been broken into three groups allowing them to perform in ensemble pieces, duets,...

13Dec

By Ezzy LaBelleNo Comments

North West

The Secret Circus – Unity Theatre

Showcasing local talent and alternative acts, the Secret Circus provides a variety show based on fun. Offering opportunity to local acts, it aims to share originality and diversity in entertainment. With the line-up and acts changing, no two performances are the same, so it is roulette on the experience you’ll get on the night. Compered by The Queen of Heartbreak, Beija Flo and Naffrodite, the audience encountered a selection of the entertainment Liverpool has to offer. Eleven performers took to the stage, many in costume and some appearing to suffer the impact of nerves. First up was Trev Fleming, who gave a reading of three poems. The final one, Christmas Dinner, touched the audience and had a nostalgic poignancy within it. This was followed by some interpretative dance from The...

13Dec

By Leanne RushtonNo Comments

North West

Cinderella – Regent Theatre

The theatre is alive with the buzz of hundreds of people gathering together for a tradition that sadly had to be broken last year. The atmosphere in the auditorium was in a word electric. The Regent Theatre always go above and beyond with Panto, this one is no exception. For their 14th year together we have Jonathan Wilkes and Christian Patterson as Buttons and Baroness Heifer Hardup respectively. These two together is a match made in heaven. There is a reason they keep coming back, the people of Stoke adore them both. They’re regional treasures at this point frankly. We have a few more returning actors in Kai Owen, a massively watchable Dandini who gives off an air of Dad jokes coming to life in the best possible way. Naomi Slights as Cinderella was a perfect principal girl, she was ki...

Peter Pan – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

11Dec

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

Peter Pan – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse pantomime is more than an annual festive tradition. It’s a treasured part of the local community. After a year away, thanks to one thing and another, it’s so gratifying to see packed houses of families once again enjoying an ambitious and joyful show. There are very few surprises here. The Darling children are growing up fast, while their distant father is increasingly frustrated with the ‘poppycock’ fairy tales filling their heads. It’s to be Wendy’s last night in the nursery. What Mr and Mrs Darling don’t know of course (the grown-ups always forget) is that the magic is real. Peter Pan’s shadow is hiding in the toy box and our hero wants it back. So begins an awfully big adventure to Neverland and back. Writer Tom Whalley has penned a largely fai...

10Dec

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

The Book of Mormon – Palace Theatre

The Book of Mormon has been making global headlines since it hit the Broadway stage in New York in January 2011. The musical is the creation of Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone and it’s a story that takes you through the journey of two young American Mormon missionaries who are sent from the comfort of Salt Lake City to Uganda to spread the word and teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The lead characters are Elder Kevin Price (Robert Colvin) who is looking forward to his two-year mission whilst praying he will be posted to Orlando a magical place where he once visited as a child and dreams, he will return, whilst his partner Elder Arnold Cunningham (Connor Peirson) a nerdy overweight compulsive liar and fantasist missionary is solely looking for a be...

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe – The Lowry

10Dec

By Jo TillotsonNo Comments

North West

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe – The Lowry

There can’t be many people who don’t know the story of the four Pevensie children and their adventures in Narnia, overcoming evil while learning about sacrifice and redemption. Edmund’s rescue from the thrall of the White Witch, Mr Tumnus’s bravery and Aslan’s triumphant return are some of the many key moments from the book that make it onto the stage in this vibrant adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s classic story. Condensing a whole book into 105 minutes is not an easy task, but director Michael Fentiman and his creative team met the challenge head on. The production succeeds particularly in its incredible design, and not only visually. Set (Tom Paris), lighting (Jack Knowles) and music (Benji Bower, Barnaby Race) are beautifully layered so that the audience can clearly understand exactly whe...

Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World – Liverpool Playhouse

10Dec

By Johanna RobertsNo Comments

North West

Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World – Liverpool Playhouse

I absolutely loved this show! Fantastically Great Women, a musical based on the picture book by Kate Pankhurst, aims to inspire children with stories about women who have claimed their place in history in a whole range of different fields. The concept is simple but effective. Jade (last night played by the outstanding Eva-Marie Saffrey), a 10-year-old girl on a school trip to the museum, is tired of restrictions and of never being listened to, and, we later find, is having difficulty coming to terms with her parents’ imminent divorce. Hence, she has decided to hide away in an off-limits section of the museum, the soon to be opened ‘Gallery of Greatness’. Picking up a toy plane, she wishes she could have an adventure – which is the cue for Amelia Earhart to make an appearance, quickly...