REVIEWS Archives - Page 206 of 339

5Jul

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Sister Act – Palace Theatre, Manchester

30 years ago, Whoopi Goldberg played potentially her most iconic role of Deloris Van Cartier in the blockbuster classic; Sister Act. The movie has since been transferred to the stage as a musical. Despite being postponed two years due to the pandemic, it was definitely worth the wait and is of course, ‘Fabulous Baby’! In a cast that boasts many well-known faces including Jennifer Saunders, Keala Settle and Lesley Joseph, in comparison it is the relatively unknown ‘Sandra Marvin’ who plays the leading role. She certainly brought the sass needed to play the iconic role of Deloris. However, if I am being constructive, she does have a great voice, but it’s not that wow start quality that I would have expected from the leading lady. Saunders was hilarious in the role of Mother Superior. ...

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Hull Truck Theatre

5Jul

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Hull Truck Theatre

The only puck I have ever had dealings with was the one that landed in my lap during my days as an avid follower of the Humberside Seahawks ice hockey team, in Hull. In other words, I’m no fan of anything William Shakespeare wrote. So, reviewing A Midsummer Night’s Dream by the Bard was never going to be on my bucket list. But, not one to shirk my theatre duty, I went along to the Hull Truck Theatre on Monday evening. Well, bloomin’ ‘eck, as Shakespeare wouldn’t say, I really enjoyed watching a talented group from the community bring that very play to life. The opening stage setting was very sparse, consisting of just a metal park bench. However, the most dazzling costumes soon emerged and from then on it was colour all the way. As well as the psychedelic costumes, fairy li...

The Spitfire Grill – Hope Street Theatre

4Jul

By Daniel CoxNo Comments

North West

The Spitfire Grill – Hope Street Theatre

Liverpool Theatre School has been producing strong triple-threat performers in the heart of the city for many years. Supported by a strong faculty of teachers in all discipline’s graduates have gained and are continuing to gain a variety of credits including West End and more. From 29th - 30th June - third year musical theatre students at LTS have performed The Spitfire Grill directed by Freyja Winterson and with musical direction from George Strickland. The Spitfire Grill is an American musical based on the 1996 film, which tells the story of a young woman fresh out of prison finding her way in a small town in Wisconsin. Since the musicals first workshop in 2000 it has since developed worldwide in regional theatre productions and festivals including its arrival to the UK in the 2008 E...

2Jul

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Favour – Bush Theatre

A traditional Muslim family are awaiting the return of Aleena (Avita Jay), mother to Leila (Ashna Rabheru) who went to prison two years ago and with her release is returning to Grandma Noor’s home (Renu Brindle). A generational family drama, we see Leila tackle her anxiety to keep her returning mother happy and avoid her downfall in her depression again whilst tackling her grandmother’s expectations and traditions that she has kept to on a tight schedule. With a very comedic performance from Neighbour Fozia (Rina Fatania) who gossips her way through the family, shunning certain members out of weddings until eventually the karma is thrown right back. An emotional, hilarious drama that presents very real family environment damaged by betrayal and selected loyalty. Photo: Suzi Corker W...

2Jul

By Julia PanovaNo Comments

North West

After Shark – GM Fringe Online

Who knew a casual stroll down a Cornish beach, could lead to a shark sighting? ‘After Shark,’ is a part of The Greater Manchester Fringe line-up this year. It wonderfully displays the consequences of living in an environmentally changing world and how people should rise as a community to help these issues, for humanity to live in a greener world for years to come. “It’s time to take a stand.” Based on the true events at Newlyn Harbour earlier this year, the 36-minute show aims to make an audience think about what they can do to enjoy the natural beauty of the world around them. Written by Lita Doolan, the show includes a talented cast of actors such as: Jo Philips-Lane, Julie Broadbent, Kara Cole, Ian McShee and Sara Haggerty. The production took on a modern approach, it i...

