REVIEWS Archives - Page 363 of 571

22Mar

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Black Superhero – Royal Court

Danny Lee Wynter’s debut play at the Royal Court questions queerness, open relationships and loving your idols. David (Danny Lee Wynter) is unsettled by the route of his life. An actor occasionally auditioning, occasionally sleeping around and still recovering from a traumatic event that brought his life to a halt. Living with his sister Syd, (Rochenda Sandall) he can’t help but question his motive especially when comparing himself to friend and popular superhero in a movie franchise, King (Dyllón Burnside). However, when King reveals that he and his husband have decided to try an open marriage, David is plunged into something he might not be ready for. The action in the piece is highly driven, particularly in the first act. David, who is already vulnerable, creates chaos for himself by...

22Mar

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

Ophelia Rewound – Applecart Arts

Honest and vulnerable exploration of the artist's experience and reflections on attempted suicide. The piece has evolved over the three years of lockdown, and writer, director & performer Antigoni Spanou starts at that moment of transformation and reconsideration of 'Ophelia' choosing to reflect and hold on to her breath. Superbly supported in projection mapping, sound and lighting design by Joseph Thorpe. The character's imaginations and reflections get projected, transporting the audience from spirals of the mind to a meditative waterfall. The one-act play moves the audience from passive observers to actively recreating characters on stage, playing games and drinking tea parties! Even if you are not on stage with the actor, you are thinking through what you would reply to that...

Titanic the Musical – Grand Theatre, Blackpool

22Mar

By Hannah WildeNo Comments

North West

Titanic the Musical – Grand Theatre, Blackpool

The story of Titanic is a timeless one, one that most people the world over are familiar with. The ship that they called “unsinkable” did just that on its maiden voyage, killing over 1,500 souls on board and sending the world’s most luxurious liner to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean without a trace. But still, even 110 years later, it’s a story that fascinates, horrifies and titillates modern audiences. Many would think that this performance is a musical adaptation of James Cameron’s 1997 motion picture masterpiece - part of the reason that the story of Titanic has gained legendary status in the modern subconscious - but that would be wrong. Titanic the Musical is a unique retelling of its namesake, without a Jack Dawson or Rose Bukater in sight. And for that, I am thankful. This perfo...

Kipps, The New Half a Sixpence Musical – The Plaza, Stockport

22Mar

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

Kipps, The New Half a Sixpence Musical – The Plaza, Stockport

Flash, bang, wallop – what a show! It had vim, vigour and energy pouring through its veins. The only pity was there was not much of an audience there to enjoy it. Yet, the cast can’t do anything about that, and they were clearly giving it everything. This show from the Romiley Operatic Society was a joy to behold. The popularity of Kipps is down to it being a rags-to-riches tale with a bit of depth. H G Wells’ novel deconstructs that age old story by not just having a poor person become rich but by exploring the idea that this new found wealth is in fact alienating for its recipient and also a tad malign. Like Pygmalion, another story that pulls apart notions of innate class, Kipps was always ripe to be turned into a musical. Tommy Steele is synonymous with Half a Sixpence, but this ...

Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons – Opera House, Manchester

22Mar

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons – Opera House, Manchester

How would you express yourself if you were restricted by law to using just 140 words per day? This question forms the intriguing premise behind this 2015 play from Sam Steiner which attempts to utilise the format of a romantic comedy to examine more serious subjects around freedom of expression and speech. However, in this endeavour, 'Lemons' felt underripe; a series of half explored ideas that were not fully thought through and left the audience with a sour taste at the conclusion. Following a commercially successful run at the smaller Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End, producers chose to open this Manchester run in the cavernous 2,000 seat Opera House. A decision that was no doubt powered by the demand to see the leading actors Jenna Coleman and Aidan Turner live onstage, was vind...

