REVIEWS Archives - Page 249 of 551

4Dec

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

A Sherlock Carol – Marylebone Theatre

Sherlock Holmes meets Scrooge in a spoof take on, a classic Dickens novel; A Christmas Carol. The staging was set and to some degree in keeping with Victorian London with Sherlock played by Ben Caplin (from Call the Midwife) whom did a Stirling job of characterising Holmes as we have grown to know him whilst emulating the essence of Ebenezer Scrooge. Misery of a character forced to see his life, past present and future through the eyes of the ghosts. However in this play Scrooge himself played by Kammy Darweish provides the reflections for Holmes as the ghost Scrooge through visitations. Showing Holmes the error of his ways and experiences of what will happen if he refuses to change, a role reversal, in the true sense. The play is intertwined with the meeting of many ghosts and Ho...

4Dec

By Philip EdwardsNo Comments

North West

Little Red – HOME Mcr

It is well documented that pantomime is usually the first experience of the theatre most children will have, but it is a fact that some children will not like that larger than life spectacle. Enter stage left the play created with children in mind. At worst children’s theatre will patronize and at best will stimulate their interest and from looking at the young people in the audience of “Little Red”, this production does the latter in spades. Created by the company of four actors, we are presented with the well known and loved story of Little Red Riding Hood with added songs and music and a small amount of audience participation. The songs and music composed by Patrick Dineen entirely suit the work and move the story along beautifully. A simple but clever set and effective and atm...

3Dec

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Oliver! – Leeds Playhouse

Over the last few years Leeds Playhouse have offered all sorts of challenging festive spectaculars but this deliciously dark revival of Lionel Bart’s masterpiece Oliver! is the best yet. You need some nerve to take on such a beloved musical, and Oscar laden movie, so the Playhouse’s Artistic Director James Brining has cleverly placed his version in the round. Colin Richmond’s design leaves the cavernous Quarry space full of raised spaces and walkways, becoming the sort of dank and dark Victorian London that Charles Dickens painted teeming with all human life and plenty of menace. Brining is a great director of children, and when a well drilled junior ensemble sings and dances through a lively Food Glorious Food it’s clear a big and diverse cast have used their time in the rehearsal r...

Robin Hood: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – Leeds City Varieties

3Dec

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Robin Hood: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – Leeds City Varieties

After a long year of often serious shows, and the world in chaos, it’s just nice to sit back in a historic theatre to watch a show as comfortable as a pair of old slippers. The Rock ‘n’ Roll brand is pretty much bombproof from criticism combining a perfunctory attempt at a classic story - which is just an excuse for classic panto madness - while a gang of actor-musicians swap instruments knocking out hits for the young and old. Only in panto could you get covers of The Clash and Taylor Swift songs, that all have tenuous links to the ‘narrative’, and no-one bats an eyelid. This year poor old Robin Hood got the Peter Rowe treatment as this master of the most British of theatrical traditions weaves in sight gags, puppets, pratfalls, fart gags, corpsing, all the classic call and response...

3Dec

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

Edward Scissorhands – The Lowry

There are very few certainties in life, or theatre. One is surely that a night with a New Adventures dance production is always magical. The latest revival of Edward Scissorhands definitely confirms the rule, even if this is far from stellar Matthew Bourne. Tim Burton’s classic movie was first reinvented as a ballet in 2005. As one would expect with this creative team, the show feels as fresh and spectacular as it must have been nearly two decades ago. The iconic score was made for movement and Danny Elfman’s composition marries beautifully with the newer music and arrangements created by Terry Davies. Enchanting is really the only word for it. Fans of the cult flick can be reassured. This is a faithful retelling of the story of the unfinished humanoid with scissors for hands. How...

30Nov

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

Ikaria – Park Theatre

This play is about mental illness, although that is not immediately apparent. The setting is students' lodgings in 'Ikaria', a hall of residence. Simon, a third-year student, who has just taken a year out from his studies, has invited Mia, a first year student in her second term, back to his room. After meeting at a film club, he has offered to share some pizza vouchers. Mia, who is for some unaccountable reason strongly attracted to Simon, is clearly expecting that this invitation will lead to something more. Simon seems initially pleased at the chance to develop a relationship with Mia and although the first meeting is uncomfortable, it is followed up by others, and soon develops into a romantic relationship. Early on both parties declare their love for each other, alt...

30Nov

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Nutcracker – Leeds Grand Theatre

After enduring endless plays of Merry Xmas Everyone trundling round the shops you know the festive season is finally here when Northern Ballet stage their annual extravaganza. This year The Nutcracker is back, and once again you have that feeling they’ve run into the props store and gone a bit mad to produce a lavish winter wonderland. David Nixon’s colourful and stylish costumes probably caused a national shortage of sequins and taffeta. It’s a wonderfully bonkers fairy tale as a mysterious magician sends ingénue Clara off on a surreal journey where she survives a battle between giant mice and life size toy soldiers, before being magically transported to a wintery wonderland where meets her Nutcracker Prince. It’s all beautifully realised by designer Charles Cusick Smith who works h...

30Nov

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Pinocchio – Hull Truck Theatre

Theatregoers braved freezing temperatures on Wednesday evening to see a production of Pinocchio at the Hull Truck Theatre. It never got much warmer inside, to be honest - so was glad I wore socks, scarf, gloves, but I never expected to keep them on once seated. But that’s my only gripe on what was a magical night of colour and energy. Everyone knows the age-old story of how poor, lonely carpenter, Gepetto, carved a puppet out of a piece of pine he found in the forest. In this thoroughly enjoyable adaptation by Mike Kenny, the pine was left behind by Stromboli (Patrick Dineen), ringmaster of a travelling circus, who was transporting his puppets, Colombine (Deb Pugh) and Harlequino (Niall Ransome). As Gepetto (James Clyde) picked up the pine log in the forest, it lit up, havin...

30Nov

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

The Merchant of Venice 1936 – HOME Mcr

Last weekend saw over 100,000 people attend a rally against antisemitism in central London that took place against reports of a steep rise in hate crime - mostly aimed at the UK Jewish population - and the backdrop of renewed hostilities in Gaza. When trying to understand antisemitism from a literary and historical perspective, it seemed aposite for Director Brigid Larmour and Tracy - Ann Oberman to reset Shakespeare's problematic text amidst the rise of fascism in the East End of London in the mid 1930's. The result allows us to view the actions of the protagonists through an entirely new lens, throwing light on their motives and attitudes and giving the play a fresh and exciting perspective for a modern audience. Oberman had long expressed a desire to portray Shylock as an East End Je...

Whitney – Queen of the Night – Floral Pavilion

29Nov

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Whitney – Queen of the Night – Floral Pavilion

Last night I was able to review the sell-out show of Whitney – Queen of the Night at the New Brighton Pavilion. A show that has been seen in the west end and is currently touring the UK. This tribute show had all the back catalogue of hits but the late and iconic Whitney Houston, whilst also telling stories of her life for example she was the first black singer to appear on the cover of 17 in the 1980s. It certainly enjoyed not only the flawless vocals but hearing more about Whitney’s life. The show was a simple set up of 3 backing singers with a live band consisting of drums, guitar, piano and saxophone. I must apologise in advance, but I am unable to name the participants in the show due to not been given a programme or it due to being not listed on the webpages. However, it wa...