North West Archives - Page 27 of 183

One Hundred Percent – The King’s Arms, Salford

4Jul

By Louise KershawNo Comments

North West

One Hundred Percent – The King’s Arms, Salford

In a claustrophobic apartment, an actor confronts the examiner who once gave him a perfect score in an acting exam. On the wall, the certificate which validates his perfect score is proudly framed and the actor, who believed he was destined for greatness, faces the consequences of his misplaced hope and the harsh truth of what it is to build a career in his chosen profession. Now I have to disclose that for 20 plus years I worked as an examiner for both GCSE Drama and A Level Theatre Studies and the premise of this darkly comedic piece of theatre directly addresses something that I had never thought about before but have significant experience of. What is the impact of a perfect score on the recipient? In this case, the actor has believed that he has a profound talent and as such has pu...

3Jul

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

A Single Man – Aviva Studios

Christopher Isherwood’s 1964 study of grief, A Single Man, is a recognition of the complexities of our inner thoughts at a time of crisis. When fashion designer Tom Ford adapted the book for his 2009 movie of the same name, he chose to round off some of lead character George’s rougher edges. Ford also concluded the story more decisively. In this contemporary ballet, Jonathan Watkins appears to have returned to the original source material, in terms of George's complicated nature. Watkins has, however, been both more definitive and more hopeful about George's future. With mixed results. A Single Man is at times heartbreakingly emotional and tearjerkingly beautiful. But it is also, on occasion, slightly impenetrable. That being said, this Factory International a...

A Play About a Dragon – Thingwall Community Hall

3Jul

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

North West

A Play About a Dragon – Thingwall Community Hall

A brilliantly directed (Paul Arends) comedy caper of family fun set in the middle ages, a band of outlandish and peculiar players, down on their luck and needing a break, happen upon a seemingly remarkable opportunity from the dithery and doddery Lord Mollymop (Zoran Blackie) and his overly controlling Queen Lady Dottie (Samra Uddin), to perform for one King Stanley (Carl Latham). How could they resist! Off the group set on their treacherous journey only to discover all is not what it seems... Their journey is coloured with a variety of characters they acquire on the way, whilst also in search of a replacement for their obnoxiously dramatic Lady Gwen (Chrysanthi Fergani). They meet the trickster Meg (Meredith Clayton) who isn't what she seems. The enigmatic and bold Bud (Da...

The Death of Dr. Black – The Fitzgerald, Manchester

2Jul

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

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...

2Jul

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

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

1Jul

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

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...

1Jul

By Leanne RushtonNo Comments

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

30Jun

By Kevin EcclestonNo Comments

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

29Jun

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

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...

27Jun

By Karen Morley-ChesworthNo Comments

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...