North West Archives - Page 28 of 174

The Clockmaker’s Daughter – The Renaker Theatre, Z-Arts

25Apr

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

The Clockmaker’s Daughter – The Renaker Theatre, Z-Arts

During the 11th season of MMY Kimberly and Dave Holden are premiering the youth production of Webborn and Finn’s ‘The Clockmaker’s Daughter’, this highly successful musical has had sell out runs and has been nominated for eleven awards to date. Kimberly fell in love with this musical several years ago after hearing her singing students sing ‘A Story of My Own’, her curiosity led her to explore the musical it belonged to, leading to a dream to bring this magnificent new musical to life on stage. After being granted the performing rights by Webborn and Finn through Keddie Scott North, Kimberly’s dream has become a reality and has enabled Manchester audiences to fall in love with this remarkable musical too. Opening night was made spectacular by having Michael Webborn himself in the...

23Apr

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

Boys from the Black Stuff – The Lowry

I was born in the 60’s, so remember clearly and with fondness, the series by the infamous Liverpudlian writer Alan Bleasdale – “The Boys from the Black Stuff”- the Black Stuff being the tar that a high number of men spent tarmacking the expanding roads of Britain in their days of employment. The first showing of the iconic programme was aired on BB2 – then a channel that had low ratings/viewers- on 10/10/82 but through its immediate popularity with viewers, moved to the main channel of the day – BBC1. The series depicted the stark reality of how working-class families were devastated by the lack of employment opportunities (more than 3 million people through this decade were unemployed – the highest figure for over 50 years) in this difficult decade. Alan Bleasdale told the story ...

Jesus Christ Superstar – Buxton Opera House

18Apr

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Jesus Christ Superstar – Buxton Opera House

Buxton Opera House’s staging of Jesus Christ Superstar offers a visually striking and musically impressive take on the iconic rock opera. With memorable performances and thoughtful design choices, this production successfully captures the emotional and thematic weight of the story—while still leaving room for refinement. Louis Moore shines as Jesus, with “Gethsemane” standing out as the emotional high point of the evening. His performance in this pivotal number is both vocally and emotionally powerful, showcasing his ability to convey the vulnerability at the heart of the role. Ross Clifton brings vocal strength and stage presence to the role of Judas, and while his singing is commendable, at times the acting across the cast felt slightly stilted. A touch more naturalism in delivery ...

17Apr

By Abigail PendleburyNo Comments

North West

Guys and Dolls – Blackpool Grand

The Blackpool Grand Theatre's 2025 production of Guys and Dolls, presented by the Blackpool Operatic Players, delivers a vibrant and heartfelt rendition of this classic musical. The show beautifully captures the essence of 1950s Broadway with its dynamic performances and memorable score. Set against the bustling backdrop of Damon Runyon's New York, the narrative follows the escapades of gamblers, showgirls, and missionaries. The very talented Leo Appleton plays Nathan Detroit, ever the schemer, who seeks to organize the city's biggest craps game while evading the watchful eyes of his long-time fiancée, Adelaide, played by Claire Gaskell. Gaskell adds some well-timed humour and glamour as Adelaide, who just wants her beloved Nathan to marry her and give up the game. Neil Mcknight’s port...

Peter James: Picture You Dead – The Lowry

17Apr

By Kathryn GortonNo Comments

North West

Peter James: Picture You Dead – The Lowry

Opening night at the Lowry Theatre’s Lyric Theatre welcomed a full house and a palpable buzz of anticipation as the stage adaptation of Peter James’s Picture You Dead took to the stage. Known for his 20 gritty, pacey crime thrillers about Detective Superintendent Roy Grace and the spin off TV series Grace - James has built a devoted following through his Roy Grace novels, and this latest adaptation brought that dark, intriguing world vividly to life. I have been an avid James ‘ … Dead’ book reader for years and was excited to see it on the stage as I am not a lover of the TV series finding it flat and lack lustre. The plot is of a struggling couple (the Kiplings) buying a painting from a car boot which turns out to be a lost old master from the 18th century. ...

