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Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet – Lowry, Salford

13Jul

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet – Lowry, Salford

“These violent delights have violent ends.” - Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 6. The delights of this ballet are not just violent, but they are plentiful and multifarious. How much did I love this show? Let me count the ways. On display tonight was artistry of the highest order. It was superb, sublime and even, perhaps, a tad spiritual. Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy is the ultimate play about love and death. His star-crossed lovers pay a fatal price for their desire. Sir Matthew Bourne, the director and choreographer, has created an adaptation of this drama that is at turns both intriguing and compelling. He takes it in a different direction but keeps the basic narrative intact. He uses Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet ballet score but pares it down so it isn’t so bombastic and overwh...

13Jul

By Akshay RahejaNo Comments

London

Cuckoo – Royal Court

Michael Wynne's play delves into the lives of a typical family, examining the profound impact of mobile phones on their relationships. Seventeen-year-old Megyn barricades herself inside her grandmother's bedroom following a heated family discussion, leaving her mother Carmel and sister Sarah deeply concerned. The play explores the isolation caused by these devices, their psychological allure, the troubles they pose for teenagers, and the detachment experienced in online encounters, devoid of genuine emotion. While Carmel's character is well-developed, her dismissal of her sister, mother, and daughter presents subjective and intriguing reactions, leaving the audience yearning for deeper exploration. Under the direction of Vicky Featherstone, the staging of Cuckoo remains straightforward ...

13Jul

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Anything Goes – Z–Arts, Manchester

Z-Arts Renaker Theatre hosted Manchester Musical Youth’s (MMY) latest summer production of ‘Anything Goes’. With a cast of over forty young performers, I was intrigued to see how Principle and Musical Director Kimberley Holden would pull this musical off with its huge repertoire of songs, monumental tap numbers, including the sensational choreography that we have come to expect from this classic Cole Porter’s masterpiece. The set is that of the ocean liner S. S. American, where nightclub singer Reno Sweeney (Hanna Cunningham) is on route from New York to England. Reno’s love interest and friend Billy Crocker (Oliver Horton) has stowed away to be his true love Hope Harcourt (Amelia Ruffley), the problem being that his true love is betrothed to be married to a wealthy English Lord – Evely...

12Jul

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Dirty Dancing – Sheffield Lyceum

Before even entering the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield, the buzz and anticipation of the crowd were palpable... With its cult following, Dirty Dancing was in town! As a fan of the 1987 film and, of course, the hip movements of Mr. Swayze himself, the majority of the female audience, like myself, were awaiting a nostalgic trip back to the feelings the film evoked when we first saw it... with more than just a little excitement! With this type of fan base, the show was always going to be a success, but with my critic hat on, the production does have its flaws. However, one of its strengths is that it doesn't take itself too seriously! So if you haven't seen the film, it basically spans a three-week period in 1963, when the Houseman's (Dr. Jake and Marjorie) and their two daughters Lisa and 1...

12Jul

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

Greatest Days – Liverpool Empire

Matt Wesley and his creative team have brought to life Tim Firth’s story of true friendship and finding ourselves within life’s unpredictability. Framed by a fantastic Take That soundtrack I thought the show was hitting almost all of the right notes. A standout aspect of the performance was the orchestra. Josh Cottell and his talented musicians provided an outstanding backing track for the duration of the show. Being visible from the audience, Josh’s conducting was great to watch. Considering the popularity of the soundtrack, they lived up to all expectation and delivered the feet-stomping, hand-clapping kind of music, perfect to fill the grandiose setting of the Empire. For the performers, I must mention a few highlights. Firstly, my appreciation must go to all female actors and sin...

Making it Up (One Playwright to Another) – Greater Manchester Fringe Digital

12Jul

By Donna M DayNo Comments

REVIEWS

Making it Up (One Playwright to Another) – Greater Manchester Fringe Digital

Making it Up (One Playwright to Another) is a touching tribute to the theatre industry and renowned playwright, Edward Albee. Written and performed by Norm Reynolds, the show was filmed for online streaming by John Bertram at the Red Sandcastle Theatre, Toronto. Director, Lesley Ballantyne has brought out the best in Reynolds and made this one man show about how one man’s life was touched by theatre, into something which has universal appeal and something which everyone, whether they are familiar with Albee or not, could take something from. The play is primarily focussed around an interview with Edward Albee, and Reynolds narrates his character’s life before, during and after this interview. Beginning his career as a teacher, this endeavour was put aside on writing a semi-successful pl...

12Jul

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Enough – The King’s Arms, Salford

"Enough," a thought-provoking production by Moonstone Theatre, plunges into the harsh realities of systemic misogyny and sexism within UK police forces. Written by Emily Hunter and inspired by the heart-wrenching Sarah Everard case, the play delivers an essential message, though its predictability somewhat hampers its impact. The script showcases the experiences of Constable Irie Dayton, a role brought to life with remarkable emotional depth by Riah Amelle. However, at times, the dialogue leans towards predictability, reducing the punch that such a profound topic merits. Despite this Fringe production's minimalistic setting, the performances are noteworthy. Emily Hunter, taking on the role of Constable Chris Dash, brings a marked intensity to the play, particularly during a pivotal i...

The King’s Speech – Frinton Summer Theatre

12Jul

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

South East

The King’s Speech – Frinton Summer Theatre

Most people will know ‘The King’s Speech’ as the Oscar winning film with Colin Firth, but the writer David Seidler, originally came up with the idea as a play. As a boy, Seidler himself suffered from a stammer, and the fact King George VI also suffered a speech impediment was a source of huge creative interest. The story is mainly set in the 1930s as King George V comes to the end of his reign and his eldest son abdicates to marry the American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. Bertie (Duncan Wilkins) is thrust into the position of being crowned King George VI. The challenge being, Bertie, was rather hoping for a quieter royal life, and his debilitating stammer leaves him open to the charge of not being suitable to rule as a King. Set against the backdrop of mounting political tensions in Europe...

11Jul

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

London

Bones – Park Theatre

Rugby – a physically tough sport, with broken bones, but there is also a camaraderie around playing a team sport that creates a supportive network, all pulling together for ‘the Club.’ The players physical toughness belies the mental wranglings that go on with any team sportsperson before a match – will I be good enough today; I hope that I do not let the team down! Written by Lewis Aaron Wood, Bones delves into the mental health of the rugby player, in particular Ed (Ronan Cullen). Ed is used to being in the thick of the action, in the scrum, fighting for the ball, taking the knocks, beavering away in the background to help his team on to victory. His closest friends Charlie (Samuel Hoult) and Will (Ainsley Fannen) play for the same team, and the play begins with thei...

11Jul

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Bodyguard – Hull New Theatre

In my opinion, no-one can beat Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner’s performances in the 1992 smash-hit movie, The Bodyguard. But after watching Emily-Mae Walker and Ayden Callaghan (Emmerdale, Hollyoaks), in The Bodyguard: The Musical, at Hull New Theatre on Monday evening, they certainly could give the superstars a run for their money. A frisson of disappointment ran through the theatre on hearing Pussycat Doll, Melody Thornton, would not be playing the role of Rachel Marron, on stage that night. Her understudy, Walker, would be stepping into her shoes. According to the glossy programme, Walker usually plays Marron’s sister, Nicki, but on this occasion that role went to Rosie Cava Beale, and a great job she did of it, too. Callaghan plays ex-Secret Service agent, Frank Farmer, ...