North West Archives - Page 30 of 180

22May

By Grace AnnabelNo Comments

North West

The Band – Northwich Memorial Court

Joyous, uplifting and moving. This triumph of a production took Northwich by storm this evening, as we were taken on a heart-warming journey of friendship and fandom told through the iconic music of Take That. The talents of the director, Ben Ireson, musical director, Michael J Scott and co-choreographers, Sophie Megitt and Kate Scanlan, were showcased exquisitely by the entire cast of TMTC. From the outset, it was evident that we would be treated to a standard performance worthy of the professional stage - not least due to the impressive stage set and visuals. The storyline follows a group of 16 year-old girls in the early 1990’s, who are stereotypically enamoured by the latest boyband on the scene. After a tragic event, the storyline fast-forwards 25 years, where we see the girls (now...

22May

By Emma WildNo Comments

North West

The 39 Steps – Blackburn Empire

Well, what an absolutely wonderful, joyful evening at the theatre! The 39 Steps, performed by multi award-winning, Blackburn Drama Club, had all the elements for a fabulous show… Firstly, the stunning home of this historic Drama Club, Blackburn Empire Theatre, which has a wonderful blend of traditional and modern decor, including exposed brick walls, an exquisite red proscenium arch decorated with ornate gold details, a beautiful plush red curtain, as well as carefully laid out seating, ensuring all an excellent view. There could not have been a better location for this production, which is set in 1935, but has a modern twist! From the off, the auditorium was used to full effect, with actors using the sides and the seated area to heighten the desperation and urgency of Annabella Schm...

22May

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Little Shop of Horrors – The Met, Bury

Prestwich Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society performed Little Shop of Horrors at The Met, Bury this May. The rock-horror musical’s dark humour and catchy songs make it a fun but challenging choice for an amateur company. While some performances stood out, the production as a whole felt uneven and lacking polish. Kit Phillips was among the stronger cast members as Seymour. He captured Seymour’s awkward charm well, delivering solid vocals and an emotional arc. His chemistry with Audrey felt sincere, and he navigated Seymour’s struggles with subtlety. Isobel Cunliffe played Audrey with warmth and vulnerability. Her rendition of “Suddenly Seymour” alongside Phillips was a highlight — emotional and well-sung. Izzi Smith voiced Audrey II, the man-eating plant, which was one of ...

Ghost the Musical – The Forum Theatre, NK Theatre Arts

22May

By David S ClarkeNo Comments

North West

Ghost the Musical – The Forum Theatre, NK Theatre Arts

This musical is based on the famous film of the same name which starred Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. It is such a well-known story that I guess it is pointless of me to go over the storyline, so I will concentrate instead on describing this production by the cast and crew of NK Theatre Arts who have put together a highly entertaining version of this story. Kerry Day (ably assisted by Nickie Simms) has put together a highly entertaining production which was enjoyed by a capacity audience on this opening night. The music (Dominic Stannage and Scott Mitchell) and choreography (Helena Davies in her debut as lead choreographer after many years performing on stage) all did an excellent job with the roles they had to undertake. Mention should also be given to the contributio...

21May

By Rebecca CaseyNo Comments

North West

Dear Evan Hansen – Blackpool Grand

I spent my evening at Blackpool grand Theatre. ATG Productions and Gavin Kalin Productions present The Nottingham Playhouse Production of Dear Evan Hansen. This is my first time watching the show, I have never seen the movie and I’m not familiar with the music, I heard one of the songs on a televised concert during Covid, so other than a quick Google I was walking into this evening blind. The book by Stephen Levenson and Music and lyrics by Benji Pasek and Justin Paul, creators of The Greatest Showman. The show premiered in 2015 followed by a movie version in 2021, Dear Evan Hansen is the recipient of six Tony Awards. This story is an exploration of complex themes including anxiety and grief with a recommended minimum age of twelve. With a focus on mental health, the majority of o...

