North West Archives - Page 30 of 128

9Dec

By Codie WrightNo Comments

North West

We’re going on a Bear Hunt – The Lowry

There are very few books as iconic as Michael Rosen’s classic tale of a family going on an ill-advised bear hunt in a questionable climate and so both myself and my toddler were excited to see it translated onto stage. We follow Tim Hibbered, as the lovable Dad, as he takes his creatively named children, Neha Eapen as Girl, and Benedict Hastings as Boy, on an adventure through a variety of terrains to find a bear hunt. Hibbered, Eapen and Hastings brought an energy to the stage that managed to be engaging to the children without being annoying to the adults - not an easy feat! The baby (aptly named Baby) was played (if that’s the right term) by an adorable puppet, and there were some really lovely moments with them. However, after a cute lullaby, the baby was put inside a cardboard b...

9Dec

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Little Red – Theatre Porto

Kevin Dyer’s delightful re-imagining of this tale as old as time is wonderfully brought to life under the direction of Nina Hajiyianni with memorable musical composition by Patrick Dineen to keep us on the right path as Little Red (Fatima Jahara) heads into the forest with the blessing of her mother (Anoush Kendrick) to visit her sickly Grandma (Francesca Anderson), but on the way she encounters a rather hungry Wolfie (Stephanie Greer) who has other plans for her. There is a surreal quality to this re-telling and the all-female cast deliver inspired performances with Anderson, Greer, and Kendrick also taking on ensemble roles as the journey unravels with lots of humour and the right amount of scare, wrapped up in song and some outstanding choreography. Anderson’s Grandma is instantly re...

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World – The Lowry

8Dec

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World – The Lowry

"Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World," playing at The Lowry, is a musical celebration of history's most influential women, set against an impressive and dynamic backdrop that blends traditional and modern theatrical elements. A standout aspect of the show is the music, which involves the talent of Miranda Cooper, known for penning hits for girl groups like Girls Aloud and Sugababes. Her influence is evident in the catchy, sassy songs that form the backbone of the musical. These numbers, characterised by a strong group dynamic, are one of the production's most significant strengths. The choruses, where the cast sings together, are particularly impactful, showcasing a harmonious and energetic unity that outshines the individual performances. Elena Breschi's roles as Marie C...

The Woman in Black – Liverpool Playhouse

8Dec

By Jenn McKeanNo Comments

North West

The Woman in Black – Liverpool Playhouse

I never thought I would laugh so much at a ghost story. I am definitely a fully-fledged all-singing, all-dancing and everyone lives happily ever after type of person when it comes to theatre, fear and but there is something about The Woman in Black that has always intrigued me. I never got to see the run at the Fortune Theatre in London, so jumped at the chance to experience the story on my doorstep. The book was written by Susan Hill in 1983, and whilst it is set in the 1950s (and 1920s) it does feel like a timeless piece. It could be set any time if the dates weren’t mentioned. However, there is definitely something about a Victorian ghost, that gives it authenticity and makes it spookier. With two actors in the cast, they needed to be at the top of their game, as neither spent...

8Dec

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

Aladdin – Theatre Royal, St Helens

Brilliantly Bonkers! This bumper packed panto doesn’t do things by halves with plenty of sparkles and pizzazz, in a value for money production for all the family. The Theatre Royal knows a thing or two about putting on a decent pantomime with a large part of its annual schedule dedicated to its craft. This current offering from writer Liam Mellor serves up the traditional tale of Aladdin (portrayed by the likeable Alex Aram) topped with plenty of topical laughs with injections of silly slapstick and some leftfield gags which keeps the audience on their toes. Director Chantelle Nolan, and Assistant Director Kay Nicolson, have created a festive multimedia feast bringing together various artistic elements into a solid staple of traditional panto chaos to see us through the season. &...

