Latest Articles - North West End UK

Revenge: After The Levoyah – Soho Theatre

14Dec

By Charles PipeNo Comments

London

Revenge: After The Levoyah – Soho Theatre

Following the death of their grandfather, in the midst of the 2019 allegations of antisemitism within the Labour Party, Jewish twins Lauren (Gemma Barnett) and Ben (Charlie Cassen) are recruited by Malcolm Spivak to “do something about it”. Malcolm’s plan is to kidnap Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. Nick Cassenbaum’s hilarious script satirises the media’s frenzied attacks on Jeremy Corbyn in the lead up to the 2019 General Election. Although set in 2019, there are clear modern-day parallels; claims of antisemitism are frequently used to discount any criticism of the State of Israel and its actions in Gaza. As well as being a sharp satire, the play excels as a spoof of gangster, heist, and spy movies. The playful script, dynamic direction, and evocative sound and lighting design perfe...

14Dec

By Eleanor HallNo Comments

London

Evita Too – Southbank Centre

A joyously inventive dissection of Isabel Perón’s life, 'Evita Too' is an unforgettable piece of theatre. Questing to write a musical about Isabel - who is still alive, according to Wikipedia - Rebecca Biscuit and Louise Mothersole artfully interweave historical facts with the comic iconography of 'Evita'. Having already completed a run at Soho Theatre, this show was ambitious in its use of the Southbank’s more spacious Purcell Room to explore power dynamics with a playful approach. Clowning and music were the instruments of choice in this interrogation of the legacy of a woman forgotten, despite being the world’s first female president. Thrown to the wind was the invention of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, with Sh!t Theatre's original songs embargoing any familiar intrusions. ...

14Dec

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Hercules – Wesley Centre, Maltby

With delight I went to see Sherlock Productions latest show, the pantomime Hercules and as expected their talent and skill improve with every show – this was my favourite to date! This has become a yearly occurrence for me and one I look forward to as a visual reminder of the true spirit of Christmas – to love one another. Sherlock Productions is a unique amateur dramatics company who completely embrace inclusivity and wholly demonstrate the joy that this gives to all involved and to its observers - one of heart-warming accomplishment and unity – equality and achievement. Sherlock Production was originally founded in memory of Paddy Sherlock a talented thespian and a great friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him, Paddy would have been so very proud of this production of Hercul...

13Dec

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Cinderella – The Brindley

Last year I was invited to review my first ever pantomime at The Brindley in association with New Pantomime Productions and I wrote in my review “personally I cannot wait to return in 2025 to see if, and how this show can be beaten”. Well, I am thrilled to report that this year’s production did indeed beat last years. This is traditional pantomime at its very best. Making her professional debut and leading the cast was the superb Emma Laverty as Cinderella. Laverty looks so at home on stage you would believe she has been treading the panto boards for years, with a stunning crystal clear voice and natural interactions with all she was on stage with I predict big things for this young lady. Mikey Rowan playing Cinderella’s love interest Prince Charming commanded the stage whenever he w...

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – Alhambra Bradford

12Dec

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – Alhambra Bradford

The year Billy Pearce began his panto career at this historic venue Bill Clinton had just become President, Microsoft released Windows and Jurassic Park was pulling the crowds in. 25 years on, and Pearce is no dinosaur as for a performer in his seventies he still has energy to burn His festive turn as the leading man at the Alhambra is now as traditional as turkey stuffing, and from the moment the kids (and big kids) bellowed back ‘hello Billy’ (oh, yes they did) he has a very lively intergenerational audience in the palm of his hand. It really is a masterclass in how to work a crowd, and as a veteran of the Yorkshire club circuit his timing and ability to think on his feet is still razor sharp. This year (as he notes on stage) for his silver jubilee he is The Man In The Mirror - com...

