North West Archives - Page 47 of 178

14Nov

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

Dear Evan Hansen – Liverpool Empire

The classic saying always favours the book over the film of story but when a book comes off the back of a musical, then that musical has got to be next level. Dear Evan Hansen therefore comes with a calibre. The show is the blueprint that went to Broadway before Hollywood film sets and so future renditions can sometimes be overshot with assumed greatness. Instantly this performance was not that. What I noticed first was that the story was the main character rather than the individual performers which so often occurs during ‘big’ shows. I say it every time I go to the Empire, but that theatre is a big space that demands a strong stage presence. This cast were instantly electric, purposeful and slick that captured me and the packed seats three tiers high. Ryan Kopel’s Evan wa...

14Nov

By Katy GilroyNo Comments

North West

Cluedo 2 – Floral Pavilion

A staple in many a games cupboard, Cluedo is the ultimate in murder mystery fun – bringing it to life on stage means you’ve got a lot to live up to. As the audience took their seats on a cold Tuesday night in New Brighton, it was anyone's guess as to where the story would end up… Brilliantly laid out with the classic Cluedo board as a constant backdrop, the cast were introduced one by one as the scene was set: an old manor house, newly purchased by failing rock star Rick Black. With his wife, father/manager, right hand man, cook, a recently hired interior designer and ex bandmate making up the rest of the ‘colour’ characters, the tale began to unfold. The story, of course, follows a murder that takes place at the manor – cut off by a storm and not wanting to involve the police for ce...

13Nov

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

The Little Mermaid – The Brindley

Having seen the amazing Centenary Theatre Group deliver a spectacular Phantom of the Opera, I was intrigued and yes - very excited - to see how they would deliver a performance from a 1989 animated Disney film – The Little Mermaid. Diverse, brave and unpredictable – this theatre group were never afraid of risks or challenges – so I knew they would ‘smash it’ and ‘smash it’ – they did! From entering the theatre, a unique backdrop of surging bubbles and waves welcomed us , a spectacular and ‘gob-smacking’ digital backdrop that would mesmerise us all throughout the show – I am not sure how the Director Dan Grimes and the Digital Designer Simon Matthews did this, but it was a stroke of genius and consumed us all in a word of magic and wonder throughout. The story- origi...

Only Fools and Horses The Musical – Opera House

13Nov

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Only Fools and Horses The Musical – Opera House

Only Fools and Horses - The Hit Musical is a five-star masterpiece that brings the beloved TV classic to life with laughter, warmth, and a toe-tapping soundtrack! Created by Paul Whitehouse and Jim Sullivan, and directed by Caroline Jay Ranger; for me, the production perfectly captures the charm and humour of Peckham’s most famous family. It’s a feel good trip down memory lane, but also lets a new audience experience the Trotters for the first time! The outstanding cast delivers pitch-perfect performances that honour the iconic characters while not trying to Carbon-copy them. Sam Lupton is a stand-out as Del Boy, exuding charisma, sharp wit, and infectious optimism that draws the audience in from the start. Tom Major, as Rodney, offers a delightful blend of innocence and awkwardn...

La Bohème – L’Orchestra dell’Arte – Tung Auditorium

12Nov

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

La Bohème – L’Orchestra dell’Arte – Tung Auditorium

The Tung Auditorium proves the perfect intimate venue for l’Orchestra dell’Arte’s performance of Puccini’s timeless masterpiece of unforgettable music that tells of love, friendship, and death, under the direction of maestro Edward Peak and featuring vocalists from Flat Pack Music. Set in the Latin Quarter of Paris in about 1830, it is Christmas Eve when we meet four struggling bohemians living in a garret: a poet, Rodolfo (Joseph Buckmaster); a painter, Marcello (Matthew Durkan); a philosopher, Colline (Conall O’Neill); and a musician, Schaunard (David Cane) who arrives having had some good fortune and they agree to celebrate by dining at Café Momus. They are interrupted by their landlord, Benoît (Martin Lamb) but cleverly trick him into revealing he has been playing around which allow...

