Adali Strayer Archives - North West End UK

29Aug

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Newsies Jr. – Z Arts

Produced by Dave Holden and Kimberly Holden, directed by Dave Holden, and with musical direction by Kimberly Holden, Newsies JR is an energetic, heartfelt and thoroughly engaging production that showcases an exceptionally talented young ensemble. Based on the inspiring story of the young newspaper sellers of New York who unite against unfair working conditions, Newsies JR explores themes of friendship, courage, resilience, determination and solidarity. This production captured those themes beautifully, brought to life by a remarkably committed cast whose performances demonstrated a level of vocal, dramatic and theatrical maturity far beyond their years. From the opening number to the final curtain, I was completely immersed in the world of the production. The cast established a stron...

Anastasia – Z-Arts, Manchester

Like My Fair Lady wrapped in the fairy-tale romance of Cinderella, with occasional glimpses of the epic sweep and moral gravitas of Les Misérables, Anastasia is an ambitious musical that asks a great deal of its performers. Fortunately for Manchester Musical Youth, this exceptionally talented company proves more than equal to the challenge. There is something fitting about Anastasia becoming Manchester Musical Youth’s 40th production. For well over a decade, MMY has established itself as arguably Manchester’s leading youth musical theatre company, renowned for producing powerful vocal ensembles while continually raising its artistic ambitions. Under the assured leadership of Kimberly and Dave Holden, this milestone production demonstrates a company continuing to evolve, marrying its tra...

The Clockmaker’s Daughter – The Renaker Theatre, Z-Arts

During the 11th season of MMY Kimberly and Dave Holden are premiering the youth production of Webborn and Finn’s ‘The Clockmaker’s Daughter’, this highly successful musical has had sell out runs and has been nominated for eleven awards to date. Kimberly fell in love with this musical several years ago after hearing her singing students sing ‘A Story of My Own’, her curiosity led her to explore the musical it belonged to, leading to a dream to bring this magnificent new musical to life on stage. After being granted the performing rights by Webborn and Finn through Keddie Scott North, Kimberly’s dream has become a reality and has enabled Manchester audiences to fall in love with this remarkable musical too. Opening night was made spectacular by having Michael Webborn himself in the...