Flint Street Nativity – St Hilda’s Church

12Dec

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

North West

Flint Street Nativity – St Hilda’s Church

They say never work with children or animals! Well, as you can imagine, directing a nativity performed by a class of seven-year-olds is enough to test the patience of even the calmest of people. Mizzis Horrocks and her class, with their squabbles and specific interests trying to be stubbornly squeezed into the birth of the baby Jesus, culminates in one excellent comedic musical which is bound to get you in the jolly spirit of Christmas. Woolton Drama Group present to you 'The Flint Street Nativity' directed by Georgina Anwyl and Andrew Parsons. Stage Management by Charlotte Titley. An assemblage of diverse characters takes to the stage to entertain and delight you for the evening. Firstly, let's start with the angelic perfectionist Mary herself (Jenny Snell), there's one in every cla...

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch – The Lowry

12Dec

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch – The Lowry

Unfortunate splashes back onto the stage with all the camp, chaos and deliciously wicked sparkle you could hope for. Directed by Robyn Grant and written by Grant and Daniel Foxx, this gloriously irreverent musical flips The Little Mermaid on its tail, giving Ursula the narrative power she has always deserved. In this fabulously filthy retelling, Ursula isn’t the villain but the victim, cast out from her home and from the arms of her one true love, King Triton, after a web of murderous lies twists the kingdom against her. Years later, she finds herself drawn back into Atlantica’s drama when the hopelessly horny and hilariously naïve Ariel decides she wants legs, not for adventure, but for access to the human men and their “genital anatomy.” The result is a riotous, queer, glitter-soaked ...

12Dec

By Dave SmithNo Comments

London

Kenrex – The Other Palace

A true crime story of a still unsolved crime in small town America, KENREX blends genres, true crime, western, music into something far, far greater than the sum of its parts. What begins as an almost true crime podcast style reconstruction of a murder turns into a study of how a small community shapes its own mythology, and how fear, loyalty and silence can outlast the truth. After acclaimed runs in Sheffield and Southwark Playhouse, this transfer to The Other Palace just confirms how brilliant KENREX is. Ken Rex McElroy was a violent bully who terrorised the small town of Skidmore, Missouri, for years. With no sheriff and no police within an hour's drive, the law was never able to stop him. A snake-oil lawyer (with a brilliant introduction that almost adds musical as a genre to ...

Tchaikovsky’s Heroines & Heroes – Usher Hall

12Dec

By Wendy McEwanNo Comments

Scotland

Tchaikovsky’s Heroines & Heroes – Usher Hall

This concert comprises scenes from three of Tchaikovsky’s greatest operas, each with a compelling female character at its heart. Their stories of forbidden love echo the composer’s own heartache from living as a gay man in a homophobic culture. In the aria Da, Chas Nastall from Act 1 of The Maid of Orleans, Joan of Arc (Natalia Kutateladze), bids a bittersweet farewell to her homeland. “You meadows and trees, my foster children, you will blossom and wither without me.” The music, and the performance, are filled with drama and passion, contrasting Joan’s intimacy with her childhood landscape, and the bloodstained violence of the battlefield to come. I was struck by the resolute strength that Kutateladze brought to the character. In a scene from Iolanta, Vaudémont (Robert Lewis) falls ...

12Dec

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Beauty and the Beast – Storyhouse

The festive season has returned and Storyhouse have treated us to a spectacular original version of Beauty and the Beast, full of beautiful scenery, fantastic costumes, songs to please all ages and a stellar cast who put their all in to bring us joy and cheer. Written by Anne Odeke with her debut panto, there are some strong messages throughout about treating people with respect, being kind to others and understanding that everyone deserves happiness. There are plenty of laughs, lots of joy but a lot of heart that will leave you feeling warm inside and maybe shed a little tear or two. Set and costumes, designed by Amy Jane Cook, are beautiful, extremely colourful, especially in Fromageville, shown off in all its glory by the wonderful lighting, designed by Aaron J Dootson. The set is...