Northwich Memorial Court Archives

Come From Away – Northwich Memorial Court

23Oct

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Come From Away – Northwich Memorial Court

This evening The Musical Theatre Company transported us to Gander and treated us to the emotional true story of 7000 people who were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland on September 11th 2001, when the world stopped and lives were changed forever. TMTC are one of the first amateur companies to get the rights to Come From Away and they put everything into telling this story with as much truth and emotion as humanly possible. With Direction from Ben Ireson, Musical Direction from Michael J Scott and Choreography from Ceris Shadwell, you can feel that they’ve thrown all they have in to this story and along with the incredibly talented cast and the on stage band, you become lost in this world and go from laughing to crying within seconds. Come From Away is a complete ensemble piece with the...

School of Rock – Northwich Memorial Court

14Aug

By Dan GrimesNo Comments

North West

School of Rock – Northwich Memorial Court

It was a pleasure to be invited, along with my 13-year-old son, Sam, to Northwich on this warm August evening to see Together For Theatre's School of Rock. This was my first time watching this Andrew Lloyd Webber adaptation although, like many people, I'm a big fan of the original 2003 film that inspired it. For those not familiar, the musical tells the story of Dewey Finn, a down-on-his-luck rock musician who has been thrown out of his band and is overdue on his rent. An intercepted call meant for his flatmate, Ned Schneebly, gives him the opportunity to earn a quick buck by posing as a substitute teacher at the prestigious Horace Green School. High expectations set by Principal Rosalie Mullins fall on deaf ears and "Mr Schneebly" has every intention of putting the privileged kid...

22May

By Grace AnnabelNo Comments

North West

The Band – Northwich Memorial Court

Joyous, uplifting and moving. This triumph of a production took Northwich by storm this evening, as we were taken on a heart-warming journey of friendship and fandom told through the iconic music of Take That. The talents of the director, Ben Ireson, musical director, Michael J Scott and co-choreographers, Sophie Megitt and Kate Scanlan, were showcased exquisitely by the entire cast of TMTC. From the outset, it was evident that we would be treated to a standard performance worthy of the professional stage - not least due to the impressive stage set and visuals. The storyline follows a group of 16 year-old girls in the early 1990’s, who are stereotypically enamoured by the latest boyband on the scene. After a tragic event, the storyline fast-forwards 25 years, where we see the girls (now...

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Northwich Memorial Court

24Oct

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Northwich Memorial Court

Ever since Gene Wilder invited us into a world of ‘Pure Imagination’ in the 1971 film, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has been a story for the ages; a morality tale of the honest and good being (eventually) rewarded and the horrid and greedy getting their comeuppance. With the popularity of other children’s fantasies, such as Matilda, being translated to the stage, this was an obvious candidate for adaptation. For those who’ve lived in Loompaland for all their lives and haven’t discovered Roald Dahl’s long-adored story, we meet young Charlie Bucket, living in abject poverty with his hardworking mother and four bedridden grandparents. He dreams of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory at the end of the road. Soon Wonka announces a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – those who find one o...

23May

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Rock Of Ages – Northwich Memorial Court

Knutsford Musical Theatre Company return to Northwich Memorial Court ready to blow the roof off with the incredible Rock of Ages. This jukebox musical is built around songs from the 1980s including Styx, Journey and Bon Jovi to name but a few. We follow the story of two dreamers on the Sunset strip, trying to become something more but hitting many obstacles throughout, meeting many interesting characters along the way. Narrated by Lonny, played by the hilarious Jon Hall, we follow numerous stories of possible demolition, the fight to save the Bourbon Room and in turn saving Rock and Roll and love stories in many different shapes and sizes. Hall shines in the role of Lonny and a standout in this production, keeping the audience in the palm of his hands, breaking the fourth wall to int...

22Feb

By Grace AnnabelNo Comments

North West

Oliver – Northwich Memorial Court

This evening I had the pleasure of being transported back to 1830’s London for Mid Cheshire Musical Theatre Company’s and Mid Cheshire Youth Theatre’s production of ‘Oliver’. Following a brief hiatus from producing full-scale musical productions, I was very excited to see MCMTC tackle such an iconic classic on its welcome return to the Northwich Memorial Court. The pre-show air of keen anticipation in the auditorium was tangible. Despite the challenges of such a complex and epic show to a family audience, the stellar production team, comprising of Lou Steggals (director) Jenna Finnigan (youth director & choreographer) and Marilyn Blank (musical director) did not disappoint. The musical follows the story of Oliver, a young orphan living in Victorian England. After escaping t...

24Dec

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Best Amateur Production of 2023

We have been thrilled to be invited to review a huge number of amateur productions in 2023, but which was the most popular with our readers. Below are the top 5 shows, we are looking forward to visiting even more amateur shows in 2024. You can request reviews for your society by emailing info@northwestend.co.uk with at least 4 weeks notice. NUMBER 5 – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse. “one of the strongest opening nights of a show I have seen in a long time” https://northwestend.com/chitty-chitty-bang-bang-altrincham-garrick-playhouse/ NUMBER 4 - Betty Blue Eyes at Gladstone Theatre. “a great family show – charming, funny, uplifting and memorable” https://northwestend.com/betty-blue-eyes-gladstone-theatre/ NUMBER 3 – The Wedding Singer – Grange Th...

19Oct

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Funny Girl – Northwich Memorial Court

Tonight, marked KMTC’s 126th production, it is hard to believe that this company began in 1943 as Knutsford Amateur Operatic Society (KAOS) as it is a company that has not been on my radar before this evening, but certainly will be from this day forward. KMTC is one of the leading community theatre companies in the North West of England, with a vision to bring a diverse and talented mix of performers together and to make theatre accessible and affordable to everyone. I was honoured enough to meet Lesley Reed KMTC’s President who informed me about her 40-year run involved with this magnificent theatre company, and how things have evolved over the years. There is clearly a family feel with this company with its resident Director Ben Ireson with his huge accolade of awards and vast experie...

18May

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Sweeney Todd – Northwich Memorial Court

Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. After a warm welcome from the team at KMTC (Knutsford Musical Theatre Company) this is exactly what I did this evening. The auditorium has been transformed to take you into the creepy, dark, eerie world of Sweeney Todd, with blood splattered posters all over the walls, razors hanging from the ceiling above us and sounds from the streets of London being played to transport us into this dark story of revenge and love. Director Ben Ireson has taken on a huge task bringing this piece to life and has done a fantastic job, especially with changing the space to include an immersive area and the brilliant use of such a large set piece that takes over the centre of the stage. The immersive section has numerous cast members tr...

22Sep

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Big Fish – Memorial Court, Northwich

The job of reviewing theatre takes you to some interesting places, last night I was in the cavernous Lowry in Salford Quays with a 1,700 audience, this evening finds me in the more prosaic surroundings of a leisure centre in deepest Cheshire for the opening night of 'Big Fish'. However, amongst the teenage judo classes and aqua aerobics, Mid Cheshire Musical Theatre Company (MCMTC) have mounted an ambitious and ultimately successful production of this little performed gem. Edward Bloom (Joe Clarke) loves to tell tall tales to his son Will (Scott Heath); fantastical adventures where he met giants, kissed mermaids and was the hero who always got the girl. With his impending marriage to Josephine (Jennifer Haney) and the health of his father failing rapidly, Will starts to search for the t...