North by Northwest – Liverpool Playhouse

21May

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

North by Northwest – Liverpool Playhouse

Billed as a ‘theatre legend’ in the production’s accompanying notes, celebrated director Emma Rice’s adaptation of this Hitchcock classic for the stage is sumptuous and visually arresting but sadly more style over substance with its lack of storyline. It would be strange would it not, poses The Professor (Katy Owen) who narrates much of the evening’s proceedings, if in a city of seven million people, one man was never mistaken for another. And in a flash we are transported to the bright lights of the big city – New York – in 1959, where we meet reluctant hero Roger Thornhill (Ewan Wardrop), whose mistimed phone call to his mother lands him smack bang in the middle of a Cold War conspiracy. Now he’s on the run dodging spies and airplanes as he tries to evade the clutches of villain Phill...

Rocky Horror Picture Show – Palace Theatre

20May

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Rocky Horror Picture Show – Palace Theatre

Time Warping its way back into Manchester, with fishnets and flair, The Rocky Horror Picture show has rolled into Manchester ready to make audiences quiver with antici…pation. Under the stead hand of director Christopher Luscombe, Jason Donovan has returned to the role and high heels of theatre’s iconic transexual scientist, Dr. Frank N. Furter, doing so with gusto. He brings a fabulous balance of louche flamboyance and furtiveness to invigorate the show with the unpredictability and playfulness it needs. He clearly enjoys himself teasing his fellow castmates and the audience and delivers chaos (including a misbehaving pair of heels) and a touch of menace to his performance. Jackie Clune brings a witty edge as the narrator, imbuing the usually ‘stuffy accountant’ vibe with somethi...

Elgar’s Cello Concerto and More – Liverpool Philharmonic

19May

By Mark HumphreysNo Comments

North West

Elgar’s Cello Concerto and More – Liverpool Philharmonic

While much of Europe was glued to the Eurovision Song Contest, Liverpool offered its own musical spectacle at the Philharmonic Hall – and if the city had a jury, this concert might well have earned its own douze points. The evening opened with Fandangos by Puerto Rican composer Roberto Sierra, a vibrant and rhythmically charged piece that immediately set a cosmopolitan tone. Sierra, known for blending Latin American musical idioms with contemporary classical techniques, delivered a work full of colour and flair. The muted trumpets added a smoky, mysterious texture, while Helena Mackie’s agile oboe lines danced effortlessly above the ensemble. Tom Lessels’ velvety bass clarinet added depth, and the piece ended with a flourish that drew enthusiastic applause. It was a bold and brilliant o...

18May

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Dirty Dusting – Rainhill Village Hall

Rainhill Garrick Society’s take on Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood’s laugh-out-loud comedy certainly dusts off the cobwebs and guarantees you’ll never look at a vacuum cleaner the same way again! When three elderly cleaners, Olive (Lynn Aconley), Gladys (Linda Saavedra), and Elsie (Jo Webster), are threatened with redundancy by their arch nemesis and boss Dave (Peter Cliffe), they feel that their lives are coming to an end until a chance wrong number gives them a new business start-up idea: why not run a telephone sex chat line? They’ve got motive, opportunity, and a lifetime of experience... some more than others. Cue hilarious one-liners in a style not dissimilar to a Carry-On film. With the play set in a nameless office building in St Helens in 2002, with updated local references, ...

Sense & Sensibility – Shakespeare North Playhouse

16May

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Sense & Sensibility – Shakespeare North Playhouse

The Pantaloons roll up in Prescot again with their delightful ensemble of skits, songs, and gags this time aimed at Jane Austen’s first novel with lashings of Regency romp raising the bar high even if there are a few low flying beams to watch out for. All actors want to perform in a theatre-in-the-round but with nowhere to hide, only the best can deliver: The Pantaloons served up a theatrical masterclass tonight and a timely reminder of how great theatre can be. Sisters Elinor (Alex Rivers) and Marianne (Cicely Halkes-Wellstead) along with their mother are somewhat down on their luck and effectively palmed off by their older half-brother when their father dies to live on the estate of a cousin, Sir John Middleton (Christopher Smart). Elinor is disconsolate as she had become close to Edw...