Opera House Archives - North West End UK

26Nov

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Top Hat – Opera House

Following a hugely successful revival in Chichester, Top Hat is bringing old-school Hollywood glamour to venues around the UK and is about to tap dance into the hearts of tonight’s audience in Manchester. Based on the iconic Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie with a sparkling Irving Berlin score, Top Hat – under the assured helm of the multi-award winning director/choreographer Kathleen Marshall - weaves its comedy via many classic tropes – mistaken identity, spying on each other, marital disharmony and love triangles – with lashings of charm, showmanship, and the breezy, effervescent joy that defines a true musical comedy. From the moment opening number ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ sparks into life, the stage erupts with breathtaking choreography and a surge of high-voltage energy from t...

6Nov

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Fawlty Towers The Play – Opera House

Few British comedies have stood the test of time quite like Fawlty Towers, a series that remains one of the finest examples of farcical writing and impeccable timing ever to grace our television screens. Now, John Cleese himself has adapted the mayhem of Torquay’s most dysfunctional hotel to the stage with Fawlty Towers - The Play, directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, and currently at the Manchester Opera House as part of a UK Tour. The play cleverly combines some of the most beloved episodes from the original two series, creating a sort of ‘best of’ Fawlty Towers experience. From the chaos of the missing salad to the unforgettable fire drill and the classic German guests, the production cleverly went from one disaster to another. The two-tiered set perfectly recreates the hotel’s familiar ...

13 Going on 30 The Musical – Opera House

1Oct

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

13 Going on 30 The Musical – Opera House

Once more Manchester’s Opera House hosted another World Premiere last night in the latest show where Manchester gets it first! 13 Going on 30 is adapted from the 2004 romantic comedy about Jenna Rink, a 13-year-old girl who wishes to skip her awkward teenage years and be “thirty, flirty, and thriving.” After making her wish, she wakes up as her 30-year-old self, a successful magazine editor. At first thrilled, Jenna soon realizes adult life isn’t as perfect as she imagined—especially when she’s drifted from her childhood best friend, Matt. From the first beat of music until the last, the energy on stage was infectious with the younger part of the company shining bright, and by tonight’s showing confirming the future of musical theatre performers is in the safest of hands. Amelia M...

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...

30Jul

By Philip EdwardsNo Comments

North West

The Last Laugh – Manchester Opera House

It is a well-known fact that most comedians have an insecurity caused by and driven by the need to get the next laugh. Tony Hancock for example paid the ultimate price in his strive to stay funny. It is fuelled by the need to build on the success they have already built. It is an anxiety shared by the three comic greats we see presented on stage in Paul Hendy’s touching script though how they deal with it is very different. All three come from the first generation of comedians to transition from the age of music hall to the age of television. In music hall, comics often toured the same material for years, but once seen on television, that material becomes yesterday’s chip paper and the need to create new, funnier comedy drives the insecurity to get the next laugh. There can ...

Come Fall in Love: The DDLJ Musical – Opera House, Manchester

5Jun

By Kathryn GortonNo Comments

North West

Come Fall in Love: The DDLJ Musical – Opera House, Manchester

Opening to a packed press night audience , this iconic Bollywood love story movie from 1995 is translated to the musical stage with a sparkling , brand new score of 18 songs from Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls) capturing the authentic bhangra beats and style and rhythms of the culture and breathing new life and reimagining this Bollywood blockbuster, musically. The music was a highlight and although new musicals never usually leave me with an ear worm , Act One’s Twice as Good’ and Act Two’s ‘ Desi Kudi’ definitely hit the sweet spot. Aditya Chopra has adapted the famous movie Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and it is spectacular costumes with energy, playfulness, humour and a vibrant and talented cast who ooze charm and charisma. The story is of British born, second generation Indian, Simr...

A Knight’s Tale – Opera House, Manchester

1May

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

A Knight’s Tale – Opera House, Manchester

Manchester’s famous Opera House had hosted multiple productions beginning their theatrical journey as part of ATG’s ‘Manchester Gets It First’ programme with many going on to the West End and Broadway. Ghost the Musical, Bat Out Of Hell, &Juliet, Mrs Doubtfire and who could forget Covid hit Back To The Future? Each one of these productions has a ‘Made in Manchester’ tag securely attached to them and continue to thrive playing to packed houses across the globe. Now there is a new pretender to the crown, A Knight’s Tale had its World Premiere tonight and judging by the audience reaction the producers will need to find a West End venue pretty quick. Based on the 2001 cult film A Knight’s Tale follows William Thatcher, a 14th century peasant squire who breaks all the rules when he pa...

25Feb

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

Madama Butterfly – Opera House

Every betrayal begins with trust and curiously this production of Madama Butterfly became more powerful simply because of where the orchestra came from. As they say on the telly when the football scores come on look away now if you don’t want to know the essential twist in the plot of this opera. Many will be aware of how this story unfolds but if you don’t want to know, stop reading now. I usually avoid giving the plot away in my reviews but the intersection of life and art that this production unwittingly brought means I have to mention it to do it justice. At the centre of the play is a betrayal by an American and the music for this production was played by the Orchestra of the Ukrainian Opera and Ballet Theatre, Kyiv. I hate to bring politics into a work of art but the betray...

6Feb

By Alison BainesNo Comments

North West

Here You Come Again – Opera House

Here You Come Again… yes, it is indeed another musical featuring the hit songs of country icon Dolly Parton. If it wasn’t enough to bring Dolly’s movie, 9 to 5, to the stage, here’s another Dolly musical to wet your whistle. If you’re expecting a musical about Dolly’s life and music, then you may be thoroughly disappointed. Instead, the plot takes us back to a time that none of us want to re-live… the COVID-19 pandemic. Kevin, played by Steven Webb, finds himself on the wrong side of 40, heart-broken, living back at home in the attic of his parent’s house, unemployed and in a bit of a ‘p-hole’ (that’s a pity hole for those who have not yet seen the show). Just when things hit rock bottom for Kevin, the queen of country herself, and Kevin’s idol, appears to show him the way. Who bette...

Now That’s What I Call A Musical – Opera House

29Jan

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Now That’s What I Call A Musical – Opera House

A new musical comedy hits UK theatres and transports its audiences back to the 80’s with pop-tastic hits, flashy routines and an empowering story of love and friendship. Two high school friends dream of their futures, April wants to take Hollywood by storm, Gemma is quite content in Birmingham, but nothing is going to come between them. Fast forward twenty years to the high school reunion and the girls are confronted with their decisions, their love-lives and their futures ahead. Is their friendship going to conquer all? Or have they grown up and, ultimately, grown apart? Now… isn’t anything ground-breaking, in fact it’s very familiar. It’s a story of every-day people, with songs we all know and love performed with gusto by a brilliant cast who represent a typical British city (kudos...