West Midlands Archives - Page 7 of 14

The Spongebob Musical – Birmingham Hippodrome

15Apr

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

The Spongebob Musical – Birmingham Hippodrome

I’m not too familiar with Mr Squarepant’s portfolio of work but it seems his previous incarnation was as a wildly successful children’s animated cartoon television series and that, it seems, was what a lot of today’s audience were expecting. Springing from the mind of marine biologist Stephen Hillenburg, Spongebob premiered on Nickelodeon way back in 1999 and, unlike a real person, hasn’t aged since. I’m not going to Google this, but I think we can safely assume he has also appeared as varying dolls, toys, games and nameless and endless merchandising tie-ins. Originally named SpongeBoy, and we can only imagine the days of sweat and toil put in at various board and focus meetings to revise that name, he has proved himself a nice little earner over the years. So, what are we to make of the l...

23Feb

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

Mother Goose – Wolverhampton Grand

Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian is a game old dame bounding on stage in frock after frock of increasing absurdity with all the energy of a pro half his age in a pot pourri of panto panache. This is glorious, engaging, gormless, beguiling and simply joyous. Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian nails the part, the panto and the people with all the precision of a seasoned pantomimer but this, it seems, is one of his first goes (He has Twankied for us before now, apparently). It is a masterclass in drollery, wit, timing, slapstick sprinkled with two poignant moments of deft and touching drama. For a moment he tells of his days as a child in Bolton visiting a theatre for the time and being entranced by, of course, pantomime and as he tells us the tale the frock and wig just seem to vanish and a gentle, nostalgi...

Spitting Image Saves The World – Birmingham Rep

17Feb

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

Spitting Image Saves The World – Birmingham Rep

A healthy dose of dissent blended with bucket fulls Hogarthian vulgarity has provided the basis of British satire for many a year and there is nothing more vulgar and satirical and, indeed, British than “Spitting Image” which has been speaking the truth to power without remorse, consideration and, as times, tact since its inception in 1984. Produced at Central TV Studios which used to exist almost exactly opposite the theatre which houses its current incarnation. In its time it was subversive, naughty and very, very controversial these days every other TV show seems to aim and achieve that - so reviving it on stage may seem a bit of a risk. And it is one which Sean Foley as director together with co-writers Al Murray and Matt Forde take to with elan. Photo: Mark Senior Twelve buoyant...

The Mirror Crack’d – Alexandra Theatre Birmingham

16Feb

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

The Mirror Crack’d – Alexandra Theatre Birmingham

Miss Marple first surreptitiously ambled onto the crime scene in 1927 and she was very old even then. Since her first appearance in “The Tuesday Night Club” she has solved more murders than is normal for one petite detective to encounter in a lifetime and all without forensic tools, magnifying glass or DNA. “A Murder at the Vicarage” saw her first appearance in a full length novel, which, suspiciously, is the very novel on which your current reviewer is embarked. Spooky and perhaps a tad revealing. But I mustn’t mix up my murders! Miss Marple would not approve. The first actress to play our erstwhile spinster was (interesting fact for detective fans) our very own Gracie Fields in a 1956 episode of “Goodyear TV Playhouse” and many notable actresses have followed in her tiny footsteps - A...

Strictly Ballroom – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

14Feb

By Robert BartleyNo Comments

West Midlands

Strictly Ballroom – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Back in 1992, director Baz Luhrmann brought the world of competitive ballroom dancing into the cinematic spotlight with his hit film ‘Strictly Ballroom’. Covered in fake tan and sprinkled with sparkles, the lovingly satirical Australian film offered an entertaining glimpse into a high-pressured world with its on-stage rules and off-stage dramas. It half-inspired the title of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and has since gone on to inspire its own stage musical. First seen in the UK in its Leeds tryout prior to a short-lived West End run, the production has been reworked and is now midway through a successful UK tour. Scott Hastings (played by ‘Strictly’ favourite Kevin Clifton) has grown up in a family of dancers, craving the freedom to dance his own steps and frustrated in be...

