Latest Articles - Page 253 of 645

17Jan

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Calendar Girls The Musical – The Lowry

Sunflowers aplenty, Calendar Girls: The Musical has arrived at The Lowry in Salford Quays with an updated production that beautifully blends humour, heart, and a touch of poignant storytelling. Crafted by the talented duo Gary Barlow and Tim Firth, the musical resonates with a perfect harmony of Yorkshire wit and emotion, transferring the show from the big screen to the stage by being different. Under the skilful direction of Jonathan O'Boyle, the cast's chemistry shines through, drawing the audience into the world of the WI in Yorkshire. Laurie Brett as Annie delivers a stellar performance, capturing the essence of her character's journey with sincerity and grace. Each member of the cast, including Liz Carney as Marie, Maureen Nolan as Ruth, Lyn Paul as Jessie, Helen Pearson as Celia, ...

The Girl on the Train – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

16Jan

By Emma WildNo Comments

North West

The Girl on the Train – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

It is with much anticipation that I attended the opening night of The Girl on the Train at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse, after all, Paula Hawkins’ novel is one of my favourite books. An addictive page turner, unputdownable, gripping until the end. Did the play deliver this level of intensity? In places, yes. Firstly, this small cast of seven actors were all first-rate. Ruth Moore as Rachel Watson was incredible. Moore convincingly portrayed the character of Rachel, divorcee, alcoholic on the brink of eviction and certainly at the lowest point in her life. Moore brought much needed light and shade to the role, with a few key funny lines making the audience laugh yet maintaining a level of desperation - a need to be heard, seen and believed. Moore was engaging to watch, keeping the audien...

Burlesque the Musical announces Scottish Premiere in Glasgow & return to Manchester following sell-out season

15Jan

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Burlesque the Musical announces Scottish Premiere in Glasgow & return to Manchester following sell-out season

Following an unprecedented sold-out season at Manchester Opera House in June, producers of the World Premiere of Burlesque the Musical - the first ever stage adaptation of Steven Antin’s crowd-pleasing musical sensation, Burlesque which starred Christina Aguilera, Cher, Kristen Bell and Stanley Tucci - today announced that the production will make its Scottish Premiere in Glasgow in September, and return to the Manchester Opera House in October, prior to a West End transfer. With performances in Manchester from Thursday 13th June until Saturday 29th June 2024 already sold out, producers have confirmed a return season in the city from Thursday 3rd October - Saturday 2nd November 2024. Tickets go on sale on Friday 26th January. Tickets go on sale on Friday 26th January, at 10a...

After All These Years Starring Jeffrey Holland – Comes to the Tabard Theatre in Chiswick

15Jan

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

After All These Years Starring Jeffrey Holland – Comes to the Tabard Theatre in Chiswick

After All These Years, written by Giles Cole and co-produced with actor and director, Graham Pountney, is a bittersweet comedy about the passing of time, memory, love and last chances, and won the Outstanding Theatre Award in the 2023 Brighton Fringe. Close Quarter Productions together with Take Note Theatre Ltd and Theatre Reviva! in association with Julia Holofcener of Holofcener Ltd are delighted to bring this brand-new production to the Tabard Theatre in Chiswick, London, from the 7th to 24th February. This amusing and poignant production is brought to life by a brilliant cast: Real-life married couple Jeffrey Holland and Judy Buxton play married couple Alfred and Joanie, with Carol Ball and Graham Pountney playing Marianne and Charlie. Relationships can be a delicate balance ...

15Jan

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Carmen – Liverpool Empire

Director and Producer Ellen Kent’s Carmen is carnal, captivating, and carefree in equal measure and with the close camaraderie of the company clear to see on stage, it is a joy to behold. Set in early 19th Century Seville, Carmen tells the story of the downfall of Don José (Davit Sumbadze) a naïve corporal who falls head over heels in love with Carmen (Natalia Matveeva), a seductive, free-spirited gypsy girl. The infatuated Don José abandons his childhood sweetheart, Micaela (Elena Dee), and neglects his military duties much to the annoyance of his senior officer Zuniga (Valeriu Cojocaru), only to lose the fickle Carmen to the glamorous toreador Escamillio (Iurie Gisca). Sung in its original French, with English surtitles provided by Victoria Bazalinchuk, the unfolding action on stag...

