North West Archives - Page 2 of 174

6Dec

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Pantoville – St Thomas’s Church Hall

Written & directed by Michael Pirks Returning once again to review a Michael Pirks Soup Production feels less like an assignment and more like coming home. Since first meeting Pirks in 2024, I’ve been hooked on his brilliantly spirited writing, and Pantoville - my fifth of his shows, proves yet again that his creative well runs deep and delightfully wild. While his previous works I’ve seen have been plays, this venture into pantomime is nothing short of a triumphant stroke of genius. With all the essential ingredients of a classic panto - singing, dancing, audience participation and of course the timeless cries of “He’s behind you!” and “Oh no you didn’t!”, Pirks not only honours the tradition but elevates it. The script is enriched with beloved Disney and storybook characters, g...

Young Frankenstein – Liverpool Playhouse

5Dec

By Emma LambeNo Comments

North West

Young Frankenstein – Liverpool Playhouse

Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein has tickled the funny bone of many over the years. It's no wonder it works so well on stage in this fantastic musical adaptation. The show was packed with energy from all of the cast, right down to the versatile ensemble who played a range of different characters. Each actor brought the silly comedy you expect from a piece like this. The songs were all witty and gave great context for each scene and character. I cannot begin to express how special this cast was. There was no weak unit at all. Coronation Street's star Daniel Brocklebank leads the cast as Dr Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced Frankensteen) He keeps the memento going from start to finish and sets the tone of each scene. Jessica Martin is brilliant as Frau Blucher. The scene where she steps...

5Dec

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Singin’ in the Rain – Royal Exchange

We all know that Manchester has a reputation for enjoying a drop of rain, so it was entirely apt that a downpour greeted ‘Singin in the Rain’ as it landed in the Victorian splendour of the Royal Exchange for the festive period. The weather did nothing to dampen the palpable sense of excitement of the packed press night audience and were not to be disappointed. This is a show with the high quality production values, a great ensemble, superb leads and a beautifully orchestrated score, that left me walking through soggy St Anne’s Square singing 'do de do do, do de do de do do do, I'm singin' in the rain, just.......', into the Mancunian night. The plot, charting the demise of silent pictures and the rise of the 'Golden Age' of 1920s Hollywood 'talkies', is well known, less so is the fact t...

A Christmas Carol – Thingwall Community Centre

5Dec

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

North West

A Christmas Carol – Thingwall Community Centre

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and what a better way to get yourself into the Christmas spirit than immersing yourself in one of the best loved Christmas tales which has stood the test of time, Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. Wonderfully produced and directed by Charlotte Holguin. Thingwall Players have yet again produced a magical and captivating show that will engage adults and children alike. This company really do prove that you don't need the grand sets and huge venues to produce excellent theatre. Their set (Robert Bowes) was a simple yet multifunctional space. Props (Caroline Doyle, Hayley Jeffrey and Laura Powell) were adaptable and reused for many different purposes. A cast of dynamic and versatile characters take you on this journey through London i...

Dick Whittington – St Helens Theatre Royal

4Dec

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Dick Whittington – St Helens Theatre Royal

It’s December and that can only mean one thing: it’s almost Christmas—well, two things, because now it’s panto season. Last night’s offering was Dick Whittington at St Helens Theatre Royal, who regularly put on four pantos per year. However, they go all out for their Christmas pantomime. It’s a Regal Entertainment production, written by David Phipps-Davis and directed under the helm of Chantelle Joseph. For those who are unfamiliar with the story, Dick Whittington (Matthew Wolfenden) has walked the long journey to the bright lights of the English capital, London, all the way from Yorkshire—specifically Emmerdale Farm. His adventure comes with many a twist and turn. Firstly, he gains a little pussy cat called Tommi (Jenna Sian O’Hara), who has spent many a year at the circus because she ...

4Dec

By Bethany EastonNo Comments

North West

Matilda The Musical – Liverpool Empire

Roald Dahl’s classic Matilda, turned into a musical by scriptwriter Dennis Kelly and Songwriter Tim Minchin, arrived at the Empire this week to great applause from the Liverpool audience. This nostalgic journey back into a well-known children’s book was a fun filled and laugh out loud exploration of the story. Many may have seen the film version out in 2022 and the hype around this musical continues. Having spent over a decade in London, this touring production offers the rest of the UK the opportunity to delve into Matilda’s world. And no wonder it has proved so popular, the show is a gift where theatrics and cinematography combine and you’ll be questioning – how did they do that effect? The main cast are child actors, and all are incredible, showcasing their multi-talents and maki...

3Dec

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Freaky Friday – HOME Mcr

Disney’s Freaky Friday has had several incarnations over the decades, yet this musical version manages to feel lively, warm, and surprisingly moving. Rather than leaning on nostalgia, it approaches the familiar story with modern humour, heartfelt character work, and two central performances that elevate the entire production. At its heart are Katherine, played with effortless comedic timing by Rebecca Lock, as Ellie, portrayed with sharp wit and authentic teenage exasperation by Jena Pandya. Katherine is a single mum trying to hold together her business, her upcoming wedding, and a household on the brink of chaos. Ellie is equally overwhelmed, navigating friendship politics, crushes, and the intense importance of her school’s annual scavenger hunt. When a heated argument erupts between ...

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical – Palace Theatre

29Nov

By Harry AltyNo Comments

North West

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical – Palace Theatre

Fitting the life story of a Grammy-award winning, two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee into a two-act musical is no easy task. But the current production of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, which is in residency over the 2025 Christmas period at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, is an emotional, gripping and entertaining production for both Tina Turner loyalists and those not as familiar with her work. Knowing that Tina was fully involved in the creation of the original West End production, and that she wanted to show both the highs and lows of her career, the show feels honest whilst feeling celebratory of the late legend. Known for her energetic stage presence, iconic looks and truly unique soul-rock vocals – brining Tina Turner to the stage is a demanding role. As such, the pr...

29Nov

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Nativity! The Musical – Blackpool Grand

Blackpool Grand Theatre has launched its Christmas season with a sparkling, joy-filled production of Nativity! The Musical—a show that bursts with festive cheer from the very first moment. Adapted from Debbie Isitt’s much-loved 2009 film, this stage version manages to capture all the warmth and humour of the original while embracing the unique magic that only live theatre can bring. Film-to-stage adaptations can sometimes feel like carbon copies, but this one never does. Instead, it strikes a perfect balance between staying faithful to the beloved storyline and introducing theatrical touches that make it feel fresh, lively, and wonderfully immersive. It understands exactly why audiences love the film and elevates those moments with clever staging, expressive choreography, and infect...

Rachmaninov with Sir Stephen Hough – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

28Nov

By Johanna RobertsNo Comments

North West

Rachmaninov with Sir Stephen Hough – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Tonight, the Philharmonic welcomed back world-renowned pianist and composer Sir Stephen Hough for a remarkable performance of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 1. However, the concert began with the orchestra playing Francisco Coll’s arrangement of Manuel de Falla’s Fantasia Baetica. Certainly not an easy piece for the piano, with the original dedicatee Arthur Rubenstein complaining that it was too long, Coll’s orchestration, which premiered in 2023, also represents a challenge for the orchestra, with sudden changes in tempo and texture, but it is a challenge the orchestra rose to with the style and flair the piece demands. Indeed, the orchestral transcription retains the fire and flamboyance of the original. The opening castanets set the Iberian tone while throughout there are reference...