West Midlands Archives - Page 13 of 16

Coming to England – Birmingham Repertory Theatre

5Apr

By Priya GuptaNo Comments

West Midlands

Coming to England – Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Dame Floella Benjamin’s award-winning and iconic book Coming to England is brought to life in this touching stage adaptation. It's an inspirational story of ambition, tenacity, and victory. Award winning director Omar Okai has created a show full of magic, joy, hope and happiness. The children’s book is a firm favourite by many, with wonderful illustrations captivating Floella’s own journey of emigration from Trinidad to London. These illustrations are brought to life in the simplistic yet colourful use of props and set design. Such as the rows of light up houses that create the streets of 1960’s London to the cabin style beach huts that reflect Floella’s Trinidadian home. The show explores complex issues and themes of racism, overcoming adversity, and personal triumph. It is an insp...

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time – Birmingham Hippodrome

30Mar

By Annette NuttallNo Comments

West Midlands

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time – Birmingham Hippodrome

The award-winning National Theatre Production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time comes to Birmingham, perfectly coinciding with World Autism Awareness Week. Christopher Boon has found his neighbour’s dog murdered, he decides to investigate what has happened and who killed him. This is very much outside of his comfort zone and the more he investigates the more he reveals, leading to some uncomfortable discoveries. From the start, it is clear that Christopher sees things differently to most people, his neurodiverse condition is never named but alluded to in the script. The novel (by Mark Haddon) on which this play is based, is written in the first person, which could be difficult to translate to the stage. However, by mixing live action with Christopher explaini...

Dreamboats and Petticoats – The Alexandra, Birmingham

22Mar

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

Dreamboats and Petticoats – The Alexandra, Birmingham

“Petticoats and Dreamcoats’” first incarnation arrived in theatres over eleven years ago and happily and squarely hit their target demographic straight in the bulls’ eye. It was preppy and fun and joyous and brought back many memories for those who lived through the years portrayed. This latest re-incarnation is ten years on as is its target audience and perhaps a little less eager to jump to its feet. This is a show holding great memories for those who were there - particularly Butlins’ and a youth club - but holding little else for the rest of us. The plot is scant and characters merely cyphers - but what holds it together is the music and, though the choices are not the most memorable of the period, there are a few great tunes to bop to. If you can still bop. “Lipstick on Your Collar...

Beauty and the Beast – Birmingham Hippodrome

10Mar

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

Beauty and the Beast – Birmingham Hippodrome

Disney has, for many years, been synonymous with quality family entertainment with works dating way back into the early part of the twentieth century which have woven themselves into the hearts and minds of children creating classics loved by successive generations. In recent years many of those works have found themselves translated to stage versions proving themselves a further cash cow for Mickey. Some may say this is just cynical cash-in exploiting previous works, but, oh, no, not I. It’s nearly thirty years since Disney’s renaissance with Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King brought the eye of the world back to their work and proved even sans Walt this company was going places! The theatrical wing of the business has proved itself time and again where Disney’s hea...

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – The Alexandra

9Mar

By Priya GuptaNo Comments

West Midlands

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – The Alexandra

If you want some adventure, then all you must do is open those wardrobe doors and step into the Alexandra Theatre where The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe Tour has transported itself to town. This lavish retelling of the classic 1950’s novel by CS Lewis has had a revamp from director Michael Fentiman, whose theatricalisation of the time-honoured novel has been in rehearsal; this production itself is based upon Sally Cookson’s acclaimed stage adaptation that premiered in Leeds late in 2017 before finding a London home 2 years later at the Bridge Theatre. The book is a favourite for many and Fentiman brilliantly navigates the mythical, and magical atmosphere onstage. The production features an incredible ensemble who really took the phrase ‘triple threat’ to a whole new level. ...

9Mar

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

The Da Vinci Code – Wolverhampton Grand

I got half way through the book of Da Vinci Code and gave up, I got half way through the film of the Da Vinci Code and gave up. I got half way through the play of the Da Vinci Code and stayed. Whether that is a comment on this production or my poor concentration skills, I don’t know, but this was well worth staying for. Now then, if you haven’t been sitting in a cave for the latter part of the twentieth century you’ll be more than aware of the phenomenally successful best-seller, “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown, it sold by the barrow load and, even if this reviewer stumbled at chapter ten, many others plundered through it merrily prompting a Hollywood movie starring Tom Hanks. It would seem inevitable, then someone should have a stab at staging it and Simon Friend Entertainment have do...

2Mar

By Annette NuttallNo Comments

West Midlands

Fatal Attraction – The Alexandra

This well-known thriller based on the film of the same name, comes to Birmingham this week to bring a touch of romantic drama. Beth and Dan have a happy life until she spends a weekend at her mother’s and Dan goes to a bar. From here Dan (Oliver Farnworth) makes a series of bad decisions, the first being to have dinner with a beautiful lady in the bar, Alex (Kym Marsh). Will Dan be able to keep his weekend activities secret, or will Alex reveal the truth as she gets more desperate for him to stand up to his responsibilities. There is a tension throughout the play, partly because most people have an idea where this is going. There are audible reactions when there is mention of a pet rabbit and when a phone number is handed over. Adding to this tension the sound design keeps you on edg...

Matthew Bourne’s The Nutcracker – Birmingham Hippodrome

9Feb

By Annette NuttallNo Comments

West Midlands

Matthew Bourne’s The Nutcracker – Birmingham Hippodrome

It may be February, but it is never too late to catch this superb production of The Nutcracker. First of all, take everything you know about The Nutcracker, screw it up and throw it out of the window. This ballet is like no other version you have seen before. Matthew Bourne has taken the family favourite (and the version he first created 30 years ago) and given it a very colourful make over. The basic story of Clara and her toy is there, but it opens in an orphanage rather than a lavish house. She is still transported away to a fantasy world of ice and then sweets, but the national dances have been replaced by ones representing confectionery. Unlike the usual version there is a story being told throughout, the second half has more of a purpose than just a showcase for different style...

28Jan

By Annette NuttallNo Comments

West Midlands

Animal Farm – Birmingham Rep

This well-known story based on the book by George Orwell, studied by generations at school has taken to the stage in Birmingham. From the moment you walk into the auditorium you can tell this isn’t a happy go lucky play. The stage has a dark industrial feel too it, the pre-show action on stage reinforces the tone even further. Animal Farm tells the tale of animals on a farm who dream of days of freedom from their human oppressors. Following a stirring speech from an old pig, they plan a revolution. We follow their journey as all their best laid plans and intentions start to fade. Anyone who studied this at school will probably remember the story revolves round political ideals, leadership and control of the masses. This production manages to bring the story to life in a very visua...

25Jan

By Priya GuptaNo Comments

West Midlands

Chicago – Alexandra Theatre

Start the car and head on down to the Alexandra Theatre, where Chicago really is all that jazz. The Tony award-winning, record-breaking hit musical has Fosse walked its way to Birmingham and it doesn’t disappoint. Set in Chicago in the Jazz age, the musical is based on the 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins. With the music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, and the book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the ‘celebrity criminal’. Set in the backdrop of 1920’s decadence Roxie Hart murders her lover after he threatens to walk out on her. To avoid conviction, she dupes the public and the media by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer, Billy Flynn, who will defend you for a high price, guilty ...