Jack And The Beanstalk – Opera House, Manchester

8Dec

By Hannah WildeNo Comments

North West

Jack And The Beanstalk – Opera House, Manchester

Christmas is never complete without a token pantomime performance - and what better show to see to get you feeling Christmassy than Guy Unsworth’s dynamic and innovative reworking of Jack and the Beanstalk. Touted as “the second biggest show in Manchester”, this panto really did have it all - a star-studded cast, sensational sets, brilliant costumes, fabulous song and dance sequences, a script jam-packed full of witty repartee (and even a flying car, wholly reminiscent of theatre favourite Chitty Chitty Bang Bang). What really brought this show to life was its exuberant characters - headlined by comedian Jason Manford, he was of course the titular character of Jack Trot, who not only had the lion’s share of the jokes but had some great musical numbers too. That said, every panto (...

Brief Encounter – Royal Exchange Theatre

8Dec

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Brief Encounter – Royal Exchange Theatre

Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No 2 is undoubtedly one of the most famous pieces of music in cinematic history, the dark strains being synonymous with the 1945 David Lean directed 'Brief Encounter', its tone of repression and guilt defining a certain very English attitude to love and sex in the immediate post war period. The film was based on Noel Coward's pre war one-act play 'Still Life', and this festive season the Royal Exchange Theatre has turned this melancholy tale of squandered opportunity into a quirky and witty musical using songs exclusively from Coward's extensive back catalogue. The resulting Christmas confection is a soft fondant of nostalgic memory wrapped round a bittersweet centre. The central love story is the paper thin tale of Laura (Hannah Azuonye), an upper middle c...

7Dec

By Miranda GreenNo Comments

North West

Cinderella – Storyhouse Chester

I couldn’t have loved this production of Cinderella at Chester’s Storyhouse more: pyrotechnics, smoke-filled bubbles, balloons, more costume changes than the Oscars, Disco Goblins like a pod of Megaminds in silver turbans and steampunk goggles, and some absolute bangers belted out by the multitalented cast who can not only sing and dance but can apparently play cello and sax too … it’s a sensational feast of high energy and feel-good. But to begin at the beginning: the light, bright and very beautiful set is immediately arresting. Colour-changing globes hang from the ceiling like so many glass floats, each representing a fairytale to be told. Melinda Orengo’s Fairy Godmother appears, wearing lamé tassels and looking like the lovechild of the Great Gatsby and a disco Pocohontas, and enco...

7Dec

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Life Of Pi – The Lowry

As December arrives the theatre world is taken over by that curiously British institution, The Pantomime. With all its familiar tropes and traditions, it provides much needed distraction for excitable children who have consumed too much sugar over the festive period, as well as harassed parents sorely in need of a family themed distraction. For those who do not delight in such earthy offerings, over the next month the Lyric Theatre will be playing host to the UK and Ireland tour of ' Life of Pi', the West End and Broadway smash hit, providing a cerebral alternative to the tales of beanstalks, slippers and lamps that are available elsewhere. Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel and adapted for the stage by Lolita Chakrabati, 'Life Of Pi' tells the extraordinary story of 17-year...

Christmas Cabaret – Pendleton School of Theatre

7Dec

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Christmas Cabaret – Pendleton School of Theatre

Director Ian Bennett has created a splendid Christmas Cabaret, specifically aimed at the theme of ‘family’. Christmas is a joyous time but can also be a struggle for many, so Bennett didn’t want the traditional Christmas tunes as he wanted the Cabaret to reflect different walks of life but specifically aimed around ‘family’ and the many guises that it takes. Each of the musicals featured tonight show family at the centre - with the dysfunctional family in ‘Dear Evan Hansen’, the adopted family in ‘Les Misérables’, the chosen family in ‘Rent’ and the magical one in ‘Frozen’! I have been privileged to witness many cohorts perform over the years at Pendleton Sixth Form College, with many of their pupils going onto exceptionally successful careers in theatre. The standard of this college’s ...