Giselle is arguably one of the most famous romantic ballets and has been performed all over the world since the 1800s. The original tale of Giselle follows a peasant girl who falls in love with the wealthy Albrecht. In this adaptation we see Giselle (Tamara Rojo) as a migrant worker in a garment factory which has faced closure. A large wall blocks the workers prospects and any opportunity whilst keeping Giselle and her lover Albrecht (James Streeter) apart.
This was the debut production from newly established This Just In Theatre Company with writer and director Jay Giblin’s short piece set during early Twentieth century Russia and culminating in the October Revolution.
Compelling and Intense Production
Following its festival success in 2014, Stephen Smith’s Committed returns with this production from Falling Doors Theatre. Written following Smith’s own experiences as a concerned Belfast resident during the aftermath of the ceasefire, and directed here by Sarah Van Parys – a LJMU and Young Everyman Playhouse Director’s Course graduate - this is a compelling and intense play that captures the ever-difficult twists and turns of the Troubles.
I'm going to have to google 'Golem', although most of us know it's some kind of monster; interestingly, the two biggest growth industries are leisure and information, and this production mashes them together in the most graphic, surreal way,
Graeae Theatre Company’s raucous musical featuring the music of Ian Drury and the Blockheads pogos into the Liverpool Everyman. The concept of the show is straightforward, as we’re invited into the pub to watch Vinnie and friends perform a play in memory of his late dad.
As the storm battered down on Liverpool, I took refuge in the beautiful Empire theatre, with Neon lights and lots of energy, Flashdance -The Musical was my Solace.
Glitter fuelled “gig-theatre”, full of quirky promise, cultural references and shining with hope, Brigitte Aphrodite’s show definitely packs a punch. From the opening encouragement to “glitter up” to the epic pom-pom finale this is a non-stop raucous rollercoaster.
As the film, ‘Rita, Sue And Bob Too’ celebrates its 30th anniversary, Out of Joint, Octagon Theatre and The Royal Court Theatre present ‘Rita Sue and Bob Too’ at The Playhouse, directed by the play’s original world premier director, Max Stafford-Clark. Years later and it is still a fascinating piece of work, expertly executed and perhaps more relevant than ever.
The latest one man show from Tayo Aluko sees him explore the life of Tunji Sowande, a Nigerian born lawyer who became the first black head of a major barrister’s chambers in 1968. At this time, it felt – as Sowande notes in the show – as if ‘the world was falling apart around us’. One doesn’t need to read Aluko’s informed programme notes to see the parallels between then and now.
Adapted from Es’kia Mphahlele’s short story The Suitcase tells the story of a young couple who leave their village heading for the big city with ‘pockets full of dreams’ to find a better life. Set against the bleak backdrop of 1950s apartheid South Africa the show follows Timi and Namhla from their initial confusion at the bustle of Durban (they think the train announcements are the voice of God) to their increasing frustration as Timi is unable to secure work, and the ‘desperate chance’ Timi takes to try and secure a better life for them both.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a musical collaboratively written by musical theatre legends Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber and is based on the story of Joseph’s ‘coat of many colours’ from the book of Genesis. X Factor favourite Joe McElderry embraces the stage as Joseph and reminds us of the exact reason why he has had such an illustrious, professional singing career over the years.
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