Liverpool Wind Collective: Close Up Concert – Liverpool Philharmonic

21Mar

By Donna M DayNo Comments

North West

Liverpool Wind Collective: Close Up Concert – Liverpool Philharmonic

Liverpool Wind Collective’s annual March concert featured a repertoire of exclusively female composers, a nice touch for midway through Women’s History Month. The varied programme allowed each member of the quintet to showcase their skills and the intimate setting of Liverpool Philharmonic’s Music Room created a sense of closeness between the audience and ensemble. Opening with the sprightly Quintette (Allegro) by Hedwige Chrétien, the evening began with an immediate sense that we were running towards something lovely. This was followed by the trio performance of Cecilia McDowall’s Century Dances which took us on a journey through both the world and time itself. Performed by Ruth Davies (Oboe), Ausiàs Garrigós Morant (Clarinet) and Gareth Twigg (Bassoon), this interesting and varied pie...

The Bodyguard – Liverpool Empire Theatre

21Mar

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

The Bodyguard – Liverpool Empire Theatre

This performance definitely packed a punch. Serving all the glitz and glamour required in the set, costumes, lighting (and even fire!), to paint Rachel Marron’s celebrity status, the Empire lived up to expectations once again. Melody Thornton as lead, and Ayden Callaghan as her bodyguard looked the part but played comfortably, at times overshadowed by the intense production effects around them. That said, bringing their extensive performing knowledge to the stage, they allowed the other cast members to shine, and who will be the main focus of this article. Iesa Miller, as Fletcher, was a bright spark. His smile shone right to the back row and his voice was not out of place next to the pop stars. Emily-Mae, as Nicki Marron, stole the stage every time. She sang to a brilliant...

21Mar

By Aditi DalalNo Comments

London

Hamlet – National Theatre

Shakespeare’s much-loved and much-performed tragedy is back with a neo classical adaptation for young audiences by Jude Christian, directed by Ellie Hurt. This energetic and funny show has the little ones completely enthralled, right from the pre-show crowd work that the actors employ to draw in the audience to the many moments of utter shock and surprise throughout the 65-minute performance. The audience is even asked to actively contribute to the play within the play by creating sounds and chanting ‘mur-der-er’ to shame and chase actors off stage. The play opens with a scene showing the funeral of Hamlet’s father; ‘dad’ and ‘king’ are spelt out in floral tribunals making the event very clear and this intentional clarity is evident throughout the play, making it easy for young audience...

Lohengrin – Metropolitan Opera Live in HD

20Mar

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

REVIEWS

Lohengrin – Metropolitan Opera Live in HD

After nine years of peace, the enemies from the East are threatening again and King Heinrich (Günther Groissböck) arrives in Brabant to understand why it is in such strife and not providing the necessary support. Telramund (Evgeny Nikitin) accuses Elsa (Tamara Wilson) of the heinous crime of having murdered her brother, Gottfried, heir to the Brabant throne, and has also shunned her betrothal to him in favour of Ortrud (Christine Goerke). Elsa recalls a dream of a knight in shining armour who will come to save her and when the Herald (Brian Mulligan) calls for someone to defend her honour, the mysterious knight (Piotr Beczała) appears on the back of a swan. He pledges his troth to her on condition that she never asks his name or origin to which she agrees, and he duly defeats Telramund in ...

The Cheshire Drama Festival 2023 – Storyhouse, Chester

20Mar

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

The Cheshire Drama Festival 2023 – Storyhouse, Chester

What thespian dreams are made of, an opportunity to serve up an enthusiastic repertoire of theatrical genres and styles in The Cheshire Drama Festival 2023. Taking place over the weekend of the 18th/19th March, this is its fourth year celebrating North West talent. The festival provides a unique opportunity for seven 'amateur' groups from across the Cheshire and Merseyside region to flex their creative muscles to compete for a place in the grand final of the All England Theatre Festival. With 6 out of the 7 one act plays made up of original writing, they are marked on all technical aspects of stagecraft, with awards up for presentation, direction, acting and dramatic achievement under the watchful eye of adjudicator Sandra Wynne. Hosted by D.T.A.T, the first day of the programm...