REVIEWS Archives - Page 234 of 549

Songs for a New World – Upstairs at the Gatehouse

10Feb

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

Songs for a New World – Upstairs at the Gatehouse

When you watch a musical production, it usually follows a known formula with a beginning, middle and an end. Not so with ‘Songs for a New World’ for this is what’s known as a song-cycle. That means rather than having one fully formed narrative, the show is an anthology; a collection of short stories that hang together with common themes. For me, I think the best way to describe this production is as an immersive musical show. You honestly feel as though you’ve stepped into the making of a musical and are part and parcel of the actual show, such is the intimacy of this performance. The venue aids this feeling enormously, and to be seated just inches away from the action is a real thrill. Unlike most shows, the band are not hidden away, they are clearly visible, on display and are inte...

Madagascar The Musical – Opera House, Manchester

9Feb

By Bo WarnerNo Comments

North West

Madagascar The Musical – Opera House, Manchester

‘Madagascar the Musical’, an all-singing-and-dancing adaptation of the hit 2005 film, is currently making its way around the UK & Ireland to the delight of children everywhere. 20 years after its release, it’s fantastic to see that this film is still being enjoyed by today’s generation enough that the draw of Madagascar can fill the Manchester Opera House. This is a colourful, high-energy and fast-paced production that doesn’t pause to catch breath. It was clear to me that the children in the audience were thoroughly enjoying the ride, and were engaged from start to finish, singing along and giggling as they did. Impressive set pieces by Tom Rogers were plentiful and rolled out often - I was impressed by how high budget and slick everything felt. I have to say, I didn’t care for ...

Pride and Prejudice – Shakespeare North Playhouse

9Feb

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

Pride and Prejudice – Shakespeare North Playhouse

After their greatly received production of ‘Strange Tale’ at the same venue last year, Imaginarium Theatre’s latest performance was hotly anticipated. Though some may stray from this type of re-telling when they are unfamiliar with the original tale, Imaginarium, I’m pleased to write, has achieved a very good balance in terms of audience accessibility as it centres on the essence of the 19th century classic whilst incorporating many relatable quirks. The Bennet family are loud, colourful and a smack in the face for ridding any pre-meditations of Georgian England. Lily Kelly’s Elizabeth was the most grounded performance and countered humorously by Kim Bennett’s bouncy namesake Mrs Bennett. Fully of energy and verve, these Bennett’s were exactly what is to be expected of Imaginarium: a go...

Empower in Motion: A Ballet Inclusive – Sadler’s Wells Theatre

9Feb

By Kira DanielsNo Comments

London

Empower in Motion: A Ballet Inclusive – Sadler’s Wells Theatre

Shocking, illuminating, poignant, and triumphant, Empower in Motion is unbeatable ballet. Fundraising for Children Today, this informal gala presents itself without ostentation but packs an overpowering punch. Featuring ten acts over the course of two hours, the strength and diversity of its featured dancers never fails to captivate for even a minute. The program is contextualized by video introductions to each act describing the work done by Children Today and celebrating the inclusive dance efforts made by the event’s various other partners. Host, Grace Spence Green, gives an invigorating preamble to the procession of performances each of which awes in turn. The evening starts strong with a seamless performance by Joseph Powell-Main and Hannah Rudd excerpted from The Royal Ballet’s Sl...

Candace Bushnell True Tales of Sex Success and Sex and The City – London Palladium

9Feb

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

Candace Bushnell True Tales of Sex Success and Sex and The City – London Palladium

Candace Bushnell now 65yrs old, the creator, entrepreneurial business woman and writer of the infamous Sex in the City books has come to the London Palladium to tell all, the real truth! She sets the scene in pink, from the apartment her retreat to her garnitures ‘shoes’ and the mini bar where she regularly sips on ‘cosmos’ cosmopolitan cocktails creating a true feel of Sex and the City life. Familiar names Mr Big, Carrie, Sam, Miranda, Charlotte all feature as she exposes the real truth behind the storylines with an audience participation game called ‘Reel or not Reel’. Candace explains why she chose the pseudonym Carrie Bradshaw, why she wrote her books about her single friends and their lives in New York; and what was happening at the time when the HBO series took off on the telev...

