Captivate Theatre Archives - North West End UK

21Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Come From Away – Assembly Ballroom

There are some shows you admire and others that catch you rather more unexpectedly. Captivate Theatre's Come From Away did both. I saw it with my daughter, and remarkably it was the first time either of us had encountered the musical. Sharing that first experience became one of my highlights of this year's Fringe. Irene Sankoff and David Hein's musical takes us to Gander, Newfoundland, where 38 aircraft carrying almost 7,000 passengers were diverted following the attacks of 11 September 2001. It hardly sounds like the starting point for an uplifting musical, yet the extraordinary generosity of the local community provides exactly that. Getting the balance right is crucial. There must be laughter amongst the darkness and Captivate finds it beautifully. A moose appearing ...

Dear Evan Hansen – Assembly Rooms Ballroom

14Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Dear Evan Hansen – Assembly Rooms Ballroom

What a contrast. Barely had The Love-Hungry Farmer packed away his lonely Irish farmhouse before Captivate Theatre arrived in the same Assembly Rooms Ballroom and filled it with the sound, energy and emotional punch of Dear Evan Hansen. This was my first time seeing the musical. I knew several of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's songs independently but seeing them finally placed within Steven Levenson's story was something of a revelation. At its centre is Evan Hansen, played here by Shlok Ramakrishnan, an isolated, socially anxious teenager whose therapeutic exercise of writing letters to himself becomes disastrously entangled with the death of fellow student Connor Murphy. A misunderstanding becomes a lie, the lie gives a grieving family something desperately needed ...

27Aug

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Sweeney Todd – The Famous Spiegeltent

As part of their nine-show lineup at this year's Edinburgh Fringe, Captivate Theatre brings their rendition of Sondheim’s magnum opus Sweeney Todd to The Famous Spiegeltent in St Andrews Square. Humorous and gritty, the in-the-round set-up of The Spiegeltent added a voyeuristic, sinister energy to the production as the cast prowled through the audience, spying on as the action played out. Captivate’s prominence in the Edinburgh amateur theatre scene guarantees a production of consistency and talent, with Sweeney Todd certainly keeping in line with this expectation. Unfortunately for me, I was rather distracted throughout the performance as having arrived later than the general audience, I found myself dejected to a stool rather than a seat - a stool with a mirrored pilla...

24Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Sunshine On Leith – Assembly Rooms

A firm Edinburgh favourite, for locals and tourists alike, musical, Sunshine on Leith, set to the original songs of The Proclaimers, always does very well at Fringe time. Last years’ production by the same company, Captivate Theatre, was one of my Fringe highlights. So, I was looking forward to this one, accompanied this time by my musical loving daughter. Following a pair of discharged soldiers, Ally and Davy, as they return home, across Pilrig Street and via Central bar to their beloved Leith, it is a simple romantic tale which initially at least, leans more towards comedy than drama and lets the music do most of the talking. Early highlights, I’m On My way, it's over and done with, and Let’s get Married set the tone, and have the packed crowd chanting along to these uplifting son...

The Phantom of the Opera – The Edinburgh Academy Magnusson Theatre

6Aug

By Torya HughesNo Comments

Scotland

The Phantom of the Opera – The Edinburgh Academy Magnusson Theatre

With a challenging operatic score, some of the most memorable tunes in musical theatre, and a huge reputation to live up to, “The Phantom of the Opera” is a bold choice for Captivate Theatre. However, they are more than capable of doing it justice, with a talented cast and near faultless vocal performances. The musical needs little introduction, but tells the story of Christine, a chorus girl in the opera who is thrust into the leading role after a strange incident causes the prima donna Carlotta to storm out. Christine has been tutored by the Phantom, her “angel of music”, a shadowy figure who lives in the sewers of the opera house. New owners take over the company, including a rich patron named Raoul, who is Christine’s childhood friend. They rekindle a friendship which turns into lov...

Sunshine on Leith – Assembly Rooms, Bijou (tent) George Street

12Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Sunshine on Leith – Assembly Rooms, Bijou (tent) George Street

Set in the inspired venue choice of a giant tent on George Street, Captivate Theatre bring this breezy and lively musical which can easily cope with some background street chatter. In fact, it fits right in (as if it’s meant) to many of scenes; in the pub, on the football terraces or in the hospital. And as for the lighting techie! It took me a while to realise that we were at nature’s mercy, and miraculously it seemed that the light rose and fell at all the right points. Behind a cloud for the sad scenes and full sun for the bright ones. Miraculous! To the wonderful music and lyrics of Scotland’s finest, The Proclaimers, Scottish Country (without the Western), we follow two likely lads, Ally and Davy, discharged from the army and returning home to Edinburgh (no, Leith!) to try to carve...