Latest Articles - Page 532 of 645

Our Lady of Blundellsands – Everyman, Liverpool

18Sep

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Our Lady of Blundellsands – Everyman, Liverpool

Jonathan Harvey’s comic drama about a messed-up family resumes from whence it was paused in March 2020, albeit it with some cast changes, with a welcome return to Liverpool’s Everyman. Sylvie’s (Josie Lawrence) life is unravelling as she is forced to emerge from the safety of her Blundellsands cocoon where she has inhabited a fantasy world that never was, and where wiser, older sister Garnet (Joanne Howarth) is now becoming weary of the shopping lists and tired love. This time though, the family’s in town as Sylvie’s boys, ‘brothers’ Mickey-Joe (Mickey Jones) and Lee Lee (Nathan McMullen), return with their respective partners Frankie (Nana Amoo-Gottfried) and Alyssa (Gemma Brodrick) to celebrate Garnet’s birthday. But for once she’s got a story of her own to tell: who’s going to fan th...

A new show aims to tackle Islamophobia….in a car park

18Sep

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Interviews

A new show aims to tackle Islamophobia….in a car park

Bradford based Common Wealth are a political theatre company who specialise in creating pieces in unusual spaces and this time they are using open sided multi story car parks to stage a new work challenging Islamophobia. Their artistic director Evie Manning co-directs Peaceophobia along with members of Speakers Corner, who are a political collective run by women and teenage girls in Bradford. It’s focused on the experiences of young British Pakistani men growing up in the shadow of the Bradford Riots, 9/11 and police harassment, and how their cars and faith become a sanctuary for them. &nbs...

16Sep

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

North West

Jordan – The King’s Arms

Writer Anna Reynolds drew on her own personal experience when she wrote about the fictional character Shirley Jones. The character is based upon the true story related to her by her fellow inmate that the teenage Reynolds met whilst she was in prison. The Writers Guild gave Reynolds the Best Play of 1992 Award, and at Buxton Fringe Festival 2019, the play was nominated for the Best Play Award and Sara Gray won the Award for Best Actress. Produced by Easy Company, the play is set in 1987 and begins with Sara Gray sitting in an easy chair, feet crossed ready to tell us a fairy tale, Rumpelstiltskin to be exact. This is a tale of a bargain between a father who promises a King that his daughter can weaver straw into gold in exchange for him marrying his daughter, and...

16Sep

By Gaurav SinghNo Comments

London

Catching Comets – Pleasance Theatre

Imagine that an extinction-level event that threatens the fate of humanity is unfolding right before your eyes. You there? Good, now imagine the heart wrenching moment where you know you have to break up with your partner. While it is unlikely that you’ve actually lived through both of these extraordinarily scenarios in the same lifetime, chances are your imagination is likely to associate a grandiose quality to the first scenario and a smaller, more contained quality to the second. In writer and director Piers Black’s play Catching Comets, audiences witness the interplay of these two scenarios – a disaster movie about the end of the world and a rom-com about falling in (and out of) love – each playing out at the same time. After an acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019, this one-m...

16Sep

By Jenn McKeanNo Comments

North West

Dial M for Murder – Liverpool Playhouse

It sure is a tangled web we weave and more so for Tony Wendice, the leading man in Dial M for Murder, made famous in 1950 by a film of the same name from Alfred Hitchcock. Wendice is an ex-tennis pro, who has given it up for his wife Margo. When he discovers that she’s been having an extra-marital affair, he starts to plot his revenge, but will his tangled web be found out or will he get away with the perfect crime? Tom Chambers was ideal to lead the cast as Wendice, taking us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. From laughing with him, to feeling for him, to disgust, Chambers was really able to take us on the full character’s journey throughout the piece. Diana Vickers as Margo portrayed her as away with the fairies and whilst it worked well through act 2, it didn’t quite feel right...

16Sep

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

Rock of Ages – Liverpool Empire

Theatre! Theatre! Theatre! So good they said it thrice! How absolutely wonderful to be back in the theatre watching live performances once again! This was my first visit to the theatre in 18 months (as it probably was for a lot of people here at the grand Liverpool Empire this evening) and I was to see a show that, although I have seen before, I was gasping for breath to see. I needed a laugh, some upliftment and an escape from the fear and dreariness of the last year or so and I was hoping that ‘Rock of Ages’ could do this. So, on entering the theatre, I wasn’t that surprised that the auditorium was half empty, people are still cautious, I appreciate that – although I must add that there are safety measures in place at the Empire (evidence of negative lateral flow test or proof o...

15Sep

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Heathers the Musical – Sheffield Lyceum

Based on the 1989 Cult film of the same name written by Daniel Walters, Heathers the Musical with its shocking moments makes you question if the story in today’s society, isn’t as unfortunately, subversive or extreme as it once was. The musical being a camp, comedic tribute to the film it has also gained the same cult following, with numerous chequered school skirts in the audience as proof. Book, music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence o’Keefe and directed by Andy Fickman, the plot races you through a ride of nonstop twists and turns and doesn’t give you time to catch your breath. The toxic Westerberg High School hierarchy where the Heathers (the ‘It’ girls) rule, dictate and manipulate, keep their own kind of order and the rest of the school live in awe and fear of them. The Heathe...

Spotlight on Rhys Whitfield or ‘Raoul’, The Phantom of The Opera

15Sep

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

Interviews

Spotlight on Rhys Whitfield or ‘Raoul’, The Phantom of The Opera

The Phantom of The Opera returns to Her Majesty’s Theatre which has been its home since October 1986 and has been seen by over 140 million viewers worldwide. After an extended period of closure, the play has recently re-opened with new cast members and we caught up with new West End cast member Rhys Whitfield, who takes on the role of Raoul, after playing the same role for the UK tour. To book tickets for The Phantom of The Opera go to https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/the-phantom-of-the-opera/ You are stepping into the role of Raoul and following in the footsteps of many great performers over the last 35 years. How have you individualised the role to suit your own style? I suppose by trying not to shy away from the chances to bring humour and levity to the role.&n...

Call me Madam – Upstairs at the Gatehouse

15Sep

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

Call me Madam – Upstairs at the Gatehouse

When all a country has to offer is babies and cheese, it’s little wonder they need help. Enter the good old USA with their helpful loans and Bob’s your side of chicken. Except, that’s not quite how things pan out. ‘Call me Madam’ is set in 1950, in the years following World War II, when Truman was rolling out the Marshall Plan to help finance the economic recovery of devasted European countries. If you’re thinking this is political, don’t, it’s purely a backdrop for what is essentially a double love story. At a time when women were expected to make home, Sally Adams (Rosemary Ashe), is bound for the Grand Duchy of Lichtenburg in her newly appointed role as ambassador. Her creds: Parties and socialising. Next, enter Cosmo Constantine (Richard Gibson), a man who cannot be bought, a man...

Everyone’s Talking About Jamie – The Alexandra, Birmingham

15Sep

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

Everyone’s Talking About Jamie – The Alexandra, Birmingham

“Everyone’s Talking About Jamie” was greeted by wild, enthusiastic audience from its devoted followers at the Alex in Birmingham. They whooped, hollered, cheered and even applauded an unscheduled show-stop. They loved it. Clearly the way to approach this show is with the soundtrack firmly in your head and a determination to enjoy yourself no matter what.We were back! The theatre was packed with expectant, eager people made up of a demographic who rarely make up the majority of a theatre audience. This is all good. All positive stuff. However, a few things jarred. The young performers who form the larger part of the cast consistently talked through laughs and applause that so much was lost. The sound was slightly awry in parts, but this being opening night will probably settle. The drama wa...