REVIEWS Archives - North West End UK

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

4Feb

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Dealing with the issue of mental health on stage in an acceptable and accessible way has proved a challenge for creatives in the theatre. The huge success of ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ (in Manchester later this month) as well as ‘Be More Chill’ and ‘Next to Normal’ in the West End and on Broadway, have proved that sensitive handling of the topic and box office popularity are not mutually exclusive. One of the first shows to tread this path was the National Theatre adaptation of Mark Haddon’s 2003 bestselling mystery novel, and this production from Altrincham Garrick Playhouse demonstrates their continuing ability to stage challenging theatre of the highest standard whilst maintaining commercial success. Christopher (Charlie Gallagher) is 15 years, 3 months and two days old and the world is a st...

3Feb

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Hamilton – Bradford Alhambra

Bradford’s historic Alhambra Theatres is certainly doing its bit to kick off the city’s stint as UK City of Culture by booking the world’s hottest musical in for a long run. I’ve always thought a hip-hop musical about Alexander Hamilton, one of the more obscure members of the Founding Fathers who delivered democracy to America, was a concept that shouldn’t really work, but, boy, did this powerful touring version of a theatrical juggernaut prove me very wrong. If you think of the Founding Fathers as an intellectual boyband, then Hamilton born as a bastard into poverty in the Caribbean is the Jason Orange of the group. Quite why Lin-Manuel Miranda who wrote the book, lyrics and music picked him to be the star of his show isn’t that obvious, but the rise and fall of this Icarus of the r...

The Room Where it Happens – The Grange Theatre

2Feb

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

The Room Where it Happens – The Grange Theatre

Theatregoers today have a huge range of shows to choose from and, for musical theatre theatres, it’s always a treat to get a reminder of the dazzling tapestry of pop, rock, hip-hop and opera at the heart of stories that cover themes as diverse as revolution and social equality to absurdities of everyday life. C.A.S.T productions have done just that with an eclectic and electric programme of musical theatre anthems. With the company’s inclusive ethos, we have a diverse mix of vocalists showcasing tunes from stage classics like Guys and Dolls and Gypsy, through to the modern blockbusters like Hamilton and Wicked. Photo - Rob Bentley, Mid-Cheshire Camera Club Director Louise Colohan and Michael Shneck have pulled together a smart set list that gives each cast member a chance to...

Opera North’s The Flying Dutchman – Leeds Grand Theatre

2Feb

By Mark HumphreysNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Opera North’s The Flying Dutchman – Leeds Grand Theatre

The Flying Dutchman, often regarded as Wagner’s first true Gesamtkunstwerk (total artwork), has a somewhat problematic yet refreshingly straightforward narrative – at least compared to most operas. There are no mistaken identities, hidden family ties, or scheming servants – just a simple, if slightly absurd, tale of love, obsession, and redemption. Oh, and death. Mustn’t forget the death. A sea captain, Daland, encounters the cursed Flying Dutchman, doomed to sail forever unless he finds true love. Offered treasure, Daland promises his daughter, Senta, in marriage. (What is she, some sort of chattel?) Senta, previously obsessed with the Dutchman’s legend and oft to be seen worshipping his picture, eagerly accepts. After their union, her former l...

2Feb

By Zara OdetundeNo Comments

London

Play On – Lyric Hammersmith

Play On is a jazz reimagining of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night set in 1940s Harlem. Vy is a talented songwriter looking to get her start in the music industry but soon finds it is a man’s world and she’s going to have to change to achieve her dream. With a convincing disguise Vy is soon entangled in the lives of major players of the Harlem music scene, the owner of the cotton club, world-famous songwriter The Duke and captivating songbird Lady Liv. Play On is embarking on a UK Tour, finally being brought to the UK in a co-production between Talawa and various theatres and producers, after previous runs on Broadway. This is a jukebox musical that relies on the timeless music of Duke Ellington, with over 20 of his songs featured in this show. The live jazz band is present on stage...

