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White Christmas – Palace Theatre, Manchester

23Nov

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

White Christmas – Palace Theatre, Manchester

For some bah humbugs out there it may be a little too early to mention the C word. However, myself and the entire audience at the Palace Theatre were only too happy to watch a Christmas musical at the end of November. Despite being based on the 1954 movie of the same name, starring the iconic Bing Crosby, the musical didn’t receive its stage debut until the year 2000. It has since gone from strength-to-strength being performed on Broadway and in the West End. The story follows Bob (Matthew Jeans) and Phil (Dan Burton) who were both serving in the American military in 1944 and deliver a rendition of White Christmas to their fellow troops. After returning to the US, they decide to become entertainers. After setting up in New York, they decide to find a new act for their variety show, c...

22Nov

By Gaurav SinghNo Comments

London

Juliet & Romeo – The Chelsea Theatre

One common criticism about Shakespeare’s work (and any attempts stage in today’s day and age) is the inaccessibility of the language as well as the socio-political environment of the Elizabethan era which is harder for contemporary audiences to relate to. Both these concerns are allayed spectacularly in the Intermission Youth Theatre’s (IYT) adaptation of the bard’s Juliet & Romeo (note the change in order) that’s currently playing at the Chelsea Theatre. In an exciting and urgent production directed by IYT Artistic Director Darren Raymond, we witness an ensemble of young actors (some stepping on the stage for the first time) breathe fresh life into words written over 400 years ago and do so in a way that allows them to own the truth of the characters they embody. This is backed by ...

20Nov

By Tracey BellNo Comments

REVIEWS

Paul Nicholas: Musicals, Marigolds & Me

For fans of the entertainment world Musicals, Marigolds & Me is a deliciously detailed, enlightening and frank revelation of the trials and tribulations of one man’s passionate rise to fame and his sustained longevity in a complex industry of egos, opinions, creativity, success, madness, rejection and failure. With a career spanning six decades in the entertainment industry and public eye, Paul Nicholas has a myriad of insights, anecdotes and stories of his over half century of Musical Theatre, Pop stardom, Producer and Film and TV career. The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary since he emerged on stage as the premier Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar and according to the show’s co-writer Sir Tim Rice, the best ever. Paul Nicholas and the word Premier sit synonymously with his illus...

20Nov

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

DDDivas – Unity Theatre

We all know there are plenty of fully-developed, full-length theatrical productions that feel utterly impenetrable to an audience not ‘in the know’. How wonderful then to report that DDDivas, a short 10-minute selection of new material still in development, is beautifully and heartbreakingly lucid. DDDivas - which also has the working title of Ruby’s Slippers - is described as a fictional telling of real events from the life of neuro-divergent, disabled performer Elaine Collins. The audience finds Elaine’s character Ruby on an empty, unlit stage dancing alone to Cyndi Lauper. Dressed from head to toe in colour and glitter, Ruby is, quite literally, the light in the darkness. It’s obvious from the off though that the pink tights, silver bow and purple arm warmers mask a less happy truth....

Le Petit Chaperon Rouge – Coronet Theatre

20Nov

By Gaurav SinghNo Comments

London

Le Petit Chaperon Rouge – Coronet Theatre

Adapting a world-renowned children’s tale for the stage is never an easy task, for one must find a judicious balance between the source text’s reliance on the reader’s imagination and the multisensorial viewpoints afforded by live action. For French playwright and director Joël Pommerat, this isn’t a new challenge. His new interpretation of his 2006 play for children ‘Le Petit Chaperon Rouge’ (Little Red Riding Hood) premiered for UK audiences at the Coronet Theatre on 17th November 2021. This was the first in a trilogy of fairy tales that have been adapted by Pommerat for the stage, having previously directed ‘Pinnochio’ in 2008 and ‘Cendrillon’ (Cindrella) in 2011. With minimal stage design and measured performances by the ensemble of performers, Pommerat’s treatment brings forth a darke...

