Janette Manrara Archives - North West End UK

22Jul

By Paddy Darnell-WalshNo Comments

North West

Chicago – Blackpool Opera House

Dubbed “the sexiest musical ever” (Metro), Chicago returns to Blackpool this week, with a huge sprinkle of razzle-dazzle with it! Set with the decadent backdrop of the 1920s Chicago jazz scene, the story follows Roxie Hart who murders her lover when he threatens to leave her. In a desperate attempt to avoid conviction, Hart hires renowned lawyer Billy Flynn to assist her in deceiving the media, public and rival cellmate, Velma Kelly. With show-stopping songs a plenty, the sultry, sassy, sensational Chicago is back at the Seaside with a bang. With lyrics from Fredd Ebb and music by John Kander, blasted out by a live band onstage (under the superb musical direction of Neil MacDonald), it’s easy to understand Chicago’s appeal. I must admit, having seen the show various times over the years...

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...

Dianne Buswell is ready to Burn The Floor this summer

7Jun

By Leanne RushtonNo Comments

Interviews

Dianne Buswell is ready to Burn The Floor this summer

The original Broadway production of Jason Gilkison’s BURN THE FLOOR is being recreated for a strictly limited tour in July 2022. THE REUNION features some of the most celebrated alumni of Burn the Floor including Strictly Come Dancing’s Aljaž Škorjanec, Kevin Clifton, Janette Manrara, Karen Hauer, Dianne Buswell, Joanne Clifton, Luba Mushtuk, Kai Widdrington & Robin Windsor, plus more cast just announced. Ahead of the tour hitting the road next month we sat down with one of its stars Dianne Buswell to talk all things dance. What is your favourite dance of the show? Although they’ve not started rehearsals Dianne said she’d been in the show for 8 years before Strictly! She said she really hopes that ‘Ballroom Beat’ is in the show again though as she says the music and choreography ...

25th Anniversary – BURN THE FLOOR – The Reunion

3Sep

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

25th Anniversary – BURN THE FLOOR – The Reunion

Strictly MEGASTARS join forces for reunion performances… The original Broadway production of Jason Gilkison’s BURN THE FLOOR is being recreated for a strictly limited tour in July 2022. “This Burn the Floor 25th anniversary will be such a one-time event for us - all our stars back on stage together again where they all began!” Jason Gilkison THE REUNION features some of the most celebrated alumni of Burn the Floor including Strictly Come Dancing’s Aljaž Škorjanec, Kevin Clifton, Janette Manrara, Karen Hauer, Dianne Buswell, Joanne Clifton, Luba Mushtuk, Kai Widdrington and Robin Windsor, plus more names to be announced. “To get this ‘dream team' back together on stage for a Burn the Floor reunion will be an event not to be missed.” Jason Gilkison BURN THE FLOOR is a breathta...

27Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

REVIEWS

Remembering the Oscars – Online Stream

“Remembering the Oscars” is the follow up show to “Remembering the Movies” starring Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara (of Strictly Come Dancing fame). “Remembering the Oscars” is due to tour in 2022 in theatres with live audiences. Adapted for the Covid climate, this hour long version has been specially produced to stream online to ensure that even during the current restrictions, audiences can have a dose of Hollywood sparkle and magic from the comfort of their own living room. It is also a clever appetiser for the full show next year. The show is an hour long and is packed from start to finish with Aljaz and Janette’s interpretations and reimaginings of Oscar winning film classic dance sequences, with quite a broad spectrum ranging from golden classics such as ‘Singing In The Rai...

Strictly’s Aljaž & Janette perform a new digital dance spectacular

16Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Strictly’s Aljaž & Janette perform a new digital dance spectacular

Strictly’s Aljaž & Janette perform a new digital dance spectacular, Remembering the Oscars Streaming worldwide: Saturday 27th March – Saturday 17th April 2021. Strictly Come Dancing duo Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara will star in a new digital adaptation of their never-before-seen dance spectacular, Remembering the Oscars. Celebrating the greatest award-winning songs, films, and dance routines from the Golden Age of Hollywood to Disney family favourites, the pair are rolling out the red carpet for a breath-taking premiere production, filmed especially for streaming. The show will be available to stream online for a strictly limited season from Saturday 27th March to Saturday 17th April. Aljaž & Janette will be joined by an incredible ensemble of some of the UK’s best dan...