REVIEWS Archives - Page 11 of 453

The Incident Room – Blackburn Empire Theatre

7Mar

By Hannah WildeNo Comments

North West

The Incident Room – Blackburn Empire Theatre

Everyone knows the story of Peter Sutcliffe, known best by his alter ego, The Yorkshire Ripper. A sadistic serial killer who plagued the North of England for nigh on 5 years, the Ripper’s legacy and story is synonymous, still with an uncanny ability to send ripples of fear into hearts and minds even 45 years after his reign of terror. As the saying goes: “Real life is often stranger than fiction” - and the story of the Yorkshire Ripper has all the hallmarks of a crime story taken straight from the pages of a novel. An illusive yet fearlessly dangerous serial killer. Well-intentioned law enforcement embroiled in a fatal game of cat and mouse. A half-decade whodunnit, topped off with a generous dose of press sensationalism and public panic for good measure. All the ingredients you need fo...

7Mar

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Wild Swimming – Hope Street Theatre

Directors Dan Meigh and Connor Wray delightfully plunge us into the lives of a young couple whose relationship is firmly in the ‘can’t live with you, can’t live without you’ stage, with their production of Marek Horn’s somewhat timeless two-hander that plays fast and loose with time. Whilst men are from Mars and women are from Venus, Nell (Amy Thompson-Hope) and Oscar (Harry Clark) opt to meet on a beach in 1595 – or is it 1610 – and to which they will return like the tide over the next four hundred years to debate feminism, privilege, literature, sex, and, of course, swimming. Watery metaphors abound for these two very diverse characters; she is witty and acerbic with a sharp tongue whilst he dreams of being a poet and adventurer from the safety of his beach towel, yet the opening k...

7Mar

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Of Mice And Men – Hull Truck Theatre

John Steinbeck’s novella, Of Mice And Men, very nearly never saw the light of day, as the first draft was eaten by his dog, Toby. Thankfully, the American writer persevered and since its first performance on Broadway in 1937, his work continues to entertain theatregoers around the world. On Thursday night I was privileged to watch a stellar cast of actors bring Of Mice And Men to life on the stage of the Hull Truck Theatre. This cosy theatre never fails to come up trumps where imaginative stage settings are concerned, and Thursday was no exception, thanks to set designer Jess Curtis (who also designed the costumes). There was no raised stage to speak of, just a small step-up at the rear. The floor comprised of wooden slats, as did the entire wall at the back which opened to rev...

7Mar

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

Shirley Valentine – Everyman Theatre

An absolute treasure of a play – a joy to behold!! I adore the Everyman theatre in Liverpool. Maybe because I was born and raised in Liverpool, or that the design of the theatre is so encompassing, almost like we the audience are part of the stage or because it’ a charitable theatre that always hosts astonishing shows. Added to that, the opportunity to watch a Willy Russell (Liverpudlian playwright also born and bred in the city) masterpiece, being performed back on the floorboards of this fabulous theatre, reviving the one-woman play to the stage where it premiered in 1986, a great homecoming as the final show in the theatre’s 60th year celebrations. This was not something me or my 92-year-old mother were going to miss! Willy Russell, who’s famous and fabulous shows includ...

6Mar

By Maani WayNo Comments

London

12 – Studio at New Wimbledon Theatre

“I’m fine”. ‘12’ is the one-woman show that tells the story of Mel, a woman in her late 20s, trying to navigate the complications of everyday life as well as her OCD and intrusive thoughts. From the moment she starts her day, she is bound by the fact that she must touch everything twelve times to prevent anything bad from happening. The studio is perfect to create the intimate setting required and the limited props and staging allow Catrin Mai Edwards to shine in her portrayal of Mel, using her vocal and acting skills to tell the story of the “quirky” character. Edwards is believable, likeable and depicts a character suffering with OCD well, making the audience want to root for her and her recovery. She blocks the entirety of the space, making dynamic choices in her movements and phy...

