Yorkshire & Humber Archives - North West End UK

11Sep

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Dear Evan Hansen – Hull Truck Theatre

On Wednesday evening, the Hull Truck Theatre audience gave Hessle Theatre Company’s production of Dear Evan Hansen well-deserved thunderous applause at the show’s end; with the leading actor getting a standing ovation. The young actor in question, Liam Hatt, in his debut with the company, took the part of Evan Hansen, giving a mesmerising performance. Dear Evan Hansen revolves around a socially anxious teenager, desperate to belong. Set in modern times, social media plays an enormous part in proceedings and the amazing stage backdrop portrays moving images relating that. It’s social media that causes heartache, tragedy, shock, sadness, regret and shame when Evan inadvertently prints out a letter to himself, part of his assignment given by his therapist who charges him to wri...

Operation Mincemeat – Leeds Grand Theatre

9Sep

By Adam CraddockNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Operation Mincemeat – Leeds Grand Theatre

Last night I had the pleasure to be invited along to the always wonderful Leeds Grand Theatre to review the latest leg of the UK tour of “Operation Mincemeat”. I was very much looking forward to this one, I’m a massive World War 2 history buff and I have always found the story of “Major William Martin” fascinating but didn’t know too much about some of the background players in the story so this was definitely right up my street. My only holdup going into it was how it was going to translate as a musical and now seeing the program littered with ex members of Mischief Theatre I have to say… it translates perfectly. The plot follows a struggling MI5 trying to come up with a plan to invade Sicily. We see various plans to kill Hitler thrown out until an unbecoming scientist pitches “O...

9Sep

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Annie – Hull New Theatre

Some productions are so effortlessly professional and polished, it’s easy to forget they are that way because of all the hard work put into them, by everyone concerned - on stage and off. Effortlessly professional and polished perfectly describes the West End smash hit, Annie, which started its run at the Hull New Theatre on Tuesday night. Long before the 7.30pm start time the stage was set for us to view, giving us a glimpse of beds sparsely covered and over-lit with industrial-type lamps. This cold, prison-like scene is home to the world’s most famous orphan, Annie, and six of her chums, all under the “care” of the oft inebriated Miss Hannigan, in a New York orphanage. The year is 1933, during America’s Great Depression, and 11-year-old, red-haired Annie (the absolutely amazi...

7Sep

By NewsdeskNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

King Lear – The Crucible, Sheffield

Widely regarded as one of the greatest pieces of literature of all time, King Lear triumphantly took to the Crucible stage this weekend just gone and is preparing to enjoy a further two weeks playing to packed out audiences. If tonight is anything to go by, a trip to the theatre will be a worthwhile one. Director Titas Halder, supported by Vicky Moran and Marc Small in associate and assistant director roles respectively, makes it so much of this show is only as good as its actors – arguably aptly Shakespearean – which is welcome. That is also not to say they are shy of imposing bold, abstract creative conceits. Halder leans on imagery of eclipses, using the sun and the moon’s veiling involvement with one another to draw parallels to the familial discontent that cannot escape orbit and i...

3Sep

By Phoebe Olivia Sian HobsonNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Heathers – Leeds Grand Theatre

The Heathers opened their candy store with a bang at Leeds Grand last night. Dang, what you think will be another upbeat American teen musical but this time with not one but three Rizzo’s named the ‘Heathers’, actually takes a dark turn and you soon realise you’re not about to watch another Grease, but a high school musical about damage, destruction and homicide. Not to worry though it’s all covered with humour, bright lights and toe tapping sing a long songs. The show follows the point of view of none other than low life nobody, ‘Veronica Sawyer’ played by Gerardine Sacdalan who’s itching for popularity until she sees an opportunity and shoots her shot… literally. The thirst for popularity lands Veronica a spot with the heathers and she enters a candy store full of toxicity, powe...

2Sep

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Waitress – Hull New Theatre

The first time I reviewed Waitress for this website, in 2022, I wrote: “Sometimes the singing was a wee bit too loud for me to distinguish certain words, but I’m sure my ears were to blame”. Well, those same ears are still attached to my noggin, so how would they fare four years older? I am pleased to say the sound engineers got it just right on Tuesday night, when Waitress started its - 10th anniversary - run at a packed Hull New Theatre. The city’s theatregoers were out in force, maybe with the expectation of seeing the show’s star, entertainer Les Dennis, in action as diner owner, Joe. However, a helpful notice at the box office informed us his role on the night would be undertaken by Dan O’Brien. But any initial disappointment at not seeing the famous name soon disappeared ...

26Aug

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

High Society – Leeds Grand Theatre

Well, Did You Evah hear a more peerless collection of classic showtunes as High Society? Fans of other musicals will no doubt quibble with that claim, but Cole Porter composed at least three timeless songs for this reworking of double Oscar winning, The Philadelphia Story, which was also a hit movie starring Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby and Ol’ Blue Eyes. This scrumptious production of High Society was hardly Shakespeare as spoilt New England socialite Tracy Lord was about to marry boring George, and her lovelorn ex-husband Dexter equally determined to get her back. Throw in a couple of undercover reporters, and a case of mistaken identity, and you had all the ingredients for a classic light hearted musical, but with wall to wall Porter masterpieces. One of the main criticisms o...

The Ballad of Johnny and June – Grand Opera House York

29Jul

By Adam CraddockNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Ballad of Johnny and June – Grand Opera House York

Last night I had the privilege of being invited down to the stunning Grand Opera House York to review the latest leg of the UK & Ireland tour of “The Ballad of Johnny & June”, self described as being possibly the greatest love story in all of country music and I have to say I can’t argue with that! The plot follows the famous “man in black” Johnny Cash through his career from young church going boy to world famous country star and the ways his life crosses over with the possibly more famous (at least initially) June Carter. The show is cleverly narrated by their son John Carter Cash and he actually tells us different perspectives of different periods of their life, sometimes from Johnny’s side, sometimes from June’s and even sometimes from somewhere more true in between the two. I ...

23Jul

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Lord of the Dance – Hull New Theatre

Michael Flatley, creator of the legendary Lord of the Dance, says his “job in life is to make people happy”. Well, all I can say, Sir, is job very well done. On Wednesday evening, the crowds flocked into the Hull New Theatre to watch Flatley’s 30th anniversary tribute show to his creation with Lord of the Dance 30 amazing years of standing ovations. This was my third time of seeing the super-talented Irish man’s show and, each time I think it can’t get any better, it bloomin’ well does. The 30th Anniversary Tour promises brand-new choreography, stunning costumes, state-of-the-art special effects and cutting-edge lighting, ensuring an “unforgettable experience”. At curtain up, I was about to see if it would live up to its promise. A first look at the stage setting and it was ...

23Jul

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Jersey Boys – Bradford Alhambra

Back in fifties New Jersey there were three ways out of poverty – the army, getting mobbed up or become a pop star. Frankie Valli and his three mates formed The Four Seasons to take what they thought would be the easy option. But as well as massive hits like Sherry and Big Girls Don’t Cry, this surprisingly gritty tale of the perils of rags to riches pop stardom is not without its mob connection. Street hustler Tommy Devito is also a musician and discovers a vocal winning lottery ticket in Frankie Valli’s distinctive falsetto. Throw in the genius of songwriter Bob Gaudio and you have the Four Seasons who become the best selling boy band of all time with a string of hits. But like all successful bands they are brought down to earth thanks to internecine rivalries, ego and ...