Palace Theatre Archives - Page 4 of 5

School of Rock – Palace Theatre Manchester

5Jan

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

School of Rock – Palace Theatre Manchester

Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the most famous composers when it comes to the world of musicals but what some may not realise is that as well as his classics such as ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘Evita’, ‘Cats’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera’ written in the 70s & 80s, he more recently wrote ‘School of Rock’ which premiered on Broadway in 2015. To kick off this new year of 2022, this smash hit musical has come to the Palace Theatre to rock the socks off this Manchester audience! Based on 2003 film, this musical follows the story of Dewey Finn (Alex Tomkins) who is desperate to make it big in a mighty rock band. Dewey takes an opportunity to make some money as a substitute schoolteacher, posing as his best friend, Ned Schneebly (Matthew Rowland). When he meets the kids of Horace Green Primary ...

10Dec

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

The Book of Mormon – Palace Theatre

The Book of Mormon has been making global headlines since it hit the Broadway stage in New York in January 2011. The musical is the creation of Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone and it’s a story that takes you through the journey of two young American Mormon missionaries who are sent from the comfort of Salt Lake City to Uganda to spread the word and teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The lead characters are Elder Kevin Price (Robert Colvin) who is looking forward to his two-year mission whilst praying he will be posted to Orlando a magical place where he once visited as a child and dreams, he will return, whilst his partner Elder Arnold Cunningham (Connor Peirson) a nerdy overweight compulsive liar and fantasist missionary is solely looking for a be...

White Christmas – Palace Theatre, Manchester

23Nov

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

White Christmas – Palace Theatre, Manchester

For some bah humbugs out there it may be a little too early to mention the C word. However, myself and the entire audience at the Palace Theatre were only too happy to watch a Christmas musical at the end of November. Despite being based on the 1954 movie of the same name, starring the iconic Bing Crosby, the musical didn’t receive its stage debut until the year 2000. It has since gone from strength-to-strength being performed on Broadway and in the West End. The story follows Bob (Matthew Jeans) and Phil (Dan Burton) who were both serving in the American military in 1944 and deliver a rendition of White Christmas to their fellow troops. After returning to the US, they decide to become entertainers. After setting up in New York, they decide to find a new act for their variety show, c...

Bedknobs and Broomsticks – Palace Theatre

21Oct

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Bedknobs and Broomsticks – Palace Theatre

Bedknobs and Broomsticks arrives in Manchester this week, the first of a trilogy of Disney productions to play at the Palace Theatre with Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King arriving in the next 12 months. Tonight’s show was truly a lesson in visual artistry with scene after scene making you question if your eyes really saw that? Countless illusions including a flying bed and fully functioning broomstick take centre stage alongside glorious puppets all illuminated by a stunning lighting design all knitted together with slick direction from Candice Edmunds. The shows website says “When the three orphaned Rawlins children are reluctantly evacuated from wartime London to live with the mysterious Eglantine Price, they have no idea what adventures lie ahead. Upon discovering Eglantine ...

Dreaming of a White Christmas in Manchester

19Oct

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Dreaming of a White Christmas in Manchester

Jamie Wilson, Mark Goucher, Gavin Kalin and Kevin McCollum are thrilled to announce Broadway and West End star Sally Ann Triplett will join the Made at Curve’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas as ‘Martha Watson’ as it embarks on a UK tour. The show also stars Dan Burton as ‘Phil Davis’, Matthew Jeans as ‘Bob Wallace’, Jessica Daley as ‘Betty Haynes’, Emily Langham as ‘Judy Haynes’ and Duncan Smith as ‘General Waverly’. White Christmas comes to Manchester Palace Theatre on 22nd November until Saturday 4th December. The previously announced Sheila Ferguson has withdrawn from the production. The cast is completed by Phillip Bertioli, Imogen Bowtell, Isabel Canning, Freddie Clements, Meg Darcy, Adam Denman, Beth Devine, Kirsty Fuller, Ashton Harkness, Sam Holden, Matt Holland, ...

