North West Archives - Page 80 of 128

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare North Playhouse

28Sep

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare North Playhouse

One of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies was chosen to formally launch the main theatre at Shakespeare North Playhouse although more tragically it was to crash into more than one self-inflicted iceberg on the night. As we meet the Duke (David Nellist), and his newly conquered betrothed, Hippolyta (Yazmin Kayani), Egeus (Tia-Bella Easton) interrupts proceedings to complain about her daughter, Hermia (Rebecca Hesketh Smith), who loves Lysander (William Grint) despite her father’s preferred match of Demetrius (Tyler Dobbs), who in turn is unwelcomingly pursued by Helena (Kate James). Hermia’s choice is clear: follow your father’s wishes or face either death or life as a nun. She steals away with Lysander in the night through the forest, rapidly pursued by Demetrius and Helena. Also pr...

Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical – The Lowry

28Sep

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical – The Lowry

It’s moving, touching and filled with stirring harmonious songs; Fisherman Friends - The Musical is not your usual ‘film to stage’ production! Directed by James Grieve; the Fisherman Friends Musical follows the same plot as the popular 2019 movie - a true story about a group of Cornish fishermen who are discovered by Danny (played by Jason Langley) a former A & R man for Island records which leads to the group recording a demo and eventually onto performing on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. This musical tugs at your heartstrings far greater than the movie and there are moments when emotions run high and moments when it becomes quite reflective and somber. It runs at quite a fast pace and although it’s 140 minutes in length; it keeps your attention throughout and the appearance...

The Day After The Fair – Cheadle Players

27Sep

By Jo TillotsonNo Comments

North West

The Day After The Fair – Cheadle Players

Community theatre can sometimes be a mixed bag, and then you find a company that you know you can trust to produce work of real quality. The Cheadle Players Dramatic Society is one such company. They have an exceptional work ethic, a great backstage team and a true love of theatre. This opening offering in their 2022/23 season is a play adapted from a novel by Thomas Hardy. Written by Frank Harvey, The Day After the Fair is a romantic drama set in the 1890s. Rising to the challenge of the language, movement and culture of that time period is a principal cast of six; one of whom – Rob Derry – only stepped in at the last minute to play Charles Bradford after the original company member sadly contracted Covid. With only four days rehearsal, he was off-book and on stage. Well done, Rob! ...

27Sep

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

Boyzlife – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

What a pleasure it is to step inside the beautiful philharmonic hall, Liverpool, steeped in history and class, this venue is totally unique and provides great variety when it comes to music and performances. This was exactly the case tonight when the striking stage which usually hosts the philharmonic orchestra was swapped for a huge pop throwback known as ‘Boyzlife’. ‘Boyzlife’ is made up of some familiar faces, Keith Duffy who rose to fame in Boyzone and Westlife’s original Brian McFadden. These two singers have joined forces in the last number of years to create their own music and of course, to relive the classics. Noting that they have 21 number one hits between them, this duo is no stranger to the stage and the world of pop music. Tonight marks the start of their ‘Old School Tour’...

Romeo and Juliet – Shakespeare North Playhouse

26Sep

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

Romeo and Juliet – Shakespeare North Playhouse

This was my second visit in a week to this newly built theatre in the heart of Prescot near Liverpool - so strong was the lure of having a theatre showing Shakespeare’s works in the Northwest of England. Having this auspicious opportunity to visit such a unique and inspiring building and to have these amazing plays on offer, at only a 20- minute drive away, was for me, as a theatre lover - a dream come true. The building of the Shakespeare North Playhouse was two major projects – firstly to build a theatre on the original site, where Richard Harrington constructed a theatre (1597-1603) to show the bards plays and secondly to build an outdoor arena in memory of Liverpool’s iconic comic genius Ken Dodd. Ken Dodd’s Memorial Gardens is set out with traditional stone steps that a...