2Feb

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

La Bohème – Hull New Theatre

Opera lovers were transported to 1830s Bohemian Paris on Friday night when a new production of La Bohème came to the Hull New Theatre. I admit to not being an opera buff, even although I have reviewed quite a few, but there was something special about this Ellen Kent Production with the Ukrainian Opera and Ballet Theatre, Kyiv, that had me gripped from curtain up. Stage settings help enormously to reel us in from the get-go and this was no exception. Though not lavish, the setting was a Parisian garret studio graced with an easel displaying a huge painting of the Red Sea; a single bed, table, chairs etc, plus a painted backdrop of buildings. A simple scene, but it piqued my interest, even more so with the comic antics of its occupants - poet Rudolfo (Hovhannes Andreasyan) and pain...

1Feb

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Robin Hood – The Montgomery Theatre

A sure-fire Hit – It’s a Bullseye! With a strong immersed cast of 40, Handsworth and Hallam Theatre Company hit the stage at the newly refurbished Montgomery Theatre in Sheffield and score a bullseye with their pantomime Robin Hood. The hilarious script is written by Tom Whalley and the cast make sure every arrow, although anything but straight and with plenty of quiver, hit their target audience! With traditional backdrops we are transported from village to woods and even ‘fungeons’. The story follows the well-known tale of Robin Hood and his love for Maid Marion pitted against the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and his scheming for power and wealth. Add in in true pantomime tradition the very Merry Men, the obligatory Dame Nanny Fanny Flapjack and her hapless son Silly Willy (who is anyth...

As Long as We Are Breathing – Arcola Theatre

1Feb

By Zak RosenNo Comments

London

As Long as We Are Breathing – Arcola Theatre

Modern life is not known for giving us opportunities to sit, and think, and be. We are constantly moving, working – there is very little time to do anything else. What is valuable about theatre and about storytelling is the space it gives us to contemplate the kind of lives we live and want to live, whether we want to progress or regress. What it means to more than just survive. A moment, to inhale, and to exhale. This is what great theatre, what As Long As We Are Breathing, does. A woman walks up and starts chatting about porridge, the same kind of interaction I might have with a particularly sociable soul on the street – the lights are still up, the audience is still chatting and taking their seats; this is a kind of immersion into theatre so smooth I didn’t realize at first that the ...

My Mother’s Funeral: The Show – Yard Theatre

1Feb

By Sadie PearsonNo Comments

London

My Mother’s Funeral: The Show – Yard Theatre

Theatre at its best is an incensing experience. Something which puts vital stories to stage. Which affirms you of humanity’s strength. And fills you with light, as well as heartache and rage. My Mother’s Funeral: The Show written by Kelly Jones at The Yard Theatre does just that. Without a doubt, this is the most moving piece of theatre I have ever been privileged enough to experience. Quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever seen on a stage. Abigail is a workin-class writer, recently bereaved. Suffering the fresh and painful loss of her mother, she is confronted with the reality of economic inequality at a time where what’s crucial is support and humanity. She cannot afford the funeral. Her grim luck: she happens to work in an industry which is hungry for ‘authentic trauma’ from ‘peopl...

A Man and His Circumstance – Hope Street Theatre

31Jan

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

North West

A Man and His Circumstance – Hope Street Theatre

A man and his circumstance is a thought provoking and educational piece of theatre based around breaking the stigma of talking about male health issues and opening the floor for men to talk. Written and produced by Tom Cain, owner of his own independent theatre company Tom Cain Theatre. The performance is portrayed by three very talented actors, some of whom take on multiple roles throughout the performance. Firstly, Matthew Swinnerton who plays Joel, a friendly, down to earth, relatable lad next door type. He is the main character and narrates the whole story. You empathise with his health struggles, and he portrays a guy's different personalities within different settings and social groups extremely well. Also, portraying touching more delicate moments with ease. Thoroughly ...