North West Archives - Page 96 of 128

27Apr

By Jo TillotsonNo Comments

North West

Bat out of Hell – Regent Theatre

“I would do anything for love…” is probably one of Meat Loaf’s best-known lyrics, and it provides the backbone of this entire production. Bat out of Hell follows the story of Strat, a street kid whose DNA was frozen when he was 18 preventing him from ageing, and Raven, the daughter of the local power-hungry magnate. They meet by chance when Raven sneaks out from her home, desperate to experience life outside her protected bubble. With the help of a stellar soundtrack written by Jim Steinman, we see their relationship grow and then falter, we experience some of the challenges Strat and his friends face on the margin of society and we share in Raven’s frustration with her overprotective father; and then we witness a rousing finale that answers the question of just what people will do for lov...

27Apr

By Ezzy LaBelleNo Comments

North West

Animal Farm – Liverpool Playhouse

In a feat of technical brilliance and creativity, this show makes the impossible possible through exceptional puppetry and characterisation. A contemporary re-imagining of George Orwell’s classic text, this adaptation does not disappoint. Charting the rise of a fictional revolution and its aftermath, the plot of Animal Farm is just as relevant now as it was when first published, if not more so. Adults and children over 11 years are best-placed to engage with this experience. This is not a tale for the feint-hearted. We begin with a bloodied farmer carrying carcasses across the stage, going about his daily business on Manor Farm. It quickly becomes apparent he’s not a pleasant character. The animals are scared when he’s around, treated as work units and considered expendable when they...

27Apr

By Rebecca CaseyNo Comments

North West

Gypsy – Lowther Pavilion

What a lovely evening at the Lowther pavilion, Lytham, my first time at the theatre and a great welcome from The Christie Musical Theatre Company, with Gypsy the Musical. Gypsy is based on a real-life story of world-famous stripper Gypsy Rose Lee and has been made into a movie a couple of times, one of them starring Bette Midler. The story tells of Gypsy or Louise’s life growing up in the shadow of her talented younger sister June and the overbearing pushy stage mother Rose. I am very familiar with the script, musical score and storyline having appeared in this show twice myself, but even with that in mind I was in for a few surprises this evening, this certainly was not a standard by the book performance and the team have a few surprises up their sleeve to take us away from the exp...

27Apr

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

If This Is Normal – 53Two

Being young is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? All you can remember, as you look back at those carefree days and that glorious summer before going to university, is the sunshine and the happy times, yes? Those heady days when everything seemed possible and all you had to do was to go out and enjoy yourself with your mates. Wasn’t it fantastic? Yet was it? Because when you get older you tend to forget all the confusion, the insecurity, the vulnerability and the sheer emotional nightmare we all went through when we were young. It is a very confusing time and If This Is Normal captures all that angst perfectly. Writer Lucy Danser’s play is, like most teenagers, full of verve, energy, sprit, fun and emotion. It follows the friendship of three young people, siblings Madani and Maryam w...

26Apr

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Habibti Driver – Octagon Theatre

What links Laurence of Arabia, Vegan bacon, bingo and burkas? The answers lie within a fantastic new ‘clash of the cultures’ play. Habibti Driver, receiving its world premiere tonight, follows the relationship between Egyptian Muslim cab driver Ashraf, and his ‘Habibti’ half Egyptian, half Wiganese daughter Shazia. The mischief starts when Ashraf (Dana Haqjoo) introduces Shazia (Shamia Chalabi) to his new Egyptian bride, whilst she is attempting to break the news of her own secret engagement. Based on Chalabi's real-life experiences and co-written with Sarah Henley, the play, described as ‘East Meets Wigan’, explores the clashes, compromises and comedy that come with living in a mixed-culture family in today's Britain. Thanks to a superb script that is funny and moving in equal...

23Apr

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Making It – Royal Court Studio

Last night was rather exciting when I took a trip to Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre, as this time I was in their studio, watching their latest production called Making It. Penned by Stephen Fletcher writer of Mam I’m Ere and Catherine Rice a Liverpool based writer and Comedienne with additional material by Andrew Schofield. Known for playing many shows at the Royal Court as well as being the narrator in Blood Brothers back in 1983. The story is about our Bev (Catherine Rice) as she tells us about her acting career. She is currently waiting for her agent to call, to say she has the role in the film but until then she was singing in the local club. Bev opened up about how she had agents who were not quite legitimate. Also, a photographer who took loads of photos of her to be used to said...

White Sun by Will Dickie – Unity Theatre

23Apr

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

White Sun by Will Dickie – Unity Theatre

Will Dickie is bouncing. As people enter the theatre, as they order drinks and greet friends, he mingles amongst them, constantly bouncing. When the show ‘officially’ starts he informs us he has been bouncing for 22 minutes. Dressed in a light shirt and grey trousers, Dickie is a ball of nervous energy. His one-act show, White Sun, is described as “A lo fi solo symphony of words and movement.” Taking us on a tour through his life, Will aims to navigate the tensions of inheritance, privilege and addiction whilst pursuing a life in the creative arts, referencing actors who have come before him and the relationship he has with his father. Dickie’s performance is a bag of contradictions. There is no set, yet there is a sense of immersion. He doesn’t stop moving, yet his frenetic movem...

23Apr

By Jenn McKeanNo Comments

North West

Anything Goes – Liverpool Empire

In olden days, a glimpse of stocking was looked on as something shocking, but now God knows, anything goes. Last years’ Olivier Award nominations were proof that Cole Porter’s 1934 musical hit is a timeless classic and can still please audiences today. This new touring production also shows, that with the right casting, it can raise the roof on large theatre venues. Set on the SS American, as it sets sail from New York to England, the press and passengers on board are complaining that there are no celebrities to make this trip worthwhile and worth the price of the ticket. Unbeknownst to them, there are stowaways and gangsters hiding in plain sight aboard and chaos, of course, ensues. With storylines that follow four main characters, it’s easy to think you’d get confused with the multipl...

The Addams Family – Opera House, Manchester

20Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

The Addams Family – Opera House, Manchester

Dinner is served this week down at the Opera House in Manchester. Hosting are the most ‘normal’ family you’ll ever hope to meet! Matthew White directs with music and lyrics from Andrew Lippa. Wednesday Addams has met the love of her life, Lucas Beineke and following their secret engagement has organised dinner to allow the two families to meet and to pick the perfect moment to reveal their news. During dinner, other secrets are revealed, and the evening does not go exactly as the young lovers planned. Scott Paige returns to the show after a short break to narrate the story as Uncle Fester. Paige owns every scene he appears in with exemplary comic timing and facial expressions. Ryan Bennett as larger than life butler Lurch takes his time on stage before captivating us all at the clima...

Desperate Scousewives 3: Howdy Neighbour – Floral Pavilion

18Apr

By Jenn McKeanNo Comments

North West

Desperate Scousewives 3: Howdy Neighbour – Floral Pavilion

The girls are back with the third instalment of Desperate Scousewives and the laughs are back with them! Trisha’s son, Luke, is turning 16 and Trisha wants the party to be perfect. She has also made it to the finals of the local karaoke contest and her life, as she knows it depends on her winning. Sue and Nessa have been sent for the cake with £280 from Trisha, but they’ve managed to get themselves ‘locked’ in the pub. Lil is not happy and will not go back to bed until she’s found where the girls are. Of course, chaos ensues and we are taken on a hysterical journey over the course of the day. Lynne Fitzgerald has once again written a piece that resonates with Merseyside audiences and has them leaving with a stomach ache from laughing so much. There was a moment where she forgot her o...