REVIEWS Archives - Page 435 of 548

Sidney Fox’s Crime – Above The Stag Theatre

22Apr

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

Sidney Fox’s Crime – Above The Stag Theatre

Sidney Fox led an eventful, unconventional and disreputable life. The illegitimate fourth son of promiscuous Rosaline Fox, he took up pretty crime from an early age. Stealing and forgery were second nature to him, and he spent six spells in prison. His good looks made him attractive to both sexes and he had affairs with many in the highest echelons of 1920's society. In the years before his mother's death, the two of them lived in a succession of hotels, rarely paying the bills before moving on. On 23rd October 1929 in the Metropole hotel in Margate his mother died in mysterious circumstances. Sidney was arrested and tried for her murder. Glenn Chandler has written a fast moving, fascinating account of Fox's life and the events leading up to his mother's death and his ...

21Apr

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Six – Sheffield Lyceum

So, I polished my crown and headed (minus the be-) off to the beautiful Sheffield Lyceum, my husband reluctantly in tow to witness the royally resplendent Six. Before I even got in the building I was praising the show for its allure to so many young theatre goers, the diversity of the audience was a real heart warmer. Six has become a cultural phenomenon and is a British musical comedy with book, music and lyrics by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. Presented as a pop concert, the competitive wives of Henry VIII each tell their stories and vie to be ‘the one who suffered the most’ to enable the victor to become the group’s lead singer. Under the direction of Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage the stylish Six took to the stage. With a set mainly given over to lighting and upstage steps, which hous...

21Apr

By Beth EltringhamNo Comments

Scotland

Waitress – Edinburgh Playhouse

A story of baking, infidelity and finding love, waitress is a problematic musical surrounding a waitress who bakes pies to avoid talking about her feelings. Jenna (played tonight by Aimee Fisher) is a waitress for a small diner who specializes in making the best pies in town whilst avoiding dealing with her unhappy marriage and overall feeling of failure for the life she believes her mother would have wanted her to live. When a pregnancy test proves positive, she is forced to reconsider her life choices as she begins an affair with her gynaecologist (played by Liam McHugh) and starts to save up money to enter a baking contest that could guarantee her enough money to leave her abusive husband Earl (Donal Brennan) for good. At the same time, we follow her co-workers Dawn (Evelyn Hoskins) ...

Seven Against Edinburgh – Royal Lyceum Theatre

21Apr

By Melissa JonesNo Comments

Scotland

Seven Against Edinburgh – Royal Lyceum Theatre

Seven Against Edinburgh takes us on a journey of sisterhood. Jo’s got undisguised endometriosis, Sasha has lost her mother, Nell is trying to take her rock band to the next level, Isla is fighting for more recognition for women in STEM and Gabby’s trying to get her feminist society off the ground. On the same streets in the 19th century, the Edinburgh Seven, were fighting for their right to study and graduate in medicine. Led by Sophia Jex Blake, the seven were the first matriculated university students in the UK, and their fight to study was supported amongst the greats, including Charles Darwin. Seven Against Edinburgh runs in two timelines. As the seven school friends uncover their stories of their heroes, their own friendships feel the pressure. This is an incredibly talented young ...

21Apr

By Riana HowarthNo Comments

London

Eating Myself – King’s Head Theatre

Pepa Duarte takes us on a journey into her past struggles with eating, body image and her relationship with her Peruvian heritage. It shows a vivid depiction of disordered eating and the comical absurdity of it all when seen from a distance. The themes of womanhood and culture continuously overlap, as she challenges traditions and reconciles with her roots. Pepa cooks and leaves the soup to stew, and we become immersed in the aroma and her story. The set designed by Laura Arroyo is effectively minimalistic, hinting at a Peruvian kitchen with utensils dangling at the sides and a kitchen top. Michael Harpur’s lighting design highlights dramatic moments and shifts the mood between different scenes. Duarte’s writing is balanced and truthful. The script is written in a way that feels like...