19Nov

By Gemma PrinceNo Comments

London

Little Women The Musical – Park Theatre

Little Women, Louisa May Alcott’s semi-autobiographical tale has been brought to life in this charming musical adaptation. The show first opened on Broadway in 2005, starring Sutton Foster and has been revived by Bronagh Lagan’s adaptation at the Park Theatre in London. The show stays somewhat faithful to the novel, following the lives of the four March sisters, Jo (Lydia White), Meg (Hana Ichijo), Beth (Anastasia Martin) and Amy (Mary Moore) who live in Massachusetts with their mother whilst their father is away as a chaplain during the Civil War. Alcott’s narrative, with all its nuances and details, is quite a difficult story to replicate especially in a musical structure, which emerges in this adaptation. Designed by Nik Corrall, the set was stripped down and simple, yet worked we...

Sunset Boulevard at Royal Albert Hall for one night only

19Nov

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Sunset Boulevard at Royal Albert Hall for one night only

In a special, one-night-only concert, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton’s iconic musical Sunset Boulevard will dazzle audiences at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday 3rd December. Presented by The Alpha Family, in association with Quick Fantastic, the concert reunites stars Mazz Murray (Mamma Mia; We Will Rock You) as Norma Desmond, Ramin Karimloo (Les Misérables; Phantom of the Opera) as Joe Gillis, Zizi Strallen (Mary Poppins) as Betty Schaefer and Jeremy Secomb (Les Misérables) as Max von Mayerling. Based on Billy Wilder’s legendary 1950 film starring Gloria Swanson, Sunset Boulevard is heading to the Royal Albert Hall following a critically acclaimed performance at Alexandra Palace earlier this year. The 19-strong cast will be accompanied by a 40-piece orchestra on...

19Nov

By Donna M DayNo Comments

North West

Who Cares – Unity Theatre

LUNG Theatres Who Cares is an emotional rollercoaster ride through the busy and, often overwhelming life, of young carers. Based on real life testimonies, writer and director Matt Woodhead presents three specific stories, against a backdrop of snippets of countless others, highlighting the prevalence of young carers and the tragic lack of support, both emotional and financial, they are faced with on a daily basis. The piece is presented against a background of bright blue lockers, surrounded by educational paraphernalia, a stark reminder that being a young carer does not change the usual responsibilities of going to school and being a kid. We see three young carers, Connor (Luke Grant), Nicole (Lizzie Mounter) and Jade (Liyah Summers), all dressed in onesies before a loud alarm signals ...

18Nov

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

Strictly More Musicals – The Brindley Theatre

After two long years away from performing, Centenary Theatre Company are back with a bang this November as they present ‘Strictly More Musicals’ at The Brindley Theatre, Runcorn. Having seen this talented company perform before, I had no doubt we were in for a treat, especially when back sitting in the beautiful Brindley setting, however what I wasn’t expecting was this overwhelming feeling of joy and pride to be back witnessing superb live performances in what turned out to be a wonderful night of celebration and accomplishment. ‘Strictly More Musicals’, which has been cleverly directed by Dan Grimes, takes us on a journey and doesn’t forget the difficulties we have all faced over the last two years. The production team have been creative in that they have categorised the s...

18Nov

By Gaurav SinghNo Comments

London

Holier Than Thou – Canal Cafe Theatre

For many of us, it’s the steadfast faith and belief into something bigger than ourselves is what keeps us grounded. The presence of religion (and associated rituals) in our every day lives cannot be discounted, especially in the UK where the Christian way of life finds itself in conversation one way or the other. For these reasons, the central premise of Freaky Geese Theatre’s new comedy ‘Holier Than Thou’ holds a lot of promise, but it doesn’t offer a substantial dramatic argument beyond a handful of clever one-liners and an intriguing character profile. Directed by Rhys Ashcroft and written by Dan Le Friec, we meet Reverend Keith Lorraine, who is struggling with his faith (and profession) after a series of intriguing encounters that have prompted him to have a ‘chat’ with the big boss...