Liverpool Empire Archives - Page 7 of 8

5May

By Ezzy LaBelleNo Comments

North West

Madam Butterfly – Liverpool Empire

If captivating story arcs of love, deception and tragedy are your thing, you don’t want to miss this. The timeless plot of Madam Butterfly takes your heart on an emotional rollercoaster and showcases the human voice in a way that must be heard to be fully appreciated. How are The Welsh National Opera delivering a production that brings this to the fore as well as evolving the interpretation of Puccini’s masterpiece? Directed by Lindy Hume, the new tour provides an altogether more gritty – more realistically raw – interpretation of an opera that has stood the test of time. Some people may feel the traditional expectations of opera shouldn’t be tampered with or be apprehensive about how such a work could be adjusted effectively; this is the mindset I held upon first seeing this revised ve...

23Apr

By Jenn McKeanNo Comments

North West

Anything Goes – Liverpool Empire

In olden days, a glimpse of stocking was looked on as something shocking, but now God knows, anything goes. Last years’ Olivier Award nominations were proof that Cole Porter’s 1934 musical hit is a timeless classic and can still please audiences today. This new touring production also shows, that with the right casting, it can raise the roof on large theatre venues. Set on the SS American, as it sets sail from New York to England, the press and passengers on board are complaining that there are no celebrities to make this trip worthwhile and worth the price of the ticket. Unbeknownst to them, there are stowaways and gangsters hiding in plain sight aboard and chaos, of course, ensues. With storylines that follow four main characters, it’s easy to think you’d get confused with the multipl...

31Mar

By Anne PritchardNo Comments

North West

Mamma Mia! – Liverpool Empire

Everyone is familiar with the ‘Mamma Mia!’ films but not everyone has seen the stage show upon which they’re based; I’m lucky enough to have seen it many times, the first time being the London premier in 1999 when I was blown away by the production, the songs and the energy of the cast. Based around the songs of Swedish pop legends ABBA, ‘Mamma Mia!’ is now a box-office worldwide musical phenomenon. The feel-good musical is presently playing in both the West End and Broadway and has countless touring versions performing world-wide. The show was originally conceived by English producer, Judy Craymer and written by Catherine Johnson, with director Phyllida Lloyd, these being the collaborative creative force behind what was to become an unprecedented commercial success; it premier...

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – Liverpool Empire

23Mar

By Ezzy LaBelleNo Comments

North West

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – Liverpool Empire

Striking in its complexity, modern in its production and exceptional in its execution, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time provides a theatre experience like no other. Full of sensory elements and pacy dialogue, the audience is fully drawn into the mindset of the lead character and remain relentlessly so for the whole show. This stage adaptation by Simon Stephens of the renowned best-selling book by Mark Haddon did not disappoint. A National Theatre production, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is centred on Christopher Boone (David Breeds) a 15yr old teenager that is describes himself as having "some behavioural difficulties". It is an emotionally charged journey from childhood into independence; naivety to an awareness of being in the world. Opening...

9Mar

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

The Addams Family – Liverpool Empire

The Addams Family Musical opened on Broadway in April 2010 and had its first UK premiere in 2016. Six years later and this show is back doing the rounds once again with Liverpool’s Empire Theatre kicking off this Kooky UK tour! Most of us know the famous Addams family and this show is no different in that it welcomes one and all, “the living, dead and the undecided”! ‘Morticia’ and ‘Gomez’ Addams are a devoted husband and wife who live in a wonderfully creepy and loving home with their two children ‘Wednesday’ and ‘Pugsley’. Wednesday and her new boyfriend ‘Lucas’ arrange for their families to meet for the first time and both long for just “one normal night”. Is this going to be possible in the murky, mysterious Addams home? Well, the famous ‘Uncle Foster’ isn’t far from the action...

Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! – Liverpool Empire

2Mar

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! – Liverpool Empire

So, after saying White Rabbits this morning for luck brought on 1st March, St. David’s Day, I thought having the opportunity to watch the amazing Matthew Bourne’s production of the Christmas phenomenon that is “Nutcracker!” was already all the luck I needed. I adore Bourne’s productions, having seen the Red Shoes, Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake twice and so was enthralled to see this luscious show and their depiction of the classic ballet about a wooden Christmas toy that comes alive. I adore the Liverpool Empire, having been brought up in Liverpool it always feels like home and has a grandeur all its own. The house was, as expected, full and the audience, like me, poised with anticipation as the curtain rose. The opening scene of waif-like children walking upon an empty stage glarin...

Bedknobs and Broomsticks – Liverpool Empire

24Feb

By Codie WrightNo Comments

North West

Bedknobs and Broomsticks – Liverpool Empire

As someone who has never seen Bedknobs and Broomsticks (I know, I know, I feel like I missed out on many a cult classic) I was worried that I wouldn’t love the musical as much as someone who has nostalgia on their side. I needn’t have worried. I can hand on heart say that that was one of the most beautiful and magical shows I have ever seen in my life - or beauti-cal as our 3 heroes (Charles, Carrie and Paul) would say. We start the show with a bang, quite literally, in a breath-taking sequence of physical theatre. Beginning with the three children happily in their cosy bedroom, their mother and father saying goodnight before a sudden explosion tears their home, and lives, apart. There’s no time to gather their thoughts as we follow them, silently, as they leave the broken streets...

11Feb

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Chicago – Liverpool Empire

Last night in Liverpool the cast of Chicago set out to give the audience a little Razzle Dazzle as the production kicks off on its tour. This show has a glorious score and a brilliant cast to match. The synopsis of the story is Roxie Hart played by Faye Brookes is arrested for murdering Fred Casely. However, she always dreams of being a show girl. After being arrested she’s put in the Cook County jail we’re she meets shows girl Velma Kelly (Djalenga Scott). Needing to get out of the clink before she is headed for the death penalty, she asks the keeper of keys Matron Mamma Morton (Sheila Ferguson) for help and after a few expensive calls, in comes Billy Flynn (Russell Watson), who for 5000 dollars will represent Roxy. Part of the plan will be to win over journalists one in particular is ...

9Jan

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Les Misérables – Liverpool Empire

Starting the new year with a storm, Les Mis opens its tour to thunderous applause. The theatre phenomenon is back with its new production and a cast as spectacular as its score. Opening in London in 1985, this tale set in the French Revolution, was not received well by critics. However, through word of mouth, the musical gained a loyal fanbase and raised the show to its current status as a household name and the longest running West End show. Fans will know that the original staging has been updated, with some devotees being of the opinion that “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it”. After seeing the new production (directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor), I can honestly say that it feels fresh, revived and still as epic as ever. And controversially, I don’t miss the revolve! This p...

22Dec

By Andrew LeeNo Comments

North West

Dreamgirls – Liverpool Empire

In its simplest form Dreamgirls is a story about dreams. It asks the question of how far people will go to get them, will they step on the dreams of others to get them. Add to this the backdrop of how people have historically stolen other people dreams in the music industry, and you have a story with depth, soul and glamour. One thing is for absolutely sure, and that is that Dreamgirls has all the ingredients to be an incredible piece of theatre; show-stopping songs, an important historical backdrop, fascinating characters, dance numbers, and Effie White. The only question you have to ask yourself is whether this production would succeed at getting the recipe right. The answer is a resounding yes. This production of Dreamgirls is without a doubt one of the best shows to come to Liver...