REVIEWS Archives - Page 57 of 407

30May

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Judy & Liza – Hope Mill Theatre

What an absolute joy and honour it was to attend "Judy & Liza" at the Hope Mill Theatre. And what a show! "Judy & Liza" is like the concert many have dreamt of but never had the chance to see. This vaudeville-style production revisits the brief but iconic history of Frances 'Baby' Gumm and her daughter, Liza May Minnelli, marking 60 years since they last performed together at the London Palladium. The show is so well-crafted and thoughtfully executed that you could almost forget you were watching actors and not the legends themselves. Helen Sheals as Judy and Emma Dears as Liza were the perfect pair, making the audience feel welcomed and at ease. Neither outshone the other; each had ample time to shine individually and together in numerous duets. Their performances were fille...

30May

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Fabulous Creatures – Arcola Theatre

“We used to kill, but now we cabaret!” “Fabulous Creatures,” written by Quentin Beroud and Emily Louizou, showcases creatures of Greek mythology in a captivating and unique setting. The story begins in a cabaret club where the monstresses welcome and seduce the audience members with their enchanting songs. The trio at the heart of the show includes Scylla, Charybdis, and a Siren. The narrative interweaves various Greek myths, mentioning a range of other creatures and Gods. The music, enticing from the start, features a variety of styles from ballads to disco pop and even rap, effectively moving the story along. Jazz Jenkins, who plays the Siren, particularly stands out with a stunning singing voice. The performance is set in one act and progresses quickly, transitioning from the caba...

Uncanny – I Know What I Saw – Festival Theatre Edinburgh

30May

By H.S. BakerNo Comments

Scotland

Uncanny – I Know What I Saw – Festival Theatre Edinburgh

How have I not heard of Danny Robins? He clearly has a huge following judging from the whoops and hollers from the near capacity audience when he made his appearance at the start of the show. Opening with spooky music (uncredited), fog effect and a back projection screen showing a skinny bloke walking through a forest, said bloke’s appearance on stage resulted in an eruption of ecstatic applause, cheers and whistles, prompting my companion to ask, “Who’s that?” The only reply forthcoming from me was, “No idea!” It turns out that Danny Robins is an erstwhile comedian and comedy writer, now a journalist and podcaster. His investigations into the paranormal have led to several radio series and podcasts on the subject, including “The Battersea Poltergeist” and “Uncan...

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Edinburgh Playhouse

29May

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Edinburgh Playhouse

An amazing spectacle and upbeat tunes (plus the most expensive prop in British theatre history), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, sweeps you along for a few hours of happy distraction with ease and admiration. The lighting, designed by Ben Cracknell and implemented by Ryan Van Delden and deputy head of lighting, Sophie Meredith, is a work of perfection. Gareth Tucker’s set design works seamlessly under the management of Phil Sykes, Lee Harvey and Natasha Wood. The ever-present picture frame and blueprints create a sense of fantasy, innovation and endless possibility. And whatever team designed and created that flying car … not Caractacus Potts himself, I assume … hats off to you. Thanks must go to Kielan Yates and Ellie Holloway for enabling this amazing star in its own right, night after...

29May

By Manda ElizabethNo Comments

North West

Grease The Musical – Liverpool Empire

Grease The Musical has lightening bolted onto the stage of Liverpool’s Empire Theatre this week for some summer loving… much different to its movie counterpart it still promises a night choreographed to perfection and vocals worthy of mesmeric status. If you’re an avid fan of Grease the movie, you will notice the flow of the musical misses out some of the story but gives you alternative which supports the added musical numbers and characters which are highlighted more during the stage adaption.  We are introduced into Rydell High by Vince Fontaine, who we quickly warm to as our host and almost like the page turner from scene to scene, flowing the set changes with comedic charm and presence. In act one it seemed to be a warmup for the main debut in act two where we as the audience are...

29May

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Sister Act – Buxton Opera House

Sister Act, the hit musical comedy directed by Bill Buckhurst is touring the UK and this week is at the beautiful Buxton Opera House. The larger than life production delivers an evening of joyous entertainment and powerful performances. Based on the beloved 1992 film, this production brings together a stellar cast, bright and bold staging and impeccable comedic timing. Former Coronation Street star Wendi Peters shines as Mother Superior, bringing a perfect blend of stern authority and underlying warmth to her role. Her comic timing and vocal prowess add depth to the character, making her a memorable anchor for the show. Landi Oshinowo as Deloris Van Cartier is a revelation. Her portrayal of the nightclub singer turned nun on the run is both heartfelt and hilarious. Oshinowo’s powerfu...

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Holden Hall

28May

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Holden Hall

‘Way, way back many’ months ago Alderley & Wilmslow Musical Theatre Company (AWMTC) were dealt a huge hammer blow following the discovery of RACC concrete at their planned venue (NK Arts) for their next show Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which was due to play there in January this year and its subsequent closure on safety grounds. Now 4 months later tonight the show had a triumphant opening night at their new venue Holden Hall at the magnificent Cheadle Hulme School. Along with many other people, Joseph was my first introduction to theatre apart from the school nativity and the show holds a special place in my heart as a result of it being my mum’s favourite show. Tonight, AWMTC did this show more than justice with first class performances from the first note to the l...

I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue – Edinburgh Festival Theatre

28May

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue – Edinburgh Festival Theatre

For the long-standing listener, a chance to see just exactly how they do it. Twice, as it happens, which makes for a long night but detracts not a jot from the hugely entertaining formula honed and tweaked over the years, the A-List cast (Rory Bremner, Pippa Evans, Milton Jones and Fred MacAuley) and its A-List Humph replacement, Jack Dee. Who, on reflection has been at it for pretty much 15 years now. The show with no apparent end to its stamina was conceived in 1972, a riposte to the wave of ‘panel’ games taking over our screens and wireless units. So that’s what he looks like! The first reveal is the appearance in front of three tourquoise-covered tables of producer Jon Naismith, who performs the oft-belittled role of warm-up bloke with greetings, explanations and the odd cracker of ...

28May

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

Mind Mangler – Alexandra Theatre

‘From the comedic minds behind “The Play That Goes Wrong” and “Peter Pan Goes Wrong”’ boasts the poster. Featuring two of the original “Play Goes Wrong” creators - Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer, both accomplished and veteran go-wrongers, with impressive CVs of chucklesome achievements and each with an enviable comedic reputation. The stakes and standards are high. Will the expectations and the boasts be met? Add into the alluring mix a couple of familiar names from the world of sleight of hand - Penn and Teller, though neither are present, their influence is felt. A perfunctory sniff around the branding and website would suggest a comedy magic show with a dollop of mind-reading leading to, as they used to say in the Radio Times, hilarious consequences. “The Play That Goes Wrong” was a daz...

The Secret Diary of Henry VIII – Eastbury Manor

27May

By Kira DanielsNo Comments

London

The Secret Diary of Henry VIII – Eastbury Manor

Come rain or shine. Bring a chair, a picnic blanket, or a picnic for that matter. There’s merry fooling to be had, mellifluous music to be heard, and a manicured lawn to lounge on. This relaxed staging of theatrical farce is anything but languorous. With frenetic pacing to match the attention span of even the most distractible of children and a host of characters frenzied enough to drive parents to distraction, Three Inch Fools’ The Secret Diary of Henry VIII pulls off a difficult balancing act of consistently holding audience’s attention without ever demanding or begging it. Gently cradled in the charming back garden of the only moderately grandiose Eastbury Manor House, audiences are engaged without ostentation and entertained without overwhelming. The rapport between performer and au...