Jena Pandya Archives - North West End UK

3Dec

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Freaky Friday – HOME Mcr

Disney’s Freaky Friday has had several incarnations over the decades, yet this musical version manages to feel lively, warm, and surprisingly moving. Rather than leaning on nostalgia, it approaches the familiar story with modern humour, heartfelt character work, and two central performances that elevate the entire production. At its heart are Katherine, played with effortless comedic timing by Rebecca Lock, as Ellie, portrayed with sharp wit and authentic teenage exasperation by Jena Pandya. Katherine is a single mum trying to hold together her business, her upcoming wedding, and a household on the brink of chaos. Ellie is equally overwhelmed, navigating friendship politics, crushes, and the intense importance of her school’s annual scavenger hunt. When a heated argument erupts between ...

Come Fall in Love: The DDLJ Musical – Opera House, Manchester

5Jun

By Kathryn GortonNo Comments

North West

Come Fall in Love: The DDLJ Musical – Opera House, Manchester

Opening to a packed press night audience , this iconic Bollywood love story movie from 1995 is translated to the musical stage with a sparkling , brand new score of 18 songs from Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls) capturing the authentic bhangra beats and style and rhythms of the culture and breathing new life and reimagining this Bollywood blockbuster, musically. The music was a highlight and although new musicals never usually leave me with an ear worm , Act One’s Twice as Good’ and Act Two’s ‘ Desi Kudi’ definitely hit the sweet spot. Aditya Chopra has adapted the famous movie Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and it is spectacular costumes with energy, playfulness, humour and a vibrant and talented cast who ooze charm and charisma. The story is of British born, second generation Indian, Simr...

5May

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

Mamma Mia – Birmingham Hippodrome

Stephen Fry once compared ABBA to a bottle of coke. It wasn’t because their bubbling pop music was sweet and saccharine. It was because the original glass bottle was so well designed - becoming a design classic - it could withstand a hundred times more pressure from its contents than it needed to. A case of over-design. Just like ABBA. Their work is so well designed, so perfectly engineered and far, far better made than it ever needs to be - that they too have become classics. If Benny and Bjorn had created songs half as good they would still be some of the most outstanding pop music in the world. And “Mamma Mia”, that staggeringly successful stage show, stands testimony to the words and music of those talented Swedes and their well-designed pop classics. The auditorium of the Birmingha...

10Feb

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Mamma Mia – Hull New Theatre

Those of a nervous disposition at the Hull New Theatre on Wednesday evening were warned, just before curtain up, that platform shoes and white satin trousers would be much in evidence on the stage, as feel-good musical Mamma Mia! came to town. Talented musicians got a packed theatre into the right mood, pre-show, by playing several of Abba’s hits, the Swedish super-group whose music is the backbone of this energetic production. As the curtain rose, we were all eager to hear the words “I do, I do, I do, I do, I do, I do”. Set on a beautiful Greek island, Mamma Mia! tells the story of taverna owner Donna Sheridan (Sara Poyzer), her 20-year-old daughter Sophie (Jena Pandya), and Sophie’s upcoming marriage to Sky (Toby Miles), to be held on the island. Sophie intrigued all of her life...

Cast and creative team announced for world premiere of What’s New Pussycat?

9Aug

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Cast and creative team announced for world premiere of What’s New Pussycat?

The full cast and creative team have been announced for the highly anticipated, brand new musical, What’s New Pussycat? An exclusive first look video and images of the cast in rehearsals have also been released today. Freely inspired by the novel The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling, this romantic musical comedy reimagines Fielding’s classic tale in London’s swinging sixties and sets the story to the iconic hit music of Sir Tom Jones. Written by the Tony Award winning Joe DiPietro (Memphis The Musical), with a stellar creative team including director Luke Sheppard and legendary choreographer Dame Arlene Phillips, get ready for music, mods and rocking romance when the show enjoys its world premiere at The REP from 8th October – 14th November. The cast will include Dominic Andersen as...