REVIEWS Archives - Page 42 of 406

24Jul

By Kira DanielsNo Comments

London

The Hot Wing King – National Theatre

Directed by Roy Alexander Weise, Katori Hall’s Pulitzer Prize winning comedy makes its London debut in the relatively modest Dorfman Theatre. Set in Memphis, Tennessee and playing out in the interior of a particularly well-endowed suburban home expertly designed for the stage by Rajha Shakiry, this is no minimalistic kitchen sink drama. With running water coming from the taps, steam rising from the pots, and marinade dripping from big wooden stirring spoons, this is a theatrical experience with all the trimmings. Head chef and hopeful hot wing competition champion, Cordell (Kadiff Kirwan), plates up scrumptious chicken and sizzling drama in his boyfriend Dwayne’s (Simon-Anthony Rhoden) illustriously decorated middle-class kitchen. Circumnavigating the colossal counter island where Co...

Madame Chandelier Saves Opera – King’s Arms, Salford

22Jul

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Madame Chandelier Saves Opera – King’s Arms, Salford

As part of Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2024, The Kings Arm in Salford welcomes the flamboyant, some would say ‘Diva’, Madame Chandelier, aka Delea Shand. With her one woman show, it’s safe to say this performance certainly does what it intends – Madame Chandelier, and her bright pink very high wig, single handedly throws her heart and soul into her mission to ‘save Opera’. Shand is a proud Canadian and full of charisma. She has many accolades to her name and previous sell out shows at The Edinburgh Fringe. She was also nominated for best newcomer in the 2019 Manchester Fringe and is clearly master of her craft which was instant as she performed as ‘Madame Chandelier’, immediately captivating the audience. Shand is open with the audience from the beginning in a most comedic wa...

22Jul

By Wendy McEwanNo Comments

Scotland

Red – Scottish Opera Young Company

In this outstanding new adaptation of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Scottish Opera’s Young Company take us on an epic journey through the archetypal stages of a woman’s life. As Red, the wonderful Maria Wotherspoon embodies four incarnations of one woman, with references to her splendid red hair throughout. In Act One, she is Little Red Riding Hood, the ingenue. The vengeful wolf is played with a wicked pantomime grin by Luke Francis. There is no sturdy woodcutter to rescue our damsel in distress; from within the wolf’s digestive system, Red discovers that there is magic in her hair, and saves herself and her delightfully surly grandmother (Findlay Peters), beginning to own her power. In Act Two, as Red Rapunzel, our heroine becomes a mother. She gives birth in a burning tower, flames red lik...

20Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Ghost The Musical – Storyhouse

On what was one of the hottest days of the year so far, the welcoming arms of the Storyhouse’s air conditioning system was very much appreciated as I took my seat to see D&S Productions latest show, Ghost The Musical. Having seen this show many, many times before in a number of guises I was looking forward to seeing how they tackled what is a complicated show to stage. The show centres around banker Sam Wheat (Chris Doyle) and sculptor Molly Jenson (Kate McHenry) who not long after moving into their new loft apartment in New York are torn apart when Sam is murdered in a failed mugging. Sam then becomes stuck between this world and the next and stumbles across phony psychic Oda Mae Brown (Gabrielle Stanfield) who helps him discover best friend Carl Bruner (Jack Parry) is not who he t...

My Chat with Harold Pinter – King’s Arms, Salford

19Jul

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

My Chat with Harold Pinter – King’s Arms, Salford

All playwrights speak to each other in one way or another. Sometimes they will talk to the living but most of the time they talk to the dead. Every writer has stolen from another scribe, especially their heroes, and usually they are six-foot under and not in a position to complain. In this play, playwright Jen communes with Harold Pinter to help her to write her play. She wants him to assist her through her writer’s block so she can complete writing her magnum opus. Thus starts a post-modern foray into writing, feminism and theatre which will also teach you the fielding positions in cricket. People of a certain age will remember a TV show called Call My Bluff and there are lots of words in this play which could have been included in that programme. On that show celebrities had to def...