The Book Thief – Octagon Theatre, Bolton

23Sep

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

The Book Thief – Octagon Theatre, Bolton

As a reviewer, it is rare to see a new play or musical that you instantly know will be a smash hit. It is rarer still when that show has heart, humour and a positive message from a troubled part of history for our uncertain present. It is unknown when wrapped up as a musical bathed in warmth and optimism with stunning production values. However, tonight, I was fortunate enough to witness such an event with the opening of 'The Book Thief' at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton, undoubtedly the highlight of my theatrical year. Based on the eponymous novel by Markus Zusak, a worldwide phenomenon upon publication in 2005, we are introduced to Liesel Meminger (Niamh Palmer alternating with Bea Glancy), a nine-year-old girl in 1930's Germany. She is put into foster care by her mother following her ...

The Producers – Theatre Royal, St Helens

23Sep

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

The Producers – Theatre Royal, St Helens

Mel Brooks’ 2001 musical is everything you could hope for and more with political incorrectness littered throughout – taking it to the stage is another challenge and in spite of a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Pilkington Musical Theatre Company’s production under the direction of James Kirby was a masterclass in song, dance, and comic timing. An out of luck Broadway producer Max Bialystock (Andrew Marsh) and his accountant Leo Bloom (Adam Hurst) stumble upon Franz Leibkind’s (Ben Greenall) ‘Springtime for Hitler’ and realise that producing the worst musical ever will make their fortune, but just to be sure they select the campest directing team possible led by the magnificent Roger Debris (Seb Farrell) and assistant Carmen (Andrew Rauer). Throw in Swedish seductress Ulla (Sarah J...

22Sep

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Big Fish – Memorial Court, Northwich

The job of reviewing theatre takes you to some interesting places, last night I was in the cavernous Lowry in Salford Quays with a 1,700 audience, this evening finds me in the more prosaic surroundings of a leisure centre in deepest Cheshire for the opening night of 'Big Fish'. However, amongst the teenage judo classes and aqua aerobics, Mid Cheshire Musical Theatre Company (MCMTC) have mounted an ambitious and ultimately successful production of this little performed gem. Edward Bloom (Joe Clarke) loves to tell tall tales to his son Will (Scott Heath); fantastical adventures where he met giants, kissed mermaids and was the hero who always got the girl. With his impending marriage to Josephine (Jennifer Haney) and the health of his father failing rapidly, Will starts to search for the t...

Girl from the North Country – The Lowry, Salford

21Sep

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Girl from the North Country – The Lowry, Salford

The term 'jukebox' musical conjures up images of women of a certain age cavorting to Abba tracks in the Greek sunshine or the high pitched falsetto of Franki Valli in 1960's America. However, despite emanating from this rather dispiriting genre, 'Girl from the North Country' is a very different beast from 'Mamma Mia' and 'Jersey Boys', proving that this type of musical can have literary and artistic merit as well as providing first class entertainment. The first surprise is that it is based around the music and lyrics of Mr Robert Zimmerman, a.k.a Bob Dylan, the poster boy of the 1960's counter culture being the last person you would expect to see lending his name to such an ostensibly commercial enterprise. Curiosity is piqued even more when Conor McPherson is added to the mix as write...

The Habit of Art – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

21Sep

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

The Habit of Art – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse welcomes ‘The Habit of Art’, a play by Alan Bennett who certainly needs no further introduction. With many accolades to his name including the fabulous ‘History Boys’ and ‘The Lady in The Van’, this particular play that premiered in 2009 and is perhaps lesser known than others was a brave undertaking. Directed by John Cunningham and stage managed by Mark McEwan, Vi Pope and Karen Foster it is clear that The Altrincham Garrick are well equipped to take on this multi-layered play. It is essentially a story about a fictional meeting between Benjamin Britten and W.H. Auden. The meeting takes place twenty five years after they had disagreed and damaged their friendship, seemingly irrevocably. It centres on the characters Fitz (Bill Platt), Henry (Jonathon Bla...