REVIEWS Archives - Page 4 of 574

30Mar

By Carole GordonNo Comments

London

The Old Ladies – Finborough Theatre

Rodney Ackland's The Old Ladies is set in an unnamed English cathedral city in 1935, in the midst of the Great Depression. As with many people at that time, the three old ladies in this piece find themselves in difficult circumstances with dwindling savings. May Beringer (Catherine Cusack), Lucy Amorest (Julia Watson) and Agatha Payne (Abigail Thaw) are living in separate rooms in a dingy house, finding what little pleasure they can in a limited and uneventful life. These are three women who in any other circumstances would likely never have crossed paths and now have only an uneasy relationship of necessity. When the potential for an infusion of a substantial amount of money unexpectedly enters the picture, greed takes over, provoking a degree of malice that can only end in tragedy....

The Marriage of Figaro – Hull New Theatre

30Mar

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Marriage of Figaro – Hull New Theatre

As is the norm when the opera or ballet come to town, Hull’s theatregoers set out in force to support the event. And Thursday evening was no exception when Opera North’s production of The Marriage of Figaro, graced the Hull New Theatre stage. Mozart’s well-known opera, premiering in Vienna in 1786 and conducted by the great composer himself, has been cleverly modernised by Opera North - meaning all the action takes place in a “modern-day crumbling pile of an English country estate”. This update led to many amusing scenes one wouldn’t associate with 18th-century life - namely mobile phones throughout, while the visiting, country house public, led by a tour guide, revealed at least one selfie stick. And the most notable change came with the costumes - everyone wore modern clothin...

Madama Butterfly – Opera House Manchester

30Mar

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Madama Butterfly – Opera House Manchester

At the Opera House Manchester, audiences were treated to a poignant one-night-only performance of Madama Butterfly, presented as part of Ellen Kent’s farewell tour. With music by Giacomo Puccini, and based on a play by David Belasco, the opera first performed in Milan in February 1904, remains one of the most enduring and emotionally devastating works in the operatic canon. Structured in three acts, Madama Butterfly tells the tragic story of Cio-Cio San, a young Japanese girl who marries the American naval officer B.F. Pinkerton. In this production, Pinkerton was portrayed by Oleksii Srebnytskyi, while the role of Cio-Cio San (Madame Butterfly) was taken by Elena Dee. Their union, arranged under Japanese law for 999 years but subject to monthly dissolution, reflects a cultural and ...

30Mar

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

Henry V – RSC, Stratford-Upon-Avon

A major power invading another country on a flimsy pretext. Does that sound familiar? The RSC’s new production of Shakespeare's Henry V has clear current political resonances. This production by the RSC's is superb, well directed, excellently acted and inventive. It uses Shakespeare's text and characters and is mercifully free of the gimmicks which some directors choose to put into the Bard's great works. It starts with a nod to continuity with the scene of the death of Henry IV from Henry IV Part Two. It then proceeds at ferocious pace, never flagging. It has been intelligently cut by the director, Tamara Harvey, to run for 2 hours 50 minutes including an interval and yet includes all the major events of the original text. The cast make a superb ensemble. Many playing several parts. Th...

27Mar

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Erin & Ern – The Lowry

It’s charming and filled with laugh-out-loud moments; Eric & Ern at The Lowry is a nostalgic celebration of one of Britain’s most beloved comedy double acts! Written by Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens, Eric & Ern takes audiences back to the golden era of light entertainment, performing a selection of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise best bits that made them became the nation’s favourite duo. This show is a must for any Morecambe & Wise fans with a show filled with warmth and affection for the pair, capturing not only the iconic humour but also the deep friendship at its core. The duo on stage have the personalities down to a tee; they are superb; Ian Ashpitel as Eric and Jonty Stephens as Ern demonstrate impeccable comic timing and undeniable chemistry. They don’t sim...

27Mar

By David S ClarkeNo Comments

North West

Come from Away – The Forum Theatre

I have to say right at the start of this review that this was a brand new tale for me, I was only vaguely aware of the storyline, so unlike a lot of previous productions I have seen I was coming into this with little or no knowledge of what to expect from cast, crew and writers. Perhaps this was an advantage as I had no pre-conceived ideas as to what to expect. The story of “Come from Away” is set in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001 when airplanes were used to wreak death and destruction on the World Trade Centre buildings in New York. This resulted in all planes in American airspace being immediately grounded and obliged to land at the nearest airports available to them. This production tells the story of the 38 planes and about 7000 passengers wh...

25Mar

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Cher Show – Sheffield Lyceum

The Cher Show – A new musical has a book by Rick Elise and is brought to the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC and Croft House Theatre Company. Originally premiering in Chicago in 2018, before transferring to Broadway, the Cher Show had its UK premier with a tour in 2022/23. Celebrating the remarkable story of Cher’s life with its highest heights and lowest lows and set to a back catalogue of 31 songs that encapsulate the longevity and apparent timelessness of her talents and persona … not forgetting her looks that seem to defy time! Then there is the Bob Mackie costumes, always fabulous, always spectacular and always head turning. A six-decade career, an icon and a memory that shaped her life, ‘the power is in the song’. Expertly directed and ...

25Mar

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

Wales

Teechers – Theatr Clwyd

The John Godber Company bring an updated, post covid version of the classic Teechers to the Weston Theatr at Theatr Clwyd. The script has been updated after John Godber spoke to teachers post covid and realised how much things have changed in the state system, where drama, art and music have a much lower status now compared to the other subjects, and how some educators are leaving the state system and being seduced by the private system which offer more in the drama, arts and music subjects. The set looks simple but very effective, with parquet looking flooring to mark out the set area, school tables and chairs, a set of lockers and a variety of other pieces and costumes around the set that are used throughout the play, all designed by Graham Kirk. The cast are made up of three actor...

25Mar

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

La Traviata – Opera House

On a very rainy night in Manchester, there was at least some comfort to be had in Manchester’s Opera House as they staged Ellen Kent’s production of Verdi’s famous tale of doomed love as part of her farewell tour. I may as well start my review with the outstanding Viktoria Melnyk, who dazzled as the ill-fated heroine of this opera, Violetta. She sings with such power, control and emotion. Her voice is not just sublime and beautiful, it is mesmerising. It is worth seeing this show just to witness such a transcendent talent. Her charisma and presence alone made this show worth watching. Hovhannes Andreasyan, as Alfredo, was also impressive. He gave an imposing performance, full of feeling and desire. Alfredo makes Violetta see that her material life is nothing without love. The mes...

25Mar

By Dylan MooneyNo Comments

Scotland

Death on the Nile – Festival Theatre

The acclaimed Agatha Christie is adapted once more as Death on the Nile comes to Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre. Written by Ken Ludwig and directed by Lucy Bailey, this murder mystery production is sure to have you guessing ‘whodunnit?’ right up to the closing moments. On a luxurious Egyptian cruise, Hercule Poirot (Mark Hadfield) endeavors to have a peaceful break from his usual detective role. However, in true Christie fashion, it isn’t long before a brutal murder takes place and, of course, everyone is a suspect. Stuck on a boat in the middle of the Nile, Poirot aims to solve the case. With long buried secrets floating to the surface, will Poirot be able to find the killer? Hadfield, who plays the world famous detective, is truly a joy to watch. His portrayal feels original yet stil...