North West Archives - Page 53 of 128

2Jun

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

Crave – 53two, Manchester

Sarah Kane’s poetic masterpiece Crave marked a significant departure for the playwright when it was first performed in 1998. Whereas Kane’s previous work had featured graphic violence and sex, Crave relied on language. A quarter of a century on and it is clear the power of Kane’s words has hardly subdued. Four characters - A, B, C and M - take to the simple but beautifully-lit stage under the atmospheric 53Two arches. A black curtain backdrop and four stylish grey chairs are the only set dressing. This could be a waiting room or a therapy session or both those things or something else entirely or nothing at all. What follows are four haunting monologues or conversations beautifully interwoven together in a way that is almost impenetrable and yet totally understandable on a human leve...

Dirty Dancing – Palace Theatre, Manchester

31May

By Alison BainesNo Comments

North West

Dirty Dancing – Palace Theatre, Manchester

One of the most loved films of the 80’s and even now, Dirty Dancing has charmed viewers for many years - but can the stage show have the same effect? Taking us back to 1963 in the quaint holiday village of Kellerman’s, Francis ‘Baby’ Houseman is on a family vacation when she meets dance instructor Johnny Castle. Baby is thrown into a world she’s been shielded from, as daddy’s little girl sees her life change forever as she becomes Johnny’s leading lady on and off the dancefloor. The pair of Kira Malou as Baby and Michael O’Reilly as Johnny pay the perfect homage to the original couple played so iconically by Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze, whilst still bringing their own flavour and panache to the roles. The audience swoons for O’Reilly, just as much as Baby does throughout as he s...

31May

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Calamity Jane – Blackburn Empire

Ever since the fateful day that ol’ Doris put on her spurs and marched onto the film set, Calamity Jane has been a well-loved fan favourite, both on the screen and on the stage. Celebrating 70 years of the classical movie, Blackburn Musical Theatre Company provided a week of nostalgic Wild West magic at the start of May 2023. Amateur drama can often struggle to find a foothold in the community, with more and more choosing to turn to streaming services, or to travel further afield to see professional shows in Manchester, Liverpool etc. However, with a packed auditorium on a Friday night, I can safely say that the people in Lancashire either love the local theatre or are all massive Doris Day fans! For those who aren't familiar with the film or show (looking at the under 50's here!)...

31May

By Leanne RushtonNo Comments

North West

The King and I – Regent Theatre

The theatre was a buzz with people of all ages coming to see the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic The King and I. The show, which is currently touring the country, tells the story of a widowed woman who is employed by the King of Siam to be the royal school teacher. The show has many varying storylines following the lives of all that surround them including Princess Tuptim who is sent to be a wife to the king. The stage was set with regal jewel tones these colours made the richness of the show really shine. I was in awe of the costumes which portrayed the era beautifully but glistened so elegantly under the stage lighting. Truly a sight to behold. The set was extremely effective throughout. The scene changes were effortless being masked by dance numbers which were a marvel to watch as ...

The Lost Spells – Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

30May

By Karen Morley-ChesworthNo Comments

North West

The Lost Spells – Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

A magical spell has been cast across Theatre by the Lake in Keswick with the opening of the new musical The Lost Spells writes Karen Morley-Chesworth. Adapted from the book by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris this playful, lively production takes the audience on a journey through the wild world, which is endangered as names are lost and animals become extinct. The amazing cast of actor-musicians creates a magical world with a brilliant score of catchy themes that get the toes tapping. Mary Erskin and Will Dollard's music and lyrics capture the spirit of the wildlife and have create a score that takes the audience along a special journey. Schoolgirl Jay is lost in her new school, and when she discovers the book of lost spells falls into the wild wildness that exists within he...

Carrie Hope Fletcher: An Open Book – The Lowry

30May

By Helen JonesNo Comments

North West

Carrie Hope Fletcher: An Open Book – The Lowry

Carrie Hope Fletcher started her career in musical theatre at the grand old age of nine, playing the young Eponine in Les Misérables. Since then she has played a large number of roles in various musicals including the adult Eponine and Fantine and the first UK Veronica in Heathers The Musical. Here in An Open Book she takes a retrospective look at her career and her life through anecdote and song. Taking the order of story and song seemingly from an online source, for each anecdote she ‘reads’ from a different book. Stories of her childhood, adulthood and from various shows are followed by a relevant track. After her opening song Another Chapter, she goes into There Are Worse Things I Could Do from Grease. Her songs range from Les Misérables, He...

The Woman Who Crossed the Road – Toxteth Library

27May

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

The Woman Who Crossed the Road – Toxteth Library

Performed as part of WoWFEST23, The Woman Who Crossed the Road is a piece of contemporary theatre created by Najmeh Shoara and Kevin Dyer about a woman who bears the marks of being displaced but who, because of her courage and intelligence, is kicking back as hard as she can. The performance is based on the true stories of the many women forced to leave places and start over again and whilst pre-dating the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in Iran in September 2022, it was updated to more strongly reflect its Iranian origins and alignment with the current protests there. Narrated by Shoara, courtesy of a Zoom link, the words are transformed through physical performance from Stephanie Greer. Whilst this is Shoara’s story, it is more than that. Her experiences resonate with those protesting ...

Nobody’s Perfect – Little Theatre, Birkenhead

27May

By Bev ClarkNo Comments

North West

Nobody’s Perfect – Little Theatre, Birkenhead

‘Capable cast entertain with a gentle comedy.’ The Woolgathers of Heswall return to the Little Theatre Birkenhead with their second production, after their very successful Agatha Christie’s The Hollow earlier this year. Nobody’s Perfect by Simon Williams is a lesser known romantic comedy, which boarders on farce in places. Williams was a TV actor and voice-over artist but he has some writing credits from the 1990s, which might seem to some a little dated now. It’s a rather cliched but whimsical plot and does offer some funny lines and four characters that give actors some comic opportunities. Being the first night we were treated to an added surprise to open the show – The Bunker Boys Choir formed ten years ago with members of the Heswall Golf Club. The chaps gave us twen...

Present Laughter – Reformed Allerton Dramatic Society

27May

By Kiefer WilliamsNo Comments

North West

Present Laughter – Reformed Allerton Dramatic Society

Written in 1939 Noel Coward’s blisteringly witty comedy of manners centres around Garry Essendine a completely self-absorbed and egotistical light comedy actor as he juggles the affections and attentions of almost everyone that he encounters. Coward jokingly acknowledged that in part Essendine mirrored his own “experiences” in the world of theatre and indeed his wider relationships. It’s clear that Essendine has never really grown up and feels entitled when it comes to matters of the heart. It’s a jolly and harmless romp, not one of Coward’s best – that accolade must go jointly to Private Lives and Blithe Spirit, but Cowards playful script does have its moments and the RADS rise to the occasion with a fairly solid rendition of the text. Director Bethany Cragg get...

24May

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

Come Laugh With Us – 53two

The audience tonight were treated to six eclectic short plays as part of an evening advertised as “a brand-new comedy night, written by women, for women” but ultimately all the plays touched on universal themes that transcend gender. All the plays were entertaining, some were educational, and introduced female issues that some, including me, were shamefully unaware. It was Päi Productions, a female-led Northern production company, first theatre production and it was a triumph. Comedian Soph Galustian got the audience warmed up with some good jokes and as a fellow Stopfordian (i.e. someone from Stockport) I definitely recognised her comments about the town. The first play Oh God by Chloe Mclaughlin, was a monologue told with entertaining verve by Kelsea Knox. There was a touch of F...