REVIEWS Archives - Page 114 of 552

20Feb

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

Kjetil Mulelid Trio – Traverse Bar

Returning from a trip to Oslo a few years back someone excitedly described Norway as ‘the new Scotland’; oil, fish, love of conversation fuelled, dare one admit, by a glass or two. Music was in there too and in 2025, let’s, specifically, add Jazz, though with a distinct folk/cultural bent. Just as Fergus McCreadie spirits one to the glens and lochs, this trio quickly has us gliding through the cool, clear air of the fjords. Jazz as a genre easily attracts derision from those unwilling to devote the required attention or application. There are ready-made phrases and cliches coined by a certain (brilliant!) sketch show a few moons ago but tonight’s performance, despite running things close, stayed just the right side of these. Improvisational it was, at points difficult to discern who was le...

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Sheffield Lyceum

20Feb

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Sheffield Lyceum

High Flying Fantasy with scrumptious special effects. With Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman the well-known 1968 children’s musical fantasy film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in its stage adaptation by Jeremy Sams soars into the Sheffield Lyceum. With the original book written by the Bond/007 creator Ian Fleming and direction by Thom Southerland, choreography by Karen Bruce and Morgan Large as Set and Costume Designer this production as all the elements to fly high… literally!! The eight piece orchestra sound ‘toot sweet’ under the baton of MD Jessica Viner filling the auditorium with the familiar and much loved tunes right from the opening Entr’Acte. The Story - Inventor Caractacus Potts transforms an old race car into a magical flying vehicle that transports hi...

20Feb

By Grace AnnabelNo Comments

North West

The Parent Agency – Storyhouse

This evening, I had the immense privilege of watching the world premiere of ‘The Parent Agency’. A BRAND-NEW musical at The Storyhouse based on the best-selling book by David Baddiel with music by Dan-Gillespie Sells and direction by Tim Jackson. The hilariously entertaining production follows the story of eleven-year-old Barry Bennett who dreams of having “better parents”, those who give him everything he has ever wanted! Barry’s wishes come true, and he is transported to the United Kid-dom, where he is taken to the Parent Agency to find the mum and dad of his wildest dreams - however he quickly finds out that all of this is easier said than done and we follow his trials and tribulations along the way. The set and staging by Jon Bausor was spectacular, yet minimalistic in certain as...

20Feb

By Philip EdwardsNo Comments

North West

Beautiful Thing – Harpers Theatre Cafe

It is hard to believe that Jonathan Harvey’s play is 30 years old. Despite the progress made in some areas of LGBTQ life, there are many elements that are just as difficult and for that reason, if nothing else Beautiful Thing is still worth performing in 2025. A company like The Drama Department is to be applauded for staging a piece of theatre that is both heart breaking and humorous, often at the same time. To achieve both of those elements is a bit of a juggling act, and one that was sometimes missed in Michael McCaw’s production. When some of the humour comes from an angry situation, as it does in this play, it needs balance in pitch and tone to bring the elements through and here there was a bit too much shouting to convey anger, and that masked the humour within. A bit of quiet...

20Feb

By Zak RosenNo Comments

London

Riders to the Sea – artsdepot

Often, stories centred within specific contexts can resonate far beyond the reaches of the narrative – this is what we mean when we say that a piece of art may be universal. In the same way, forms or structures of performance, while quite alien to how we conduct ourselves in daily life, can still speak to, and deeply move, us. Opera is one such form, and Riders To The Sea, here reimagined and expanded by OperaUpClose and performed at artsDepot, is one such story. The production, directed by Flora McIntosh, features two parts: the first, a new prologue (“The Last Bit of the Moon”), composed by Michael Betteridge, and the second, the 1937 original Riders to the Sea written by Ralph Vaughn Williams with new chamber orchestration, also by Betteridge. Part one offers a window into the grief ...

