REVIEWS Archives - Page 106 of 409

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 (...

Brief Encounter – Royal Exchange Theatre

8Dec

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Brief Encounter – Royal Exchange Theatre

Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No 2 is undoubtedly one of the most famous pieces of music in cinematic history, the dark strains being synonymous with the 1945 David Lean directed 'Brief Encounter', its tone of repression and guilt defining a certain very English attitude to love and sex in the immediate post war period. The film was based on Noel Coward's pre war one-act play 'Still Life', and this festive season the Royal Exchange Theatre has turned this melancholy tale of squandered opportunity into a quirky and witty musical using songs exclusively from Coward's extensive back catalogue. The resulting Christmas confection is a soft fondant of nostalgic memory wrapped round a bittersweet centre. The central love story is the paper thin tale of Laura (Hannah Azuonye), an upper middle c...

7Dec

By Miranda GreenNo Comments

North West

Cinderella – Storyhouse Chester

I couldn’t have loved this production of Cinderella at Chester’s Storyhouse more: pyrotechnics, smoke-filled bubbles, balloons, more costume changes than the Oscars, Disco Goblins like a pod of Megaminds in silver turbans and steampunk goggles, and some absolute bangers belted out by the multitalented cast who can not only sing and dance but can apparently play cello and sax too … it’s a sensational feast of high energy and feel-good. But to begin at the beginning: the light, bright and very beautiful set is immediately arresting. Colour-changing globes hang from the ceiling like so many glass floats, each representing a fairytale to be told. Melinda Orengo’s Fairy Godmother appears, wearing lamé tassels and looking like the lovechild of the Great Gatsby and a disco Pocohontas, and enco...

7Dec

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Life Of Pi – The Lowry

As December arrives the theatre world is taken over by that curiously British institution, The Pantomime. With all its familiar tropes and traditions, it provides much needed distraction for excitable children who have consumed too much sugar over the festive period, as well as harassed parents sorely in need of a family themed distraction. For those who do not delight in such earthy offerings, over the next month the Lyric Theatre will be playing host to the UK and Ireland tour of ' Life of Pi', the West End and Broadway smash hit, providing a cerebral alternative to the tales of beanstalks, slippers and lamps that are available elsewhere. Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel and adapted for the stage by Lolita Chakrabati, 'Life Of Pi' tells the extraordinary story of 17-year...

Christmas Cabaret – Pendleton School of Theatre

7Dec

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Christmas Cabaret – Pendleton School of Theatre

Director Ian Bennett has created a splendid Christmas Cabaret, specifically aimed at the theme of ‘family’. Christmas is a joyous time but can also be a struggle for many, so Bennett didn’t want the traditional Christmas tunes as he wanted the Cabaret to reflect different walks of life but specifically aimed around ‘family’ and the many guises that it takes. Each of the musicals featured tonight show family at the centre - with the dysfunctional family in ‘Dear Evan Hansen’, the adopted family in ‘Les Misérables’, the chosen family in ‘Rent’ and the magical one in ‘Frozen’! I have been privileged to witness many cohorts perform over the years at Pendleton Sixth Form College, with many of their pupils going onto exceptionally successful careers in theatre. The standard of this college’s ...

7Dec

By Maani WayNo Comments

London

The Nutcracker – Turbine Theatre

This very adult pantomime is far from the beloved ballet with the same name. Bursting with adult humour and raucous fun, this ‘anything but sweet’ version of The Nutcracker opens at the Turbine Theatre for a limited run this Christmas. Written by Joshua Coley (Elf the Musical), the show begins with our protagonist, Carly (Holly Ashman) who has gone through it this year, let’s put it that way. Her relationship ended abruptly (for better or for worse as we soon find out), her father passed away suddenly when he was caught in an outlandish collision with a Just Stop Oil protest, and her Mum is adamant about hosting her annual festive gathering in attempt to stick to the norm. With a surprise visit from her uncle, Carly receives the iconic Nutcracker doll, which soon turns out to be the ...

7Dec

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

The Time Machine – Park Theatre

Produced by Original Theatre and currently playing at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park. The Time Machine is a hilarious romp. It is based upon the pretext that the great great-grandson of HG Wells discovers several items belonging to his illustrious ancestor in a locked box in his auntie's attic. These include items such as a ticket for a Take That reunion tour featuring Robbie Williams in 2025, that “proves” that HG Wells's famous novel was not just a work of fiction but, that he actually built a Time Machine. The play takes the form of a play within a play, and the actor playing the great-great-grandson Dave Wells (Dave Hearn) with his two fellow actors, set out to verify the time travelling exploits of his famous relative. In this they seek the assistance of a wide range...

Sleeping Beauty: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – Theatr Clwyd

7Dec

By Coral MourantNo Comments

Wales

Sleeping Beauty: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – Theatr Clwyd

A theatre renovation was never going to stop Theatr Clwyd from putting on yet another smash-hit pantomime. Instead, the team have created their very own “Big Top”, where the usual madness ensues. The outdoor Big Top features a giant thrust stage, adorned with webs of light and tiered seating all around. No matter which side of the auditorium you sit in, the boundless energy of the cast makes sure that you are fully immersed in the pandemonium of this year's panto. This version of “Sleeping Beauty” is not the tale you may have in mind. Christian Patterson's script has a brilliant balance of classic pantomime charm and modern flair. There's still the typical spinning wheel curse, but this Princess values friendship and freedom over romance. Part of the reason that this twist works, ...

Chriskirkpatrickmas: A BoyBand Christmas Musical – Seven Dials Playhouse

6Dec

By Carole GordonNo Comments

London

Chriskirkpatrickmas: A BoyBand Christmas Musical – Seven Dials Playhouse

Everything about Valen Shore and Alison Zatta's musical looking back at 90s boyband NSync is quirkily eccentric. Even the title is a tongue-twister! This is a show that oozes nostalgia, while offering a commentary on the meteoric rise to fame of some very young guys, and their subsequent sudden break-up. It's Christmas Eve 2009, seven years after Justin Timberlake decided to pursue a solo career and NSync was said to be "on hiatus". The band's founder Kirkpatrick (Valen Shore) waits in a queue in a Hollywood coffee shop, still recognised by fans. He wistfully sings that he used to be on MTV as he continues his long wait for Timberlake (NIcole Wyland) to call him to get the band back together for a reunion tour. Every year he meets up with the three other members of the band - Lance (Riley...