Latest Articles - Page 487 of 645

9Mar

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Macbeth – Leeds Playhouse

As the three witches circulate around the massive drawbridge that dominates the stark stage it's clear that Amy Leach’s latest attempt to make Shakespeare accessible will focus on the intrigue, blood and ultimately madness in arguably his most dynamic drama. Power couple the Macbeths are introduced as they mourn their dead child before the ambitious warrior muscularly played by Tachia Newall meets the witches who inform him he’s to be the King of Scotland despite the weak Duncan still being on the throne. Egged on by his wife, the brave general becomes the cowardly assassin as he takes the throne before turning on everyone around him as his hubris brings about his downfall. There is a subtle subtext of dynasty and lineage as Lady Macbeth loses another child, which helps explain he...

9Mar

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

The Da Vinci Code – Wolverhampton Grand

I got half way through the book of Da Vinci Code and gave up, I got half way through the film of the Da Vinci Code and gave up. I got half way through the play of the Da Vinci Code and stayed. Whether that is a comment on this production or my poor concentration skills, I don’t know, but this was well worth staying for. Now then, if you haven’t been sitting in a cave for the latter part of the twentieth century you’ll be more than aware of the phenomenally successful best-seller, “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown, it sold by the barrow load and, even if this reviewer stumbled at chapter ten, many others plundered through it merrily prompting a Hollywood movie starring Tom Hanks. It would seem inevitable, then someone should have a stab at staging it and Simon Friend Entertainment have do...

9Mar

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Magic Goes Wrong – Hull New Theatre

Within a few minutes of me watching Magic Goes Wrong, at the Hull New Theatre on Tuesday evening, I could feel myself wanting to throw up. Was the show that bad? No, just the opposite. I had laughed so hard that I’d almost made myself vomit. With over two more hours to go - how would I fare? Well, dear reader, I lived to write this review, after staggering out of the theatre with aching sides and my eye make-up decimated through crying with laughter. If you’ve ever seen this crazy gang before, you will know that the shenanigans begin way before curtain up, and Tuesday evening was no exception. Cast members frantically searched the theatre, wielding huge butterfly nets, looking for a lost white rabbit, while a roving cameraman captured images of theatregoers to be used for the s...

8Mar

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

Dead Good – Unity Theatre

Vamos Theatre, in a co-production with Corn Exchange and a co-commission with London International Mime Festival present “Dead Good”, performed tonight at The Unity Theatre Liverpool. Having never seen or heard of ‘Vamos Theatre’ before, I was very intrigued to find out what this masked performance had in store for the audience. A few hours later and it’s gone from being a theatre group I have never heard of, to one I will never forget for all the right reasons! When you hear the basics, “it’s a masked performance, with no words”, I think it’s quite natural to be sceptical as you do wonder how that could ever be something to ‘wow’ but trust me, after watching this talented group, do their very talented thing, you’ll be left astonished. The first thing to credit is not only t...

8Mar

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

Coming Home – Hope Street Theatre

Tonight, at Hope Street Theatre, Change the Act group present ‘Coming Home- Theatre unplugged’. This is a show inspired by producer and performer Callum O’Rourke’s own experience, and it explores the meaning of ‘home’. The show has been broken up into sections where songs are performed based on a wider theme such relationships, both positive and complicated, hope, love, loss and many more. It is not surprising to hear that the 6 cast members have been hand-picked from 100 auditionees as the talent, vocal range and entertainment value of this group knows no limits. Whether performing as soloist, duets, or a full company number, these talented singers belted perfection at every opportunity. It goes without saying that there are certainly no weak links within this cast and the ...

8Mar

By Hazel BumbyNo Comments

North West

Catch Me If You Can – Blackpool Grand

This was my first visit to the Grand Theatre in Blackpool, and I have to say I was somewhat underwhelmed by the building and the front of house crew (except for Sarah who made me feel very welcome) No-one seemed to know just what was happening. We couldn’t get in at first and the young man said there was a delay but didn’t know why and kept looking for others to help him. Communication was definitely lacking – maybe just an opening night blip but needs to be looked at. The music in the auditorium was lovely but very loud that you felt you were shouting at each other. And yet on stage, was quite quiet to begin with – it got better... Now for my reason to be there... I could contain my excitement as I was going to see ‘Bobby Ewing’ in person... I try not to read synopsi...

5Mar

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

Orton: Fallen Angel – Epstein Theatre

A bill finally decriminalising homosexuality in England and Wales received Royal Ascent in late July 1967. Less than three weeks later gay playwright Joe Orton was murdered by his partner Kenneth Halliwell. Within days the life of closeted Beatles manager Brian Epstein would also be tragically cut short. How apt then that a play exploring Orton’s horrific killing has found a home at Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre. Wes Williams' Orton: Fallen Angel looks back at the life and death of the Leicester-born author and his lover and asks the audience to imagine how Orton’s untimely demise could have come to pass. One gets a sense of the tone of the evening straight away. A near empty stage apart from four chairs, a couple of books and a leather jacket foreshadows the unapologetically stark dir...

5Mar

By Aditi DalalNo Comments

London

Shedding A Skin – Soho Theatre

When, in the first five minutes of a show, you have both, gone “awww” and burst out loud with laughter, you know you’re in for something special. Amanda Wilkin’s original show journeys through a point in Myah’s life where she is juggling a distressing work environment, a disappointed family and a lack of a love life and a roof over her head. Wilkin chooses, however, to laugh at her circumstances along with the audience, taking a stand-up comedy cum physical theatre approach. Photo: Helen Murray Highlighting sensitive issues in a lighthearted manner requires a nuanced understanding and great storytelling skills, and this writer-performer has both. Wilkin is highly expressive and theatrical yet comes across as authentic. Whether it is the experience of being treated as a mere figure to...

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Leicester Curve

5Mar

By Robert BartleyNo Comments

East Midlands

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Leicester Curve

Carole King is such an exceptional songwriter (both with her husband Gerry Goffin and singlehandedly in her own right), that a biographical musical detailing her life and extensive back catalogue was inevitable. Sure enough, ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’ first hit US stages in 2013, transferring to Broadway in 2014 and the West End in 2015, and has also enjoyed a UK tour in 2017. Leicester’s Curve have teamed up with the Theatre Royal Bath and the Mayflower Theatre Southampton to create a new adaptation, which has kicked off a new UK tour this week. Spanning 1958 to 1971, ‘Beautiful’ tells King’s story from being a 16-year-old aspiring songwriter, to finding success with Goffin (in more ways than one), rivalry with fellow songwriters and friends Barry Mann and Cynthia...

5Mar

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Persuasion – Rose Theatre

A fresh perspective on Jane Austen’s adaptation, Persuasion with WAP, Frank Ocean and a foam party. This production follows Anne and her desperate sisters on their conquest for love but as their 30s approach, they worry about compatibility and finding a match that will ensure a long and easy life. However, as with classical romance there is always one who suffers in the quest for true connection, Anne (Sasha Frost) and her desperate love for Captain Wentworth (Fred Fergus) are knocked together like conkers as they try to rekindle a love they once had. We are very much in an age of reflection and in result, seeing the return of a lot of classical texts. It’s refreshing more so to be seeing new interpretations and a wittier perspective on the structures we enforced upon ourselves. It spea...