REVIEWS Archives - Page 323 of 548

Murder at Cadberry Manor – Hope Street Theatre

12May

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Murder at Cadberry Manor – Hope Street Theatre

A murder has taken place at the Cadberry Manor in Liverpool’s Hope Street Theatre. A 4am production directed by Phil Halfpenny. I was excited to see this show as it was completely sold out and of course like most people I do love a bit of true crime. The story consists of Detective Harrie Bo (Rafaela Dias) arrived at the scene to investigate the murder of Toby Le Rone (Phil Halfpenny) who at the time was hosting a dinner party which included guests such as his son Captain Robert Le Rone (Sab Muthusamy), his ex-wife Veronica Viscount (Kristin Jaap), Dr Whispa (Adam Titchmarsh), Friar Tuckshop (Tristan Harper), Felicity Flake (Rosie Bennett) Lord and Lady Thornton (Alan Kenny and Lisa Morgan). They were all enjoying a few social wines when Tony Le Rone announces a change to his last will ...

11May

By Louise KershawNo Comments

North West

Stars – Contact Theatre

Performed by one woman and a live DJ, this Afrofuturistic Space Odyssey uses music, drama and projected animations to tell us the story of a woman in search of her lost orgasm. Sprinkled with dustings of African mythology and folklore, this queer, feminist rallying call took the audience on a journey which explored desire, touch and reclaiming your pleasure. We meet Mrs (Debra Michaels), an elderly woman looking back with some frustration that her orgasm has never really emerged, and she does not know where to find it. Naturally, she embarks on a space odyssey to remedy the situation. She tells the story of her disappointing marriage to a disappointing man and the opportunities that have slipped by her or never materialized. She experiences rejection and judgement from the memb...

Strictly Ballroom The Musical – Edinburgh Playhouse

11May

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Strictly Ballroom The Musical – Edinburgh Playhouse

Based on Baz Luhrmann’s Australian 1992 award-winning worldwide film phenomenon, the show adapted for the stage is currently touring the UK and Ireland till July 2023. It lands in Edinburgh with a star-studded cast, including Kevin Clifton of BBCs Strictly Come Dancing fame and Faye Brooks of ITVs Coronation Street and Dancing on Ice, in the lead roles. If you are a fan of Strictly I expect you are going to enjoy this show (whatever I say) for Kevin, for the expert dancing, outrageous and pretty revealing costumes and heaps of glitz and glam. The bright and cheesy glamour of the ladies’ sequin and feather costumes marries up nicely to the intentionally badly made and hideously fitted wigs adorning most of the cast. The wigs take a bit of getting used to but are all part of setting the a...

11May

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

RENT – The Brindley Theatre

Directed and Choreographed by Donna Dale, Assistant Director Charlotte Allmand, Assistant Choreographer John Sprung-Murphy and Musical Director Craig Price have produced the latest D&S Production of ‘Rent’. Set in the East Village of New York City, 'Rent' is about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, 'Rent' has become a pop culture phenomenon. 'Rent' follows a year in the life of a group of penniless young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Johnathon Larson’s 1996 rock musical focus is around the interconnected lives of three couples: Roger (Elliott Tutt) and Mimi (Sara Haynes), Maureen (Francesca Forbes...

11May

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Grease – Sheffield City Hall

This show just ‘gels’ as only ‘Grease’ can do! It’s electrifying! Manor Operatic Society hit the Sheffield City Hall with the musical ‘Grease’ to packed audiences and with all the frenzy the original 1978 film created. With an audience full of Pink Ladies and T Birds, I anticipated a night of raucous sing-a-long, but on the whole the audience were too invested by the performances they were witnessing to join in, until invited to on the Grease Mega Mix. Only then were the whole audience on its feet raising the roof and loving every moment. Directed by Richard Bradford and his partner Linda Kelly who also choreographs the production with help from their daughter Evie May Bradford as dance Captain – it really is a family affair! Musical Direction from Andrew Collis completes the team an...

The Bodyguard – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

10May

By Robert BartleyNo Comments

East Midlands

The Bodyguard – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

It’s been over a decade since the tragic death of Whitney Houston, but that voice remains unmistakable. Setting a new standard for female vocalists, Houston in her prime was an effortless yet formidable force that dominated the charts in the 80s and 90s and became an idol to millions. The 1992 film “The Bodyguard” captured her at arguably the peak of her power and gave the world a soundtrack that remains the highest-selling film soundtrack of all time. Combining that soundtrack with Houston’s own classic back catalogue of hits, the stage adaption of “The Bodyguard” fleshes out the romantic thriller as a musical, and plays at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this week, with former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton as its lead. Rachel Marron (Thornton) is one of the biggest s...

10May

By Grace AnnabelNo Comments

North West

Annie – Regent Theatre

Annie, a classic musical adaptation much loved by global audiences. I had the privilege of watching the musical adaptation of this classic film on its UK Tour, in the large-scale Stoke Regent Stage. With countless revivals, I was intrigued to see how this show has evolved and adapted since the last time I watched this production, many years ago. The tone was set from the beginning, by our 7 main orphanage residents rushing onto stage, before the show had even begun, immersing our audience in their harsh reality from the outset and creating an electric build-up within the theatre. With direction from Nikolai Foster and choreography from Nick Winston, I knew before the show begun, that we were in the comfortable hands of true professionals. Having been many years since visiting the gra...

10May

By Ely KingNo Comments

London

Operation Mincemeat – Fortune Theatre

A dead man, a newt obsession, and a birthday. If you’re looking for a camp, overambitious comedic production, then Operation Mincemeat is just for you. As long as you’re fine with being cramped into tiny seats and potentially having knees in the back of your head for the entire production. The Fortune Theatre has long been a theatre that has a love-hate reaction with punters, some adore it, some despise it. Sitting in the second row of the upper circle, the view would be expected to be clear, albeit slightly high up, however the safety rail completely blocks the entire centre line of the stage, and your neck can only handle so much craning – especially when your legs are in your chest and leaning back a fraction would have your head in the lap of the person behind you. Aside fr...

10May

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Worth – Storyhouse, Chester

Four siblings turn a sad day of remembrance into a battle of “who suffered the most” when their deceased Mother leaves them next to nothing in the will. A brilliant premise makes a funny yet dark tale that doesn’t shy away from major themes. The list of trigger warnings in the play’s description will show you that this is no light and fluffy family affair, and although it is hard-hitting at times, you’ll still be laughing. A simple living room set up is littered in family heirlooms, and the mother looms over all as her portrait stares down on the action. Sudden red surges of light and booming sounds are dispersed throughout the scenes (a clever, unnerving tool used by Jai Morjaria and Nicola T. Chang), as the play descends more and more into chaos. The five-piece cast are strong ...

Around The World in 80 Days – Hull Truck Theatre

10May

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Around The World in 80 Days – Hull Truck Theatre

Note to self: Be sure to wear waterproof mascara when you next review anything at Hull Truck Theatre in case it turns out to be as funny as Around The World In 80 Days was on Tuesday evening. Having never read the Jules Verne novel, first published in French in1872, all I knew was that a hot air balloon was involved in one man’s endeavour to travel around the globe in 80 days. The intrepid adventurer, a Mr Phileas Fogg (Stefan Adegbola) accepted a wager of £20,000 with fellow Reform Club members, that he could undertake such a journey. That sum is half of Fogg’s fortune, but he leads such a monotonous life in London - his daily habits being carried out with mathematical precision - the thought of such a journey excites him. Having fired his valet for some minor misdeed, he empl...