Hull New Theatre Archives - Page 2 of 11

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...

9Apr

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Legally Blonde – Hull New Theatre

Having never seen the 2001 movie Legally Blonde, I deliberately kept myself in the dark re its storyline. I know from past experience that the talented performers of the Hessle Theatre Company would expertly bring the Legally Blonde musical to life, when performing it at the Hull New Theatre. And that’s exactly what this amateur group did on Tuesday evening, the first of a five-night run. The story follows love-sick UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles - I Googled) student, Elle Woods and her quest to hang on to the love of her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III. Elle is a frothy blonde, who loves to dress in pink - shoes and bag included - and former law student Tanya Sewell plays her to perfection. Warner, meanwhile, has his eye on his future statesman role, and Elle’s appear...

28Mar

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Magic Flute – Hull New Theatre

As I made my way to the VIP entrance (a welcome reviewers’ perk) at the Hull New Theatre on Thursday evening, I had to navigate my way through throngs of queuing theatregoers. Opera lovers abound in the former City of Culture, and they were certainly out in force when Opera North’s production of The Magic Flute came to town. Mozart composed the music for this fairytale-type opera that premiered on September 30, 1791- just two months before his death. Originally penned by Emanuel Schikaneder, Opera North’s version was written by British theatre director, composer and lyricist, Jeremy Sams. Directed by James Brining and performed in the English language, the opening scene showed a young girl in her bedroom while, next door, drunken grown-ups, in evening wear, partied. The youngst...

6Mar

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Book of Mormon – Hull New Theatre

After watching The Book of Mormon for just 15 minutes at the Hull New Theatre on Wednesday evening, I wanted to stand up and shout STOP! to all on the stage. The reason? I was in danger of dying of laughter. Seriously, I didn’t feel I could endure another minute. But duty called … South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are to blame, as they, in cahoots with Robert Lopez (who co-wrote Frozen), are responsible for the book, the music and the lyrics. Hailed as the “funniest musical of all time” it’s no surprise to me to read it has won nine Tony Awards and four Oliviers. The Book of Mormon follows young male disciples of the Mormon church, who have been deemed ready to spread the church’s word around the world. Venturing forth in pairs to such places as Norway, France and ...

21Feb

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Romeo & Juliet – Hull New Theatre

What word describes a ballet that is more than just the choreography? “Drambalet” is the perfect description of the production I enjoyed on Thursday night, when the Varna International Ballet and Orchestra company brought its production of Romeo & Juliet to Hull. This most famous of William Shakespeare’s stories was brought to life by a musical score composed by Sergei Prokofiev, in 1935, who, according to historic reports, endeavoured to model his work on the idea of a drambalet - “a ballet rooted in dramatic storytelling”. And it’s to his rousing music, played live by an amazing orchestra, conducted by Peter Tuleshkov, that the most talented performers danced and acted out the tale of the star-crossed lovers. Set in Renaissance Verona, Italy, the huge backdrop throughout, mo...

12Feb

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

An Inspector Calls – Hull New Theatre

As curtain raisers go, there can’t be many more dramatic than that which I witnessed on Tuesday evening, when a National Theatre production of JB Priestley’s classic thriller, An Inspector Calls, exploded on to the stage. Hull New Theatre seemed to be packed to the gills, especially after the arrival of hordes of school leavers and their teachers. All soon settled and then the fun began a few minutes after 7.30pm. The explosive start of a very stormy night, with real water falling as rain that little street urchins splashed in, took part outside the impressive home of the wealthy Birling family. This stage setting - a telephone box, street lamp, a distant urban backdrop and the house - changed very little throughout. But when it did, my goodness it was ear splitting. All the ac...

Now That’s What I Call a Musical – Hull New Theatre

5Feb

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Now That’s What I Call a Musical – Hull New Theatre

Set in Birmingham, the Brummy tones in this new musical were a joy to listen to. Now That’s What I Call a Musical, written by Pippa Evans and directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood, of Strictly Come Dancing fame, charts the lives of two best school friends, whose loves, hopes, dreams (shattered or otherwise) are played out to some of the greatest pop hits of the 1980s. It’s 1989, and April (Maia Hawkins) and Gemma (Nikita Johal) are typical schoolgirls - April is blonde, bubbly and dreams of stardom in Hollywood. Her bestie, the shorter, dark-haired Gemma, dreams only of marriage and having kids. Gemma’s family are a scream - that accent again. Dad (Christopher Glover) works in a car factory, while Mum (Poppy Tierney), seems to spend her time laying the kitchen table...

2Feb

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

La Bohème – Hull New Theatre

Opera lovers were transported to 1830s Bohemian Paris on Friday night when a new production of La Bohème came to the Hull New Theatre. I admit to not being an opera buff, even although I have reviewed quite a few, but there was something special about this Ellen Kent Production with the Ukrainian Opera and Ballet Theatre, Kyiv, that had me gripped from curtain up. Stage settings help enormously to reel us in from the get-go and this was no exception. Though not lavish, the setting was a Parisian garret studio graced with an easel displaying a huge painting of the Red Sea; a single bed, table, chairs etc, plus a painted backdrop of buildings. A simple scene, but it piqued my interest, even more so with the comic antics of its occupants - poet Rudolfo (Hovhannes Andreasyan) and pain...