Latest Articles - Page 506 of 664

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...

4Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Old Friends celebrate Stephen Sondheim

Cameron Mackintosh has invited many of Stephen Sondheim’s old friends to join him in celebrating his extraordinary talents and legacy at the theatre which was recently gloriously rebuilt in Sondheim’s honor. The all-star cast for OLD FRIENDS so far includes Michael Ball, Petula Clark, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Bonnie Langford, Adrian Lester, Damian Lewis, Julia Mckenzie, Bernadette Peters, Elaine Paige, Clive Rowe, Imelda Staunton and Hannah Waddingham. They will be joined by a featured company of West End stars, currently being finalised. The evening, which takes place for one night only on 3rd May 2022 at 8pm, will be staged by Matthew Bourne and Maria Friedman with choreography by Stephen Mear and a 26-piece orchestra conducted by Alfonso Casado Trigo. Patrons can sign up for ...

South Pacific Announces Principal Casting

4Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

South Pacific Announces Principal Casting

Jamie Wilson, Jonathan Church Theatre Productions and Gavin Kalin are delighted to announce that Julian Ovenden will star as ‘Emile de Becque’ throughout the Sadler’s Wells season and UK and Ireland Tour of the critically acclaimed, landmark Chichester Festival Theatre production of RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S SOUTH PACIFIC alongside the previously announced Gina Beck as ‘Ensign Nellie Forbush’. Julian and Gina will be joined by fellow members of the original Chichester Festival Theatre company; Rob Houchen as ‘Lieutenant Joseph Cable’, Joanna Ampil as ‘Bloody Mary’ and Sera Maehara as ‘Liat’ The production opens at Manchester Opera House on 16th July 2022 ahead of a season at Sadler’s Wells, London from 27th July to 28th August 2022 and throughout the limited 10-week UK and Ireland Tou...

Full Cast Announced For UK and Ireland Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

4Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Full Cast Announced For UK and Ireland Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group are delighted to confirm the full cast for the sensational brand-new production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which begins a UK & Ireland Tour at Manchester Opera House on Wednesday 23rd March. Alexandra Burke will play The Narrator at select venues across the tour. Her many West End credits include the lead roles in The Bodyguard, Sister Act, Chess and Chicago, as well as starring as the Narrator in the celebrated production of Joseph at the London Palladium last summer. Alexandra first rose to fame winning The X-Factor in 2008, and has since gone on to sell over 5 million records. Linzi Hateley will also play the role at other venues. Linzi is an Olivier Award nominee and Theatre ...

New cast announced to try and get it right or wrong!

4Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

New cast announced to try and get it right or wrong!

The Play That Goes Wrong, the Olivier Award-winning box office hit today announces a brand-new cast at The Duchess Theatre from Tuesday 5th April 2022. The new cast will include Tomisin Ajani as Trevor, Jo Ben Ayed as Dennis, Ashh Blackwood as Annie, Anya de Villiers as Sandra, Tendai Humphrey Sitima as Robert, Scott Hunter as Max, Oliver Mott as Jonathan, and Mikhail Sen as Chris. The company is completed by Roisin Fahey, Charlie Richards, Stuart Vincent, Emily Waters and Jack Whittle. The Play That Goes Wrong is blundering its way through its 8th year in the West End and is currently booking until April 2023. In August 2021 it became the longest running play at The Duchess Theatre (since the theatre opened in 1929) and is the longest running comedy in the West End. Awarded the 2...