Tim Rice: A Circle of Words – Wolverhampton Grand

10Feb

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

West Midlands

Tim Rice: A Circle of Words – Wolverhampton Grand

Can you feel the love tonight? Well, you certainly could on Thursday (9th February 2023) in Wolverhampton, as one of Britain’s greatest lyricists - Sir Tim Rice - took to the stage of The Grand Theatre for a one night only spectacular. The audience relished at the chance to hear Sir Tim recount, first-hand, how he fashioned lyrics to some of the most famous Disney and musical theatre songs of all time. Rice has truly conquered the world of entertainment and he brought along his Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony (EGOT) statues to prove it. But, throughout an evening where we got to learn about the man behind the awards, his modesty really shone through. As well as acting as compère for the evening, Sir Tim sang some of his original lyrics to the tune of what would become ...

Motionhouse: Starchitects – Birmingham Hippodrome

6Feb

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

Motionhouse: Starchitects – Birmingham Hippodrome

The Hippodrome is awash with young, vibrant faces each peering curiously into the gaping chasm of the empty auditorium daunted by its size unaware what they are about to see will blow their minds. Louise Richards and Kevin Finnan founded MotionHouse in 1988 and since its inception it has created an array of world-class, breath-taking circus-danced productions which have toured the globe integrating physicality, acrobatics, strong story and dynamic sound. “Starchitects” is no exception. Opening in a child’s bedroom, young buoyant dancers, each clad in child-like pyjamas, strive try to stave off their night time boredom by inventing games using cardboard boxes to create cars, tricks and, more importantly, a space rocket. So far, so predictable. Many kids shows employ cardboard boxes ev...

<strong>Mamma Mia – Wolverhampton Grand</strong>

19Jan

By Robert BartleyNo Comments

West Midlands

Mamma Mia – Wolverhampton Grand

The brainchild of creator/producer Judy Craymer, “Mamma Mia” is a thundering juggernaut of a success. Running on the West End for over 20 years (and 14 on Broadway), it boasts audience figures in the multi-millions, two movie spin-offs, and grossing over £3billion in its near-quarter-century lifetime. “Mamma Mia” translates to “Mega Money”, and this doesn’t show any signs of slowing down, as theatregoers continue to flock to it in their droves. For anyone wanting to banish the January Blues and escape to a Greek island for a fraction of the price, the current UK tour is playing right now at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre. “Mamma Mia” sees bride-to-be Sophie (Jess Michelmore) needing answers around her father’s identity which has remained a secret for 20 years. On ...

<strong>The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan – The Regent Theatre</strong>

11Dec

By Angela KellyNo Comments

West Midlands

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan – The Regent Theatre

Pantomime has been a British tradition for about 200 years and in many ways, despite some avid theatre goers 'rolling their eyes' at such a genre, ‘panto’ remains incredibly popular. This Christmas, the Regent Theatre welcomes the magical ‘Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan’ to a very excited Stoke- on -Trent audience. Directed by cast members Jonathan Wilkes and Kai Owen and produced by ‘Crossroads Pantomimes’, ‘The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan’ is essentially a story of enabling Peter Pan to fly again and involves another trip to the magical ‘Neverland’. Stoke-on-Trent's very own Jonathan Wilkes plays the part of ‘Smee’. This man sure loves a Panto and its clear he loves his hometown of Stoke just as much. Having performed panto for over a decade Wilkes clearly has it running t...

Nativity! The Musical – The Rep, Birmingham

25Nov

By Annette NuttallNo Comments

West Midlands

Nativity! The Musical – The Rep, Birmingham

Based on the film Nativity! The musical version premiered at The Rep in 2017 and has since had three runs in London and a UK tour. This family favourite has come home for Christmas, returning to The Rep, bringing some Sparkle and Shine to everyone. We see two Coventry schools trying their best to get a five-star review for their annual Nativity play. The private school Oakmoor excel at this where the underachieving St Bernadette’s fail to get even one star. Head of St Bernadette’s Mrs Bevan is determined this year will be different and enlists her nephew to help. While Mr Poppy is a hit with the kids his ideas are very different to Teacher Mr Maddens. Can they work together to create a masterpiece? Will Hollywood come and will lost loves be re kindled? Undisputedly the stars of this ...