Rachmaninov’s symphony No. 2 in E minor – Liverpool Philharmonic

12Nov

By Johanna RobertsNo Comments

North West

Rachmaninov’s symphony No. 2 in E minor – Liverpool Philharmonic

It is a measure of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s standing among the international music community that they can attract the very best to perform with the orchestra and choir. Nowhere was this more clearly seen than at last night’s performance, which saw young British award-winning conductor Adam Hickox take up the baton to conduct the orchestra in Rachmaninov’s symphony No. 2 in E minor, and internationally acclaimed violinist Ning Feng in Samuel Barber’s violin concerto. However, in keeping with the programming of traditional pieces with newer or lesser-known works, the concert began with ‘Nautilus’ by contemporary composer Anna Meredith. A short but intense piece featuring particularly the brass section, it was first composed in 2011 then orchestrated in 2021, Meredith says her i...

Manchester Musical Youth 10th Anniversary Concert – RNCM

11Nov

By Nicky LambertNo Comments

North West

Manchester Musical Youth 10th Anniversary Concert – RNCM

Manchester Musical Youth – the brainchild of Kimberly and Dave Holden – celebrated its ten year anniversary tonight at The Royal Northern College of Music. I am lucky to have reviewed at least half of the MMY productions since 2015 and I never cease to be amazed by the sheer level of professionalism and talent which shines out of every single MMY performer. Tonight was a show of two halves: the first bringing us “timeless musical classics” and the second, highlights from the past five years. I would have loved to have seen highlights from the past ten years as one of my fondest MMY memories is “Hot Mikado” which absolutely blew me away and secured a special MMY shaped space in my reviewing heart. It goes without saying that every single number which we were tr...

Flint Street Nativity – The Little Theatre, Birkenhead

7Nov

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Flint Street Nativity – The Little Theatre, Birkenhead

As the first play of their series, The Carlton Players bring Tim Firth’s Flint Street Nativity to the Little Theatre in Birkenhead. As I enter the Little Theatre this evening, I instantly feel warm and welcome. My first visit to this lovey theatre and it certainly won’t be the last. With a lovely bar/waiting area downstairs and the auditorium upstairs, the ushers couldn’t do enough to make our visit a great one. One thing that stands out is the accessibility of the building, for such an old building, there is a lift down to the bar and a lift up to the auditorium, something that makes a return visit cemented in my eyes. Directed by Marc Smith, we are transported to Miss Horricks’ class where the juniors are putting on their nativity. But will everything go smoothly? We are about to f...

Beauty and the Beast – Gladstone Theatre

7Nov

By Bev ClarkNo Comments

North West

Beauty and the Beast – Gladstone Theatre

West Kirby MTC always turn out an excellent, entertaining show and after recent successes with A Christmas Carol and Betty Blue Eyes, this year they take on the well-loved story of Beauty and the Beast. It was evident that a lot of hard work and dedication had gone into this production, and we all know how much fun it is for all the participants, especially the youngest, for some of whom it may be their first performance. This ’Tale as old as Time’ is indeed a big challenge for director Sharon Henderson, as the show demands big sets, big costumes and big musical numbers and the Gladstone theatre is far from a big stage. Sensibly they have scaled down the scenery to include back projections and minimal pieces of set. In the main this worked well as the wonderful costumes really make thei...

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time – Forum Theatre

31Oct

By David S ClarkeNo Comments

North West

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time – Forum Theatre

Well, where do I start with this review? Being a Stockport lad myself I am quite familiar with the work of Simon Stephens, but I have to admit this is the first time I have come across this particular play. There were definitely times during the production when I struggled to comprehend what was happening, but that was more due to my lack of understanding rather than anything lacking in the production. Once I got into the characters and began to realise what the story was about I found myself thoroughly absorbed. This play was first presented to the public a mere 12 years ago in London and this production is the Stockport premier of this play. For others like myself who are not familiar with the storyline, I think a brief synopsis would be appropriate. The lead character ...