REVIEWS Archives - Page 187 of 545

Burlesque the Musical – Opera House, Manchester

26Jun

By Hannah WildeNo Comments

North West

Burlesque the Musical – Opera House, Manchester

Following the success of the 2010 smash hit film starring global superstars Christina Aguilera and Cher, I knew it would only be a matter of time before Burlesque was converted to a stage show – with the glitz, the glamour and the Broadway-esque showtunes, it’s a perfect fit for the big stage. There were certainly moments of pure brilliance that could have only been delivered in such a format as theatre, but I do have to say that some moments did leave a little to be desired, which was such a shame for a show of this calibre. Let’s start with the exceptional. Firstly, the female lead – down-on-her-luck Ali, played by Jess Folley – was an absolute casting masterclass. Not many aspiring singers can step into the lofty designer shoes of one Christina Aguilera, but vocally Folley held he...

25Jun

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Sister Act – Storyhouse Chester

Hold onto your rosaries folks, Philadelphia’s favourite sisters are in the building, ready to bring the musical version of the 1992 hit film vividly to life. Sister Act is a vibrant, feel-good show and it’s easy to see why it has become a staple for am-dram group, full of energetic ensemble numbers, humour and heart. The musical, with music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater respectively, and sparklingly directed by Bill Buckhurst, largely sticks to the film’s plot. Club singer Deloris Van Cartier witnesses her gangster boyfriend Curtis commit murder and is placed into witness protection in a convent, leading to much fish-out-of-water hilarity. The cheerful but tuneless nuns soon tap into Deloris’ talent as a singer to inject some oomph into their choir despite the misgivings...

25Jun

By Kiefer WilliamsNo Comments

North West

Olivera – Hope Street Theatre

Olivera is about transformation and the importance of being true to yourself. New company Igloof Haus presents this queer drama comedy set in South Carolina USA. The play is written by Jacklyn Jeffries and tells the story of Oliver, a regular high school kid (Jacklyn Jeffries) who is slowly transitioning into Olivia. She is hiding all this from her radical televangelist Dad (John Smeathers). The play picks up the tension within the family dynamic and we watch as Olivia finds it more difficult to embrace her new life as a young woman within the strict environment of the family and the wider community. It’s not until Dad finds a new wife (Suzanne Fulton) that things really do take off. Olivia finds an unexpected ally in her new stepmom and realises now that she must live he...

25Jun

By Kira DanielsNo Comments

London

The Beckett Trilogy – Coronet Theatre

How much Beckett is too much Beckett? For performer and producer Conor Lovett it seems the limit may not exist. His prodigious memory and inexhaustible articulation are well displayed in this production of three plays from the novels Molloy, Malone Dies, and The Unnamable all written by Samuel Beckett. Alone on stage but very much confederate with a captive audience eager to absorb what they can from his nearly three-hour monologue, Lovett is tremendously impressive and knows it too. Directed and designed by Judy Hegarty Lovett, his conspirator in Gare St Lazare Ireland, a touring production company specializing in “presentations” of Beckett’s various works. The style of this production is extremely presentational and clearly preoccupied with faithful interpretation of the great ...

25Jun

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Callum Beattie – Usher Hall, Edinburgh

The prodigal son returns as Musselburgh man Callum Beattie takes to the magnificent stage of the 2200 capacity, Usher Hall tonight to belt out some crowd favourites and experiment with some new material in front of a sell-out audience. The 34-year-old has come a long way from busking the streets and performing around the pubs of Edinburgh. Between songs, he tells us his regular gig fifteen years ago was at the Red Squirrel pub, just a stones throw away from tonight’s rather more salubrious venue. Despite the minor setback of the drummer breaking his arm during rehearsals, the show most certainly went on, and quite a show it was. Opening the set with the pumping title track of his second album, Vandals, has the packed house jumping and my fillings vibrating. Health and safety is out t...

Mario the Maker Magician – Underbelly Boulevard

25Jun

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Mario the Maker Magician – Underbelly Boulevard

After an incredible whirlwind of success in the USA, London finally gets to witness the incredible Mario the Maker Magician- currently sold out for June at the Underbelly Boulevard. Mario has made whistle stop tours on Sesame Street and Jimmy Fallon and although the show centres and celebrates the children in the audience, it is definitely not just a kids show. It’s a hug to your inner child and a beautiful reminder that you should ALWAYS do what you love. The stage is seemingly cluttered with old broken objects, inflatable tins of soup tower over the magician as he enters with the most breathtaking energy- I couldn’t quite believe how a person might keep it up. But he did. The most difficult audience is an audience of children, keeping them in their seats and excited all the same ti...

The Dao of Unrepresentative British Chinese Experience – Soho Theatre

24Jun

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

The Dao of Unrepresentative British Chinese Experience – Soho Theatre

Daniel York Loh’s semi-autobiographical piece, new to the Soho Theatre is a non-linear experience following a young British Chinese young person growing up in the West Country. Their experience is washed with extreme racism in the playground, difficulty with exclusion which leads to an unhealthy drug habit and after stealing a car has to deal with a racist police officer believing they ‘will be dead by 21’. Our two actors (Melody Chikakane Brown and Aruhan Galieva) bring this story to life supported by Daniel himself on the side, guitar in hand. An important part of this story is its rage through punk rock- sudden bursts of pent up fury, beautifully poetic writing in the genre of rock. Our younger performer’s personal purpose is to write the Dao of the British Chinese experience in w...

24Jun

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

My Father’s Fable – Bush Theatre

Faith Omole' first produced play is a real cracker. It tells the story of Peace, a young black woman of Nigerian descent, who is living with her partner Roy, a mixed heritage man, in their comfortable middle-class home in England. Their lives are disrupted when Bolu, Peace’s half-brother from Nigeria of whom she was not previously aware, contacts her via social media and comes to England to stay with them. The domestic situation is further complicated by the fact that Peace's mother, Favour, also arrives, ostensibly ill and needing to be looked after. The play then becomes a fascinating psychological thriller as the four characters interact. Mysteries and suspicions abound. Who actually is Bolu? And why did he come to the UK at this time? ...

24Jun

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

Macbeth – Norton Priory

Norton Priory near Runcorn is a fabulous historical place comprising the remains of an abbey complex dating from 12th to 16th centuries and an 18th-century country house all of which is now a museum, but wonderfully this is also home to some phenomenal outdoor theatrical experiences, some I have had the fortune to see. For this event – Macbeth – I was very excited to see what spin the theatre group- “Place for Us” could put on this iconic play. Firstly, the play delivered on the summer solstice, was delivered to an intimate audience of around 50 people in the woodland area of the priory and as we approached, a huge bell rang, mysterious sounds echoed through the trees and two witches met us praying on the ground, their faces full of scorn. This was a great way to enter this world of Sha...

24Jun

By Carole GordonNo Comments

London

Where You Go – Etcetera Theatre

Millie Henson's new play follows Aniyah and Finn's relationship, following an argument that threatens to destroy the couple. Finn is sleeping on the sofa, slobbing around their tiny messy apartment trying to break through his musical block and forgetting to water the plants, while Aniyah does long shifts as a nurse and is permanently exhausted. They used to be singer-songwriting partners, with aspirations to sell out stadiums and go on worldwide tours. This dream comes crashing down when Aniyah accepts that they have bills to pay and leaves the singing partnership, much to Finn's resentment. Without his "muse", his songwriting stalls. Suddenly at this pivotal moment in their relationship, a global apocalyptic event forces them to make major life choices, renew familial ties and attem...