Hull New Theatre Archives - North West End UK

The Shawshank Redemption – Hull New Theatre

23Oct

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Shawshank Redemption – Hull New Theatre

At precisely 7.30pm on Tuesday evening, the chatter among the Hull New Theatre audience quieted as the curtain rose on a production of The Shawshank Redemption. Seconds later the chatter resumed - the curtain having changed course and descended downwards. An apology resounded around the theatre. However, it was only another few seconds before the curtain rose again; and the aforementioned chatter ceased once more. That damn curtain seemed to have a life of its own as it descended once again; this time joined by its accomplice in crime, the fire safety curtain. Ten minutes after the scheduled start time, both barriers to the stage rose revealing the grey, grim interior of the Shawshank Maximum Security Penitentiary, in Maine, US. At first I thought I was watching The Full ...

Cirque Éloize: iD Reloaded – Hull New Theatre

19Oct

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Cirque Éloize: iD Reloaded – Hull New Theatre

If I had a tenner for every time I said “oh my God!” while watching the unbelievably talented Cirque Éloize circus crew perform at the Hull New Theatre, on Friday evening, I would be laughing all the way to the bank. This production, iD Reloaded, is inspired by the company’s international hit, iD, created in 2009. Presented by Dance Consortium and directed and created by the Canadian company’s co-founder, Jeannot Painchaud, I was immediately impressed by the wonderful opening stage setting of industrial metal frames with a backdrop of a built-up city scape - an eye-popping video backdrop that changed and dazzled throughout the performance. The action takes place in the heart of a busy city, out in the open, in a space that encourages individuals to express their personalities and ...

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – Hull New Theatre

2Oct

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – Hull New Theatre

When C S Lewis wrote The Chronicles of Narnia, he couldn’t have envisaged that the second in the series, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, would still be entertaining folk 75 years after it was first published. To celebrate the anniversary, this week Hull New Theatre plays host to the West End smash-hit production and, taking my seat on Tuesday night, I noticed theatregoers of all ages in attendance. Before curtain up we were entertained by a pianist, tinkling the ivories of an upright piano and dressed as a Second World War air raid warden, complete with steel helmet and overcoat. As the strains of We’ll Meet Again rang out, this first scene, on a darkened, misty stage, brought the Second World War years into focus. The story centres around the four Pevensie si...

23Jul

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Calamity Jane – Hull New Theatre

Within two minutes of the plush curtain raising at the Hull New Theatre, on Tuesday evening, I was singing away to the song, Black Hills of Dakota. Calamity Jane was in town and the guilty party making me join in was Theo Diedrick who, playing the banjo, purposely made a hash of the above song until getting the hang of the well-known ditty. In fact, Diedrick kept us entertained all night long with his amusing mannerisms and facial expressions. I’m sure I spotted him playing the violin as well at one point in this rip-roaring production. In the 1953 film of the same name, on which this production is based, Calamity was played by Doris Day, and it’s her singing voice that musical lovers will associate with many of the songs in this stage version. Fast forward 72 years and it’s th...

15Jul

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Rocky Horror Show – Hull New Theatre

A reviewer’s job is not without risks and the sights I saw on Monday evening at the Hull New Theatre will probably scar me for life. Males in fishnet stockings and suspenders, strutting around in stiletto heels. Some were even wearing make-up - shock, horror. But that’s enough about the audience. The Rocky Horror Show was in town, performing to theatregoers who were obviously determined to get into the spirit of the well-known madcap production; hence the proliferation of fishnets, maids’ outfits, gold lamé top hats and tails, long black cloaks and black lacy costumes in many different designs, mainly worn by the females in the audience. There can’t be a person on this planet, or even off the planet, who hasn’t heard of Richard O’Brien’s infamous rock ’n’ roll musical and the s...

1Jul

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Chicago – Hull New Theatre

Ten very talented musicians, led by fun-loving maestro Neil MacDonald, opened Chicago the Musical at Hull New Theatre on Monday evening – or at least, one of the three trumpeters did. But all ten played an enraptured audience out at the show’s end, with the aforementioned maestro encouraging us to wave our arms in the air to the music. Such talents are often hidden away in a theatre’s orchestra pit, so for these musicians to be on stage for the duration was a joy. All the action takes place in 1920s Chicago, Illinois, mostly in the women’s block of the Cook County Jail, after unfaithful housewife and nightclub dancer Roxie Hart (Janette Manrara, of Strictly Come Dancing fame) is held there pre-trial for murdering her lover. The stage designers of this amazing production cleverl...

Fishnets and Fame: Adam Strong Embraces His Dream Role

26Jun

By NewsdeskNo Comments

Interviews

Fishnets and Fame: Adam Strong Embraces His Dream Role

Bright lights, corsets, and glorious transgression: this July, the iconic Hull New Theatre will be taken over by one of stage musical’s most outrageous characters—Dr Frank ’n’ Furter. Standing centre stage is Adam Strong, the Sunderland-born performer embarking on his debut in this legendary role as part of the blockbuster UK tour running from 14th to 19th July. Where are you from? I grew up in Sunderland and am based just outside of Durham, although I'm never there due to work. When did you first realise you had some talent and who encouraged you? My sister was a dancer for many years, and I used to love watching her, especially in the panto at the Sunderland Empire, which she did for many years. She was the one who encouraged me to get started in musical theatre and hel...

Cruel Intentions The ‘90s Musical – Hull New Theatre

14May

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Cruel Intentions The ‘90s Musical – Hull New Theatre

Although an avid movie-goer, the 1999 cinema release of Cruel Intentions, passed me by, so when the musical of the same name came to the Hull New Theatre, I had no clue of what to expect. The theatre was filled far from capacity on Tuesday evening, which was a shame, but those of us who did attend were in for a treat. The many trigger warnings in the press release hinted at themes that may upset some folk, and although “explicit sexual language and behaviour, racial discrimination and drug usage” did raise their ugly heads, I can honestly say they didn’t overshadow proceedings, meaning such events came and went and then we were on to the next scene. That’s not to minimise such gross deeds, but they were so cleverly interwoven as to seem unimportant, if that makes sense. Based o...

30Apr

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Ghost The Musical – Hull New Theatre

When your goosebumps get goosebumps you know you are experiencing something extraordinary. I was affected by the bloomin’ eruptions at least twice while watching Ghost the Musical at the Hull New Theatre, on Tuesday evening. I’ve been spouting off to whoever would listen that no theatre production would come close to the 1990 movie, Ghost, starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore in the lead roles. Well, dear reader, I was totally and utterly wrong. This production of Ghost the Musical is definitely on a par with the hit movie. The theatre was packed on the night and, as the words “Oh my love, my darling, I’ve hungered for your touch” appeared on a huge star-lit screen, I bet every audience member started mentally singing those lyrics made famous in the song Unchained Melody,...

23Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Dear Evan Hansen – Hull New Theatre

Some productions are so special that theatregoers can get the gist of the story from the get go. I certainly did when Dear Evan Hansen came to the Hull New Theatre on Tuesday evening. Ryan Kopel in the lead role as troubled high school kid, Evan, brought the gawky, angst-ridden, awkward, nerdy, coy, friendless teen to life so perfectly, words can’t begin to describe just how talented this young actor is. Everything about Kopel’s performance kept us, in the packed theatre, spellbound, as we followed his accidental journey of lies, lies and more lies. Evan lives with his mum Heidi (Lara Beth-Sas), whose busy work schedule often means her son is left alone for long stretches of time. He’s old enough, so no big deal. Or is it? Undergoing treatment from his doctor for his social anx...