Regent Theatre Archives - North West End UK

16Dec

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Jack and the Beanstalk – Regent Theatre

Well, it's here again (oh yes it is!), one of the most important dates in Stoke- on-Trent’s calendar. Its panto time! Written by Alan Mc Hugh, this year it is ‘Jack and The Beanstalk’ being performed at The Regent Theatre and perhaps more importantly, it is the return of Stokes very own and very much loved, Jonny Wilkes. Directed by Wilkes and Owen, both who also perform in the production, most must be familiar with this popular story of Jack who is asked to sell Daisy the cow at Market and returns with a bag of beans. The beans grow into a colossal beanstalk that Jack must climb to get to the top and save the day. Wilkes plays the part of Jack, a (very) simple soul who sells the families beloved cow ‘Daisy’ at the market (Leek Market that is). Wilkes is a master at treading the fine...

26Sep

By Leanne RushtonNo Comments

North West

Sister Act – Regent Theatre, Stoke

Sister Act the musical tells the much-loved story of the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film of the same name. Many people young and old (including myself) adore this full of fun film. This was apparent as soon as you entered the auditorium with some audience members choosing to don their habits and wimples to join in the fun! The stage show is just as fun, just as bright and just as funny as the film it oozes joy from the get-go and continues building this throughout. On arriving at the theatre, the 70s era was alive with disco balls, amazing music and bright coloured lights. You feel as though you’ve stepped into a Time Machine as soon as you enter the auditorium. The music in the show is one of the catchiest theatrical scores around, I feel, from ‘Fabulous Baby’ to ‘Raise Your Voice.’ I ...

The Ocean at the End of the Lane – Regent Theatre, Stoke on Trent

13Sep

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

The Ocean at the End of the Lane – Regent Theatre, Stoke on Trent

The award-winning fantasy novel, ‘The Ocean at the end of the Lane’ written by Neil Gaiman has now been adapted by Joel Horwood for stage and is performed at The Regent Theatre in Stoke on Trent this week. With its sold-out debut at the National Theatre and having received several Olivier Award nominations, it was intriguing to see the translation from book to stage. Directed by Katie Rudd the story centres around a man who is transported back to the time of his 12th birthday. Gaiman himself wrote it as a short story for his wife to share aspects of his childhood with her and stated that he was keen for it to contain ‘emotion’ as this is what she loved. It certainly delivers on what Gaiman intended, as from the opening scene it was clear that the story was taking us in a magical and myt...

31May

By Leanne RushtonNo Comments

North West

The King and I – Regent Theatre

The theatre was a buzz with people of all ages coming to see the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic The King and I. The show, which is currently touring the country, tells the story of a widowed woman who is employed by the King of Siam to be the royal school teacher. The show has many varying storylines following the lives of all that surround them including Princess Tuptim who is sent to be a wife to the king. The stage was set with regal jewel tones these colours made the richness of the show really shine. I was in awe of the costumes which portrayed the era beautifully but glistened so elegantly under the stage lighting. Truly a sight to behold. The set was extremely effective throughout. The scene changes were effortless being masked by dance numbers which were a marvel to watch as ...

10May

By Grace AnnabelNo Comments

North West

Annie – Regent Theatre

Annie, a classic musical adaptation much loved by global audiences. I had the privilege of watching the musical adaptation of this classic film on its UK Tour, in the large-scale Stoke Regent Stage. With countless revivals, I was intrigued to see how this show has evolved and adapted since the last time I watched this production, many years ago. The tone was set from the beginning, by our 7 main orphanage residents rushing onto stage, before the show had even begun, immersing our audience in their harsh reality from the outset and creating an electric build-up within the theatre. With direction from Nikolai Foster and choreography from Nick Winston, I knew before the show begun, that we were in the comfortable hands of true professionals. Having been many years since visiting the gra...

Titanic the Musical – Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

25Apr

By Angela KellyNo Comments

West Midlands

Titanic the Musical – Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

Musical theatre based on a disaster of epic proportions would not initially seem to be a match made in heaven. With such a tragic well-known storyline, ‘Titanic the Musical’ is a brave undertaking. However, having won five Tony Awards, Titanic the Musical is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary of the London Premiere. With music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and directed by Thom Southerland the musical focuses on the individual passengers and their own personal stories on board this renowned Ship that set sail on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York in April 1912. Not to be confused with the cinema version, this is certainly a musical of two halves. The first and second act are polar opposites in how the story unravels. The first act demonstrates the frenzy and excitement o...

Heathers the Musical – Regent Theatre, Stoke

12Apr

By Leanne RushtonNo Comments

North West

Heathers the Musical – Regent Theatre, Stoke

Heathers the musical based on the cult classic film of the same name has hit Stoke-on-Trent. The show which has played packed out audiences in London is now touring the UK. The Regent Theatre is an extremely accommodating theatre for this even handing out iconic scrunchies to those of us lucky enough to review. The audience was packed out with a variety of ages, but a huge margin of the audience went to teens. It was so lovely to watch to see that shows like Heathers are keeping the audience engaged in the theatre. There were murmurs before the show of people excited to see the cult film brought to life. What can I say, brought to life it was. The show was mesmerising you couldn't take your eye off any of the action taking place on the stage. Everywhere you looked the ensemble was br...

28Feb

By Jo TillotsonNo Comments

North West

The Bodyguard – Regent Theatre

Grammy award-winning singer and actress Rachel Marron has a stalker, and he’s getting bolder and cleverer by the minute. Enter bodyguard Frank Farmer, a rather emotion-less figure with a guilt complex, who is charged with the protection of Rachel, her son Fletcher and her sister Nicki. Echoing the successful 1992 film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, this musical diverges slightly from the well-known plot, but all the key moments that a fan of the film would be looking for are incorporated into this stage musical, which premiered in London in 2012. The strength of the film lay in its soundtrack, and that is definitely what makes this musical so enjoyable. Filled to the brim with iconic songs made famous by Houston: including “One moment in time”, “Saving all my love for yo...

The Shawshank Redemption – Regent Theatre

21Feb

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

The Shawshank Redemption – Regent Theatre

Producer Bill Kenwright has taken on a classic this time that’s for sure. Since it first appeared on screen in 1994 and known for perhaps being one of the most popular movies of all time, it must be said that a transfer of ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ to the stage was a brave undertaking. Based on the Stephen King novella, and adapted for stage by Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns, ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ is set behind the bars of a maximum-security prison. Directed by David Esbjornson, the play highlights the story of Andy Dufresne (Joe Absolom) who, despite expressing his innocence, is handed a double life sentence for two murders. The story depicts Andy’s friendship with Red (Ben Onwukwe) and shares the highs and many more lows of life inside the prison over a time span of 20 years. Jo...

<strong>The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan – The Regent Theatre</strong>

11Dec

By Angela KellyNo Comments

West Midlands

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan – The Regent Theatre

Pantomime has been a British tradition for about 200 years and in many ways, despite some avid theatre goers 'rolling their eyes' at such a genre, ‘panto’ remains incredibly popular. This Christmas, the Regent Theatre welcomes the magical ‘Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan’ to a very excited Stoke- on -Trent audience. Directed by cast members Jonathan Wilkes and Kai Owen and produced by ‘Crossroads Pantomimes’, ‘The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan’ is essentially a story of enabling Peter Pan to fly again and involves another trip to the magical ‘Neverland’. Stoke-on-Trent's very own Jonathan Wilkes plays the part of ‘Smee’. This man sure loves a Panto and its clear he loves his hometown of Stoke just as much. Having performed panto for over a decade Wilkes clearly has it running t...