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Shrek The Musical – King’s Theatre, Edinburgh

17Mar

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

Shrek The Musical – King’s Theatre, Edinburgh

The Bohemians Lyric Theatre Company are an amateur outfit based in Edinburgh, and to have even contemplated taking on such a show as Shrek deserves a medal, but then a little research reveals that this company’s been going since 1909. Evidence there’s a fair reservoir of experience to hand is illustrated by the fact they regularly grace The Fringe on top of the yearly output which is… pretty staggering, some years including no less than three different shows. As opening night’s go though, this couldn’t have started worse. Traces of nerves were discernible unaided by the fact the actors’ vocals were constantly at odds with the volume of the band, an issue which persisted but which one imagines will be resolved as the run proceeds. But 25 minutes (or so) in a crackling malfunction manifes...

16Mar

By Oliver GigginsNo Comments

Scotland

SIX: The Musical – Festival Theatre

The musical SIX, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss and directed by Moss and Jamie Armitage, is an 80-minute celebration of 21st-century girl power through the story of the six wives of Henry VIII. In it, Catherine of Aragon (Chloe Hart), Anne Boleyn (Jennifer Caldwell), Jane Seymour (Casey Al-Shaqsy), Anna of Cleves (Aiesha Naomi Pease), Katherine Howard (Jaina Brock-Patel), and Catherine Parr (Alana M Robinson) get to put across their point of view through a glitsy Chicago-esque Cell Block Tango set-up (replace “Pop – Six – Squish – Uh-Uh – Cicero - Lipchitz” with “divorced – beheaded – died – divorced – beheaded – survived). The show first premiered 5 years ago in a hotel conference room at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival performed by half a dozen student actors and has since then re...

16Mar

By Codie WrightNo Comments

North West

Magic Goes Wrong – Storyhouse, Chester

Living up to the company name, Mischief Theatre are back with Magic Goes Wrong - taking their brand of mayhem and madness into the world of illusion. Amazingly, this show was co-written with Penn and Teller and follows the catastrophic attempts of wannabe magician Sophisticato, played by Sam Hill, has he tries to raise money for those injured by magic (which, after tonight’s show, is likely to be many more people.) Hill is cheesy and a little awkward, exactly as expected in a show like this, and there’s something about his slicked-back hair and pained grimace that makes him all-too familiar somehow, as he tries (and fails) to keep control of the doomed show. He’s joined on stage by the Mind Mangler, played by Rory Fairbairn who has some really fantastic comedy moments. Less slapstick, m...

16Mar

By Gemma PrinceNo Comments

London

COCK- Ambassadors Theatre

Written by Mike Bartlett and directed by Marianne Elliott, Olivier-award winning COCK tells the story of one half of a gay couple, known as John, who unexpectedly falls in love with a woman and as tensions rise, he struggles to decide what he truly wants and who he is. Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey leads as the charming yet confused John, the only named character in the show, and stays on the stage for the entire performance (one hour and 45 minutes to be exact). Bailey is incredible to watch as we see John slowly unravel and his internal battle with himself was palpable. Bailey’s acting is stellar as he expertly switches between humorous outbursts and emotional turmoil. Golden Globe Award winner Taron Egerton plays John’s long-term partner M and is mesmerising in every scene he is...

16Mar

By Alison BainesNo Comments

North West

The Glee Club – Oldham Coliseum

Britain, 1960’s: a decade of change and of course the birth of the swinging sixties. The Glee Club, set in Yorkshire 1962, takes us right back to this era as we follow the story of six miners and their love of music. The Glee Club is a six-man musical group, who come together to escape their daily lives and share their love of music with their friends. They are preparing for the annual gala, but as they do, we begin to see their lives unfold, and change for good. The story, although not action packed, is one of male camaraderie, friendship and troubles. The play begins and ends with narration from Colin: the youngster of the group, with a big voice and bigger dreams of becoming a pop star, but unfortunately doomed to fail as life has other plans for him. Each of the six men dea...

