North West Archives - Page 19 of 174

1Jul

By Leanne RushtonNo Comments

North West

Bat Out of Hell – Regent Theatre, Stoke

The streets around stoke were graced with a huge roaring sound as the pavements were lined with Harley Davidson’s and excited musical theatre fans alike in honour of the Meatloaf inspired musical Bat out of Hell speeding on to the Regent theatre stage. Having grown up with a father who loved Meatloaf’s iconic music I knew the power of the songs I was about to hear but I didn’t know the extent of just what an electrifying show I’d let myself in for. The auditorium on entrance was hazy and dystopian setting an eery ambience of what was to come. The set upon entrance was striking. Gloomy but engaging. The show used a mix of traditional and virtual set which really added to the futuristic tones in the show. I must compliment the lighting in the show too it was unbelievable some ...

The Liverpool Songbook: A City’s Soundtrack Brought to Life – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

30Jun

By Kevin EcclestonNo Comments

North West

The Liverpool Songbook: A City’s Soundtrack Brought to Life – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

From timeless Merseybeat anthems to enchanting synth-pop classics, The Liverpool Songbook emerged as more than just a concert; it was a fervent celebration of the city’s pulsating musical spirit, artfully presented within the resplendent architecture of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Under the skilled direction of conductor Richard Balcombe, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra enveloped the audience in lush orchestral textures and intricate arrangements that breathed new life into Liverpool’s most cherished songs. Each familiar melody was elevated to soaring heights, imbued with a cinematic quality that transported listeners on an emotional journey through the city’s rich musical legacy. The evening was graced by a dynamic vocal trio—Graham Bickley, Patrick Smyth, and ...

The House, The Boys and The Trial – Parr Hall, Warrington

29Jun

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

The House, The Boys and The Trial – Parr Hall, Warrington

Soup Productions presented The House, The Boys and The Trial at the stunning Parr Hall in Warrington. Written by the talented Michael Pirks the play depicts the true story from 1806 where twenty-four men In Warrington and surrounding areas were arrested for homosexual offences. Where five men were convicted of buggery who regularly assembled at the home of Isaac Hitchin (Andy McQuoid), where they engaged in sex and called each other ‘Brother’, and kept assignations at the shop of Holland, a well-off pawnbroker. The ‘Hitchin’s House’ allowed men to be free from judgement and engage in sexual activity and companionship from the eyes of the law where sodomy was deemed as illegal and punished by death! It is clear that Pirks has done extensive research on the trial and displayed this exquis...

27Jun

By Karen Morley-ChesworthNo Comments

North West

Noises Off – Theatre by the Lake

The summer season is underway in the Lake District, and Theatre by the Lake is attracting many tourists to see a farce about a farce that wouldn’t have looked out of place in an end-of-pier theatre. Noises Off, in some ways, is the mother of the hugely successful ‘Play that went wrong’ productions that are taking the West End and TV by storm. Written in 1982 by Michael Frayn, it breaks the fourth wall and literally turns the theatre 180 degrees to present the behind-the-curtain tale of a touring theatre company. Though written in the 1980s, this farce has a much earlier feel to it, and some of the references may be lost on a younger audience. A telephone plugged into the wall is a key part of the production, as is the stereotype of the alcoholic old actor and the Benny Hill-style you...

The Highwayman – Shakespeare North Playhouse

27Jun

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

The Highwayman – Shakespeare North Playhouse

With more swagger than Ronaldo, Mick Jagger, and the cast of Made in Chelsea combined, this lively John Godber production gallops onto stage to introduce us to the most infamous scoundrel you’ve never actually heard of. Meet John Swift, a young man who decides to combine his skills as a butcher and infantryman in the French army to attempt to take Dick Turpin’s crown, robbing a living from the rich who pass through his town. But as he starts to waver in his choice of a life of crime, can he find a way of making an honest wage and afford his darling wife, Molly May the lifestyle she desires? Under Godber’s nimble direction, the show manages to keep one foot in the 18th century and the other firmly in his trademark Yorkshire grit and humour. It’s part restoration love story, part farci...