20Apr

By Priya GuptaNo Comments

West Midlands

Footloose – The Alexandra

Go cut loose down at The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham where Footloose has unashamedly danced its way into town. This fan favourite musical promises to be a smash hit. This musical is based on the 1984 film of the same name, with music by Tom Snow, lyrics from Dean Pitchford, and the book by Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. The show tells the story of Ren McCormack, an ordinary teen from Chicago who moves to a small town where dancing is banned. Ren attempts to overturn this ban and convince the town to get on its feet, resulting in moments of hilarity, triumph, and self-discovery. The music stole the show for me with classic 80s hits including Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let's Hear It for the Boy and of course the unforgettable title track Footloose. The iconic songs had the...

The Addams Family – Opera House, Manchester

20Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

The Addams Family – Opera House, Manchester

Dinner is served this week down at the Opera House in Manchester. Hosting are the most ‘normal’ family you’ll ever hope to meet! Matthew White directs with music and lyrics from Andrew Lippa. Wednesday Addams has met the love of her life, Lucas Beineke and following their secret engagement has organised dinner to allow the two families to meet and to pick the perfect moment to reveal their news. During dinner, other secrets are revealed, and the evening does not go exactly as the young lovers planned. Scott Paige returns to the show after a short break to narrate the story as Uncle Fester. Paige owns every scene he appears in with exemplary comic timing and facial expressions. Ryan Bennett as larger than life butler Lurch takes his time on stage before captivating us all at the clima...

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Theatr Clwyd

19Apr

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

Wales

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Theatr Clwyd

North Wales on an Easter Bank Holiday Monday conjures images of fish & chips by the sea, sandcastles on the beach and maybe even some weak Spring sunshine peaking through the rain clouds. However, we at North West End UK are prepared to sacrifice these dubious pleasures in pursuit of theatrical excellence, drawing me to Flintshire for the chance to catch a touring revival of ‘The Rise and Fall of Little Voice’, at the lovely Theatre Clwyd. Since bursting onto the theatrical landscape like a blazing northern star in the late 1980’s, Jim Cartwright’s work has demonstrated a heady mix of heart, humour, cruelty and pathos in an accessible and pacy form. ‘Little Voice’ examines the failed dreams and aspirations of the working classes, managing to do this without the mawkish sentimentalit...

Desperate Scousewives 3: Howdy Neighbour – Floral Pavilion

18Apr

By Jenn McKeanNo Comments

North West

Desperate Scousewives 3: Howdy Neighbour – Floral Pavilion

The girls are back with the third instalment of Desperate Scousewives and the laughs are back with them! Trisha’s son, Luke, is turning 16 and Trisha wants the party to be perfect. She has also made it to the finals of the local karaoke contest and her life, as she knows it depends on her winning. Sue and Nessa have been sent for the cake with £280 from Trisha, but they’ve managed to get themselves ‘locked’ in the pub. Lil is not happy and will not go back to bed until she’s found where the girls are. Of course, chaos ensues and we are taken on a hysterical journey over the course of the day. Lynne Fitzgerald has once again written a piece that resonates with Merseyside audiences and has them leaving with a stomach ache from laughing so much. There was a moment where she forgot her o...

The Metamorphosis – The Traverse Theatre

18Apr

By Melissa JonesNo Comments

Scotland

The Metamorphosis – The Traverse Theatre

Think of Kafka’ Metamorphosis and images of a tragicomic cockroach writhing on its back amongst filth and disarray usually springs to mind. Vanishing Point’s production of The Metamorphosis approaches this famous production from a refreshingly modern new angle, spurring on new connotations for the audience to mull on. Director Matthew Lenton and Associate Director Joanna Bowman take The Metamorphosis to 2020’s. Gregor’s profession isn’t as driven, but it’s still arguably crushing. Now, as a delivery cyclist, he’s at the mercy of his jobs worth boss and a victim of the gig economy. Sporting a bug-like helmet and sizeable rucksack, he bustles onto the stage and into bed before the transformation begins. When his family realise they can no longer rely on him for a source of income, t...