Joanne Clifton Archives - North West End UK

16Oct

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Hairspray – Sheffield Lyceum

It’s Welcome to the 60’s as Hairspray sprays the Sheffield Lyceum this week and You Can’t stop the Beat with this high energy, high octave musical. With the original screenplay by John Waters and the Musical Productions book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, the composer and co-lyricist Marc Shaiman and lyricist Scott Wittman collectively created a modern day classic - with all the ingredients to give Hairspray the longevity and wide spread appeal is deserves. Under the direction of Paul Kerryson and Brenda Edwards with top notch choreography by Drew Mconie this current UK tour easily equals, and I think surpassed its predecessor. With minimum set (Takis) and lavish caricatured costume the vast stage of the Lyceum is filled with an incredible cast which has a heart as big as its storyli...

6Mar

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Shrek The Musical – Hull New Theatre

Imagine being thrown out of your house and told by your parents to make your own way in life - at the age of 7! That’s exactly what happened to a young Shrek, the green ogre whose story is told in Shrek The Musical which started its run at the Hull New Theatre on Tuesday night. But that was the only sad-ish part of the whole rip-roaring production. On the stage, a huge arc of lights surrounded by a backdrop of falling snowflakes and a massive Shrek story book, plus a soundtrack of croaking frogs, greeted us as we took our seats. Within minutes of curtain up, Shrek, now a giant, broke wind, then used a skunk as a deodorant under his armpits. That’s what ogres do. Shrek (Antony Lawrence) had us in the palm of his hands from that first window-rattling trump. But his world is...

13Feb

By Manda ElizabethNo Comments

North West

Shrek The Musical – Liverpool Empire

Once upon a time, in a land far far away... or just down the M62 in Liverpool depending on your postcode. Shrek The Musical landed in The Empire Theatre just in time for half term. Boasting a cast of International and West end stars, Shrek is certainly not one to miss out on this week. Opening with strong choreography and vocals from the ensemble in “Story of My Life” this was certainly a settle into your seat's moment as you begin to see the story unfold. Shrek, who is played by Anthony Lawrence has a big job on his hands which is to confront Farquaad (played by James Gillan) and reclaim his swamp, unbeknownst to him that he is on a far bigger path of defeating a dragon and claiming the princess from her tower. Light work? Or so he thought before he met his noble stead... A personal...

Shrek the Musical – Opera House, Manchester

3Aug

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Shrek the Musical – Opera House, Manchester

Shrek the Musical is mesmerising extravaganza that is a great way to introduce children to the theatre and performing arts. Shrek the Musical has arrived at Manchester Opera House and is an absolute delight that brings the beloved ogre and his endearing companions to life on stage in an unforgettable theatrical experience. The cast is an absolute tour de force, with each actor embodying their iconic character with undeniable charm and flair. Shrek played by Anthony Lawrence has a warmth and energy that the audience immediately connect with and perfectly captures the grumpy yet lovable demeanour of everyone’s favourite ogre. Lawrence has a great on stage chemistry with Joanne Clifton who plays Princess Fiona with a great stage presence. Brandon Lee Sears as Donkey and James Gillan ...

Shrek The Musical set to embark on huge 31 venue UK and Ireland Tour

26Mar

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Shrek The Musical set to embark on huge 31 venue UK and Ireland Tour

Shrek-tastic images have been released today of some of the principal cast in character ahead of the upcoming Shrek The Musical UK and Ireland Tour. Previously announced by producers Mark Goucher, Gavin Kalin and Matthew Gale, the Shrektacular principal cast line-up includes Antony Lawrence (Shrek), Joanne Clifton (Princess Fiona), James Gillan (Lord Farquaad) and Brandon Lee Sears (Donkey) in the brand-new production of Shrek the Musical. Opening at Theatre Royal Plymouth on 21st July 2023, the smash hit musical will tour through to April 2024 to a total of 31 venues. Antony Lawrence (Shrek) recently played Scar in The Lion King (International Tour) as well as performed in Mary Poppins (National Tour), Matilda the Musical (Cambridge Theatre/RSC) and We Will Rock You (Internationa...

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 ...

The Addams Family – Opera House, Manchester

20Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

The Addams Family – Opera House, Manchester

Dinner is served this week down at the Opera House in Manchester. Hosting are the most ‘normal’ family you’ll ever hope to meet! Matthew White directs with music and lyrics from Andrew Lippa. Wednesday Addams has met the love of her life, Lucas Beineke and following their secret engagement has organised dinner to allow the two families to meet and to pick the perfect moment to reveal their news. During dinner, other secrets are revealed, and the evening does not go exactly as the young lovers planned. Scott Paige returns to the show after a short break to narrate the story as Uncle Fester. Paige owns every scene he appears in with exemplary comic timing and facial expressions. Ryan Bennett as larger than life butler Lurch takes his time on stage before captivating us all at the clima...

Announcing “WEST END for UKRAINE” at the Charing Cross Theatre

5Apr

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

NEWS

Announcing “WEST END for UKRAINE” at the Charing Cross Theatre

A top line-up of West End stars will be taking to the stage at West End for Ukraine on Monday 9th May 2022 at the Charing Cross Theatre. The musical fundraiser is in aid of the UNICEF Ukraine Emergency Appeal, raising vital urgent funds for children in desperate need. The line-up for West End for Ukraine is*: Sabrina Aloueche, Paul Baker, Lizzie Bea, Gina Beck, Nikki Bentley, Kieran Brown, Joanne Clifton, Scott Garnham, Natalie Green, Adrian Hansel, Christopher Howell, Kim Ismay, Sooz Kempner, Joshua Lay, Emma Lindars, George Maguire, Jai McDowall, Nadim Naaman, Caroline Sheen, Simon Shorten, Courtney Stapleton, Harriet Thorpe, Shona White and Rachael Wooding alongside The Barricade Boys, members of the cast of Heathers and Titanic and the West End Musical Choir (*subject to availabilit...

30Mar

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

The Addams Family – Regent Theatre

The Addams family pay a visit to the neighbourhood of Stoke-on-Trent this week in all their darkest finery. Based on characters created by Charles Addams and with lyrics and music written by Tony Award nominated Andrew Lippa, it was evident from the opening that this kooky musical comedy was going to be something special. Directed by Matthew Wight, the story is essentially about ‘Wednesday’ (Kingsley Morton), daughter of Morticia and Gomez Addams. She has fallen in love with the seemingly ‘normal’ Lucas Beineke (Ahmed Hamad). Lucas and his family are invited to dinner ‘chez Addams’ and spooky dark fun over a dinner ensues. Morton’s role of ‘Wednesday’ was outstanding. With vocals entirely suited to musical theatre she commanded the stage and stomped about being the angry daughter of ...

16Mar

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Addams Family – Hull New Theatre

Writing this review, I am happily singing along to just one of the catchy ditties that entertained us at the Hull New Theatre on Tuesday evening, courtesy of The Addams Family’s musical comedy. “Death is just around the corner”, sung by the family matriarch, Morticia (Joanne Clifton of Strictly Come Dancing and The Rocky Horror Show fame), though morbid in content, was sung in such a joyful way, I’ll be humming it for days. From the start, the amazing stage setting held its own with the equally amazing cast, being suitably spooky, with smoke and lightning strikes both adding to the atmosphere. Aided and abetted by wonderful live music emanating from the orchestra pit, we knew we were in for a treat. And as the familiar finger clicks by “The Thing” started proceedings, it was ghoul...