Latest Articles - Page 263 of 645

28Nov

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

God of Carnage – Cheadle Players

Written by Yasmina Reza, ‘God of Carnage’, a play that was originally written in French and translated by Christopher Hampton, graces the stage of the Players Theatre in Cheadle Hulme this week. Directed by Bruce Taylor, this was certainly an interesting performance choice from an amateur theatre company. Having been lucky enough to see Reza’s play ‘Art’ in London's West End in the late 1990’s it was exciting to see another of her plays. ‘God of Carnage’ was certainly a challenge to an amateur theatre company. Proud owner of a Tony Award in 2009, the story is set in a New York apartment. It relays the story of two couples, ‘Veronica’ (Sarah Howsam), and ‘Michael’ (Matthew Powell). The second couple, ‘Annette’ (Alexandra Severn) and ‘Alan’ (Christopher Billington) are invited to discuss ...

Hit supernatural thriller 2:22 A Ghost Story returns to The Lowry in 2024

27Nov

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Hit supernatural thriller 2:22 A Ghost Story returns to The Lowry in 2024

Following a sell-out Halloween run last month, Danny Robins’ edge-of-your-seat, supernatural thriller 2:22 - A Ghost Story is returning to The Lowry, Salford in June 2024. Vera Chok (Hollyoaks, Cobra) will play Lauren, Jay McGuiness (The Wanted, BIG! The Musical, Rip It Up) will play Ben, Fiona Wade (Emmerdale, Silent Witness) will play Jenny and George Rainsford (Call the Midwife, Casualty) will play Sam. The show returns from Tuesday 4th to Saturday 8th June 2024 and tickets are on sale now. Vera Chok (who will play Lauren) said: ‘Theatre brings me such joy, and I'm raring to get back on stage, and what a show to come back with! It's going to be so fun to share 2:22, an absolute rollercoaster ride of a show, with audiences across the UK. Laughs, tension, and jump-out-of-your-sea...

27Nov

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Amplifi – The Queens Hall, Edinburgh

Amplifi is a series of gigs showcasing the best in modern Scottish music, held every few months in the quirky bar space venue of The Queens Hall, Edinburgh. Performed mid-week I was somewhat surprised to find such a large diverse and enthusiastic audience, ready to heartily support the three acts on display tonight. Presented by Arusha Qureshi in association with Halina Rifai and supported by Creative Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council, and We Are Here Scotland this is a really nice initiative to support the fringe musicians and minorities looking for a stage and platform to showcase development. First up on the mini stage is Elaine Cheng, Edinburgh based composer/sound artist who takes us through an electronic soundscape featuring her own voice, rising and falling, at times ...

National Theatre Live: Skylight – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

27Nov

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

REVIEWS

National Theatre Live: Skylight – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

A cold and wet Sunday evening in November finds me forsaking the warmth of hearth and home in favour of a trip to Altrincham Garrick Playhouse to watch an encore screening of the 1996 Olivier award winning 'Skylight' by David Hare, brought to us by National Theatre Live. Hare is a playwright who is chiefly known for his deftly crafted satires examining British society in the post World War II era and 'Skylight' was first performed in 1996 during a particularly productive period, when new works were seemingly an annual event for the NT in their concrete castle on the South Bank. This revival was filmed at the Wyndham's Theatre in 2014 and features Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan as Tom Sergeant and Kyra Hollis, ex-lovers with memories of a shared passion who have subsequently pursued very ...

27Nov

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Play Pretend – Traverse Theatre

A brand new play from writer Katie Fraser, directed by Laura Walker for Framework Theatre, a Scotland-based charitable organisation which supports emerging and early-career theatre makers. This play certainly has the feel of a development piece, a bit rough in places, but also fresh with clever ideas, enough to keep you leaning in and invested to the end. Chemistry, synergy, comradeship, trust, improvisation; all elements of acting which are extremely important and which are played out as exercises in drama schools everywhere. But in today’s society have the methods of building on-stage and on-screen relationship with your fellow actors become outdated, dangerous even. And how close is too close today? This play-within-a-play sees seasoned actor Greg rehearsing his role as Bonnie Pri...

