REVIEWS Archives - Page 462 of 548

17Dec

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Best of Enemies – Young Vic

Travelling back to 1968, we are thrown of where to look. Television screens dotted in all directors, visual designs bringing the floor to life and a sudden influx of the famous figures who used to run America’s screens. This incredibly insightful, heated performance of America’s leading news channels battling out to pull in the most viewers, follows the ABC network trying out a new form of entertainment: putting opposite political views together and discussing. Where this may be a very popular and everyday occurrence for this day and age, we see how this now, almost obsessive form of television was brought to life. In particular we follow William F Buckley, a conservative popular figure battle it out with the Liberal, ‘Gore Vidal’ as they discuss the upcoming election. Through these cun...

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – Hull New Theatre

13Dec

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – Hull New Theatre

It’s that time of the year again - oh, yes it is - when theatres up and down this fair land come alive with laughter, groans, screams and (my worst nightmare) audience participation. Sunday evening at the Hull New Theatre was no exception as the pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs paid our city a visit. Being the 5pm showing meant it was the perfect time for tots and youngsters to attend, and by the sound of their shrieks and laughter all around me, they were thoroughly enjoying themselves - as were the grown-ups who accompanied them. It took a while for those in the packed audience on Sunday to “let rip”, but when they did, it was panto mayhem. The glittery scenery throughout wasn’t just lovely to look at, but also created the right atmosphere without being too overbeari...

13Dec

By Morgan EvansNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Sleeping Beauty – Sheffield Lyceum

Sheffield Theatres and Evolution Pantomimes have a rich reputation for their pantomimes, and this year’s edition is once again Damian Williams and his cohort on their finest form. Superbly directed by Paul Hendy, this is a tour-de-force of panto, and ultimately panto at its finest. Titular character Hannah Everest holds the role very well and is a very stable anchor for both the narrative and comedy within. The same can be said for her royal romantic counterpart played by Dominic Sibanda, who brings an appropriately friendly and fun sensibility to his role whilst playing the melodrama effectively. Janine Duvitski’s Fairy Moonbeam is at her best deployed in comedic ensemble sections, and Lucas Rush’s evil Carabosse delves delightfully into devilishly camp malevolence. Ben Thornton’s exci...

13Dec

By Ezzy LaBelleNo Comments

North West

The Secret Circus – Unity Theatre

Showcasing local talent and alternative acts, the Secret Circus provides a variety show based on fun. Offering opportunity to local acts, it aims to share originality and diversity in entertainment. With the line-up and acts changing, no two performances are the same, so it is roulette on the experience you’ll get on the night. Compered by The Queen of Heartbreak, Beija Flo and Naffrodite, the audience encountered a selection of the entertainment Liverpool has to offer. Eleven performers took to the stage, many in costume and some appearing to suffer the impact of nerves. First up was Trev Fleming, who gave a reading of three poems. The final one, Christmas Dinner, touched the audience and had a nostalgic poignancy within it. This was followed by some interpretative dance from The...

13Dec

By Leanne RushtonNo Comments

North West

Cinderella – Regent Theatre

The theatre is alive with the buzz of hundreds of people gathering together for a tradition that sadly had to be broken last year. The atmosphere in the auditorium was in a word electric. The Regent Theatre always go above and beyond with Panto, this one is no exception. For their 14th year together we have Jonathan Wilkes and Christian Patterson as Buttons and Baroness Heifer Hardup respectively. These two together is a match made in heaven. There is a reason they keep coming back, the people of Stoke adore them both. They’re regional treasures at this point frankly. We have a few more returning actors in Kai Owen, a massively watchable Dandini who gives off an air of Dad jokes coming to life in the best possible way. Naomi Slights as Cinderella was a perfect principal girl, she was ki...

Peter Pan – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

11Dec

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

Peter Pan – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse pantomime is more than an annual festive tradition. It’s a treasured part of the local community. After a year away, thanks to one thing and another, it’s so gratifying to see packed houses of families once again enjoying an ambitious and joyful show. There are very few surprises here. The Darling children are growing up fast, while their distant father is increasingly frustrated with the ‘poppycock’ fairy tales filling their heads. It’s to be Wendy’s last night in the nursery. What Mr and Mrs Darling don’t know of course (the grown-ups always forget) is that the magic is real. Peter Pan’s shadow is hiding in the toy box and our hero wants it back. So begins an awfully big adventure to Neverland and back. Writer Tom Whalley has penned a largely fai...

10Dec

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

The Book of Mormon – Palace Theatre

The Book of Mormon has been making global headlines since it hit the Broadway stage in New York in January 2011. The musical is the creation of Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone and it’s a story that takes you through the journey of two young American Mormon missionaries who are sent from the comfort of Salt Lake City to Uganda to spread the word and teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The lead characters are Elder Kevin Price (Robert Colvin) who is looking forward to his two-year mission whilst praying he will be posted to Orlando a magical place where he once visited as a child and dreams, he will return, whilst his partner Elder Arnold Cunningham (Connor Peirson) a nerdy overweight compulsive liar and fantasist missionary is solely looking for a be...

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe – The Lowry

10Dec

By Jo TillotsonNo Comments

North West

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe – The Lowry

There can’t be many people who don’t know the story of the four Pevensie children and their adventures in Narnia, overcoming evil while learning about sacrifice and redemption. Edmund’s rescue from the thrall of the White Witch, Mr Tumnus’s bravery and Aslan’s triumphant return are some of the many key moments from the book that make it onto the stage in this vibrant adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s classic story. Condensing a whole book into 105 minutes is not an easy task, but director Michael Fentiman and his creative team met the challenge head on. The production succeeds particularly in its incredible design, and not only visually. Set (Tom Paris), lighting (Jack Knowles) and music (Benji Bower, Barnaby Race) are beautifully layered so that the audience can clearly understand exactly whe...

Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World – Liverpool Playhouse

10Dec

By Johanna RobertsNo Comments

North West

Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World – Liverpool Playhouse

I absolutely loved this show! Fantastically Great Women, a musical based on the picture book by Kate Pankhurst, aims to inspire children with stories about women who have claimed their place in history in a whole range of different fields. The concept is simple but effective. Jade (last night played by the outstanding Eva-Marie Saffrey), a 10-year-old girl on a school trip to the museum, is tired of restrictions and of never being listened to, and, we later find, is having difficulty coming to terms with her parents’ imminent divorce. Hence, she has decided to hide away in an off-limits section of the museum, the soon to be opened ‘Gallery of Greatness’. Picking up a toy plane, she wishes she could have an adventure – which is the cue for Amelia Earhart to make an appearance, quickly...

10Dec

By Gaurav SinghNo Comments

London

Fair Play – Bush Theatre

Ella Road's new play 'Fair Play' offers an incisive look into the world of women's athletics and the lives of those who inhabit it. Premiering at the Bush Theatre, the show invites the audience to glimpse into the pressures and anxieties that these athletes deal with, having to contend with never-ending public scrutiny and judgement passed on their bodies, lifestyles and choices, on the track field and outside. Directed by Monique Touko and designed by Naomi Dawson, there is a searing rhythm to the evening that doesn’t let us look away for even a second. The play opens with Ann (Nick King), a young Black girl who has joined a local running club in London. Here, she meets Sophie (Charlotte Beaumont) has been training for a while. Both these young girls are short-distance runners in train...