North West Archives - Page 48 of 174

23Sep

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

War Horse – The Lowry

Since its stunning debut on the Olivier stage at the National Theatre in 2007, War Horse has been performed worldwide to over 8 million people at 7,500 plus performances; it is comfortably the most successful show that the NT has ever produced. Now in 2024, new audiences have the opportunity to follow the adventures of Joey, the eponymous War Horse, in a new production that will tour the UK for the next year, and once again, wherever they get to see it, adults and children alike will gaze in wonder at this startling theatrical achievement. Based on the 1982 novel by Michael Morpurgo - a man who disproves the adage you should never meet your heroes - we follow Joey from a Devonshire farmyard foal, through the nightmare of the Somme in 1917 to his eventual bittersweet reunion with Albert ...

19Sep

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

The Book of Mormon – Palace Theatre

The Book of Mormon rekindled its romance with Manchester and the Palace Theatre on Wednesday evening as it opened its 2nd UK tour in the city, as it did the first tour back in 2019. And as in 2019, a sold-out audience embraced the show cheering from the pre-show announcement to the curtain call. Not without controversy from the day it opened on Broadway in 2011 (where it is still running 23 years later) The Book of Mormon is one of, if not the funniest musical out there. Written by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone alongside Avenue Q composer Robert Lopez the show pulls no punches laced with foul language and taboo subjects it is definitely not one for the kids. Adam Bailey and Sam Glen play Elders Price and Cunningham respectively in this latest production. They are a m...

18Sep

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Heathers The Musical – Storyhouse

Based on the 1988 movie, Heathers the Musical has come exploding in to the Storyhouse, taking us on a journey of high school dramas, with stories of love, popularity, bullying and eventually coming together. Following the diary entries of Veronica Sawyer (Jenna Innes), we are taken through the trials and tribulations of the teens at Westerburg high. Veronica is just trying to get by and ends up forming a boon with the Heathers, the most popular girls at the school and who everyone either looks up to or is afraid of. Along the way we meet meek and mild Martha, Veronica’s best friend since diapers, Kurt and Ram, the high school jocks who think they own the school along with the Heathers. JD, the new dark, mysterious guy who Veronica falls in love with but soon realises that he has many is...

18Sep

By Bev ClarkNo Comments

North West

Peaky Blinders – Liverpool Empire

The Global sensation of Steven Knight’s’ Peaky Blinders took TV audiences by storm and not surprisingly, there would be a stage version to follow but it is very rare for a ballet to be developed from such a show. Rambert Dance rose to the challenge of taking on this iconic drama. Its violent, brutal physicality lending itself to the dance-form incredibly well. Director/ choreographer Benoit Swan Pouffer creates such a powerful, visual feast for our senses, we are mesmerized from the first moment. The eighteen strong ensemble bring alive not only the story but the emotion of Shelby’s redemption to a soundtrack that feels it actually gets inside you. Audiences will be familiar with songs from the TV show like ‘Red Right Hand’ by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds but ...

Lord of the Dance: A Lifetime of Standing Ovations – Blackpool Opera House

18Sep

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Lord of the Dance: A Lifetime of Standing Ovations – Blackpool Opera House

Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance latest touring show ‘A Lifetime of Standing Ovations’ is currently at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens as part of its UK Tour and its a breathtaking celebration of Irish dance, tradition, and high quality entertainment. With an exceptional cast and the spirit of Flatley himself woven into the performance, this show truly lives up to its iconic status. Cassidy Ludwig, who plays the enchanting Little Spirit, delivers a mesmerizing performance. She guides the audience through the story with grace and ethereal beauty, adding a magical touch to the narrative. Conor Rodgers, as the Lord of the Dance, is nothing short of phenomenal. His energy, precision, and charisma captivate from start to finish, making every leap and tap a spectacle in itself. Erin Lear...

The History Boys – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

17Sep

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

The History Boys – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

It’s hard to believe two decades have passed since the late, great Richard Griffiths first made his motorbike gear-clad entrance onto the National Theatre’s Lyttleton stage as beloved, but problematic, schoolmaster Hector. In that time, two casts of Altrincham Garrick Playhouse History Boys have sat the Oxford and Cambridge entrance exam. Now, to mark the play’s 20-year anniversary, a third is having a go. The appeal of Alan Bennett’s classroom classic is as enduring as the man himself. A true national treasure. This solid production is a good example why. In a northern 1980s sixth form, a set of schoolboys are celebrating passing their A Level exams. The eight have returned, at least in the mind of English and General Studies tutor Hector (Ivor Farley), to resume their pursui...

17Sep

By Clare ChandlerNo Comments

North West

8 Hours There and Back – Unity Theatre

It’s always fascinating to revisit a show further along in its journey. Two years after its work-in-progress sharing at the Unity, 8 Hours There and Back returns to kick off a UK tour, playing to a packed house. The production features new faces—Cal Connor, Olivia Lamb, and Rio Star as children navigating a world they don’t belong in, within a system that has forgotten them—along with some new creatives. Choreographer Adele Inglis infuses the movement with a Hip Hop-inspired vibe, but at its core, the show remains a moving and, at times, harrowing portrayal of the realities of life for children with a parent in prison. This is unmistakably an All Things Considered Theatre production, bearing the distinct creative fingerprints of Sarah Hogarth and Emma Bramley. Deft comic moments prevent...

Now That’s What I Call Armageddon – Daneside Theatre

14Sep

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Now That’s What I Call Armageddon – Daneside Theatre

The idea of a ‘Now’ album highlighting the songs you'd want to listen to before the end of the world is certainly an intriguing concept. Although it’s easy to forget what ‘Now’ album we are up to, this performance by Trinity Amateur Operatic Society is clearly informing us that this is the final one! This album is badged as ‘the ultimate play list for the end of the world’ and directed by Simeon Green and Simon Matthews it is undoubtedly an innovative idea. The premise of the show is essentially about the songs that the public would want to hear as the end of the world approaches. The songs are entered into different categories such as ‘Ultimate song for singing in the shower’,’ …for motivation’, and even ‘…for driving with the window down.’ The backdrop to the stage displayed a T...

13Sep

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

Gwyneth Goes Skiing – Hope Mill Theatre

It’s barely been a year since Awkward Productions tickled and perplexed Manchester audiences through Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story, yet this queer little theatre company is back at Hope Mill with another not-entirely-accurate story of a style icon to tell. Adversity strikes for the otherwise carefree actress-turned-entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow (Linus Karp) after a ski crash with optometrist Terry Sanderson (Joseph Martin) leads to a court battle. The real-life incident occurred in 2016 but wasn’t brought to trial until 2023. An understanding of goop-founding Gwyneth’s background helps to appreciate the humour of this part-musical, part-comedy, as references come hurtling down the Deer Valley slopes thick and fast. The script confidently covers it all, from her incalculable f...

The Girl on the Train – The Brindley Theatre

13Sep

By Codie WrightNo Comments

North West

The Girl on the Train – The Brindley Theatre

Wow. As someone who went into this show not having seen the film or read the book (I read a book called A Girl on A Train, which I didn’t realise until weeks later was not the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins that everyone else had read), I had no idea what to expect, and I left the theatre feeling utterly blown away! Directed by Clare Littlemore, the show follows Rachel Watson, a well-meaning woman with an alcohol problem (side note: I felt a little uncomfortable at some of the audience’s reactions to Rachel’s drinking. It’s clear that she has an issue with drinking, but there was a lot of laughing in the audience which felt a bit misplaced. Occasionally it felt as though lines were delivered deliberately to evoke a laugh, but other times it was clear that this was not the time, so t...