REVIEWS Archives - Page 105 of 409

10Dec

By Priya GuptaNo Comments

West Midlands

Peter Pan the Musical – The Old Rep

Go on and join The Old Rep Theatre for something magical this Christmas as Peter Pan The Musical flies into Birmingham. Based on the infamous novel by J.M. Barrie, with book, music, and lyrics by Piers Chater Robinson. This production is produced by the BOA group. Alec Fellows-Bennett returns to head up the creative team as Director, with CiCi Howells as Choreographer, Stephen Watkins as Musical Director, Daniel O’Neill as Set Designer and Leanne Fitchett as Costume Designer. Alongside them is Will Monks as Lighting and Projection Designer and Clive Meldrum as Sound Designer. The story follows a free-spirited, mischievous young boy who can fly and never grows up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood having endless adventures in Neverland as the leader of the Lost Boys, interac...

Florencia en el Amazonas – Met Opera Live in HD

10Dec

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

REVIEWS

Florencia en el Amazonas – Met Opera Live in HD

With Marcela Fuentes-Berain’s libretto inspired by the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez, Mexican composer Daniel Catán’s 1996 opera is an enchanting story about love with Mary Zimmerman’s new production establishing the story through a series of vignettes where we meet some of the passengers embarking on a trip to Manaus along the Amazon River, all with the goal of seeing the famed diva Florencia Grimaldi (Ailyn Pérez) perform at the legendary opera house. Unbeknown to them, she is actually travelling incognito among them on her own personal quest into the past to seek out her lover, Cristóbal, a butterfly catcher, who has gone missing in the jungle. Love as the recurring central theme is explored further through the other passengers: Paula (Nancy Fabiola Herrera) and Alvaro (M...

Turn & Face the Strange – Hull New Theatre

9Dec

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Turn & Face the Strange – Hull New Theatre

Having seen Turn & Face the Strange a while ago, in a smaller theatre, I was keen to see how the show would play out on the larger Hull New Theatre stage. I wasn’t the only keen theatregoer on Friday evening - the place was jam-packed. The stage setting was how I remembered it - huge images of rock legend and David Bowie sideman, Mick Ronson, with a giant video screen in the centre. Turn & Face the Strange tells the story of Ronson’s early life, through to his premature death in 1993 at the age of 46 Ronson was born in Hull and, despite his global fame working with the likes of Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Van Morrison, John Mellencamp, and Morrissey to name just a few - had “Hull-ness” running through him like a stick of Bridlington rock. But most will always associate him ...

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...

9Dec

By Maani WayNo Comments

London

Peter Pan – Rose Theatre

Second star to the right, and straight on till morning. The classic tale, and a firm family favourite, is brought to life once again this Christmas in a new production at the Rose Theatre in Kingston. Following the mischievous boy Peter Pan who refuses to grow up, and happens to fly, the story begins when Peter crash lands into the bedroom of a strong-minded young girl and her brothers, who desperately seek adventure. With the help of a little fairy dust, and countless happy thoughts, they are whisked away into the land of never growing up, Neverland, where they encounter pirates, mermaids and much more. Bursting with magic from the get-go with the enchanting music and lighting, we are introduced to the story in the classic way in the Darling’s room, narrated by a Gran telling the st...

The Snow Queen – Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh

8Dec

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

The Snow Queen – Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh

The Royal Lyceum’s Christmas show is always something to be anticipated and relished. Navigating a careful course away from the ubiquitous seasonal ‘panto’, it aims for the high road, a more refined magical, mirth-filled, musical path, under the helm of Artistic director David Greig’s discerning eye. After the rather wonderful, An Edinburgh Christmas Carol, last year, which I loved, I was lucky enough to obtain a ticket for this year’s The Snow Queen, albeit a couple of weeks after the official press night. The opening scene, with a magical set and some nicely shadowy projections introduces, Hans Christian Anderson’s famous tale in a darkly Scottish setting, Edinburgh to be exact, complete with icy Edinburgh castle. So far so good. Two orphan children, Gerda, played by the rather won...

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...

Mark Thomas In England & Son – Traverse Theatre

8Dec

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

Mark Thomas In England & Son – Traverse Theatre

Raw, brutal, honest, comic. Of the latter Mark Thomas is a master but so equally effective is he at the first three elements that the grim message of violence and trauma begetting more of the same, generation to generation, is diluted not one jot. This is heavy, intense, choreographed by Movement Director Simon Jones, its rhythm well-punctuated by sound designer MJ McCarthy and Lighting Designer Richard Williamson. Proceedings commence with an introduction from Mark describing how he met writer Ed Edwards several moons ago at the festival. Ed, serendipitously, was behind Mark as they left his show ‘The Political History Of Smack And Crack’, perfectly positioned to overhear the pronouncement; ‘That’s the best thing I’ve seen in fuckin’ ages.’ Five years later, beyond creating some incred...

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...