North West Archives - Page 88 of 187

16Dec

By Hannah WildeNo Comments

North West

Cinderella – Contact Theatre

Panto season is well and truly upon us, with this unique retelling of Cinderella just one of many pantomime offerings to get Manchester audiences feeling festive this year. Featuring a treasure trove of talented performers, this version of Cinderella is the story we all know and love - disenfranchised girl bullied by her relentless stepsisters, until she meets her Prince Charming at the ball - but with some comedic twists, in true pantomime style. Director Sean Canning said he hopes the audience “will cheer, boo and clap along” - and that, they did. The show had everything you could want from a classic pantomime: drag queens, tongue-in-cheek humour, theatrical villains and fabulous song and dance numbers. Photo: Shay Rowan The script was a little lost in parts, and some of the ...

14Dec

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Lost and Found – Factory International

Nestled in the heart of the city, a brand new arts venue stands proud as a testament to Manchester’s rich cultural legacy; Factory International is the new kid on the block, a cutting-edge venue that is establishing itself as a hub for artistic expression and entertainment. With a wide variety of productions and shows booked, staging everything from live rock concerts to immersive family productions, it’s a venue for everyone! I’m here for the latter, seeing the beautifully whimsical ‘Lost and Found’ - an adaptation of Oliver Jeffers' tale, which is an absolute triumph in immersive storytelling and tells such a heartwarming tale which introduces little ones to live theatre in just the right way, under the skilful direction of Will Brenton, a loveable cast and very clever traditional tri...

Jack and the Beanstalk – Floral Pavilion

14Dec

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Jack and the Beanstalk – Floral Pavilion

Floral Pavilion and Martin Dodd for UK Productions bring Jack and The Beanstalk to the Floral Pavilion for the festive period. A well-known panto that has been told in many ways and this is no different. We follow the Trott family who are poor and are trying to find the money to survive and pay the £1000 the King (Tom Sterling) tells them they need to pay. So, they must sell their beloved Sandra Bullock, The Cow (Amy Walker) at market. Along the way we are introduced to many characters, such as Flesh Creep (Joseph Elliot), The Vegetable Fairy (Hayley Tamaddon) and Princess Jill (Rachel Grundy). The Trott family are made up of Dame Trott played by Oliver Brooks, Simple Simon played by Sean Jones and the title character, Jack, played by the wonderful Joe Sleight. The set for Jack an...

14Dec

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

Little Women – HOME, Manchester

Christmas is not an easy time for theatre programmers. The demand is there, from young and old, but so is the competition. Eschewing the traditional panto, the full-scale musical and the seasonal farce, HOME has instead opted to revive Anne-Marie Casey’s adaptation of the classic novel Little Women. It is a very smart decision. First performed last summer, this production is like a stage version of the very best Sunday afternoon TV drama. It is totally and utterly charming from the very first second. Louisa May Alcott’s semi-autobiographical novel has truly stood the test of time and been adapted countless times and ways since the 1860s. This version is a relatively faithful, if stripped back, affair which smartly refreshes the storytelling. At the height of the American Civil ...

9Dec

By Codie WrightNo Comments

North West

We’re going on a Bear Hunt – The Lowry

There are very few books as iconic as Michael Rosen’s classic tale of a family going on an ill-advised bear hunt in a questionable climate and so both myself and my toddler were excited to see it translated onto stage. We follow Tim Hibbered, as the lovable Dad, as he takes his creatively named children, Neha Eapen as Girl, and Benedict Hastings as Boy, on an adventure through a variety of terrains to find a bear hunt. Hibbered, Eapen and Hastings brought an energy to the stage that managed to be engaging to the children without being annoying to the adults - not an easy feat! The baby (aptly named Baby) was played (if that’s the right term) by an adorable puppet, and there were some really lovely moments with them. However, after a cute lullaby, the baby was put inside a cardboard b...

9Dec

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Little Red – Theatre Porto

Kevin Dyer’s delightful re-imagining of this tale as old as time is wonderfully brought to life under the direction of Nina Hajiyianni with memorable musical composition by Patrick Dineen to keep us on the right path as Little Red (Fatima Jahara) heads into the forest with the blessing of her mother (Anoush Kendrick) to visit her sickly Grandma (Francesca Anderson), but on the way she encounters a rather hungry Wolfie (Stephanie Greer) who has other plans for her. There is a surreal quality to this re-telling and the all-female cast deliver inspired performances with Anderson, Greer, and Kendrick also taking on ensemble roles as the journey unravels with lots of humour and the right amount of scare, wrapped up in song and some outstanding choreography. Anderson’s Grandma is instantly re...

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World – The Lowry

8Dec

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World – The Lowry

"Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World," playing at The Lowry, is a musical celebration of history's most influential women, set against an impressive and dynamic backdrop that blends traditional and modern theatrical elements. A standout aspect of the show is the music, which involves the talent of Miranda Cooper, known for penning hits for girl groups like Girls Aloud and Sugababes. Her influence is evident in the catchy, sassy songs that form the backbone of the musical. These numbers, characterised by a strong group dynamic, are one of the production's most significant strengths. The choruses, where the cast sings together, are particularly impactful, showcasing a harmonious and energetic unity that outshines the individual performances. Elena Breschi's roles as Marie C...

The Woman in Black – Liverpool Playhouse

8Dec

By Jenn McKeanNo Comments

North West

The Woman in Black – Liverpool Playhouse

I never thought I would laugh so much at a ghost story. I am definitely a fully-fledged all-singing, all-dancing and everyone lives happily ever after type of person when it comes to theatre, fear and but there is something about The Woman in Black that has always intrigued me. I never got to see the run at the Fortune Theatre in London, so jumped at the chance to experience the story on my doorstep. The book was written by Susan Hill in 1983, and whilst it is set in the 1950s (and 1920s) it does feel like a timeless piece. It could be set any time if the dates weren’t mentioned. However, there is definitely something about a Victorian ghost, that gives it authenticity and makes it spookier. With two actors in the cast, they needed to be at the top of their game, as neither spent...

8Dec

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

Aladdin – Theatre Royal, St Helens

Brilliantly Bonkers! This bumper packed panto doesn’t do things by halves with plenty of sparkles and pizzazz, in a value for money production for all the family. The Theatre Royal knows a thing or two about putting on a decent pantomime with a large part of its annual schedule dedicated to its craft. This current offering from writer Liam Mellor serves up the traditional tale of Aladdin (portrayed by the likeable Alex Aram) topped with plenty of topical laughs with injections of silly slapstick and some leftfield gags which keeps the audience on their toes. Director Chantelle Nolan, and Assistant Director Kay Nicolson, have created a festive multimedia feast bringing together various artistic elements into a solid staple of traditional panto chaos to see us through the season. &...

Jack And The Beanstalk – Opera House, Manchester

8Dec

By Hannah WildeNo Comments

North West

Jack And The Beanstalk – Opera House, Manchester

Christmas is never complete without a token pantomime performance - and what better show to see to get you feeling Christmassy than Guy Unsworth’s dynamic and innovative reworking of Jack and the Beanstalk. Touted as “the second biggest show in Manchester”, this panto really did have it all - a star-studded cast, sensational sets, brilliant costumes, fabulous song and dance sequences, a script jam-packed full of witty repartee (and even a flying car, wholly reminiscent of theatre favourite Chitty Chitty Bang Bang). What really brought this show to life was its exuberant characters - headlined by comedian Jason Manford, he was of course the titular character of Jack Trot, who not only had the lion’s share of the jokes but had some great musical numbers too. That said, every panto (...