Maisie Smith Archives - North West End UK

Little Shop of Horrors – Hope Mill Theatre

7Oct

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Little Shop of Horrors – Hope Mill Theatre

This autumn the award-winning Hope Mill Theatre has been converted into Skid Row as Audrey II takes up residence until the end of November. If tonight’s press night was any gauge on how well this show is going to do, I would snap up a ticket NOW, as they will not last long. A shy florist, Seymour, discovers a mysterious plant that feeds on blood and names it Audrey II after his crush, Audrey. As the plant grows, Seymour gains fame and fortune, but its appetite becomes increasingly dangerous. With Audrey II demanding human victims, Seymour must choose between success and morality, while trying to protect Audrey, before the monstrous plant takes over his life and threatens everyone around him. I have to say Rob Kelly, the casting director could not have done a better job with this prod...

The Talented Mr Ripley – Festival Theatre

I remember first reading Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr Ripley as a teenager and being completely hooked by Tom Ripley’s mix of cunning, insecurity and longing. There was something about him that felt both thrilling and a little unsettling, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the Riviera he inhabited, sun-drenched, glamorous and just a little decadent. Then I watched the 1999 film, and my fascination only grew. So, when I got the chance to see the story brought to life on stage at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre on the opening night, I was really intrigued about what I was about to experience. From the very first moment, the play draws you into Ripley’s world. Ed McVey is rarely off stage and he inhabits Tom with such precision that it is impossible not to be captivated. He moves ef...

Strictly Presents: Keeeep Dancing – Floral Pavilion

Imagine dancing all your life, becoming one of the best Ballroom and Latin dancers in the country, and then getting a phone call from the Strictly Come Dancing production team…only for them to ask for your (now ex) wife. That’s the amusing moment we see played out by Neil Jones, one of ‘Strictly’s’ pro veterans (who did get his own call) as we are introduced to our ensemble tonight. ‘Strictly Presents…’ is an extension of the live tour that followed the behemoth BBC show, which itself continues to draw in millions of viewers each series. Former celebrity contestants Maisie Smith and Rhys Stephenson join a team of four ‘Strictly’ Pros (Jones, Cameron Lombard, Jowita Pzystat and Nancy Xu) alongside fellow alumnus Max George from The Wanted providing a few musical turns throughout th...