REVIEWS Archives - Page 262 of 549

TONY! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] – Liverpool Playhouse

12Oct

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

TONY! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] – Liverpool Playhouse

As calls for another general election loom and the Labour Party conference ongoing only a few miles away, this show couldn’t have come at a better time. A quirky, fresh and gutsy performance that can be followed by all, it is the story of how the pop Prime Minister rose and fall. Harry Hill and Steve Brown have concocted a truly original piece, one that spans decades and international conflict, but has been overseen by the keen eye of Peter Rowe so that the farcical can shine and the ‘piss-take’ attitude can successfully overshadow the turbulent geo-political events at the mercy of New Labour at the beginning of the millennium. Stand out aspects of the performance included the live music. Mr Brown’s lyrics and score are equally funny and intelligent. From a singing princess Di to a d...

11Oct

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Pop Music – Hull Truck Theatre

You never know what stage design Hull Truck Theatre will surprise you with for any of its productions. And Tuesday evening was no exception. As we theatregoers took our seats in a very busy Stage 1, the regulars among us would instantly notice the stage was now the centrepiece of a theatre in the round. A very clever move as the production we were there to see, Pop Music, features just two actors, two small tables and chairs, plus loads of booze, meaning there was plenty of room for an all-round view. The alcohol theme carried on up to the ceiling, from which hung dozens of upside-down wine goblets, some disguised as lights. Opaque in colour, they added interest to an otherwise sparse stage setting. But who needed a fancy stage with actors of the calibre of Natalie Anderson (Ha...

11Oct

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Dirty Dancing – Bradford Alhambra

‘I like that Johnny, he ticks a few boxes.’ That was one woman’s verdict on ripped Michael O’Reilly who plays the hero of this musical version of the classic kitsch movie, and evidently shared by someone who wolf whistled at the start when he merely sauntered onstage wearing his shades. In fairness to the talented O’Reilly he’s far more than just a six pack as he brings the required swagger and some strong dancing to Johnny who is the moody dance instructor at an early sixties American holiday resort. It’s no spoiler to anyone familiar with film history to reveal that privileged holidaymaker Baby falls in love with the muscled blue-collar dancer. The musical is pretty much a scene by scene recreation of the movie that at heart is a coming of age story at the end of the golden Eise...

11Oct

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

The Addams Family – Pendle Hippodrome

One of my absolute favourite theatre group’s Basics Junior Theatre School presents its 2023 annual production at the delightful Pendle Hippodrome! There is definitely nothing ‘Basic’ about this magnificent delivery of ‘The Addams Family’ with its £35,000 budget for its 35th year history of productions. The staging was tremendous with its grand staircase, living quarters, torture chamber and an impressive monumental spooky 14ft tree which provided the perfect space for the characters to sparkle like the shining stars they all are. One of the most striking elements of this incredible theatre school is that it is very much a family affair, from the chaperones, the dress maker Sally who alongside her late husband Dennis founded Basics, the resident musical director Andrew Mitchell who ha...

10Oct

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Baba Yaga – Theatre Porto

The tales of the Baba Yaga, best known in Slavic folk and fairy tale traditions, are full of rich story material, and Laura Lindow’s new play for Theatre Hullabaloo and Theatre Porto reimagines the best elements of these to present a dark, fairytale world where the children’s bravery and ingenuity ultimately triumphs. The journey of two children, Girl (Fran Burgoyne) and Boy (Ben Galpin), and their search for safety, resonates strongly with current times as they encounter a town which refuses to let them in, knowing that as a result they are almost certainly sending them into terrible danger. However, whilst there is a moral message at the heart of this piece, directed by Nina Hajiyianni and produced by Miranda Thain, about our collective responsibility to look after the most vuln...

10Oct

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

What It Means – Wilton’s Music Hall

In the realm of theatrical productions that aim to explore important historical events and their relevance to contemporary society, 'What It Means' by James Corley certainly stands out for its ambitious premise. Based on the groundbreaking 1971 article 'What It Means to Be a Homosexual' by Merle Miller, this play endeavours to shed light on the struggle for LGBTQ+ equality, a topic of paramount importance in the current climate. However, whilst the play's intentions are noble, it is, unfortunately, an absurdly and unnecessarily long production that bears a striking resemblance to a dry academic lecture rather than a traditional piece of contemporary theatre, and this ultimately leaves audiences fighting to reach the finish line. The central pillar of 'What It Means' is the (near) solo p...

10Oct

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Rocky Horror Show – Hull New Theatre

When the Rocky Horror Show comes to town, you can guarantee fishnet stockings, suspenders, bustiers, saucy maids’ costumes et al will be much in evidence. And that’s just in the audience. So, it was on Monday night when theatregoers pulled out all the stops to show their support for this iconic production, which comes to Hull New Theatre as part of a world tour. It was great fun, pre curtain up, checking out the get-ups of the brave souls who had dared - often, to bare - with all shapes, sizes and genders joining in the fun. They are an essential part of proceedings. This legendary rock ’n’ roll musical has been wowing audiences for 50 years and doesn’t look like retiring any time soon. The well-known story tells of innocent college kids, Brad (Reece Budín) and his fiancée, ...

9Oct

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Light House – Leeds Playhouse

A lone woman comes through the dry ice holding a lantern and looking serious. So, the initial thought is this one woman show is going to be a hour long misery fest. Thankfully it is the exact opposite as Alys Williams has written and performs a show that is warm, witty, always humane, but never afraid to delve into the challenges that mental health issues pose for those battling with their own minds, and for those around them. Cleverly she uses the standard protocol for what happens when a man goes overboard at sea as a metaphor for how society reacts when someone starts to struggle with their mental health, and it’s a motif she returns to throughout. What really gives The Light House resonance is Williams has based it on her own experience with a partner who does go overboard men...

The Titfield Thunderbolt – Rainhill Garrick Society

9Oct

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

The Titfield Thunderbolt – Rainhill Garrick Society

Director Judith Martindale blows new life into Philip Goulding’s stage adaptation of the 1952 Ealing comedy classic bringing the right amount of mayhem and merriment to the birthplace of the modern railway and it’s a theatrical treat well worth waiting for. Whilst Clifton (Rob Williams) and Mr Blakeworth (Tom Nevitt) discuss the imminent closure of their railway line, Lady Chesterfield (Tracey Duffy) and Reverend Weech (George Lowe) bring together the local residents including his niece, Joan (Jenny Martindale), retired track layer Dan Taylor (David Parker), and Mrs Bottomley (Ruth Profitt) to run it themselves, with the financial support of philanthropist Mr Valentine (Michael Brennan), who has a fondness for drinking, as well as those much-needed passengers (Angela Vose; Alison Mawdsl...

Irvine Welsh’s Porno – Liverpool Olympia

8Oct

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

Irvine Welsh’s Porno – Liverpool Olympia

“Originals are always better than sequels”, unfortunately proven in this case, submerged within the shadows of the dizzying heights of its predecessor, Porno proves a bit of an anti-climax, despite its titillating title. Trainspotting, the 1993 debut novel written by Irvine Welsh, will provoke a range of reactions, especially for those of us who remember its cinematic debut back in 1996. Danny Boyle’s film successfully replicated the sensational, gutsy rawness of its live show. It showcased the intricacies of Welsh’s writing, in its innovative cinematography, iconic opening sequence (which could never be replicated today due to health & safety), and recognisable soundtrack. Trainspotting has firmly positioned itself as culturally significant, even described as a masterpiece. Its ‘Ch...