6Mar

By Zandra OdetundeNo Comments

London

Macbeth – Lyric Hammersmith

Macbeth at the Lyric Hammersmith was nothing short of mesmerising. The production seamlessly wove the ancient with the avant-garde, a rare and masterful balance that honoured Shakespeare’s original while infusing it with a vibrant contemporary spirit, a feat that should undoubtedly fill the director (Richard Twyman) with pride. The performance of Lois Chimimba as Lady Macbeth was particularly unforgettable. She slipped into the role as if it were an integral thread of her being, delivering an impeccable portrayal that firmly establishes her as one of my favourite incarnations of Lady Macbeth. In a legacy filled with formidable predecessors, her interpretation shone brightly. Equally captivating was Alex Austin in the role of Macbeth. How does one infuse tragedy with moments of levity...

White Rose The Musical – Marylebone Theatre

6Mar

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

White Rose The Musical – Marylebone Theatre

White Rose The Musical is a powerful and moving production set in Nazi Germany, following a group of student activists determined to spread the truth about the atrocities occurring during World War II. Based on the inspiring true story of The White Rose, the musical highlights how even those with small voices can spark change and stand up for their beliefs. The movement was led by siblings Sophie and Hans Scholl, portrayed by Collette Guitart and Tobias Turley. Together, they formed an outstanding duo, bringing depth and sincerity to their roles and embodying the bravery of young people willing to risk everything for what they believed was right. Their chemistry on stage made their relationship feel authentic, reinforcing the emotional weight of their journey. Charley Robbie’s portrayal...

6Mar

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

Glorious! – Hope Mill Theatre

The fascinating story of Florence Foster Jenkins was brought back to mainstream attention by Hollywood in 2016. Hope Mill Theatre’s production of Glorious! covers much of the same ground but does so in a way that feels a lot more focused and a lot less condescending about the ‘worst singer in the world’. The ever-versatile Ancoats stage is, once again, utterly transformed. Clam shell footlights, a dusky velvet curtain and a vintage gramophone player set the scene. Charlie Hiscock’s Cosmé McMoon emerges to assure the audience he is not a pseudonym and that what we are about to see is all true. He also plants the core message: that maybe Jenkins was living in a cocoon, but that perhaps that’s a lesson for us all. The curtains open, McMoon and Jenkins meet, and we are away. Swift sto...

6Mar

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Book of Mormon – Hull New Theatre

After watching The Book of Mormon for just 15 minutes at the Hull New Theatre on Wednesday evening, I wanted to stand up and shout STOP! to all on the stage. The reason? I was in danger of dying of laughter. Seriously, I didn’t feel I could endure another minute. But duty called … South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are to blame, as they, in cahoots with Robert Lopez (who co-wrote Frozen), are responsible for the book, the music and the lyrics. Hailed as the “funniest musical of all time” it’s no surprise to me to read it has won nine Tony Awards and four Oliviers. The Book of Mormon follows young male disciples of the Mormon church, who have been deemed ready to spread the church’s word around the world. Venturing forth in pairs to such places as Norway, France and ...

Love’s Labour’s Lost (more or less) – Shakespeare North Playhouse

5Mar

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Love’s Labour’s Lost (more or less) – Shakespeare North Playhouse

Shakespeare North Playhouse’s latest co-production with Stephen Joseph Theatre promises much, but sadly, as the title hints at, delivers little in this 1990’s-based adaptation. Ferdy (Timothy Adam Lucas) and his stags Berowne (Thomas Cotran) and Long-Dumain (Linford Johnson) have tipped up at a resort in Ibiza run by Armado (David Kirkbride) for their lads’ weekend but are under a promise to not talk to any girls, let alone think about them. Meanwhile, Yvette (Annie Kirkham) and her hens Mary-Kate (Alice Imelda), Rosie (Alyce Liburd), and Boyet (Jo Patmore) are heading to Malaga until the resort says they’ve had to relocate them to a hotel in Ibiza. Cue shoddy disguises, mislaid love letters, and theatrical chaos as we wait to see whether the boys get the girls or indeed something el...