Priscilla Queen of the Desert – Manchester Palace Theatre

12Oct

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Priscilla Queen of the Desert – Manchester Palace Theatre

The world’s most flamboyant road trip has rolled into Manchester as we’re invited to step aboard a ‘Budget Barbie Camper’ named Priscilla and lip-sync our way through a jukebox of disco hits with the best of them. Based on the cult 1994 film, and co-produced by its original West End star, Jason Donovan, tonight’s show takes us deep into the Australian outback as we join drag queens Tick/Mitzi (Edwin Ray), and Adam/Felicia (Nick Hayes) and transgender Bernadette (Miles Western) on their trip from suburban Sydney to Alice Springs. Our ‘ladies’ are set to perform at a local casino as a distraction from their current woes. Unbeknownst to Adam and Bernadette, it will also give Tick the chance to meet his son, Benji. Along the way they tackle weighty issues of grief, bigotry and what it...

6Oct

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Heathers the Musical – Palace Theatre

Based on the 1988 movie of the same name, Heathers ‘exploded’ on to the Palace Theatre stage this evening and gave us exactly what we needed after 18 months away from theatres. With killer vocals, perfectly slick choreography and a dark yet extremely comical storyline, Heathers really is a show not to be missed. The story is told via Veronica (Rebecca Wickes) and her ‘dear diary’ inserts. Veronica wants to fit it and be seen to be one of the cool kids, so she manages to get in with the Heathers, the leaders of the school ‘hierarchy’ and bully’s, lead by Heather Chandler (Maddison Firth). Once Veronica is part of the Heathers and popular, she falls in love with the new mysterious guy, JD (Simon Gordon), and together decide that they want peace and harmony in the school, but how far will ...

24Aug

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

The Woman in Black – Palace Theatre

Theatre is back! The Palace Theatre in Manchester swung open their doors for the first time since March 2020 to welcome theatregoers to The Woman in Black. A bit of a dark show for the first one back! Prior to this evening I had never seen The Woman in Black. I didn’t know what to expect, other than the promotional material that made me think it would be a thriller. I was actually pleasantly surprised to discover it was quite humorous in places. Fun fact - The Woman in Black is the second longest running show on London’s West End after The Mousetrap. It is said to be the most terrifying live theatre experience in the world - but I’ll leave that open to interpretation. This is a stage production based on the novel written by Susan Hill. In the beginning we are in a rehearsal studio...

The Show Must Go On! Live – The Palace Theatre

22Jul

By Jenn McKeanNo Comments

London

The Show Must Go On! Live – The Palace Theatre

Who would have thought that a song released 30 years ago this year, would have been so relevant today, and even become the mantra/motto of theatres, shows and performers over the last 18 months?! The Theatre Support Fund was set up in March 2020 by Chris Marcus and Damien Stanton, as a direct response to the pandemic. They work alongside Acting For Others and The Fleabag Support Fund, to provide much needed funds and support to the Theatre community with their ‘The Show Must Go On campaign’. Following on from the success of the t-shirts, posters, notebooks sales (other items are also available); Marcus and Stanton put on a concert celebrating the West End’s fabulous talent and wonderful musical productions, when the restrictions were eased in June. If you missed out on tickets or forgot...

West End Musical Celebration – Palace Theatre

11Jun

By Carole GordonNo Comments

London

West End Musical Celebration – Palace Theatre

Originally planned to be A West End Musical Christmas, and devised by the producers of West End Musical Drive In and West End Musical Brunch, in association with Nica Burns, this all-star concert morphed into a celebration of the gradual re-opening of the West End after the 15-month enforced hiatus. The stellar cast of Ben Forster, Alice Fearn, Sophie Evans, Layton Williams, Rachel John, Trevor Dion Nicholas and Shanay Holmes represent the very best of what the West End has to offer and this show provides a great showcase for their talents. There are many high points in a show full of great moments. John blows away the audience with "Don't Rain On My Parade", Dion Nicholas reminds the audience of what a perfect genie he was with Aladdin's "You Never Had A Friend Like Me", and Forster re...