North West Archives - Page 22 of 180

23Jul

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Leeches – The King’s Arms

How far would you go for influence? Would you be prepared to use work colleagues, friends, or even family, in the name of ambition? Leeches, written by Kieran Scott and slickly directed by Thomas Bateman explores themes of insecurity, cancel culture and personal ethics, amongst others, through the eyes of three highly flawed narrators. When a protest erupts in the city centre, it results in a moment of violence that has significant repercussions for all three. Simple staging with nothing more than a crowd control barrier and a couple of chairs allows the spotlight to shine on three strong actors from the Manchester School of Theatre, who do an excellent job of showcasing Scott’s tight and compelling script, peppered with deft touches of levity, and which itself smartly exposes an...

22Jul

By Paddy Darnell-WalshNo Comments

North West

Chicago – Blackpool Opera House

Dubbed “the sexiest musical ever” (Metro), Chicago returns to Blackpool this week, with a huge sprinkle of razzle-dazzle with it! Set with the decadent backdrop of the 1920s Chicago jazz scene, the story follows Roxie Hart who murders her lover when he threatens to leave her. In a desperate attempt to avoid conviction, Hart hires renowned lawyer Billy Flynn to assist her in deceiving the media, public and rival cellmate, Velma Kelly. With show-stopping songs a plenty, the sultry, sassy, sensational Chicago is back at the Seaside with a bang. With lyrics from Fredd Ebb and music by John Kander, blasted out by a live band onstage (under the superb musical direction of Neil MacDonald), it’s easy to understand Chicago’s appeal. I must admit, having seen the show various times over the years...

20Jul

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

A Grain of Sand – Unity Theatre

Commissioned by London Palestine Film Festival and supported by Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, Good Chance theatres’ A Grain of Sand, dramatised and directed by Elias Matar, is an adaptation from A Million Kites: Testimonies and Poems from the Children of Gaza by Leila Boukarim and Asaf Luzon. Taking an intimate look at war through the eyes of a child and blending Palestinian folklore with real-life testimonies from children in contemporary Gaza, we follow the fraught and dangerous journey of Renad (Sarah Agha), a young Gazan girl, who with the echoes of her grandmother’s tales and the spark of her own imagination, searches for her family and the ‘Anqaa’ – the mythical Palestinian Phoenix. Photo: Ellie Kurttz Large scale crises and the ongoing devastation like the one unfolding in Gaz...

Delusions and Grandeur – Anthony Burgess Foundation

20Jul

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

North West

Delusions and Grandeur – Anthony Burgess Foundation

The best fringe moments are discovering something unexpected and brilliant. World-renowned cellist Karen Hall’s Delusions and Grandeur is both. A thought-provoking, inventive and emotional hour of storytelling that is bursting with talent. The blurb isn’t quite clear, though. “Come for the music, stay for the existential crisis,” it suggests. Audiences are told to expect a “classical cello recital” that “plays out like a piece of performance art run by a masterly jester”. Its one of those examples of marketing that makes total sense after the event. Hall’s one-woman show is, essentially, a recital of Bach’s famous Suite No. 1, interspersed with part monologue, part audience dialogue that tells her own musical story and poses some fascinating questions. What does it reall...

20Jul

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

Almost Famous – The King’s Arms

“Escaping and pretending is better than the truth,” says Emily Benton (Jac Wheble), the hero of this one-woman show about identity, fame, and the desire to be seen, not for what you are, that’s boring. She has a thirst, a craving almost to be seen in the spotlight, out front, and famous. Benton, we find out, is living a lie from the start. Suddenly, we are taken into an examination of identity in a world where everyone is pretending. She came from Australia to the UK in the early 1970s to pursue her dream of finding fame and fortune as a performer. “Naivety gets you through,” she says as she looks back at her younger self and the pitfalls she faced in a business where more established, powerful men will take advantage of her with the promise of a record contract or a juicy part o...

Your Therapist is Clueless – The King’s Arms

19Jul

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Your Therapist is Clueless – The King’s Arms

Holding an audience rapt for any period of time where the subject is the meaty, nuanced and personal elephant that is mental health support in the UK is a very big ask of any performer. One thinks of writers such as Adam Kay, who’s book and tour, This is Going to Hurt, vividly brought to life the warts and glory of being an NHS doctor. Or copper turned stand-up comic Alfie Moore’s It’s a Fair Cop in which, by allowing the audience to play police, he highlights the idiosyncrasies and impotencies of the criminal justice system. Tonight, performer Nathaniel Tresise shares his experiences of working for a Greater Manchester mental health charity where a dreadfully under-resourced service attracts people with all the quirks you expect, often risking those with genuine, urgent need bei...

19Jul

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

North West

Daddy’s First Gay Date – Waterside Arts

After the success of BI-TOPIA, writer and performer Sam Danson has once again collaborated with legendary director Rikki Beadle-Blair for a new show about the bisexual experience. Daddy’s First Gay Date is Danson’s first full-length play for multiple cast members and is set to tour the UK after an initial couple of dates at Sale’s Waterside theatre. Much like BI-TOPIA, the show focuses on a slice of queer life that is sadly often underrepresented in mainstream culture. Danson takes the audience on an interesting and, often, unexpected journey. Ben (Danson) and Helen (Megan Edmondson) are celebrating their 15-year anniversary at the local restaurant. Well, Helen thinks she is there to celebrate. To celebrate and to enjoy Ben popping the question. Ben, on the other hand, thin...

17Jul

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Annie – Storyhouse, Chester

Tip Top productions have returned to the Storyhouse, this time with the classic musical, Annie, 33 years after the company first produced the show. With Direction from Phil Cross, we follow the journey of an 11-year-old orphan, Annie, who dreams that one day her parents will return to the orphanage for her and makes it her mission to find them. In the meantime, billionaire Oliver Warbucks and his assistant Grace Farrell are looking for an orphan to spend the holidays at their home, and this is where Annie’s story takes a turn. In the titular role, Emily Allerston shines while leading the company through this journey. With bags of confidence, energy and powerful vocals, we know we are in safe hands from the second she enters the stage. Allerston’s version of “Tomorrow” was beautifully...

17Jul

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Fame The Musical – Z-Arts

Fame, performed by Manchester Musical Youth (MMY) produced by Dave and Kimberly Holden. Directed by Dave Holden and Sarah Binns with Musical Director Kimberly Holden. As someone who has had the pleasure of reviewing many MMY productions over the years, I can confidently say that ‘Fame’ is without doubt one of my favourites. This production encapsulates everything that makes MMY such a special musical theatre group – heart, talent and a true sense of family. The energy and commitment from the cast, the creative vision of the production team, and the warmth that radiates from the group as a whole makes this a must-see show from start to finish. From the opening number to the emotional finale, ‘Fame’ bursts with passion and authenticity. The cast throw themselves into the iconic story o...

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Liverpool Empire

16Jul

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

North West

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Liverpool Empire

A magical evening of rainbows, sparkles, music and performance. A real feel good show aimed at all ages which engages the audience from start to finish. If you're looking for a show to introduce children to musicals and also be thoroughly entertained yourself, this is the show you are looking for. A fun and captivating story of love, forgiveness and triumph. The story is superbly narrated by Christina Bianco from start to finish, with a pitch perfect vocal performance and an astonishing range, Bianco really deserved her standing ovation and rapturous applause at the end. The energy from her on stage was oozing with excitement and grit. Joined by the main man Joseph (Adam Filipe) an outstanding performance, I couldn't take my eyes off him every time he entered the stage, his presence was...