Montgomery Theatre Archives - North West End UK

Dear Evan Hansen – The Montgomery Theatre

21Oct

By Natalia PrucnalNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Dear Evan Hansen – The Montgomery Theatre

Quiet sniffling could be heard from across the audience nearing the end of Splinters Theatre Group’s performance of ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ at the Montgomery Theatre. Despite persistent technical difficulties, the show came together quite nicely, with plenty of pleasing vocals from the cast. Director Kate Parkin has tackled Steven Levenson’s book with grace, ensuring scenes do not just disappear into memory. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s music was in good hands with Musical Director Adam Walker, and Aggie Gryszel’s choreography was satisfactory and suited the musical itself but felt slightly uninspired. ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ is a musical about 17-year-old high schooler, Evan Hansen, who is learning to cope with depression and anxiety by writing letters to himself as per his therapist’s advice. C...

15Oct

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Come From Away – Montgomery Theatre

Ellesmere MTC had the pleasure of premiering the Sheffield amateur production of Come From Away, one of the longest running One Act Musicals! And the Rock highlighted more than a few precious gems within the cast, musicians and production team. Sparkling bright, the multi role playing twelve strong cast are polished and multi-faceted in their interpretation of Irene Sankoff and David Hein’s Book, music and lyrics. Come From Away is a real-life story of the power of humanity, against the backdrop of tragedy of 9/11. 38 planes were diverted on that fateful morning to the little Canadian town of Gander in Newfoundland, doubling the town’s inhabitants, the traumatised passengers had to rely totally on the hospitality and goodwill of these islanders. From the opening mundane video footage...

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – Montgomery Theatre

9Jul

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – Montgomery Theatre

In the sweltering heat the audience of Woodseats Musical Theatre Company’s production of Beauty and the Beast blazed into Sheffield town and the Montgomery Theatre, inviting us to be there guests and subsequently delighted all. With an impressive creation team - book by Linda Woolverton, Music by Alan Menken and Lyrics by Howard Ashman and the legendary Tim Rice. Woodseats did a fine job without the big budget set and scenery to create a beguiling ‘Tale as old as time’. As Director/Musical Director Rowan Alfred does a good job to steer the production’s legendary tale - this was no mean feat at times with nothing more than limited back projection and a rear dais with a central set of four steps. The actors were very much carrying the entire storytelling and did so with a very strong prin...

29Jan

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Rapunzel – The Montgomery Theatre

A hair-raising riotously risqué ride of a panto that leaves the audience ‘blown’ away. With more hair references and possible related character names than a Vidal Sassoon advert, Handsworth and Hallam Theatre Co give the Sheffield audience plenty of style with its close shaves and outlandishly wild coiffure of a delivery. With a community cast of 45 (including a couple of nits), led by a team of 9 senior ‘stylists’ and a band of six ‘colourists’ under the kaleidoscope Musical direction of Steve Trotter, HHTC embellish the literary locks of Tom Whalley’s creative pantomime script - Rapunzel with flair, panache and artistry. From the nine slick stylists…Will Fairy Dandruff gain her wings? Will King Bouffant ever find his beloved daughter Rapunzel? Will Prince Ryder ever decide which...

Dick Whittington – Montgomery Theatre Sheffield

17Jan

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Dick Whittington – Montgomery Theatre Sheffield

Wales Community Theatre Players give the Montgomery Theatre - Sheffield audience a heart-warming pantomime that is traditional in every way with a fast moving script, detailed direction and some excellent performances. Dick Whittington by arrangement with Stage Right Creative Ltd and written by Alan P Frayn takes us on Dick’s quest to make his fortune with the lure of London’s streets paved with gold, but after meeting Tom, who becomes his travelling companion ,he finds more rotten rats than glistening gold on his journey. But, with the help of his new found friends (the horde of traditional panto characters) much laughter, a sprinkle of fairy stardust and panto magic, a voyage on the seas, a 3D shipwreck, a funny, fantastical frolic is had by all…. except the rats of course! The we...

Anything Goes – Montgomery Theatre Sheffield

11Jul

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Anything Goes – Montgomery Theatre Sheffield

In their 80th year, Woodseats Musical Theatre Company donned their sea legs and are all aboard the SS American on its transatlantic journey - in Cole Porter’s classic Anything Goes. The ship had taken a while to set sail as the Covid Pandemic had forced in into dry dock in both 2020 and 2021. But at long last, the anchor is raised and Woodseat’s voyage can finally reach its designated destination! I do so enjoying watching local amateur productions and especially ones that through adversity triumph – and that can certainly be said for Woodseat’s MTC over the past 80 years and particularly this show – Anything Goes, seems to resonate with their struggles. But theatre once in the blood is there to stay and the resurrection of this company and this production are proof of that! In the n...

27Jan

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Cinderella – Montgomery Theatre

Wales Community Theatre Players give the audience of the newly renovated Montgomery Theatre, Sheffield, a sparkling version of Cinderella as this year’s 80th Anniversary pantomime offering. An excellent script, detailed direction and excellent performance. Traditional all the way! Cinderella arranged by Stage Right Creative Ltd and written by Alan P Frayn is a well written script with gags galore and much more than the average tongue in cheek moments. In fact, this pantomime is really one for the adults as well as the children. Something that was milked to the hilt by the ugly sister duo of Gertrude and Grizelda. Directed by Ashley Booker with Claire Harriott as Choreographer and Musical Direction by Ray Gallagher the production team did a fine job creating a side splittingly funny show...

14Jul

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Wedding Singer – Montgomery Theatre

After three long years and three cancelled shows Woodseats Musical Theatre Company finally and joyously make it back to the stage with their production of The Musical Comedy, The Wedding Singer. . so get ready to party like it’s 1985! With the Book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Harlihy, Music by Matthew Sklar and Lyrics by Chad Beguelin, this production is directed by Ian Walker, and I particularly liked the breaking of the 4th wall as the performers used the space on the steps and in the audience – nice touch. The Choreography is by Amber Parry and Lilly Abram and the Musical direction by Dominic Ridler. The 8 strong band sounded great, and the balance of their sound was good. I must note that Ridler is unusually an MD who plays drums, his performance in the pits in itself is very flambo...