William Whelton Archives - North West End UK

A Christmas Carol: The Musical – The Lowry

13Dec

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

A Christmas Carol: The Musical – The Lowry

When the December review list lands in my inbox I have to confess to my spirits lowering, the plethora of pantomimes do nothing to lift my festive mood and there are always a significant number of variations on ‘A Christmas Carol’ on offer. However, having battled the seasonal traffic to get to The Lowry my Scrooge like mood was quickly lifted by this delightful musical version of the old redemption story, sending me home smiling and full of seasonal joy. Although this production is being staged in the beautifully proportioned 420 seat Quays Theatre at the Lowry, it is the estimable duo of William Whelton and Joseph Houston from Hope Mill Theatre that are the creative powerhouses behind it. Following a decade of success showcasing musical revivals from their Ancoats home, they have cros...

15Feb

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

The Gap – Hope Mill Theatre

The small (but perfectly formed) Hope Mill Theatre in Ancoats has firmly established itself over the last decade as the place to see innovative and exciting musical theatre productions, their ability to produce consistently excellent shows during this time has seen this Mancunian gem showered with deserved praise and awards galore. That success looks set to continue into 2024 for owners William Whelton and Joe Houston, as in something of a theatrical coup they have secured the premiere of a new Jim Cartwright play ‘The Gap’, featuring bravura performances from two very familiar faces from stage and screen. Matthew Kelly and Denise Welch may be known to a large percentage of the population for their presenting roles on television shows such as ‘Loose Women’ and ‘Stars In Their Eyes’, but...

2Nov

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

LIZZIE– Southwark Playhouse

London's Southwark Playhouse is currently playing host to a riveting and unapologetically fierce production of ‘LIZZIE’, the true crime rock punk musical. This fresh and dynamic production of the first UK staging, presented by the accomplished team at Hope Mill Theatre, is edgy, bold, and nothing short of brilliant. It brings a thrilling blend of music, drama, and history to the stage, redefining the boundaries of what a musical can be, and quite frankly goes toe-to-toe with some of the other similar historical productions that are currently playing in the West End and round the globe. Set in the backdrop of the infamous Lizzie Borden murders in Fall River, Massachusetts in 1892, ‘LIZZIE’ weaves a gripping narrative that blends fact, fiction, legend, and female sass, into an intoxicatin...

4Sep

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

LIZZIE The Musical – Hope Mill Theatre

On a late Summer Sunday afternoon when the sun had finally decided to grace Manchester with its presence, I forfeit the chance of barbeques with friends (or beers in the pub garden) to attend the UK rebirth of 'Lizzie', billed as 'A True Crime Rock Musical'. Some two hours later, I emerged blinking into the light having witnessed a 'tour de force' of musical theatre with powerhouse performances and cracking choreography. A production which will stay with me for a very long time, I definitely made the right decision. 'Lizzie Borden took an axe, And gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done, She gave her father forty-one.' This nursery rhyme is as well known to American children as 'Ring a Roses' or 'Three Blind Mice' is to their British counterparts, and it...

Jacob Fowler set to have a ball in Manchester

26Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Jacob Fowler set to have a ball in Manchester

Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester is to stage the UK theatrical premiere of the Broadway musical version of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Jacob Fowler will play Prince Topher opposite the recently announced Grace Mouat, who plays Ella. Jacob is most prominently known for winning the BBC One prime-time show Little Mix: The Search and subsequently going on to support Little Mix on their final UK arena tour, including three nights at the legendary O2 Arena. He also appeared in the role of J.D. in Heathers The Musical at The Other Palace. Leading the creative team for this new production are venue founders Joseph Houston and William Whelton, with Houston directing and Whelton co-directing and choreographing. Further Casting to be announced. Jacob Fowler said: “I’m honoured to b...

11Jan

By Craig HepworthNo Comments

Blogs

In The Spotlight

Hello North West End Welcome to my new weekly column here on the site, where I will talk all things theatre from local to touring, West End to Broadway and more. My name is Craig, and I am a playwright and director here in wonderful Manchester and also the co-owner of the long running theatre production company Vertigo. I am thrilled to be able to spend a little time with you each week with this column and share what's going on in the theatre world. So, with that said, I thought it might be best to bring you up to date with all that's going on around the world in theatre when it comes to everybody's least favourite party guest... Covid. It's been a dreadful two years for the theatre industry, and today we are still fighting to figure out a way to move forward in this new normal...

Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre announce ‘Hope Fest’

20May

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre announce ‘Hope Fest’

Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre will launch a three-week festival in Ancoats this summer, HOPE FEST, with a programme of arts and cultural events from 16th July – 8th August. The festival will take place inside a large theatre tent which will accommodate 250 capacity, based beside New Islington Tram Station (one stop from Piccadilly Station) on the junction between Pollard Street and Great Ancoats Street. HOPE FEST, in association with Electric Park, has been made possible through collaboration and an ambition to champion the cultural arts post-covid with a unique programme of community-centric events. The festival line up offers something for everyone including family theatre, comedy, music, plays and musical theatre as well as one off special community events. The new pop-up s...

Smash Hit RENT Returns to Hope Mill Theatre this Summer

15Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Smash Hit RENT Returns to Hope Mill Theatre this Summer

Hope Mill Theatre announces that its hit production of the classic rock musical RENT will play to audiences this summer. After only being able to perform 5 live shows last autumn prior to lockdown, the production will run for a strictly limited season from 6th August to 19th September 2021. Tickets will go on sale from 10am on Friday 19th of March 2021. RENT, directed by Luke Sheppard, with casting to be announced soon. William Whelton, Executive Director of Hope Mill Theatre, said: “It was so heart-breaking to have to close our production of Rent after only 5 shows, due to entering another lockdown. We were so thrilled that we managed to capture the show and share it with audiences online. The reaction to the show both critically and with audiences alike was truly overwhelming. H...

Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre to open Community Hub and launch Hope Mill Theatre School

26Feb

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre to open Community Hub and launch Hope Mill Theatre School

• Community space will be based on Pollard Street, next to Hope Mill Theatre and will include a large studio space and a more intimate studio. • Hope Mill Theatre School will launch in June 2021 for young people aged 7 to 18, and an early learning class for those aged 4 to 6. • Online classes for those ages 2-4 years old, Clever Cogs, will launch next month. • Performers Marcus Collins and Hayley Tamaddon to be Patrons of the Hope Mill Theatre School. • The Hope Mill Theatre Community Hub will also launch a Crowdfunding campaign with donations of any size being gratefully received in order to make a new home for the members of Hope Mill Theatre’s community so they can access and engage with the arts. Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre announced today that they are launching a Co...

Hope Mill Theatre confirms RENT will go ahead this year and it’s set to be the hottest ticket in town!

15Sep

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Hope Mill Theatre confirms RENT will go ahead this year and it’s set to be the hottest ticket in town!

Hope Mill Theatre has announced its hotly-anticipated revival of classic rock musical RENT will run to socially distanced audiences this autumn – with the 12-strong cast forming a ‘bubble’ for the duration of the show’s run in Manchester. RENT, directed by Luke Sheppard, was due to play at the venue in July, but the run was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The venue has been working hard and keeping updated with new guidance being released regarding inside performances and after much careful consideration are excited to announce the production is scheduled to go ahead as planned. Hope Mill Theatre will be operating with strict Covid guidelines in place in line with the Government guidance for the performing arts. This will include operating at 50% capacity per show with ...