16Mar

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Addams Family – Hull New Theatre

Writing this review, I am happily singing along to just one of the catchy ditties that entertained us at the Hull New Theatre on Tuesday evening, courtesy of The Addams Family’s musical comedy. “Death is just around the corner”, sung by the family matriarch, Morticia (Joanne Clifton of Strictly Come Dancing and The Rocky Horror Show fame), though morbid in content, was sung in such a joyful way, I’ll be humming it for days. From the start, the amazing stage setting held its own with the equally amazing cast, being suitably spooky, with smoke and lightning strikes both adding to the atmosphere. Aided and abetted by wonderful live music emanating from the orchestra pit, we knew we were in for a treat. And as the familiar finger clicks by “The Thing” started proceedings, it was ghoul...

Cherry Jezebel – Everyman Theatre, Liverpool

16Mar

By Kiefer WilliamsNo Comments

North West

Cherry Jezebel – Everyman Theatre, Liverpool

Jonathan Larkin’s new play is indeed a sparkling celebration of everything queer. Set in the world of Liverpool drag, this sharply funny and poignant play focuses on the outrageous diva Cherry Brandy (Mickey Jones) and her friends, rivals and herstory within the queer community. Cherry appears to be in the autumn of her drag life, but she has one thing that most of her rivals don’t really have and that is a passion for life and a big sense of fun; yes she has her low moments (don’t we all) but she is a local icon and we just know that she could easily wipe the floor with all of the pretenders to her diva status. Larkin’s beautifully constructed script is both astute and crisp and never draws breathe with some great one- liners, gobby scouse humour and quite barbed dialogue throughout...

Red Riding Hood Announced as Everyman’s iconic rock n roll panto returns for 2022

15Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Red Riding Hood Announced as Everyman’s iconic rock n roll panto returns for 2022

The legendary Everyman rock n roll panto is back for 2022 and this year we’re telling the tale of Red Riding Hood from Friday 25th November 2022 to Saturday 14th January 2023. You might think you know the story of Red Riding Hood, but this is the tale Everyman style! There will be outlandish and sparkling costumes, plenty of plot twists and surprises, and full to the brim with musical hits performed by a company of supremely talented actor musicians. We’re thrilled to welcome back regular team member Adam Keast with more cast news to follow. As the theatres continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic, audience confidence is growing particularly for joy and fun-filled experiences, that can be shared with family and friends. The iconic rock n roll panto is the perfect treat...

15Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Summer Season announced at Theatr Clwyd

Theatr Clwyd has announced a massive summer season of activity. The season boasts an incredible mixture of musicals, comedy, drama, music, and family activities. The venue welcomes the return of many community performers that have not been able to take to the stage since before the pandemic. Theatr Clwyd produces brand new productions in this season. Celebrated Virgins, A Story of the Ladies of Llangollen (20th May-4th June) is a brand-new production written by Katie Elin-Salt and directed by Eleri B Jones. Based on the true story of Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby. When they fell in love, they were forced to leave their homes and cast out by society. Taking up residence in Llangollen they became minor celebrities, forced to witness their own lives written about by those who could nev...

Chatback Theatre’s If This Is Normal to be<br>published by Methuen as Liverpool date added to<br>the UK Tour

15Mar

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

NEWS

Chatback Theatre’s If This Is Normal to be
published by Methuen as Liverpool date added to
the UK Tour

Chatback Theatre’s coming-of-age hit If This is Normal, will be published by Methuen next month and will be available at all venues during their UK tour this April. The news comes the team announce an exciting new stop at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre. Critically acclaimed at Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019 and VAULT Festival in 2020, the show follows a trio of teenagers navigating the no-man’s land between childhood and adulthood, complicated by unfiltered access to technology and pop-feminism. The full cast returns from the previous Edinburgh Fringe Festival and VAULT festival runs with Aoife Smyth as Alex (On Railton Road, Brixton Base; If I Can Get This Part Right At Least, Nottingham Playhouse), Isambard Rawbone as Madani (Midnight Hustle, Rogue Productions/ VAULT Festival, Ham...