North West Archives - Page 88 of 179

17Oct

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

42nd Street – Opera House, Manchester

Timeless, famed, genre-defining: all befitting words to describe this classic backstage musical considering its screen debut ninety years ago, later followed by an 80s stage adaptation. Arriving in New York City, wide-eyed, budding performer Peggy (Nicole-Lily Baisden) has her heart set on stage stardom- and the right set of circumstances soon land her a spot in a new musical’s chorus line. As opening night approaches, an accident involving the leading lady then gives Peggy the unexpected chance to make it big. A paper-thin storyline matters little when outstanding tap numbers are in such plentiful supply. Exuberant and unremitting, the ensemble commands attention with their well-honed coordination. Dance sequences in We’re in the Money as well as the titular song make them unforgett...

Plays in the Key of Life – Hope Street Theatre

14Oct

By Donna M DayNo Comments

North West

Plays in the Key of Life – Hope Street Theatre

Plays in the Key of Life is an anthology of four short plays, presented by Writers Inc. Productions, a Liverpool based company founded by the four playwrights whose work is being presented. Each play has a different theme, but they are all united by explorations of loss, particularly loss caused by abandonment. The first piece is The Tramp and The Lady, written by Bob Towers and directed by Brian McCann. The play is presented with a simple set of two fold up chairs, representing the outside of a train station, and Mike Sanders, playing a homeless man, does a good job of creating a sense of a cold wet day. The atmosphere becomes even more unpleasant with the entrance of Abi Tyrer, the ironically named “lady” of the title, who is judgmental, rude and very nasty to both her partner, whom s...

The Rainbow Monologues, LIVE! – Arts Bar Studio 3, Liverpool

14Oct

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

The Rainbow Monologues, LIVE! – Arts Bar Studio 3, Liverpool

A colourful collection of eight monologues which delve into the lives of people from all walks of life with a LGBTQ+ perspective. Liverpool’s longest running LGBTQ+ fringe company, Grin Theatre, return for one night only with their award-winning LGBTQ+ monologues as part of the Liverpool Fringe Festival. The Arts Bar Studio is the perfect setting for these new offerings from writer Wes Williams. Produced by Francis Brack, we’re treated to a nice range of performances, and under Nathan Dunn’s direction, the variance in pace between the styles of presentation and themes within the monologues, or rather snapshots, avoids the potential monotony that can sometimes be found from a series of monologues. The actors are sat positioned across the back of the stage, focused througho...

12Oct

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

The Incident Room – Royal Court Studio

A dynamic and engaging fresh insight behind the scenes at the Millgarth incident room during Britain’s largest and most expensive manhunt. A catalogue of failures, did nothing but promote the macabre mystic of its elusive killer, the Yorkshire Ripper. Sadly, its lasting legacy is the many women it let down. Old Fruit Jar Productions return with The Incident Room following its sell out run at The Black – E. Written by Olivia Hirst and David Byrne, it depicts the gripping search for the notorious serial killer, Peter Sutcliffe, commonly known as the Yorkshire Ripper. The play is set between 1975 and 1980, when Sutcliffe murdered 13 women and is known to have attacked another 8. The multiple failures and missed opportunities to catch Sutcliffe by West Yorkshire Police is well documented. ...

High Times and Dirty Monsters – Liverpool Everyman

12Oct

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

High Times and Dirty Monsters – Liverpool Everyman

A colourful, vibrant celebration of how it feels to be young and different in today’s society. Keith Saha has developed a production that is going to start important conversations and that is testament to the honesty of the stories and the real issues that they explore. Structured as a collection of four short stories following four young British people that have to deal with issues not limited to homelessness, ableism and financial difficulties, the play presents an earthy realism, and the representation is broad and necessary. As a whole, the piece is a sensory delight. Visually and audibly the three companies that created this show, 20 Stories High in a co-production with Graeae, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and LEEDS 2023 have produced a space that is inclusive and wholesom...

The Drifters Girl – Opera House, Manchester

12Oct

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

The Drifters Girl – Opera House, Manchester

The Drifters Girl musical is currently touring the UK after its original West End run and it's arrived at Manchester Opera House and what a show it is! It is an absolute showstopper, with the talented Loren Anderson taking centre stage as Faye Treadwell, the determined and resilient manager of the iconic music group, The Drifters. This production is a delightful journey through the tumultuous history of one of the most beloved bands in the world, and it’s brought to life by an outstanding cast. Loren Anderson’s portrayal of Faye Treadwell is nothing short of remarkable. She embodies the strength and grace of a woman who fought against all odds to protect and nurture the career of The Drifters. Anderson’s powerful vocals and heartfelt performance carry the emotional weight of the stor...

Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! – HOME Manchester

12Oct

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! – HOME Manchester

Debuting at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe, this East Yorkshire-based murder mystery (a Hull-dunnit if you will) has been expanded ahead of a second run. It’s knives out in a new, Northern musical that promises slaughter and laughter - at its final destination of Manchester. Childhood besties and idlers Kathy (Bronté Barbé) and Stella (Rebekah Hinds) share a joint passion for grisly true crime through a podcast that’s about as popular as they are. However, when their favourite author is brutally murdered, the chance to take on a case of their own- and turn ‘Kathy and Stella’s Murder Podcast’ into a sensation- proves too thrilling to pass up. Kathy and Stella gets off to a flying start, with Jon Brittain’s sweary script evoking lots of belly laughter from the audience. We’re introduced to ...

TONY! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] – Liverpool Playhouse

12Oct

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

TONY! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] – Liverpool Playhouse

As calls for another general election loom and the Labour Party conference ongoing only a few miles away, this show couldn’t have come at a better time. A quirky, fresh and gutsy performance that can be followed by all, it is the story of how the pop Prime Minister rose and fall. Harry Hill and Steve Brown have concocted a truly original piece, one that spans decades and international conflict, but has been overseen by the keen eye of Peter Rowe so that the farcical can shine and the ‘piss-take’ attitude can successfully overshadow the turbulent geo-political events at the mercy of New Labour at the beginning of the millennium. Stand out aspects of the performance included the live music. Mr Brown’s lyrics and score are equally funny and intelligent. From a singing princess Di to a d...

11Oct

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

The Addams Family – Pendle Hippodrome

One of my absolute favourite theatre group’s Basics Junior Theatre School presents its 2023 annual production at the delightful Pendle Hippodrome! There is definitely nothing ‘Basic’ about this magnificent delivery of ‘The Addams Family’ with its £35,000 budget for its 35th year history of productions. The staging was tremendous with its grand staircase, living quarters, torture chamber and an impressive monumental spooky 14ft tree which provided the perfect space for the characters to sparkle like the shining stars they all are. One of the most striking elements of this incredible theatre school is that it is very much a family affair, from the chaperones, the dress maker Sally who alongside her late husband Dennis founded Basics, the resident musical director Andrew Mitchell who ha...

10Oct

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Baba Yaga – Theatre Porto

The tales of the Baba Yaga, best known in Slavic folk and fairy tale traditions, are full of rich story material, and Laura Lindow’s new play for Theatre Hullabaloo and Theatre Porto reimagines the best elements of these to present a dark, fairytale world where the children’s bravery and ingenuity ultimately triumphs. The journey of two children, Girl (Fran Burgoyne) and Boy (Ben Galpin), and their search for safety, resonates strongly with current times as they encounter a town which refuses to let them in, knowing that as a result they are almost certainly sending them into terrible danger. However, whilst there is a moral message at the heart of this piece, directed by Nina Hajiyianni and produced by Miranda Thain, about our collective responsibility to look after the most vuln...