26Jun

By Kevin EcclestonNo Comments

North West

Evita – Capstone Theatre

One of the country’s oldest musical theatre society the Bentley Operatic Society once again proves its enduring legacy with a stirring production of Evita at the Capstone Theatre. The iconic musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber follows the meteoric rise and tragic demise of Eva Perón. Under the direction of Alice McCormack this staging breathes fresh energy into the decades-old classic by adopting a minimalist modern era approach. This production also introduces Rosa Harrison as a new concept of ‘Young Eva’ From the outset, the production captivates. The dimly lit opening sequence, announcing Eva Perón’s death, sets an immediate tone of reverence before seamlessly transitioning into the vibrant narrative of her early ambitions. In spite of some early technical issues narrator ...

25Jun

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Calamity Jane – Blackpool Opera House

Based on the 1953 film, Calamity Jane is finally back on stage and whipping up great audiences all over the UK. This time starring multi award-winning theatre star Carrie Hope Fletcher (Les Misérables, Heathers) as the titular Wild West heroine, this touring revival is bound to have your feet a-stomping and your hands clapping. Fearless, gun-slinging Calamity is always telling tales of her adventures to her friends in Deadwood, but this time might be one lie too many. When she promises to bring back an adored actress to appease the obsessed men of the town, Calamity not only causes chaos amongst the people, but she may have instigated a love battle… and who will get her heart in the end? Alongside the classic tunes from Sammy Fain and Paul Francis, this new adaptation by Charles K. Free...

Me, You and The Fit Bloke Next Door – King’s Arms, Salford

24Jun

By Philip EdwardsNo Comments

North West

Me, You and The Fit Bloke Next Door – King’s Arms, Salford

It’s not very often I leave a theatre and think “so what”, but I did on Sunday night as I left the Kings Arms Theatre. I suspect what caused me the problem was the play being written for a “fringe” performance. Pip Carew has written a piece which lasted 60 minutes but would perhaps benefit from lasting a bit longer and the time then used to develop the three characters who inhabit this play. We are presented with a married couple of whom I know very little. That back story would tell us what lead to this point in their relationship. As it is, we quickly discover they both fancy the bloke, Alex, from the next flat (of whom we are told a bit more). They proceed to seduce him but make clumsy efforts to engage his interest on their own. The element of of “will they, wo...

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

24Jun

By Harry AltyNo Comments

North West

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Taking on the life story and songbook of two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Carole King is no easy task - but this Altrincham Garrick Playhouse production, fronted by the incomparable Madeleine Healey, is a sure-fire hit. With high-production value, a top-tier company and imaginative staging, this feel-good jukebox musical is truly Some Kind of Wonderful. Director Joseph Meighan seamlessly moves through the nearly thirty musical numbers with simplicity and pace, whilst still managing to craft the emotional story beats between the numbers. Stage management ensures the scenes transition efficiently, as set pieces and decoration create the various environments for this biographical story. The live camera work during One Fine Day tapped into the Jamie Lloyd’s Andrew Lloyd Webber r...

Bad Girls the Musical – Rainhill Village Hall

20Jun

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

North West

Bad Girls the Musical – Rainhill Village Hall

A musical adaptation from the 1990s TV series Bad Girls with a few familiar roles amongst the cast such as the gobby and cocky Shell Dockley (Laura Riley) and the loathsome and despicable Fenner (Paul Robinson). When the show opens, you meet a colourful array of characters from the sweet and saintly Wing Governor Helen Stewart (Michelle Williams) who is battling against older, more defiant guards such as Fenner, and the stoic and patronising Sylvia "Bodybag" Hollamby (Ruth Gibb) to bring more humanity and empathy to the prison. Due to an uprising in the block, Stewart (who has been falling for an inmate) is in hot water and her budding love story between her and the strong and defiant inmate, Nikki Wade (Diane Glover), is under threat. A very fragile and naive portrayal of Rachel Hic...