Wales Archives - North West End UK

16Apr

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

Wales

Come From Away – Storyhouse, Chester

On September 11th 2001, the world came to a horrifying stop following a terrorist attack in the USA. As it became clear that the first plane crashing into the World Trade Centre North tower was a deliberate act, US airspace was closed and hundreds of planes across the world were diverted. Come from Away tells the tale of the little town of Gander, in Newfoundland, Canada, whose airport became a haven for many of those flights, and shines a spotlight on those in the community who rallied to help those stuck far from home, many initially unaware of what had unfolded that terrible morning as they finally stumbled off the planes they had been stuck on for many hours. Tonight, Tip Top Productions brought the story to life in a production that, quite simply, would rival any professional st...

9Apr

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

Wales

We Will Rock You – The Hammond

Zodiac Theatre Group return to the Hammond School this week and are transporting us to the iPlanet where Globalsoft have taken over, banning real music and instruments and turning everything computer generated, from music to the people who live there, dressing the same, listening to the same computer generated music. The Killer Queen is ruling the iPlanet, with the help of her evil assistant, commander Khashoggi. But the bohemians know that Rock n roll is still alive somewhere on the iPlanet, so when they come across the dreamer, Galileo, they do all they can to help him to find the hidden musical instruments hidden in the place of hidden rock. The stage is quite bare, with computer monitors, keyboards and other old electronics at the front either side of the stage, a rostra that runs a...

Friends: The Musical Parody – Storyhouse Chester

2Apr

By Emma LambeNo Comments

Wales

Friends: The Musical Parody – Storyhouse Chester

When a TV show is as iconic as FRIENDS, it would be so easy to leave it alone and not attempt to parody. Boy, am I glad they decided to give it a go. Seeing it being brought to life on stage, had the perfect balance of breaking the fourth wall and making jokes that we know and love from the 90's sitcom. Photo: Pamela Raith You could tell it had been created by fans and managed to condense 10 seasons worth of plot and memorable moments into a 2 hour and 10-minute show (including interval). The beginning is super energetic and manages to keep this up throughout in my opinion. Judging by the audience laughs from start to finish, I think they agreed with me. The transitions were slick and worked well with the 'Warner Bros crew members' changing the set from Central Perk to Monica's ap...

25Mar

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

Wales

Teechers – Theatr Clwyd

The John Godber Company bring an updated, post covid version of the classic Teechers to the Weston Theatr at Theatr Clwyd. The script has been updated after John Godber spoke to teachers post covid and realised how much things have changed in the state system, where drama, art and music have a much lower status now compared to the other subjects, and how some educators are leaving the state system and being seduced by the private system which offer more in the drama, arts and music subjects. The set looks simple but very effective, with parquet looking flooring to mark out the set area, school tables and chairs, a set of lockers and a variety of other pieces and costumes around the set that are used throughout the play, all designed by Graham Kirk. The cast are made up of three actor...

8Mar

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

Wales

Macbeth – Storyhouse

Adapted and directed by Jamie Sophia Fletcher, Shakespeare has returned to Storyhouse with a fresh, bold and ambitious telling of Macbeth. We also see the return of the thrust configuration within the theatre which sees the stage area built out over the original stalls and creates a more intimate space where the audience surround three sides of the stage and feel even more involved with the story being told, with cast occasionally entering through the audience, inviting us in a little closer. The stage is pretty bare except for some strip lighting hanging down at different levels above the stage area and ‘Something wicked this way comes’ written all across the floor. The lighting is a huge part of this production, used to differentiate different families or groups, each with their own l...

17Feb

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

Wales

Glitch – Theatr Clwyd

Written by Zannah Kearns and directed by Gareth Taylor, Glitch is the story of a sub-postmistress, Pam Stubbs, whose life is left in tatters after she is falsely accused of deceiving the Post Office out of thousands of pounds. But with meticulous bookkeeping and the strength to keep fighting for what is right when she knew she had done nothing wrong; she finally receives a positive outcome. But at what cost? Glitch takes us right into the centre of one of the biggest “scandals” when the Post Office brought in the Horizon computer system and when Pam Stubbs, back in 2009, moved into a portacabin while the building underwent a redevelopment. The monthly Trading Statements produced shortfalls on the Horizon system and the Post Office demanded Stubbs pay it back, even though she ha...

Cinderella: The Rock n Roll Panto – Theatr Clwyd

2Dec

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Wales

Cinderella: The Rock n Roll Panto – Theatr Clwyd

Snowflakes tumble across a freshly snow-drenched stage as Theatr Clwyd unveils its first-ever panto production inside the brand-new Theatr Moondance — a beautifully refurbishment of the old Anthony Hopkins Theatre with new plush seating and glorious legroom. It’s a grand, sparkling space, ideal for a show bringing plenty of festive magical moments to Mold, serving up wonders for audiences of all ages. What continues to set Theatr Clwyd’s pantomime apart is the depth of panto experience and expertise of its creative team. Writer Christian Patterson, back for his eighth outing, once again fires out rapid-fire gags, cheeky innuendos, and that unmistakable Clwyd charm. Daniel Lloyd returns to direct, pulling together a production that shows off the artistic muscle of everyone involved. And,...

Annie Get Your Gun in Concert – Theatr Clwyd

4Sep

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

Wales

Annie Get Your Gun in Concert – Theatr Clwyd

Tip Top Productions have come bounding back to Theatr Clwyd with full force, bringing a concert version of Annie Get Your Gun to the newly renamed Theatr Moondance. Although this is no ordinary “in concert” as it comes with wonderful staging, fantastic choreography, brilliant projections and a whole lot more. Steve Davies as Producer and Director has put together a highly professional show with a stellar cast and staging that makes you forget you are watching a concert version and allows you to immerse yourself into the full musical. The stage is set with chairs across the centre with a gap in the middle and cast bring on five microphone stands across the front section of the stage which ties in the concert vibe of the show but also helps when it comes to spacing and lighting. Such a cl...

7Jun

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

Wales

Tick, tick… Boom! – Theatr Clwyd

Everything is new at Theatr Clwyd, with a sparkling £50m refurbishment nearing completion and Kate Wasserburg installed as the Artistic Director, on a gorgeous Friday evening in June all feels very positive for the future of the creative industries in this beautiful part of North Wales. As the final touches were completed, the press night audience arrived to the sight of unfinished landscaping and the smell of fresh paint throughout the building, whilst in the auditorium Tick, tick… Boom! provided a joyous paean to the necessity of creativity in life and a cracking start to the new era at Theatr Clwyd. Wasserburg chose wisely with the first show of her tenure, Tick, tick… Boom! is a relatively easy show to mount, with a cast of three and minimal set and props required for its staging. I...

Mother Goose: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – Theatr Clwyd

29Nov

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

Wales

Mother Goose: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – Theatr Clwyd

After almost two years, we are getting a sneak peek at a part of the Theatr Clwyd redevelopment with the first show back in the main theatre, this years Theatr Clwyd panto, Mother Goose. The rest of the building is not quite ready, with an exciting opening season recently revealed for early Summer 2025. Theatr Clwyd are back doing what they do best, bringing excellent theatre to audiences, some new but many returning year after year for the famous Rock n Roll pantos that Theatr Clwyd do so well. You could feel the excitement tonight as we enter the auditorium with new carpeting and brand-new chairs, a feeling of coming home but a home that has had a beautiful new makeover. Mother Goose is once again written by Christian Patterson and brings all the great jokes and innuendos we come t...