2Jul

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

North West

Tree Confessions – GM Fringe Online

As I logged on (no pun intended) to listen to Tree Confessions, part of the 11th Greater Manchester Fringe Festival, I realised if I was a tree, I would be a solid oak and not a willowy sapling. You see, at the opening of the audio production, we were advised to sit down under a tree, press play and listen. However, the weather outside was atrocious so, much as I love trees, I wasn’t prepared to get my hair wet for them, so made an executive decision to sit under our giant indoor plant, a Rose-painted Calathea. Big mistake. Getting back up proved nigh impossible. What on earth was I doing? There was no bark on the plant for me to press my ear against, so I plopped back onto the sofa and pressed play. With no other distractions, such as audience members passing by, musicians tunin...

The Day the World Came to Huddersfield – King’s Arms

2Jul

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

The Day the World Came to Huddersfield – King’s Arms

Did you know that the UK’s first ever national Pride took place in Huddersfield in 1981? A diverse ensemble revisits this forgotten but significant chapter of LGBT+ history through a series of rousing vignettes. Unsettled by homophobic political figures likening sexuality to fashion trends as well as the lack of historical records about this unique Pride march, producer Stephen M. Hornby felt urged to create ‘The Day the World Came to Huddersfield’. The stories are inspired by those who attended it; adroit direction from Helen Parry and Olivia Schofield ensures each one is dynamic and punchy throughout. To kick off the evening, John Addy (Simon Hallman) recounts how his running of Huddersfield’s gay night club, The Gemini, became fraught with difficulties when new, anti-LGBT law enf...

1Jul

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

Beauty and the Beast – London Palladium

Extravagant. Exuberant. Exhilarating. I could expound so many other ‘E’s you’d feel as if you were on a hallucinogenic drug-induced trip. Which is exactly what it feels like watching the stupendously spectacular revival of Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ The story needs no introduction, but if you’ve been hidden away for longer than the Covid pandemic, let me remind you: a handsome prince is rude to an old woman who turns him into a beast and the only way of escaping the spell is to find true love. In a nutshell, it’s a classic love story of finding beauty within. Fortunately for the audience, this production has beauty everywhere and I mean everywhere. It is stunning in its scenery (Stanley A. Meyer) and costumes (Ann Hould-Ward) and dripping with the sort of outrageously expensiv...

Strictly Presents: Keeeep Dancing – Floral Pavilion

30Jun

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Strictly Presents: Keeeep Dancing – Floral Pavilion

Imagine dancing all your life, becoming one of the best Ballroom and Latin dancers in the country, and then getting a phone call from the Strictly Come Dancing production team…only for them to ask for your (now ex) wife. That’s the amusing moment we see played out by Neil Jones, one of ‘Strictly’s’ pro veterans (who did get his own call) as we are introduced to our ensemble tonight. ‘Strictly Presents…’ is an extension of the live tour that followed the behemoth BBC show, which itself continues to draw in millions of viewers each series. Former celebrity contestants Maisie Smith and Rhys Stephenson join a team of four ‘Strictly’ Pros (Jones, Cameron Lombard, Jowita Pzystat and Nancy Xu) alongside fellow alumnus Max George from The Wanted providing a few musical turns throughout t...

One Man, Two Guvnors – Liverpool Playhouse

30Jun

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

One Man, Two Guvnors – Liverpool Playhouse

Liverpool Playhouse Theatre welcomes The West End and Broadway hit comedy “One Man, Two Guvnors”. Following its roaring success when the show was first performed in 2011 and starred James Cordon, it is a delight to see production companies ‘Octagon Theatre Bolton’ and ‘Theatre by the Lake’ have taken this show on the road and is gracing our Liverpool Playhouse stage this summer. The audience are welcomed by the sweet tones of the cast who also make up the house band in this production. Elevated on the first floor of a striking set, the band set the mood for this fun, energetic production set in 1963. The theatre is alight with flashing bulbs that give fantastic seaside holiday vibes, in keeping with the Brighton setting. The story begins in the home of Charlie (Rodney Ma...