North West Archives - Page 2 of 172

21Nov

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

Spamalot – Rainhill Village Hall

Cult comedy, gleeful chaos, and an abundance of absurdity are served up with style in this Rainhill Village Hall production. Individuality Productions deliver an impressive rendition of the popular, Monty Python’s Spamalot. ‘Lovingly ripped off’ from the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, this musical by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, centres on a very daft parody of Arthurian legend with plenty of catchy show tunes thrown in. Despite the musical not getting the best reception from Idle’s former Python colleagues, the original Broadway production was nominated for 14 Tony Awards and won in 3 categories. Despite its lack of historical accuracy, with tap dancing knights, killer rabbits, and Divas, the charm and silliness enjoyed by Python fans is offered here on the local do...

The Addams Family – The Brindley, Runcorn

19Nov

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

The Addams Family – The Brindley, Runcorn

For those who are resisting the total takeover of tinsel, they may find comfort in a date with America’s spookiest family. The Addams Family packs lots of nostalgic charm for those who loved the various TV shows and films. In this adaptation, everyone’s favourite young goth, Wednesday, has a nasty shock for her family that, for once doesn’t involve the usual collection of weaponry and torture devices – instead she has fallen in love and, to the horror of the kooky clan, he and his family are ‘normal’ – and guess who’s coming to dinner? Centenary Theatre Company’s production, directed by Claire Littlemore, and with musical direction by Emily Woodward, boasts all the hallmarks of their high standards. A splendidly macabre set brings us into heart of the Addams’ home and the slick light...

18Nov

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Susanna – The Lowry

Director Olivia Fuchs and Choreographer Marcus Jarrell Willis combine perfectly with this fourth major collaboration between Opera North and Phoenix Dance Theatre delivering an all-too prescient take on Handel’s celebrated Biblical operetta whose themes of chastity, integrity, and corruption are explored in terms of power, gender, and judgement. Susanna (Anna Dennis) and Joacim (James Hall) celebrate their love for one another while her father, Chelsias (Matthew Brook), shares in their happiness, before Joacim is called away on business leaving Susanna with a sense of foreboding. Two elder statesmen (Colin Judson; Karl Huml) confess their lust for Susanna to each other, and when she seeks respite from the heat of the day by taking a bath in her garden, they first spy on her then, whe...

A Scouse Christmas Carol – Liverpool’s Royal Court

15Nov

By Anna SmithNo Comments

North West

A Scouse Christmas Carol – Liverpool’s Royal Court

A Scouse Christmas Carol – Liverpool’s Royal Court It may not be what Dickens had in mind when he wrote A Christmas Carol but A Scouse Christmas Carol directed by Mark Chatterton hits the mark providing laughter and mischief in the Royal Courts festive offering. Kevin Fearon has taken the traditional story by Charles Dickens shaken it up and given us a mix of ghosts, live music, humour and a murder mystery all delivered with heart, wit, warmth and festive fun. We laughed from the very first minute. Victorian London is brought to life with a beautiful cleverly designed set which makes full use of the revolving stage and the lighting sets the night time scenes. The live band are fantastic and a huge part of the show. Jacob Marley is dead but who has killed him? His widow, ...

14Nov

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Miss Saigon – Palace Theatre

The 2025 tour of Miss Saigon has descended upon Manchester’s Palace Theatre, a moment I approached with a mixture of excitement and nerves. This musical is, without question, my unrivalled favourite of all time. Having seen it over 50 times, I know the script, staging, and emotional landscape inside out. So, would this new version soar like a phoenix… or fall short? Miss Saigon follows Kim, a young Vietnamese girl forced to work in a Saigon bar after losing her family. There she meets Chris, an American soldier, and over one night their lives become bound by a powerful, unexpected love. When Saigon falls, Chris is airlifted out in the chaos, unaware that Kim has survived and is now raising their son, Tam. Determined to protect her child at any cost, Kim endures years of hardship while C...

14Nov

By David S ClarkeNo Comments

North West

The Graduate – The Forum Theatre

I’m pleased to see Richard Parker getting another opportunity to direct a production at the Forum Theatre, Romiley, having made his directorial debut with NK earlier this year with what was probably my favourite show that I have seen this year, namely “Teechers” by John Godber. It was always going to be a difficult task to bring to the stage an adaptation of such an iconic and well known film with amazing stars (Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katherine Ross) but I must say that the director and cast have done a great job with the interpretation of the characters. The Graduate premiered on stage in London 25 years ago and is the story of young Benjamin Braddock and his seduction by the infamous Mrs Robinson and his falling in love with her daughter Elaine, which leads to all sorts of ...

14Nov

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

La Bohème – The Lowry

Phyllida Lord’s classic production, designed by Anthony Ward, is one of the longest running at Opera North having been in their repertoire since 1993. James Hurley’s current revival is big on the comedy but sadly fails to hit the high notes that this staple of the operatic calendar deserves. With the action transposed to late 1950’s Paris, we meet four struggling bohemians living in a garret: a poet, Rodolfo (Anthony Ciaramitaro); a painter, Marcello (Yurly Yurchuk); a philosopher, Colline (Han Kim); and a musician, Schaunard (Seán Boylan), who arrives having had some good fortune and they agree to celebrate by dining at Café Momus. They are interrupted by their landlord, Benoît (Jeremy Peaker), but cleverly trick him into revealing he has been playing around which allows them to throw ...

Voices of Manchester – The Studio, Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

14Nov

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Voices of Manchester – The Studio, Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Thankfully avoiding the stereotype of the modern Mancunian, with their bucket hat, Adidas tracksuit and simian stroll, writer Duncan Battman has succeeded in producing a new piece of writing that celebrates the values of Manchester without ever resorting to cliché, displaying its innate humanity through six stories of the people who have made their lives here. Rather than being presented with the rather austere format of six separate monologues, Writer/Director Battman chooses to fragment and overlap the stories onstage, the first three being set on a tram heading into the city centre with the trio after the interval moving the action into a city centre pub. So, boarding at Altrincham Interchange heading into ‘town’ are Jennifer (Louise Kershaw), Duncan (John Jones) and Lillian (Victori...

It’s a Wonderful Life – Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio

13Nov

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

It’s a Wonderful Life – Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio

Considered to be one of the greatest films of all time, Frank Capra’s wholesome tale of community, love and redemption has become a staple of the Christmas movie selection. Adapted by Mary Elliot Nelson, tonight is a reimaging of the tale of George Bailey who, contemplating ending his life following the collapse of the business and town that he has given up his own dreams to keep afloat, is given a glimpse of what life would be like if he had never been part of it. Old Fruit Jar Productions, have revived their previous, highly praised staging, playing once again to a packed house. Whilst the original play was written for four multi-role actors, the team, under the steady direction of Alex King, has expanded the production to a company of 12. Utilising a simple set where signage and smal...

Fawlty Towers The Play – Liverpool Empire

13Nov

By Emma LambeNo Comments

North West

Fawlty Towers The Play – Liverpool Empire

John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers the Play is sure to be a great night out for anyone wanting to have a good laugh. I was delighted to see John Cleese’s name on the programme, wondering whether he had any part in the plays production. His is the first name you see on the programme, down as adapted for the stage by. What a difficult task that must have been, trying to keep fans of the show happy with the expected gags, but also making sure it works on stage. Which it sure did. Danny Bayne playing the iconic Basil got the audience laughing as soon as he entered the stage and had his mannerisms and look down to a t. Matched brilliantly by Mia Austen as Sybil. Their energy bouncing lines off each other really set up the play as a whole. It was like you could almost imagine the consequences of Bas...