Present Laughter – National Theatre Live: The Old Vic

19Jul

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

REVIEWS

Present Laughter – National Theatre Live: The Old Vic

Filmed live during its sell-out run at The Old Vic in 2018, director Matthew Warchus’ multi-award winning production of Noël Coward‘s provocative 1943 comedy delightfully returns to the big screen, as it depicts a few days in the life of the successful and self-obsessed light comedy actor Garry Essendine (Andrew Scott) as he prepares to travel for a touring commitment in Africa. Amid a series of events bordering on farce and with the support of a knowing valet Fred (Joshua Hill) and a housekeeper Miss Erikson (Liza Sadovy), he has to placate both his long-suffering secretary Monica (Sophie Thompson) and his wife Liz (Indira Varma) who form part of his inner circle along with Morris (Abdul Salis) and Helen (Suzie Toase), whilst in this updated gender swap version, also fighting off the a...

19Jul

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Hairspray – Palace Theatre

Hairspray at the Palace Theatre in Manchester is an absolute delight and easily one of the best feel-good musical experiences. Watching live from the theatre, I couldn’t help but find myself unconsciously joining in with the choreography, swept up in the infectious energy of the performance. The show brilliantly captures the essence of Hairspray, bringing its vibrant characters and catchy tunes to life. The cast is exceptional, delivering standout performances that are both heartfelt and exhilarating. The exuberance and passion they bring to their roles are palpable, making it impossible not to get caught up in the excitement. A highlight of the show was the spectacular performance of "You Can't Stop the Beat." This number was a true showstopper, filled with energy and joy that had t...

ECHO (Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen) – The Royal Court

19Jul

By Riana HowarthNo Comments

London

ECHO (Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen) – The Royal Court

As if a play within a play wasn’t trippy enough! In ECHO, we see dialogue being spoken as it is typed out, and witness words spoken from writing in the past. The actor of the night (Adrian Lester this time) is placed and guided around the stage, without having rehearsed or knowing what follows. The piece is a mingling of themes personal to Soleimanpour, as they often are in plays to most playwrights, but this is made overtly clear in this one. Time-travelling, distance, home, and his journey form the fabric of the play. Nassim (Soleimanpour) video calls Adrian - face projected on a large stretched screen on the stage. Even now, I can’t discern whether this was live or pre-recorded. Anyway, I shouldn’t ruin it. So, Nassim is chatting with Adrian, but then gets sidetracked (conveniently),...

19Jul

By Amelia PhillpottsNo Comments

North West

Nuns of Fury – The Fitzgerald

These nuns are getting into the habit of fighting crime, and my god, is this musical great. Nuns Of Fury follows a trio of crime-fighting nuns, devoted to Christ and justice in equal measures. Joined by their boss Mother Superior, and the comedic Father Q, who supplies both high tech weaponry and repentance, the nuns fight two criminals, attempting to frame them for their past heists. The nuns must also work together to discover who has hired the petty criminals, and why they want to see the order destroyed. The musical is laugh aloud funny showcasing a cast highly skilled in both physical and quick word humour. The numerous puns and allusions to Catholicism within the play, especially when contrasted to the nuns’ secret- agent skills, were consistently met with peals of laughter. For m...

19Jul

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

Some Masterchef Sh*t – 53two

Expect the unexpected in this thoroughly entertaining comedy drama where two unlikely worlds collide as a result of ‘wanting to do something nice for someone’. Taboo is on the table in this down to earth portrayal of when two strangers meet, whilst at the same time, trying not to make things too weird. The debate around the need for content warnings has become a point of contention in the theatre industry, with many viewing pre-performance advisories as a way of removing the element of surprise and the unexpected. Perhaps a conscious decision then by Liam High’s Some Masterchef Sh*t to omit any such content warnings from the programme information. Despite touching on themes worthy of having them, it’s certainly recommended to go into this play without any prior concepts or anticipation,...