North West Archives - Page 53 of 174

24Jul

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

A Chorus Line – The Lowry

In 1975, choreographer Michael Bennett turned taped interviews with Broadway dancers into a pioneering musical by giving a voice to those historically-unsung background performers. Having enjoyed a return to Curve, Leicester, A Chorus Line begins its summer tour at The Lowry. As part of the final audition stage for an upcoming production’s ensemble, seventeen hopefuls pitch themselves- and their talent- to director Zach (Adam Cooper) whose final casting decisions will cut their number down to eight. The pieces runs without an interval to mimic the real-time duration of the audition. Collective ambition is energetically established thorough the opening song I Hope I Get It. Sitting through every auditionee’s introduction (name, age, a bit about themselves) after this may border on ted...

24Jul

By Paddy Darnell-WalshNo Comments

North West

& Juliet – Opera House, Blackpool

Ever wondered what might’ve happened if Juliet hadn’t died? Well, there’s life after Romeo! With a hilarious script from David West Read (Schitt’s Creek), the story offers Juliet a new beginning, and a second chance at love, as it explores what might’ve happened if she hadn’t ended it all over Romeo. Intertwined with pop hits by song-writing juggernaut, Max Martin, & Juliet feels fresh, fearless and an awful lot of fun. The opening number, ‘Larger than Life’, set the tone for the evening. Everything about this show, indeed, felt larger than life! The set design from Soutra Gilmour was epic, using a very clever blend of moving furniture and projections to bring the stage to life. Video designs and animations, from Andrzej Goulding, were similarly superb. Paloma Young’s costume design...

Sunny Girl – New Adelphi Theatre, Salford

24Jul

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

Sunny Girl – New Adelphi Theatre, Salford

Bringing plenty of sunshine and humour, Rain Man’s counterpart, Sunny Girl, is just an autistic girl living in a neurotypical world. Written and performed by Beth Westbrook ‘Sunny Girl’ tells the story of Erin, which is closely based on Westbrook’s own experiences of navigating through the five categories that make up the intensive assessment for Autism. The plays depicts the process in which an individual, with support from their family, needs to recall past feelings, experiences, and behavioural traits in order for a specialist to determine whether they meet the criteria for Autism. Sunny Girl takes a look at each category and the related memories, which are recalled within the safety of Erin’s ‘Mind Palace’, an explosion of colours, textures and objects which are used to help repr...

Madame Chandelier Saves Opera – King’s Arms, Salford

22Jul

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Madame Chandelier Saves Opera – King’s Arms, Salford

As part of Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2024, The Kings Arm in Salford welcomes the flamboyant, some would say ‘Diva’, Madame Chandelier, aka Delea Shand. With her one woman show, it’s safe to say this performance certainly does what it intends – Madame Chandelier, and her bright pink very high wig, single handedly throws her heart and soul into her mission to ‘save Opera’. Shand is a proud Canadian and full of charisma. She has many accolades to her name and previous sell out shows at The Edinburgh Fringe. She was also nominated for best newcomer in the 2019 Manchester Fringe and is clearly master of her craft which was instant as she performed as ‘Madame Chandelier’, immediately captivating the audience. Shand is open with the audience from the beginning in a most comedic wa...

20Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Ghost The Musical – Storyhouse

On what was one of the hottest days of the year so far, the welcoming arms of the Storyhouse’s air conditioning system was very much appreciated as I took my seat to see D&S Productions latest show, Ghost The Musical. Having seen this show many, many times before in a number of guises I was looking forward to seeing how they tackled what is a complicated show to stage. The show centres around banker Sam Wheat (Chris Doyle) and sculptor Molly Jenson (Kate McHenry) who not long after moving into their new loft apartment in New York are torn apart when Sam is murdered in a failed mugging. Sam then becomes stuck between this world and the next and stumbles across phony psychic Oda Mae Brown (Gabrielle Stanfield) who helps him discover best friend Carl Bruner (Jack Parry) is not who he t...

My Chat with Harold Pinter – King’s Arms, Salford

19Jul

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

My Chat with Harold Pinter – King’s Arms, Salford

All playwrights speak to each other in one way or another. Sometimes they will talk to the living but most of the time they talk to the dead. Every writer has stolen from another scribe, especially their heroes, and usually they are six-foot under and not in a position to complain. In this play, playwright Jen communes with Harold Pinter to help her to write her play. She wants him to assist her through her writer’s block so she can complete writing her magnum opus. Thus starts a post-modern foray into writing, feminism and theatre which will also teach you the fielding positions in cricket. People of a certain age will remember a TV show called Call My Bluff and there are lots of words in this play which could have been included in that programme. On that show celebrities had to def...

19Jul

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Hairspray – Palace Theatre

Hairspray at the Palace Theatre in Manchester is an absolute delight and easily one of the best feel-good musical experiences. Watching live from the theatre, I couldn’t help but find myself unconsciously joining in with the choreography, swept up in the infectious energy of the performance. The show brilliantly captures the essence of Hairspray, bringing its vibrant characters and catchy tunes to life. The cast is exceptional, delivering standout performances that are both heartfelt and exhilarating. The exuberance and passion they bring to their roles are palpable, making it impossible not to get caught up in the excitement. A highlight of the show was the spectacular performance of "You Can't Stop the Beat." This number was a true showstopper, filled with energy and joy that had t...

19Jul

By Amelia PhillpottsNo Comments

North West

Nuns of Fury – The Fitzgerald

These nuns are getting into the habit of fighting crime, and my god, is this musical great. Nuns Of Fury follows a trio of crime-fighting nuns, devoted to Christ and justice in equal measures. Joined by their boss Mother Superior, and the comedic Father Q, who supplies both high tech weaponry and repentance, the nuns fight two criminals, attempting to frame them for their past heists. The nuns must also work together to discover who has hired the petty criminals, and why they want to see the order destroyed. The musical is laugh aloud funny showcasing a cast highly skilled in both physical and quick word humour. The numerous puns and allusions to Catholicism within the play, especially when contrasted to the nuns’ secret- agent skills, were consistently met with peals of laughter. For m...

19Jul

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

Some Masterchef Sh*t – 53two

Expect the unexpected in this thoroughly entertaining comedy drama where two unlikely worlds collide as a result of ‘wanting to do something nice for someone’. Taboo is on the table in this down to earth portrayal of when two strangers meet, whilst at the same time, trying not to make things too weird. The debate around the need for content warnings has become a point of contention in the theatre industry, with many viewing pre-performance advisories as a way of removing the element of surprise and the unexpected. Perhaps a conscious decision then by Liam High’s Some Masterchef Sh*t to omit any such content warnings from the programme information. Despite touching on themes worthy of having them, it’s certainly recommended to go into this play without any prior concepts or anticipation,...

Les Misérables: School Edition – The Renaker Theatre, Z Arts

18Jul

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Les Misérables: School Edition – The Renaker Theatre, Z Arts

This is the second staging of Boublil and Schoenberg’s Les Misérables School Edition for the fabulous Manchester Musical Youth theatre company during its ten years of producing award-winning youth theatre. With a cast of sixty-two talented young performers and directed by the phenomenal Dave Holden they have brought this sensational musical score to life at its finest. Les Misérables: School Edition is based on Victor Hugo’s humongous historical novel of 1862 that covers the twists, turns and tales of the French Revolution. Despite its inherent theme of adversity and misfortune along with the weight of the title, Les Misérables it is not all misery and no-joy-show rather it beautifully brings to stage the profound realities of our deep dark history. This well-known epic story follows...