Catherine Zuber Archives - North West End UK

Moulin Rouge! The Musical – Palace Theatre

22Aug

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Moulin Rouge! The Musical – Palace Theatre

Step inside Manchester’s Palace Theatre this month and you are no longer in the North West of England - you are transported straight into the beating heart of Montmartre. For its UK tour, Moulin Rouge! The Musical has transformed the venue into a lush Parisian nightspot; its boxes crowned with the glittering red windmill and a striking blue elephant symbolising Satine’s dressing room. Even before the first note is sung, the effect is spellbinding, and the theatre itself is part of the spectacle. Directed by Alex Timbers with a book by John Logan, the musical reimagines Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film for the stage. At its core lies the romance between Christian (Josh Rose), a wide-eyed, penniless songwriter, and Satine (Verity Thompson), the glamorous star of the Moulin Rouge. Christian dreams...

Il Barbiere di Siviglia – Metropolitan Opera

3Jun

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

REVIEWS

Il Barbiere di Siviglia – Metropolitan Opera

The Metropolitan Opera in collaboration with Royal Ballet and Opera close their season in style with Rossini’s effervescent comedy retaking the stage with director Kathleen Smith Belcher’s revival of Bartlett Sher’s madcap production from 2006 of Il Barbiere di Siviglia, a prequel to The Marriage of Figaro. Count Almaviva (Jack Swanson), disguised as Lindoro, courts Rosina (Aigul Akhmetshina), who is under the guardianship of the jealous Dr. Bartolo (Peter Kálmán). Figaro (Andrey Zhilikhovsky), the town barber, helps Almaviva navigate the obstacles, including Bartolo's plan – with the assistance of Don Basilio (Alexander Vinogradov) – to marry Rosina himself. Through disguises, deception, and clever schemes, Figaro and Almaviva work to win Rosina's affection and thwart Bartolo's plan. ...

Roméo et Juliette – Met Opera Live in HD

24Mar

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

REVIEWS

Roméo et Juliette – Met Opera Live in HD

Bartlett Sher’s production may be rather staid and static in its staging of Gounod’s sumptuous Shakespeare adaptation but this tale of two star-crossed lovers touched the heavens tonight as its two stars shone brightly and lit up the stage. Lord Capulet (Nathan Berg) is hosting a ball where he hopes to pair off his daughter Juliette Nadine Sierra) with Count Paris (Daniel Rich) but she is not keen. When Roméo (Benjamin Bernheim) appears however the two are immediately love-struck and he has to hide from his friends Mercutio (Will Liverman), Stéphano (Samantha Hankey), and Benvolio (Thomas Capobianco). Her cousin Tybalt (Frederick Ballantine) is less than impressed with the presence of these sworn enemies and accompanied by Gregorio (Jeongcheol Cha), he swears revenge. Romeo and Juliette...

Moulin Rouge! The Musical – Piccadilly Theatre

21Jan

By Gemma PrinceNo Comments

London

Moulin Rouge! The Musical – Piccadilly Theatre

Based on Baz Luhrmann’s critically acclaimed 2001 film, the highly anticipated Moulin Rouge! has finally hit the West End following its hugely successful Broadway debut in 2019. Directed by Alex Timbers, the musical tells the story of Christian, a young writer who moves to Pairs’ Montmartre quarter to join the Bohemian movement and falls in love with Satine, the illustrious headline act at the Moulin Rouge cabaret club, and the villainous Duke of Monroth, who wants Satine for himself. Photo: Matt Crockett The Piccadilly Theatre has been completely transformed to bring Luhrmann’s dreamy world of glitz and glamour to life. From the neon signs shining outside to the red lights decorating the theatre and stage, Justine Townsend’s incredible lighting design truly transports you to the...