North West Archives - Page 2 of 177

11Feb

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Single White Female – Opera House

Single White Female at the Opera House Manchester brings a glossy and unsettling slice of 90s psychological thriller into the modern theatrical spotlight. Adapted from the original 1992 film by Rebecca Reid and directed by Gordon Greenberg, this stage version walks a careful line between homage and reinvention. The plot centres on Allie, a recently separated single mother attempting to rebuild her life after the breakdown of her marriage. Advertising for a lodger, she welcomes the seemingly friendly and helpful Hedy into her home. What begins as a tentative friendship soon spirals into obsession as Hedy gradually insinuates herself into every aspect of Allie’s life, blurring identities, manipulating relationships/friendships and threatening the fragile stability Allie has worked so hard...

Friends! The Musical Parody – Buxton Opera House

11Feb

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Friends! The Musical Parody – Buxton Opera House

After successful runs in New York and Las Vegas, Friends! The Musical Parody has landed in the UK with a tour stop at Buxton's Opera House. Promising a musical celebration of the hugely popular sitcom, the production attempts to compress ten seasons of television into a two-hour stage show — an ambitious idea that ultimately struggles to translate into a consistently entertaining evening. Photo: Pamela Raith Structured as a rapid-fire sequence of references, the show relies heavily on audience familiarity with the original series. Rather than building a coherent narrative, it jumps abruptly between famous storylines and catchphrases, often without enough context to make them land effectively. While devoted fans may appreciate the recognisable moments, the lack of breathing room me...

9Feb

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show – The Lowry

Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show has arrived at The Lowry and delivers an utterly delightful, joy-filled theatrical treat for the whole family to enjoy. This charming live production captures everything that makes Peppa Pig so loved; the warmth of family life, fun adventures, and plenty of surprises, my little ones were hooked throughout and loved every moment. The story follows Peppa and her family as they prepare for the most exciting moment yet: welcoming Baby Evie to the world, a new character making her live stage debut that had the audience buzzing with excitement. From start to finish, the show is full of heart, bringing everyday moments to life in ways that feel magical and relatable for small children, some of which it’s their first experience of live theatre. P...

Ockham’s Razor: Collaborator – The Lowry

6Feb

By Helen JonesNo Comments

North West

Ockham’s Razor: Collaborator – The Lowry

Ockham's Razor, one of the best creative circus companies in the UK, are back at the Lowry with their new show Collaborator and Co Artistic Directors Alex Harvey and Charlotte Mooney are performing once more. Over the last few years, they have taken on a more directorial role within the company but here they once more work together to create and perform a show which takes an autobiographical look at their lives together. Having met twenty-four years ago while training a Circomedia in Bristol, they fell in love but also realised that the vision for how they wanted to show their circus skills was shared by both of them. The company Ockham's Razor came from that shared vision. Twenty years later, older and with a ten-year-old daughter, this retrospective of their re...

5Feb

By Jo TillotsonNo Comments

North West

The Memory of Water – Octagon Theatre

Three women return to their family home, preparing for their mother’s funeral. What follows is an exploration of life and grief, love and pain, secrets and memory, all wrapped up in an unexpectedly laughter-filled performance. Witty one liners and perfectly written comedy did light up the subject material and reminded me that there is humour in every situation, even if it feels inappropriate or clumsy sometimes. From the moment I entered the auditorium, I was drawn into the home and life of this woman who had died. The set (designed by Katie Scott) frays at the edges, cleverly inviting you to be a part of the moment, rather than just an external observer. This was key in helping me feel engaged in the play throughout. This is a slow-release play. Even though the characters seem to pr...

4Feb

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

MÁM – The Lowry

According to the director and choreographer of this scintillating piece of art, Michael Keegan-Dolan, “A mám is a pass through the mountains. It’s a geographical structure that encourages people to go a certain way.” He goes on to say it can also mean an “obligation”, adding, “Sometimes as artists, you feel this obligation to do something, even if you can’t really say why.” This is an artistic endeavour of the highest quality. It is an imaginative combination of dance, theatre and music. Taking you on a journey through love, despair, longing, and joy. It is both intense and free, structured and loose, disparate and unifying. It starts with a devilish figure holding a concertina, facing a child. He takes off his mask, and the dancers start creating a beat, and the movement begins. ...

3Feb

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Quiz – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Quiz has become one of those modern plays that feels instantly familiar, and yet still thrilling, and James Graham’s sharp, playful script proves a perfect fit for the Altrincham Garrick Playhouse in this brilliantly executed production by the Garrick Ensemble at the Playhouse. Based on the infamous “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” coughing scandal, this production leans fully into the spectacle of television, celebrity and courtroom drama, while never losing sight of the human stories at its core. Tom Broughton delivers a compelling performance as Charles Ingram, capturing both the awkwardness and quiet determination of a man thrust into the harsh glare of public judgement. Melanie Beswick is equally impressive as Diana Ingram, offering a nuanced portrayal that balances vulnerability w...

30Jan

By Anna SmithNo Comments

North West

Girls Night – Heswall Hall

Girls Night by Louise Roche and directed by Helen Roberts is a night of laughter, music and emotions. Five friends meet up for a night at a karaoke night club to celebrate the present, they reminisce about the past and secrets are revealed. Sharon (Becky Harton) died young and acts as the ghostly narrator with angel wings filling in the details about her four closet friends and their lives. Twenty years after her death her four friends gather at the karaoke night club to celebrate the engagement of Sharon's daughter Candy-Rose. Sharon speaks directly to the audience about how she has watched over her friends and gets the audience involved in singing along. Anita (Tia Gill) was picked on at school because of her depressive episodes, but her friends never discussed this ...

29Jan

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

North West

The Ghost of Graves End – Unity Theatre

Step back in time and delve into the creepy yet comedic story 'The Ghost of Graves End’ written by Robert Farquhar and directed by Lucy Thatcher. Poet Charles (Greg Jones) is unknowingly seeking employment via his overly zealous fiance (Georgia Chadwick) when she thrusts upon him a rather intriguing position as a tutor. A new opportunity which Charles soon comes to realise, may be more than he bargained for. A peculiar and strange pupil William (Chadwick), a collection of odd happenings and all too real dreams makes this a collectively creepy watch. However, to keep the show more light hearted and fun, comedy is cleverly interwoven throughout the scenes, characters and storyline. Deliciously dark and wickedly witty, audiences are kept engaged by the frantic atmosphere and ever changi...

Murder at Midnight – Blackpool Grand Theatre

29Jan

By Paddy Darnell-WalshNo Comments

North West

Murder at Midnight – Blackpool Grand Theatre

A New Year's Eve like you've never seen before arrives at the Seaside this week. As the clock strikes midnight, murder and chaos ensue, posing not only the question of whodunnit but who even died? Playwright Torben Betts returns with the follow up to his 2023 hit Murder in the Dark, delivering this murder-mystery satire of cockney gang culture, dark comedy and drama all rolled into one. Promising a thrilling night out, and despite some killer moments, the play was rather lazily written offering nothing unique nor exciting than what we have seen before. The plot, centring around the Drinkwater home on New Year's Eve, was vague at best. That said, it is very easy watching littered with amusing moments throughout. Take the play for what it is, don't take it in any way seriously and it is a...