Realms of Glory – 53Two
As the Christmas Markets and colourful pantomimes take over Manchester’s culture scene, tucked away in a pocket of Deansgate, a seasonal offering from 53two comes in the form of Imaginality Production’s ‘Realms of Glory’, a World War Two-inspired musical.
The Manchester Blitz of 1940 sees munitions worker Lizzie entombed in her home at Christmastime by the heavy bombings. Trapped and alone, she reminisces about times gone by.
A theatrical festive feast is promised in the show’s synopsis, but a lack of story depth and characterisation leaves little to feed on. The focus is on Lizzie’s ‘love at first sight’ relationship with RAF pilot Robert and their desire to raise a family, with time also dedicated to her friend Mavis, who falls for Jim. What unfolds is simply a series of sombre soa...
