North West Archives - Page 86 of 174

20Sep

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

North West

Annie – Manchester Opera House

The story of orphan Annie originates from a 1924 comic strip called Little Orphan Annie by Harold Gray, lyricist Martin Charnin approached author Thomas Meehan to write the book of a musical, a wise choice considering his many successes since, with awards for co-writing The Producers, Hairspray, also writing the books for the musicals, Elf, and Young Frankenstein amongst others. Meehan created Annie, using some of the characters from the comic strip, but added to them, using Charles Dickens’ orphan characters as inspiration, which worked well with the musical being set at the time of the Great Depression of 1929. Lyricist Charnin, would then work with composer Charles Strouse, using Meehan’s book as the framework for Annie. We join Annie (Sharangi Gnanavarathan) and her frie...

20Sep

By Bev ClarkNo Comments

North West

I, Daniel Blake – Liverpool Playhouse

In 2016 Ken Loach’s groundbreaking film rocked the heart of the establishment, forcing politicians to speak of the issues it raised in parliament and for one to remark it was ‘a work of fiction’. Daniel Blake may have been a fictional character, but the powerful story was anything but fiction. People were trapped in the universal credit system and the poorest in our society were the ones who were forgotten and ignored. The actor who played Daniel, Dave Johns, has now adapted the screenplay for the stage and tiny dragon productions are touring it to appreciative audiences around the country. This play is still relevant and whilst the cost-of-living crisis hits once again the poorest in our society, the message that Daniel Blake is a human being who deserves respect reso...

20Sep

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

The Mousetrap – Buxton Opera House

The Mousetrap directed by the talented duo of Ian Talbot and Denise Silvey, is an absolute delight for any ‘whodunit’ fan! The production currently touring the UK boasts an outstanding cast, with Rachel Dawson as Mollie Ralston, Michael Lyle as Giles Ralston, Todd Carty as Major Metcalf, Shaun McCourt as Christopher Wren, Catherine Shipton as Mrs Boyle, Leigh Lothian as Miss Casewell, Steven Elliott as Mr Paravicini and Garyn Williams as Detective Trotter. Together, they bring Agatha Christie's iconic murder mystery to life in a way that captivates and entertains from start to finish. First and foremost, it’s currently at Buxton Opera House until Saturday 23rd September and the theatre serves as the perfect venue for this classic ‘whodunit’. Celebrating its 120th anniversary this yea...

Every Brilliant Thing – Theatre by the Lake

20Sep

By Karen Morley-ChesworthNo Comments

North West

Every Brilliant Thing – Theatre by the Lake

Ours is an open society, where we can talk about everything - well almost everything. The final taboos are around death, dying and suicide writes Karen Morley-Chesworth. However, Theatre by the Lake's current production Every Brilliant Thing shines a light brightly on these topics in a way that feels safe, welcoming and supported. From the moment you approach the theatre, things look different - with each brilliant thing people have been invited to share emblazoned across walls, pillars, windows... each with its own unique number. There are warm orange and white fairy lights, a welcome mat and plenty of additional information around the bars and entrance about mental health support and suicide prevention. This one-act one-man play tells the story from a son's perspective of ...

The Shawshank Redemption – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

16Sep

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

The Shawshank Redemption – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Upon entering the Altrincham Garrick, I was immediately drawn into the chilling confines of the Shawshank Prison. The stage, impressively transformed for an amateur theatre, mirrors the grim atmosphere of a bleak, metallic prison block, further intensified by dim lighting. This ambiance, paired with the methodical procession of prisoners, sets an undeniable authentic tone. I definitely wouldn’t want to be there, and Director; Joseph Meighan has done an excellent job is creating this dirty world, where new inmates dare not step a foot out of line for fear of receiving brutal consequences. This rendition of "The Shawshank Redemption" offers a fresh perspective on Stephen King's iconic narrative, a tale that resonates with themes of resilience and hope in the face of adversity. A lengthy s...