Dick Whittington and the Pirates – Waterside Arts

14Jan

By Emma WildNo Comments

North West

Dick Whittington and the Pirates – Waterside Arts

On arrival, a buzz of excitement filled the air as the welcoming volunteers enthusiastically encouraged the young pirates in the audience to wear hats and eye patches. I was slightly concerned at this point that this panto was going to be aimed solely at the younger audience members, however, myself and my slightly cool teenage son, laughed, shouted “behind you” and found ourselves joining in with the actions to the pirate song! With a cleverly written script by Terry Hollinshead (updated by Ross Douglas), there were cheeky innuendos and political jokes for the adults whilst plenty of slapstick kept the younger audience members chuckling. Truly something for everyone to enjoy. This joyous, colourful, rags to riches tale filled with pirates, mermaids, a hairy fairy, talking animals an...

TV and stage star Daniel Taylor fronts the biopic tribute show Something About George

14Jan

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

TV and stage star Daniel Taylor fronts the biopic tribute show Something About George

An acclaimed show highlighting the incredible talent of the late Beatle George Harrison embarks on a UK and Ireland next month, it follows a successful run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe and sell out shows in 2023. Something About George – The George Harrison Story, pays tribute to the man dubbed the “quiet Beatle” it will visit 31 venues across England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, its biggest tour to date. It will open with two shows at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton on Sat 3 February and ends at the Town Hall Theatre in Galway, Ireland on Fri 29 March. West End performer and musician Daniel Taylor, fresh from his recent TV and media appearance with partner Shirley Ballas (head judge from Strictly Come Dancing), front’s the band of five and tells the fascinating ...

Casting announced for imitating the dog’s Frankenstein

14Jan

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Casting announced for imitating the dog’s Frankenstein

imitating the dog’s two-handed version of Frankenstein will feature RSC actor Georgia-Mae Myers and Nedum Okonyia. This time Co-Artistic Directors Pete Brooks, Andrew Quick and Simon Wainwright offer their trademark multimedia exploration of Mary Shelley’s timeless classic novel as a psychological thriller asks the eternal question – what is it to be human? In this version a couple confront their own fears about impending parenthood as they recreate a version of Frankenstein that erupts into life as everyday objects are transformed into glaciers, a ship at sea, a dissecting room, and a house on fire. Set and Costume Designer Hayley Grindle has created a transformative space j housing the digital tricks and video-mapping t...

New show BI-TOPIA explores LGBTQ+ issues and male identity

14Jan

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

New show BI-TOPIA explores LGBTQ+ issues and male identity

Sam Danson’s new semi-autographical one man show BI-TOPIA takes a candid look at under-represented links between battling with poor mental health and the highs and lows of the bi-sexual experience. When performer Danson was growing up his perceptions of manhood and the ideal male identity were influenced by the generations of men in his family who served in the military, and the war movies he was obsessed with. He wanted to be Ben Affleck in Pearl Harbour, Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan and sometimes even Rambo when he was angry. Then as a young adult still grappling with his male identity he suffered a brutal homophobic attack which left him reeling with shock and shame. That left him asking himself the burning question – how can you call yourself an honourable man when you have b...

Northern Ballet take Tortoise & The Hare on tour

14Jan

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Northern Ballet take Tortoise & The Hare on tour

Northern Ballet are taking their children’s ballet Tortoise & The Hare on the road kicking off at The Linbury theatre in London’s Royal Opera House from 27th – 29th January before embarking on an extensive UK tour. Tortoise & the Hare is a child friendly re-imagining of Aesop’s much-loved fable of a Tortoise who tired of being teased for his slowness challenges a speedy Hare to a race with unexpected results. Choreographed by former Northern Ballet dancers Dreda Blow and Sebastian Loe, Tortoise & the Hare premiered in 2015 and was the second children’s ballet by the pair. The production includes an original score composed by Bruno Merz, colourful set designs by Ali Allen and live music performed by members of the Northern Ballet Sinfonia. It’s a short ballet running ...