The Forum Theatre Archives - North West End UK

Little Shop of Horrors – The Forum Theatre

25Sep

By David S ClarkeNo Comments

North West

Little Shop of Horrors – The Forum Theatre

Adapted from the B-movie classic from over 50 years ago, this production has been brought to the stage by an extremely talent cast led by director and producer Gareth Cole, a long time NK stalwart who is undertaking his first full length theatre show, ably assisted by musical director Scott Mitchell, who also lead the excellent live band, and Jenny Arundale as choreographer. The back stage people contributed well to the overall production and their input should not be underestimated. Again another superb programme (presumably by Dominic Stannage again) with brilliant photographs by Kyle Hassall. The show is set in Mr Mushnik’s flower shop on Skid Row and explores the relationship between the staff of shy Seymour and quiet assuming Audrey. The fortunes of the shop take off when Seymour d...

13Jun

By David S ClarkeNo Comments

North West

Finding Nemo Jr. – The Forum Theatre

This show was performed by the NK Theatre Arts junior youth theatre members (all 85 of them!) and I cannot remember ever seeing such an enthusiastic bunch of children, many of whom were taking part in their first ever stage show. I must say at the outset that HUGE congratulations must go to Hannah Thomas who in addition to directing the show also took on the role of musical director and choreographer and she excelled in all of these disciplines. I have to say that, going back many years, this must be just about the best production I have seen that Hannah has taken charge of. She really does excel in bringing out the talents of the youngsters in her charge. The storyline of the production is based on the 2003 Pixar animated film of the same name. Living on the great barrier reef off ...

1May

By David S ClarkeNo Comments

North West

The Addams Family – The Forum Theatre

The programme describes this production as a musical comedy and there was certainly plenty of both on show at this performance presented by the East Cheshire Musical Theatre Company, who can always be relied upon to put on a first class and highly entertaining show. I cannot remember ever seeing a production with so many one-liners on the comedy front that had myself and the rest of the audience in absolute stiches throughout the whole of the show’s duration. I have to say right from the start that every single member of the cast on stage did an absolutely superb job, not just the main characters but also the members of the company (The Ancestors) who’s singing and dancing, choreographed superbly by Sally Hilliard, brought the whole production to life (or death, if you prefer!) The ...

Flashdance the Musical – The Forum Theatre

27Mar

By David S ClarkeNo Comments

North West

Flashdance the Musical – The Forum Theatre

This production of Flashdance the musical is directed and choreographed by Hannah Thomas of NK Theatre Arts and a wonderful job she has done of it too, ably assisted by Jade Wilbraham. The show is set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA and is based on a book by Tom Hedley and Robert Cary, music by Robbie Roth and lyrics by Roth and Cary. It has a distinctive 80’s feel about it and includes a number of well-known songs including “Maniac”, “Gloria” and “What a feeling”. it tells the story of young Alex, whose job is a welder by day and 'flash-dancer' by night, and her dreams of becoming a member of a dance academy and fulfilling her ambition to become a professional dancer. It was good to see many familiar faces in the cast members who took to the stage doing improvised dancing be...

14Feb

By David S ClarkeNo Comments

North West

Teechers – The Forum Theatre

Before I set off to watch this show this evening, I was trying to remember previous occasions when I had seen NK put on this play by John Godber (who is one of the authors who they seem to visit on a regular basis, having seen “Bouncers and Shakers” a number of times also) and if my memory is correct, I think this is the third time I have seen it in the past 8 years or so. Previous casts have utilised more adult actors, but this production is much more realistic in that all the cast are still in their teens so are genuinely playing characters of their own age. Teechers is actually a play within a play, which the students perform for their teachers, taking on twenty or so different roles throughout the show. The stage setting is very basic, consisting of a noticeboard, blackboard, a coup...