Opera House Archives - North West End UK

7May

By Alison BainesNo Comments

North West

Choir Of Man – Manchester Opera House

You don’t usually expect to step into a theatre and find audience members on stage, pint in hand, joining in the action — but here, that’s exactly the point. Welcome to The Jungle, a pub where everyone’s invited, the drinks flow freely, and the music is nothing short of sensational. If you’re expecting your typical night at the theatre, then you’ll be somewhat surprised and possibly disappointed – there are no deeply developed characters, awe-inspiring dance numbers or sweeping, emotionally driven plot arcs to carry you from curtain up to finale. Instead, Choir of Man trades convention for camaraderie, offering a stripped-back, high-energy celebration of music and the simple joy of a pint shared among friends. Choir Of Man feels like a curious mash-up of ‘Pitch Perfect’, a music revu...

1May

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Double Indemnity – Opera House

When you bring a classic film noir like Double Indemnity to the stage, there’s an expectation that it will be tense, gripping and full of drama. This production at the Manchester Opera House certainly looks the part but doesn’t quite deliver the thrill you might hope for. Set in 1930s America, the play follows insurance salesman Walter Huff who becomes entangled with the mysterious Phyllis Nirdlinger, with the pair plotting to murder her husband and claim the insurance money. It’s a story packed with deceit and manipulation, but here it unfolds at a more measured pace than expected, lacking some of that edge-of-your-seat tension the original story is so well known for. Ciarán Owens takes on the role of Walter with confidence, portraying the character’s descent into moral chaos wit...

Madama Butterfly – Opera House Manchester

30Mar

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Madama Butterfly – Opera House Manchester

At the Opera House Manchester, audiences were treated to a poignant one-night-only performance of Madama Butterfly, presented as part of Ellen Kent’s farewell tour. With music by Giacomo Puccini, and based on a play by David Belasco, the opera first performed in Milan in February 1904, remains one of the most enduring and emotionally devastating works in the operatic canon. Structured in three acts, Madama Butterfly tells the tragic story of Cio-Cio San, a young Japanese girl who marries the American naval officer B.F. Pinkerton. In this production, Pinkerton was portrayed by Oleksii Srebnytskyi, while the role of Cio-Cio San (Madame Butterfly) was taken by Elena Dee. Their union, arranged under Japanese law for 999 years but subject to monthly dissolution, reflects a cultural and ...

25Mar

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

La Traviata – Opera House

On a very rainy night in Manchester, there was at least some comfort to be had in Manchester’s Opera House as they staged Ellen Kent’s production of Verdi’s famous tale of doomed love as part of her farewell tour. I may as well start my review with the outstanding Viktoria Melnyk, who dazzled as the ill-fated heroine of this opera, Violetta. She sings with such power, control and emotion. Her voice is not just sublime and beautiful, it is mesmerising. It is worth seeing this show just to witness such a transcendent talent. Her charisma and presence alone made this show worth watching. Hovhannes Andreasyan, as Alfredo, was also impressive. He gave an imposing performance, full of feeling and desire. Alfredo makes Violetta see that her material life is nothing without love. The mes...

18Mar

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

The Battle – Manchester Opera House

In the mid-90s the UK music scene saw the explosion of Britpop where bands such as Pulp, The Charlatans and Elastica dominated the airwaves. The power of Britpop was nowhere more keenly seen than in 1995 when the titans of the genre, Blur and Oasis, went head-to-head in a battle to the number one chart spot when their singles Country House and Roll With It were released on the same day. It became more than just a fight between two bands who were known for their disdain for each other but was seen as a duel between North vs. South: posh art graduates versus working class lads. The media seized upon the apparent battle for the nation’s musical soul and a legendary rivalry was cemented. Author-turned-playwright John Niven has focused his attention on this musical milestone for The Battl...

13Mar

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Ballet Nights – Opera House

Ballet Nights’ first regional tour arrives in Manchester with a programme that celebrates the breadth of dance today, blending styles and artistic voices into an evening that feels both polished and joyfully eclectic. The format - a sequence of short works introduced by founder and artistic director Jamiel Devernay-Laurence - creates a lively atmosphere, allowing audiences to experience an impressive range of talent, from internationally celebrated performers to students making their stage debut. The programme offers a fabulous mix of traditional ballet, contemporary dance and tap, interwoven with pockets of live music that keep the evening feeling fluid and intimate. One highlight is the chance to relive the showcase dance “I Married Myself” from the Netflix series Étoile, danced by...

27Feb

By Alison BainesNo Comments

North West

Mean Girls – Opera House, Manchester

Few films capture early 2000s nostalgia quite like Mean Girls. The absolute hit of the noughties – starring Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey and Amanda Seyfried – it has long since cemented its cult-classic status. Much like other fan-favourite films that have recently made the leap from screen to stage - Heathers, The Devil Wears Prada, Legally Blonde and Pretty Woman to name just a few – its story continues to find new life with audiences. Direct from the West End, Mean Girls has landed in Manchester and brings an absolutely ‘Fetch’ cast with it. The story follows Cady Heron, on her transition from home-schooled life in Kenya into the harsh reality of American High School… when she meets ‘The Plastics’ who rule the school, she’ll realise high school is a whole new level of sava...

11Feb

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Single White Female – Opera House

Single White Female at the Opera House Manchester brings a glossy and unsettling slice of 90s psychological thriller into the modern theatrical spotlight. Adapted from the original 1992 film by Rebecca Reid and directed by Gordon Greenberg, this stage version walks a careful line between homage and reinvention. The plot centres on Allie, a recently separated single mother attempting to rebuild her life after the breakdown of her marriage. Advertising for a lodger, she welcomes the seemingly friendly and helpful Hedy into her home. What begins as a tentative friendship soon spirals into obsession as Hedy gradually insinuates herself into every aspect of Allie’s life, blurring identities, manipulating relationships/friendships and threatening the fragile stability Allie has worked so hard...

10Dec

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Robin Hood – Opera House, Manchester

It’s pantomime season once again, that magical time of year when theatres fill with laughter, music, mischief, and festive cheer. Robin Hood is my second pantomime of the season, and it captures everything that makes panto such a cherished Christmas tradition for families. It remains the perfect introduction to musical theatre for children as it’s colourful, silly, interactive, and bursting with joy. But make no mistake, the adults were laughing just as much as the kids. Jason Manford leads the show as Robin Hood, the familiar hero of Sherwood Forest who steals from the rich to give to the poor, all while hopelessly smitten with Maid Marion, played delightfully by Sarah Vaughan. Manford’s ease with an audience and natural stand-up rhythm makes his Robin warm, nimble, and consistently fu...

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...