7Feb

By Bev ClarkNo Comments

North West

Noises Off – Storyhouse Chester

A packed Storyhouse laughed out loud at a comedy that still manages to deliver. It’s over 40 years since Michael Frayn wrote Noises Off, which has been described as ‘the funniest farce’ and is probably the inspiration for the ‘Goes Wrong’ series that is now popular. Bedroom Farce was a type of theatre in the ‘60s and ‘70s, but then fell out of popularity when public sensibilities saw them as sexist and rather degrading. Noises Off is a play within a play about the farcical antics of a theatre company trying to present ‘Nothing On’ - an actual farce. Frayn shows that what goes on backstage is often funnier than what happens on stage but when it all gets mixed up, it’s hilarious. There have been many plays since that revisit this subject: David Tristam’s Little Grimley Series might ...

Kafka’s Metamorphosis – Lyric Hammersmith

7Feb

By Jennifer LaishleyNo Comments

London

Kafka’s Metamorphosis – Lyric Hammersmith

Frantic Assembly’s production of Kafka’s Metamorphosis is an outstanding piece of theatre that is certainly West End worthy! This is physical theatre deployed at its finest. Metamorphosis promises audiences an evening of suspenseful drama, curated by a team of incredible actors that are supported by stunning visual effects. Frantic Assembly is one of the leading British Theatre practitioners that are known for their storytelling through physical nuance. Frantic assembly certainly explores the brutalist in Kafka’s Metamorphosis both through the physical and vocal performances of the actors. Writer Lemn Sissay has worked closely with director Scott Graham to bring their vision to life, adapting the script throughout the rehearsal process so that this piece of theatre has metamorphosed int...

7Feb

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Blood Brothers – Floral Pavilion

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton welcomes Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers back for the start of its 2024 UK tour and tonight’s full house audience were lucky enough to be there to witness it. This venue is the nearest venue to the story’s origins of Liverpool on this tour and the audiences are fully behind this show with an almost sold-out week, give or take a few single seats throughout before the show has even opened. Directed by Bob Tomson and the late Bill Kenwright, this classic musical has been entertaining the masses for over 40 years and is a favourite that has audience members returning time and time again. The joy with this show is not just the story, but the music, the heart and the cast who return over and over to the point they become part of the family. Returning to the ...

7Feb

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Funny Money – Daneside Theatre

The Congleton Players' production of Funny Money by Ray Cooney, under the direction of David McCaddon and Wendy McKie, was an absolute delight from start to finish. Staged in the Daneside Theatre in Congleton, the production has a fantastic cast led by Angela McIntyre-Harrison as Jean Perkins and William Vickers as Henry Perkins, every moment was filled with laughter and charm. Jake McCaddon's portrayal of Bill brought a refreshing energy to the stage, while Andrew Salmon's Davenport added a touch of intrigue to the storyline. Claire Morris as Slater, Crystal Holford as Betty Johnson, Chris Brady as Vic Johnson, and Paul Berridge as the passerby rounded out the ensemble with precision and comedic timing. Photo: Judie Tingle Photography The quality of the production was evident in ...

Edward Scissorhands – Birmingham Hippodrome

7Feb

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

Edward Scissorhands – Birmingham Hippodrome

Matthew Bourne’s buoyant, yet tender, tale of acceptance and difference arrives at the Birmingham Hippodrome to a rousing audience welcome adding to the growing list of shows about inclusivity and understanding, “Everyone Talking About Jamie”, “Billy Elliot” etc which British audiences seem to adore and welcome with open arms. For those who don’t know, the ballet first emerged as a film by Tim Burton, a director known for championing odd, quirky and ultimately endearing tales of equally odd, quirky and ultimately endearing characters with Edward Scissorhands being, perhaps, one of the oddest. The 1990 gothic fantasy romance (as Wikipedia terms it covering as many bases as possible in an attempt to describe it) provided a great vehicle for Johnny Depp drawing on the director’s feelings of i...