20Feb

By Anne PritchardNo Comments

North West

Rave On – Floral Pavilion

Rave On is a musical show which loosely relates the history of Rock ‘n Roll during the 1950’s and 1960’s. It’s popularity relies heavily on nostalgia of the songs featured and the audience aged mainly 60+ with a few exceptions attending, reflected this. The performers in the six piece band are talented musicians and singers, lead vocalist Olliver Seymour Marsh and female soloist Victoria Bass taking the lead on vocals throughout. Seymour Marsh’s looks and gyrating hips, aka Elvis, Billy Fury etc., lend themselves to the 1950’s genre whilst Bass pulls off the looks and vibrant traits of the 50’s and 60’s iconic style with her costumes and effervescence. The opening number, Eddie Cochran’s ‘C’mon Everybody’ set the mood for the evening with Seymour March on vocals and three gu...

19Feb

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Beauty and the Beast – Grange Theatre

Mid Cheshire Musical Theatre Company (MCMTC) are back with their annual musical offering bringing Disney’s Beaty and the Beast to the wonderful Grange Theatre. Beauty and the Beast is a stage adaptation of Disney's beloved animated film. The musical, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton, first premiered in 1994. It tells the timeless story of Belle (Gemma Chapman), a bright, independent young woman who is dissatisfied with her small village life and yearns for adventure. The story unfolds when Belle's father, Maurice (Bill Shardlow), gets lost in the woods and stumbles upon the Beast's enchanted castle. The Beast (Ben Vaughan), a prince cursed by an enchantress, imprisons Maurice. Belle offers to take her father's place and b...

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – Liverpool Empire

19Feb

By Bev ClarkNo Comments

North West

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – Liverpool Empire

Since the 1950s C S Lewis’ Christian allegory of the Chronicles of Narnia has been delighting children, most especially The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. With many spin offs in Tv and film- it is a children’s classic. The current touring stage show, based on the book and Sally Cookson’s original production, is a journey through a portal to another world of wonder with spectacular sets and costumes in Tom Paris’ design, beautiful music (Race/Bower) and engaging performances. The three main components that bring this to life are - an imaginative concept with a team of ingenious creatives, amazing illusions lighting and sound and a versatile multi-skilled ensemble who sing, dance and play, becoming many different characters. The magic that is created before our ...

19Feb

By Harry AltyNo Comments

NEWS, North West

Dear Evan Hansen – Palace Theatre

After debuting a decade ago, audiences are elated to see the hit modern-day musical Dear Evan Hansen finally grace the Manchester stage as part of a UK national tour. With an impressive cast, innovative staging and a host of earworm hits – it was clearly worth the wait. The musical follows Evan (Ryan Kopel) struggling to traverse his high-school days, he is an awkward outsider who struggles to form friendships in his often-cruel teenage years. In his efforts to fit in, Evan gets caught up in a web of lies that sees him finally be the one thing he had always desired – important. Over the runtime the show explores a range of topics from mental health, family roles and friendship all against the backdrop of a generation growing up completely immersed in the world of social media. Set de...

Herak/Bulaktin Quartet Featuring Paul Towndrow – Traverse Theatre

19Feb

By Wendy McEwanNo Comments

Scotland

Herak/Bulaktin Quartet Featuring Paul Towndrow – Traverse Theatre

I’m not especially familiar with jazz, and if I’d heard this music on the radio, I wouldn’t have got it. It turns out that jazz makes more sense when you experience a live performance, and my ears begin to tune in to its language. It reminds me of the first time I saw Shakespeare performed. The gathering feels cosy, in the informal setting of the Traverse bar. I am struck by the intense concentration of each musician when the others are playing. This is a conversation, where each participant must focus so they can respond to the others’ cues. Listening is everything. The composers, Miro Herak and Daniel Bulaktin, draw on their Slavic heritage as well as classical traditions. The opening number, Herak’s Slavic Dance, is rousing, and is followed by Ellie, a thoughtfully melodic pie...