Wednesday, February 25

North West

The Death of Dr. Black – The Fitzgerald, Manchester
North West

The Death of Dr. Black – The Fitzgerald, Manchester

For how long have we been fascinated by magic and murder mysteries? In a way, what’s more extraordinary is not the exact length of time, but the continued ability for creatives to refresh and reinvent both. Take The Death of Dr. Black. This isn’t necessarily breaking new ground in murder mysteries. There’s candlesticks and ropes, there’s a study. It feels familiar. The magic, too, is relatively recognisable. Some prediction, some mentalism, one assumes a smattering of sleight of hand. And yet, Andrew Stannard’s one-man immersive theatre show still feels fresh. It is also smart, fun, lovingly put together and really enjoyable. Dr. Black is dead. That much is obvious before the audience arrives. What’s soon clear, also, is that everyone in attendance is under suspicion. De...
The Croft – Liverpool Playhouse
North West

The Croft – Liverpool Playhouse

Returning to the stage for a second life after its original run, under the direction of Philip Franks, was curtailed due to the pandemic, revival director Alastair Whatley successfully oversees changes to the original cast and script in this intriguing and intelligent piece of theatre from writer Ali Milles based on a true story. Beginning in the present day, Laura (Gracie Follows) has brought her lover, Suzanne (Caroline Harker), to the Highlands to stay in her parents’ holiday home, a former crofter’s cottage, primarily to focus on their burgeoning relationship, but where the challenges of its remoteness and isolation from the modern world play on Suzanne’s need to stay in touch with an ex-husband and two teenage children, and the nature of their relationship provides much consternati...
One Man Poe – Shakespeare North Playhouse
North West

One Man Poe – Shakespeare North Playhouse

Described as a 'marathon of the macabre' by director and performer Stephen Smith, this performance of some of Edgar Allan Poe's most renowned stories is captivating from start to finish. Although, I was only fortunate enough to see the abridged version of the show featuring two of the four main stories, I would relish to see the remaining stories and urge people to take a dive into the grisly, dark world of One Man Poe. How one man can thoroughly engage an audience so that you are able to hear a pin drop is a great achievement and Smith should be so incredibly proud. The portrayal and delivery of the lines was done with such passion, clarity and perfection, that the audience felt every lurid and desperate emotion within each story. The minimalist set and the fantastic use of the prop...
Bat Out of Hell – Regent Theatre, Stoke
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
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
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...
Noises Off – Theatre by the Lake
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
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...
Evita – Capstone Theatre
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 ...
Calamity Jane – Blackpool Opera House
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...