Kevin Clifton Archives - North West End UK

Priscilla Queen of the Desert – Liverpool Empire

10Mar

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

North West

Priscilla Queen of the Desert – Liverpool Empire

Glittering, joyous, and unapologetically bold, Priscilla Queen of the Desert bursts onto the stage as a dazzling celebration of identity, friendship, and resilience. Directed by Ian Talbot. Based on the 1994 Australian film of a similar name, this stage musical transforms the road-trip story into a vibrant theatrical spectacle packed with iconic disco hits, stunning choreography (Matt Cole) and exuberant costumes (Vicky Gill). A show absolutely NOT to be missed! The story follows three friends Tick (Mitzi) played by Kevin Clifton, Adam/Felicia (Nick Hayes), and Bernadette (Adele Anderson)—as they travel across the Australian outback in a battered old school bus named 'Priscilla'. Along the way, they encounter both hostility and kindness, forcing them to confront prejudice, pers...

Priscilla Queen of the Desert – Palace Theatre

24Feb

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

Priscilla Queen of the Desert – Palace Theatre

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert first frolicked onto the big screen back in 1994, bringing a queer tale of friendship, drag and disco to audiences around the world. With a sequel on the way, what better time to board the lavender bus and relive this musical road trip all over again? Sydney-based drag queen Tick/Mitzi (Kevin Clifton) agrees to perform at his estranged wife’s resort on the other side of the country. Recruiting fellow performers Bernadette (Adele Anderson) and Felicia (Nick Hayes), the trio take a journey through the Outback, stumbling upon a host of beguiling folk along the way. The three leads typify the queens and their distinctive personalities: Clifton offers a level-headed yet anxious Mitzi, Anderson charms while calling the shots as Bernadette, a...

30Sep

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

2:22 A Ghost Story – Regent Theatre

Danny Robins’ 2:22 A Ghost Story is a contemporary stage thriller built around one simple question: do ghosts exist? The story follows Jenny (Stacey Dooley), a new mother who becomes convinced that something unsettling happens in her home at exactly 2:22am. Her husband Sam (Kevin Clifton) is an outspoken sceptic, quick to dismiss her fears as irrational. Determined to prove her point, Jenny insists they stay awake with friends Lauren (Shvorne Marks) and Ben (Grant Kilburn) to see what occurs when the clock strikes. The staging sets the tone well: a stylish yet slightly oppressive kitchen-living area in a renovated London house, with French windows opening onto a garden glimpsed only when a motion-activated light clicks on. A digital clock is constantly visible, counting down the minu...

2:22 A Ghost Story – Opera House, Manchester

14Aug

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

2:22 A Ghost Story – Opera House, Manchester

Everyone loves a ghost story. Whether it is by M R James, Edgar Allen Poe or Stephen King, we all love stories that make us jump out of our seats and scare the bejesus out of us. This show certainly did that and more! At base, this is a tremendously well-structured play which brilliantly ratchets up the tension and keeps everyone on the edge of those seats they will certainly be jumping out of. There is more, though, to this play than being a simple ghost story. It also explores ideas of rationalism, belief, control and identity whilst also being a supremely entertaining romp. It has been a phenomenally successful show, having been three years in the West End, and has been seen by over one million people in 17 different countries. I can understand why, as the play zips along faster t...

29Jan

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Chicago – Sheffield Lyceum

Flawless flirtatious perfection! The Sheffield Lyceum hosts one of the biggest musical triumphs of all time, over 50 international awards – Grammy, Olivier, Tony, the longest running American Musical. We are greeted by a bare stage except a spot lit single chair and a Bowler hat, enter one performer, sassy, sexy, seductive, sensual, sinuous, sophisticated and slinky and so it begins… ‘Murder, Greed, Corruption, Exploitation, Adultery, Treachery… all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts… Thank you’. It could only be Kander and Ebb’s Chicago. Originally directed and choreographed by the legendary Bob Fosse in 1975, this UK touring production stays true to his genius giving us the instantly recognisable, classic tone and style. Based on the true story as reported in the C...

26Nov

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Chicago – Regent Theatre

If you’re a fan of musical theatre, Chicago at the Regent Theatre in Stoke is an absolute must-see. This iconic production, currently on tour, is nothing short of sensational. From the moment the overture begins, the packed theatre buzzes with excitement, setting the stage for a night of pure theatrical magic. Set in the roaring 1920s, Chicago plunges audiences into a world of jazz, scandal, and sensationalism. Against the backdrop of Prohibition and a media frenzy that transforms criminals into celebrities, we follow Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly—two women locked up for murdering their lovers. The show’s gritty glamour, sharp wit, and intoxicating music transport you straight to the heart of Jazz Age Chicago. A minimalist yet striking set design instantly captures attention. A lone cha...

22Oct

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Chicago – Bradford Alhambra

There is no better opening in musical theatre than Chicago as a troupe of ripped and toned dancers shimmy, strut and shoulder roll their way round the stage in perfect unison as vaudeville performer turned murderess Velma belts out All That Jazz. Originally choreographed by the great Bob Fosse this is a show full of ‘jazz hands’, which is a concept that many people sneer at, but as Craig Revel Harwood constantly points out on Strictly strong hands make for great dancing. There is something really elemental about a simple move like a hand roll, and the dancers in this cast nail some of the toughest and naughtiest routines in any show. At heart Fosse’s wonderfully cynical book is both a tribute to the exuberance of vaudeville and to the nature of fame, aided by the med...

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Bradford Alhambra

3Jul

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Bradford Alhambra

When I was at school in the less enlightened 1970s the mere hint of being different would have earned you a beating, so turning up to an end of year disco in a dress would have been inviting real trouble. So when in our more liberal times Sheffield teenager Jamie New announces he wants to wear a dress to his prom you’d think no-one would care. Sadly, as in most musicals, the road to true self expression is never an easy one as he battles to overcome prejudice and his own insecurities to achieve his dream. Openly gay Jamie doesn’t want to be a forklift driver that his career teacher thinks is his destiny, instead he wants to be a drag queen like the real life character who Dan Gillespie Sells and Tom MaCrae based their lively musical on. It helps that Jamie has the support of his sing...

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Hull New Theatre

18Jun

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Hull New Theatre

This week Hull New Theatre plays host to the hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, a production inspired by the 2011 TV documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16 which features County Durham lad, Jamie Campbell, who, from a young age, liked to dress in girls’ clothes. The theatre was packed on Monday evening; would everybody be talking about Jamie at the show’s end? Sixteen-year-old Jamie New (the super talented Ivano Turco) lives on a Sheffield council estate with his mum Margaret (a passionate performance from Rebecca McKinnis). Single mum Margaret’s best friend is bargain-loving Ray (the amusing, sassy and protective Sejal Keshwala). The opening scene shows Jamie and his classmates with patient teacher, Miss Hedge (the irrepressible Sam Bailey), discussing their career aspe...

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Sheffield Lyceum

11Apr

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Sheffield Lyceum

Seven years after its Premiere at the Crucible Theatre in February 2017, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie returns to its hometown of Sheffield this week. With endless Sheffield references the story can’t fail to be a hit here… and it hits the bullseye! Based on the 2011 Firecracker documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, the true story of Jamie Campbell follows the struggles of his teen years in light of societal bigotry, as he becomes who he was born to be. A boy in a dress and more shockingly at his Prom! Jamie’s journey to acceptance through his tumultuous school years is heightened by the knowledge he is different and doesn’t fit the social norms of the day. His birth father sees him as ‘disgusting’ but amongst all this, Jamie has his supporters none more so than his single Mother, Maur...