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists – Shakespeare North Playhouse

15Sep

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists – Shakespeare North Playhouse

Nearly 40 years ago, a skinny and slightly geeky young lad nervously walked into a college classroom to begin his studies for an A level in Politics, noticing that the student was sporting a Billy Bragg T-shirt, the lecturer picked a dog-eared copy of 'The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists' by Robert Tressell from the bookshelf and handed it over, urging him to read it. As I write this review, I still have that copy next to me (sorry Mr Beech!), that single act of kindness sparked a lifetime of love for this wonderful novel. In 2011 Actor/Writer/Musician Neil Gore celebrated the centenary of its writing (although it wasn't actually published fully until as late as 1956), by turning the novel into a two-handed show. This gradually morphed it into a one-man version which he has subsequently p...

15Sep

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Census – Contact Theatre

Census, set in North Manchester, is a commendable theatrical endeavour that aims to break stereotypes, shining a light on a community's spirit through personal interviews and historical narratives. Located in a rapidly evolving working-class area of Manchester, this unique project is both ambitious and captivating. The evening is orchestrated by Malandra Jacks, with Chloe and Josh from Moston taking the lead. The show kicks off with a bus journey from Manchester City Centre to Moston. As they pass Harpurhey market, it's evident that the place is brimming with characters, and there's a distinct emphasis that there's only one way to pronounce "Harpurhey". This bus journey segment, while filled with humour, felt like a play for laughs. With a local audience that seemed to relate to every j...

A View From The Bridge – Octagon Theatre

14Sep

By Louise KershawNo Comments

North West

A View From The Bridge – Octagon Theatre

It isn’t often that one goes to see a production and as the final ‘curtain’ falls the audience appear to be engaged in a collective holding of breath, momentarily stunned to silence. This was the case tonight as the Octagon Theatre Bolton launched its Autumn/Winter season with the Arthur Miller masterpiece ‘A View From the Bridge’. Set in the Italian - American neighborhood of Red Hook in Brooklyn, New York in the 1950s, this tragic play tells the story of Eddie Carbone, an ordinary working man who develops an improper and obsessional love for Catherine, his wife Beatrice’s orphaned niece, and to whom he has been a father figure since her childhood. This obsession is put under unbearable strain when Beatrice’s cousins, Marco and Rodolpho illegally enter the country from their work starv...

Great Expectations – Royal Exchange Theatre

14Sep

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Great Expectations – Royal Exchange Theatre

With three competing press nights in Manchester theatreland this evening, I chose the opportunity to visit the venerable old Royal Exchange building in St Anne's Square to review their opening offering for the Autumn/Winter season, an adaptation of Charles Dickens 'Great Expectations' which like the character of Estella had great beauty but lacks a little heart. This is one of Dickens most oft adapted novels, only 'A Christmas Carol' and 'Oliver Twist' beat it for popularity and already in 2023 we have had two versions of Dickens tale of class mobility and class intransigence served up, Steven Knight gave us his spiky television adaptation earlier this year and Eddie Izzard's extraordinary one woman show was a huge success in London over the Spring, This ubiquity means that writers are ...

14Sep

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Jesus Christ Superstar – Palace Theatre

It’s a musical institution, and it’s been given a brand new lease of life..Jesus Christ Superstar at Manchester's Palace Theatre as part of this UK Tour, starring the incredible Ian McIntosh as Jesus, is unquestionably the most creative rendition of this iconic musical that I have ever had the privilege of witnessing. From the moment the logo emblazed curtain rose, we were presented with a cast of awe-inspiring talent and jaw-dropping theatricality.Directed by Timothy Sheader; this reimagined Rock Opera composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice delivers a totally different experience than I was expecting; it’s modern and refreshed, it feels like I’m watching the musical for the very first time again.Ian McIntosh's portrayal of Jesus was nothing short of divine. His powerful voice and ca...