Gideon: A Play with Music – Hallé at St Michael’s

12Apr

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Gideon: A Play with Music – Hallé at St Michael’s

This important play, developed by Modalways and written by Daniel Mawson, hits all the right notes under the diligent direction of Sue Dunderdale as we follow the life of a magnetic musician and his family as they face an impossible choice. World War I ends in November 1918 and the world is on the brink of new opportunities. A year later, Gideon Klein (Max Gallagher) is born into a musical Jewish family in Moravia, and displaying a musical talent from an early age, his sister, Lisa (Rosie Hilal), a fantastic pianist in her own right, encourages her parents to let him move to Prague with her when he is twelve. They are eventually joined by their mother, Ilona (Rebecca Scroggs), in spite of her guilt at leaving her sick husband behind. When Gideon’s opportunities are dashed by the rise...

12Apr

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Mary Poppins – Palace Theatre

Disney’s magical nanny is back delighting audiences all over the UK, and children (even the big kids) are bound to leave the theatre with a smile on their face. Based on the book series by P.L. Travers, this production by Disney Theatricals in collaboration with Sir Cameron Mackintosh, first took the West End by storm over twenty years ago. But just the same as its movie adaptation, I believe that this version is ultimately timeless. The Banks family wish for a nanny to fix all their problems, Jane wants someone fairly pretty, Michael wants someone to play games with, and their parents just want one to stay. Blown in by the wind, the “practically perfect” Mary Poppins appears and takes us all on an amazing adventure filled with colour, magic and a song or two. The twelve-piece orches...

12Apr

By Karen Morley-ChesworthNo Comments

North West

King Arthur – Theatre by the Lake

The best of British comedy and tales brings joy to Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake as Le Navel Bete rides into town with their hilarious performance of King Arthur. The trio bring the untold story of how the legend of King Arthur and his Camelot was born with the very best of physical comedy. The Lake District theatre audiences will be familiar with the work of writer and director John Nicholson who has teamed up with Le Navel Bete. Nicholson brought a very unique and comic production of Hound of the Baskervilles to Theatre by the Lake last year. Those who love this style of silliness and insider perspective to a production will not be disappointed by King Arthur. The opening scene sets the tone and high bar for the comedy to follow. The three actors are in the stocks for treason...

One Man, Two Guvnors – The Forum Theatre

11Apr

By David S ClarkeNo Comments

North West

One Man, Two Guvnors – The Forum Theatre

This has to be one of the funniest productions I have seen in a long time. Once I got around the complexes of the plot (which took me until half way through the second act before I could fully comprehend what was going on) it was a joy to watch. The minimalistic scenery and props only added to the overall ambience of the play. I liked the way the scene changes were accompanied by the cast members taking turns at singing songs from the period in which the play was set (early 1960’s) and I was particularly taken with Mike Lamont and Terry Halliday’s vocals. I will do my best to come up with a resume of the plot, but as I’ve said previously, there were many twists and turns in the storyline, but much of this was deliberate and I must apologise to the directors (Jake Martin and Terry Hallid...

11Apr

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Ladies’ Day – Thingwall Community Hall

Charlotte Holguin delights in her directorial debut with this revival of Amanda Whittington’s highly entertaining and humorous play which tells the story of four fish filleters from Hessle whose lives may be about to change for ever as work becomes play to provide the perfect backdrop for a tale of fractured lives, thwarted ambitions, secrets, hidden heartache, and enduring friendships We meet our ladies suitably bedecked on the fish-packing line: Pearl (Angela McComb) is about to leave – not retiring mind - to spend more time with her husband; Jan (Lorna Pout) is a single mother whose only child is about to leave for University; Shelley (Laura Powell) is a reality TV wannabee; and Linda (Jasmine Oates), the youngest, is cowed from a domineering mother. Cornered into a send-off, and wit...