23Nov

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

Cinderella – Everyman Theatre

More pop panto than rock ‘n ‘roll with hits performed live by its talented cast. Does well to send out all the right messages but at the sacrifice of its charm through its inflated sense of self-awareness. Our tale begins with the sassy Cilla Black of Fairyland, Dame Fairy Godmother (Ben Welch), aka the DFG, who emerges holding a red heart shaped balloon reminiscent of Banksy’s ‘Girl with the Balloon’, the significance of which, new hope and love, is a taste of things to come with this journey of self-love and acceptance. Along with successor and apprentice, ‘our Graham’, (comfortably played by natural panto veteran Adam Keast), our matchmaker DFG heads over to the Ooglay’s where they find Ellanora (Grace Venus), whose life resembles that of Cinderella - who ...

23Nov

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Start 2024 as a North West End UK Reviewer

From its launch locally in Manchester back in 2014, North West End UK has grown year on year (including during the pandemic when they diversified to review online theatre) and 2023 sees no sign of that growth stopping as they continue to cover more and more of the UK. Live theatre is more important than ever today and North West End UK strive to promote and review all forms of theatre performed from the smallest community hall up to the biggest arenas in the UK. To feed the appetite of producers, venues and PR’s, North West End UK is undertaking a huge recruitment drive and seeks new reviewers across the UK, and they need you! No experience is necessary, all that they ask is that you have a love for theatre, can commit to a deadline and write a balanced and honest review. Many of the...

Matthew Wolfenden stars in ELF at London’s Dominion Theatre

23Nov

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Matthew Wolfenden stars in ELF at London’s Dominion Theatre

After devoting almost two decades to Emmerdale, TV star Matthew Wolfenden will leave the hit soap opera and return to the stage by first starring as Buddy in the smash-hit musical adaptation of ELF at London’s Dominion Theatre for a strictly limited season until 6th January 2024. He will be joined by Tom Chambers, who reprises the role of Walter Hobbs. They join the previously announced Georgina Castle as Jovie, Rebecca Lock as Emily Hobbs, Nicholas Pound as Santa, Kim Ismay as Debs and Dermot Canavan as Store Manager. Ben Lancaster (POLICE COPS: The Musical, Edinburgh Fringe & Southwark Playhouse) will alternate the role of Buddy at certain scheduled performances. Photo: Matt Crockett Also in the cast are Rhys Batten (The SpongeBob Musical, UK Tour), Evonnee Bentley-Holder...

23Nov

By Karen Morley-ChesworthNo Comments

North West

A Little Princess – Theatre by the Lake

The retelling of a classic children's story provides the perfect family production for Christmas at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick. The World Premiere of A Little Princess at the Lake District theatre brings to life the magic of storytelling that touches the heart with the highs and lows of Sara Crewe's young life - the daughter of a British Army Captain and a low-cast Indian woman during the time of the uprising against Colonial rule. When Sara is brought to Lancashire, England for her education, the story of her life changes forever. The original Frances Hodgson Burnett novel set in 1901 glamourises the British Empire, as we discovered in an interesting exhibition about the production in the first-floor bar and gallery space. However, Amanda Dalton's adaptation is set in 1...

23Nov

By Carole GordonNo Comments

London

A Christmas Carol – Old Vic

Dickens' classic tale of redemption, empathy and love remains a powerful and timely reminder of the gross discrepancies between rich and poor. Seeing the intense deprivation many Londoners were experiencing, Dickens took up his pen and created Scrooge, a character whose name has become synonymous with miserliness. First published in 1843, the message of A Christmas Carol sadly remains just as valid in 2023. Ebenezer Scrooge is a man alone whose only love is money who literally receives a wake-up call on where his life will end up if he doesn't change his ways. Berated by a harsh father who showed no love to his son, but inculcated in him a need to pursue wealth, Scrooge leaves Belle, the love of his life and a secure position with Belle's father to take up an opportunity as Marle...