REVIEWS Archives - Page 97 of 548

3Apr

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

REVIEWS

Turandot – Royal Opera House

In spite of the date, it was sadly no joke that due to technical issues with the transmission, we lost the majority of the opening act and just when everything was set for the final act to unfold, further issues saw us stutter through the opening of Nessun Dorma before a freeze and then a jump to the next scene. All of this combined with the fact that the wrong programme information was sent out gives great cause for concern when opera is striving to reinforce its audience and its future with a selected live performance transmitted globally – on this occasion to over one thousand cinemas in twenty-two countries. None of this is the fault of the creatives and cast and having seen the 2023 revival, that serves as a useful point of reference for me to review this 2025 revival in spite of t...

Shirley Valentine – Grand Theatre Blackpool

3Apr

By Rebecca CaseyNo Comments

North West

Shirley Valentine – Grand Theatre Blackpool

Octagon Theatre Bolton presents a one woman play in two halves, Directed by Lotte Wakeham. Willy Russell famous for creating Blood Brothers, Our day out and Educating Rita originally wrote Shirley Valentine in the mid-80s, it then became a film. The original version was set in Liverpool. For this touring production, the play has been reset and imagined using the actresses native accent. Having never seen the film I didn’t know what to expect and quite honestly the thought of watching one actress on stage for such a long time isn’t something I would be keen to watch, however I was pleasantly surprised. Mina Anwar returning to the role of Shirley Valentine is spectacular, with the very relatable script make her portrayal of the character likeable, she comes across as the salt of the...

2Apr

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Red Or Dead – Liverpool’s Royal Court

When the email allocating this review landed in my inbox, I could be forgiven for thinking that my Liverpool supporting editor was playing an April Fool’s prank. The choice to send a Salfordian and Manchester United fan to review a play about the inexorable rise of Liverpool FC - staged in the heart of that city - could be seen as cruel and unusual punishment. I would object, if it were not for the fact that his decision meant I was fortunate enough to attend one of my highlights of the theatrical year, with a stunning central performance and enough heart to fill Old Trafford, let alone Anfield. ‘Red Or Dead’ Is a stage adaptation of the 2013 novel by David Peace telling the story of the reign of Liverpool’s legendary manager Bill Shankly, from his appointment in 1959 through to his une...

2Apr

By Annette NuttallNo Comments

West Midlands

Ghost the Musical – The Alexandra

The popular romantic thriller film from 1990, Ghost, has been adapted into a musical. This current production takes to the stage in Birmingham for the week. Sam and Molly are a young couple with their lives and many adventures ahead of them. All this changes with Sam’s untimely death. Trapped between two worlds Sam enlists the help of psychic Oda May Brown to contact Molly. Can they both move on and find happiness again? Although songs and dances have been added, the musical remains pretty much faithful to the film, the favourite moments are all there. The characters are faithful to the original without trying to imitate the film’s stars, each member of the cast make the roles their own. The standout performance of the night was Rebekah Lowings as Molly. She pulled out every emoti...

Beauty and the Beast – Church Hill Theatre

2Apr

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Beauty and the Beast – Church Hill Theatre

We all know that opening nights can go one of two ways; either a riot of mistakes ,technical blunders and missed lines or that rare perfect explosion of nervous energy which propels the production to new heights. I’m happy to say that tonight, on April Fool’s day, this is no blundering joke, instead it is one of those unique stunning, wonderful events. But this is no happy accident. Whether by stick or carrot, Director Louise Sables pulls off a masterclass of amateur direction and casting, to marshal the talented folks of EMT to tell a simple story with real emotion, humour and clarity, and at a pace that many a professional production would only dream of, whilst eking out a meagre budget in all the right places. Take the costumes for example: to open the programme and find that the ...

This Is Not a Happy Room – King’s Head Theatre

2Apr

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

This Is Not a Happy Room – King’s Head Theatre

This is not a Happy Room is a new play written by and starring Rosie Day. It explores family dynamics, the ways families drift apart, and how they reconnect when brought together for major life events—such as a wedding and a funeral. Through witty dialogue and engaging performances, the play captures the complexity of sibling relationships, unresolved tensions, and the bittersweet nostalgia of shared memories. The story revolves around a family gathering for their father’s wedding to his new girlfriend. However, as he fails to arrive on time, his children begin to question his whereabouts while also rediscovering their relationships with one another. As they navigate awkward reunions and unspoken resentments, the audience is drawn into the emotional highs and lows of their interactions....

2Apr

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Down The Hatch – Pleasance Theatre

What began as slightly self-conscious soon developed into a showcase of joy for this young collection of enthusiasts. The premise was simple: a tavern with a collection of characters who told their stories through song and dance. It reminded me of Jim Cartwright’s TWO but the stories were somewhat thinner, each tale being bound by the lyrics of a particular song. My favourite was the traditional Irish ballad, Aililiú Na Gamhna, sung by second-year, Lily Hodge. It was pitch-perfect and filled with tender anguish. The blocking enhanced the sentiment of the piece. Ewan Robertson has a fine, sweet voice living within the body of a construction worker - tall, wide and muscular. He concluded the first half with a stunning lift of Elham Khosravipour who seemed anomalous in her belly-dancing...

Mahler Symphony No. 3 – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

2Apr

By Johanna RobertsNo Comments

North West

Mahler Symphony No. 3 – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

While I’m familiar with Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 from recordings, this was my first time hearing the concert played live, so I was curious as to what the difference would be. Put simply, the difference was astonishing. The symphony is frequently described as ‘epic’, and the sheer size of the orchestra on the stage at the Philharmonic Hall was an indication of what was in store with an air of excited anticipation in the hall. Lasting approximately 90 minutes, the work is divided into six movements, with the central movements bookended by monolithic first and final movements. Mahler’s aim was to reflect on man’s relationship with the natural world, and initially, each movement had a title intimating its focus. While these are useful as guides, it is perhaps better to meet the music on i...

28Mar

By Katy GilroyNo Comments

North West

Macbeth – Floral Pavilion

The Scottish Play blew into the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton in a fresh new way thanks to Revision on Tour, allowing GCSE students to immerse themselves into one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies. Dickens Theatre Company say “Revision on Tour does exactly what it says on the tin - offering ALL students the chance to experience the texts they have been studying in class in a beautiful theatre, performed by professional actors. During those crucial revision months, we tour the UK with our unique adaptations - staying true to the original texts but performed in an accessible & engaging way, bringing high-quality theatrical experiences to young people, students, teachers, parents and all lovers of English literature.” If you were attending as a regular theatre goer, you m...

28Mar

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Asbo Bozo – Riverside Studios

18 minutes to start her day in silence, our lead and Anti-social Behaviour Officer (Georgina Duncan) needs to start her day off peacefully before dealing with the gruelling week ahead. Even more excitingly- it’s her birthday! With high expectations of the day, she prepares herself to play it cool when presented with cake and cards at work! She whirls around positive thinking, her phone quietly buzzes with yet another work meeting, a voicemail, an email. Her 18 minutes are cut 5 minutes short, so we journey with her on her walk to work through Wigan high street. Observant and suspicious of the locals, she’s seen far too much to just take life at surface level, but rather than confronting these demons, she remains forever bubbling on top of a kill switch. One small spark could set off an exp...