Daneside Theatre Archives - North West End UK

Legally Blonde The Musical – Daneside Theatre

23Oct

By Hannah KellyNo Comments

North West

Legally Blonde The Musical – Daneside Theatre

On a dark and dreary October evening, The Daneside Theatre in Congleton was glowing with hot-pink and the productions opening night appeared lively and high-spirited. Directed by Jill Mason, the Congleton Musical Theatre’s rendition of Heather Hach’s ‘Legally Blonde: The Musical’ is kitsch, cringe and wonderfully camp. The musical is based on both Amanda Brown’s novel and the 2001 hit-movie starring Reese Witherspoon, following the journey of the ‘Malibu-Barbie’, Elle Woods, as she navigates her way through Harvard Law School and eventually dispels all stereotypes of her ‘Legally Blonde’ persona. The curtain opens to Elle (Abbie Lloyd) and her ‘Delta Nu’ Sorority Sister’s performance of ‘Omigod you guys’, a flamboyant number that immediately characterised Elle and her love for War...

Now That’s What I Call Armageddon – Daneside Theatre

14Sep

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Now That’s What I Call Armageddon – Daneside Theatre

The idea of a ‘Now’ album highlighting the songs you'd want to listen to before the end of the world is certainly an intriguing concept. Although it’s easy to forget what ‘Now’ album we are up to, this performance by Trinity Amateur Operatic Society is clearly informing us that this is the final one! This album is badged as ‘the ultimate play list for the end of the world’ and directed by Simeon Green and Simon Matthews it is undoubtedly an innovative idea. The premise of the show is essentially about the songs that the public would want to hear as the end of the world approaches. The songs are entered into different categories such as ‘Ultimate song for singing in the shower’,’ …for motivation’, and even ‘…for driving with the window down.’ The backdrop to the stage displayed a T...

24Apr

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

The Addams Family – Daneside Theatre

Trinity Amateur Operatic Society (TAOS) presents The Addams Family at the stunning Daneside Theatre in Congleton from the 23rd – 27th of April 2024, directed by Paul Downham, assisted by Izzy Rowe and based on characters created by Charles Addams and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. The Addams Family has become enormously popular over the years for many theatre companies, this being my fourth viewing of the show in less than 6 months. I have witnessed some great performances of this show but none as outstanding as TAOS’s delivery of this classic spooky tale. I feel quite anxious about writing this review as I want to ensure I pay justice to this phenomenal cast and crew on their outstanding delivery of The Addams Family that they so rightl...

10Apr

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Dinner is served in Congleton

Rehearsals are coming to a close in Congleton this week at Trinity Amateur Operatic Society before the cast and crew of The Addams Family move into the Daneside Theatre ahead of opening night on the 23rd April. Running until 27th April at 7:30pm with a 2pm matinee on the 27th. Everyone’s favourite kooky family are taking to the stage in this spectacular musical comedy from the writers of multi award-winning hit musical Jersey Boys, with music and lyrics by Tony Award nominated Andrew Lippa. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, is all grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows. She’s fallen in love with a sweet young man from a respectable family. With his cherished Morticia in the dark will Gomez manage to keep his daughter’s secret until the two familie...

7Feb

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Funny Money – Daneside Theatre

The Congleton Players' production of Funny Money by Ray Cooney, under the direction of David McCaddon and Wendy McKie, was an absolute delight from start to finish. Staged in the Daneside Theatre in Congleton, the production has a fantastic cast led by Angela McIntyre-Harrison as Jean Perkins and William Vickers as Henry Perkins, every moment was filled with laughter and charm. Jake McCaddon's portrayal of Bill brought a refreshing energy to the stage, while Andrew Salmon's Davenport added a touch of intrigue to the storyline. Claire Morris as Slater, Crystal Holford as Betty Johnson, Chris Brady as Vic Johnson, and Paul Berridge as the passerby rounded out the ensemble with precision and comedic timing. Photo: Judie Tingle Photography The quality of the production was evident in ...

26Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

All Shook Up – Daneside Theatre

For those who know me, know I am not the biggest fan of jukebox musicals, so would a trip to see the very same genre tonight in Congleton change my opinion? The short answer is no, however tonight was one of the best productions I have seen of the genre with powerhouse performances coming from the stage in rapid succession. I must start by mentioning the visuals created by Simon Matthews, who also directs the show. 8 video walls places across the stage left you in no doubt as to where the on-stage action was taking place. From an American street complete with moving bus to a disused fairground nothing on show tonight would have looked out of place on a West End Stage. Cleverly designed lighting from Nick Walker complemented the screens however at times a little more face light could hav...

Trinity AOS are back on stage, and this time they are All Shook Up!

23Apr

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Trinity AOS are back on stage, and this time they are All Shook Up!

Trinity AOS are back on stage, and this time they are All Shook Up! Returning to the Daneside Theatre in Congleton the show runs from Tuesday 25th April until Saturday 29th. Directed by Simon Matthews, with choreography by Helen Lilley and musical direction by Richard Tadman. Following an enforced break due to Covid 19 this is the first full scale musical the society have performed since The Full Monty in March 2020, one of the last shows to perform in the area before lockdown. The music of Elvis comes alive in All Shook Up. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, All Shook Up follows a small Midwestern town that is thrown into a frenzy with the arrival of Chad, a good-looking, motorcycle-riding roustabout, who rides from town to town with a guitar on his back, blue suede shoes ...

<strong>Blood Brothers (The Play) – Daneside Theatre, Congleton</strong>

8Feb

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

North West

Blood Brothers (The Play) – Daneside Theatre, Congleton

Bringing to the stage the play version of this tale, written by Willy Russell for Merseyside Young People’s Theatre in the early 1980’s, with the pre-requisite that the play must be only 70 mins long; a five hander with no set; and very little lighting as it was to be performed in a school hall. This short play version of Blood Brothers was later lengthened into the Musical that most of us know, and began touring in 1983, with the star of the show – Barbara Dickson. Congleton Players along with director Louise Colohan, have given this play a re-birth, bringing this 1980’s idea into the 21st century. For those who do not know the story, the tale begins with Mrs Johnstone (Sarah Francis) being swept off her feet by her husband (Andrew Bours), but when children arrive in very q...

The Pirates of Penzance – Daneside Theatre

18Nov

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

The Pirates of Penzance – Daneside Theatre

‘The Pirates of Penzance’ is undoubtedly one of the most popular of all the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoires, and this week, The Daneside Theatre welcomes the Pirates to Congleton, possibly sailing via the River Dane? Performed by Congleton Amateur Youth Theatre (CAYT) this is Essgees rather unique Australian version of the show. First performed in 1994 and having gone global this was certainly a brighter, livelier version from the offset. The story is so well known by many but if you have never seen it, it relays the story of the very innocent Frederick (Alex Wilson) who is taught his Pirate apprentice skills by The Pirate King (William Vickers). It tells the tale of his time with the Pirates and Ruth (Ellie Shirley) and falling in love with Mabel (Lucy Picken). CYAT are a varied bu...

Blue Remembered Hills – The Daneside Theatre

6Oct

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

North West

Blue Remembered Hills – The Daneside Theatre

After a long period of ‘resting’, the Congleton Players are back in business and begin their season with a Dennis Potter play. The ‘Blue Remembered Hills’ began its life as a television play broadcast in 1979, in the days when the BBC broadcast plays for the TV. Potter came up with the idea that this story of seven children should be played by adults, an idea that he first tried in his play ‘Stand Up, Nigel Barton’. Set in the Forest of Dean in the Summer of 1943, wartime lurks in the background and tells of the life of a group of children, trying to be young and carefree, but with the knowledge that their life has changed and the innocence of their youth is a mere reflection in the eyes of the adults inhabiting their personas. As we enter the theatre, the ...