Room on the Broom is a much-loved picture book written by Julia Donaldson that has found life beyond the page in this superb show presented by Tall Stories Theatre company in association with Kenny Wax Family Entertainment.
David Wood’s musical version of Judith Kerr’s 1968 wonderful book, The Tiger Who Came for Tea, the tale of a very big cat who called to Sophie’s house with his ferocious appetite, was staged at Salford’s Lowry theatre this afternoon.
Having never read the book or seen the film I entered The Lowry Theatre with no expectations or pre-conceived ideas on how this production would play out.
Being a 30+ VAT female walking into Flare 17 where the five days of groundbreaking theatre by new international artist was taking place in the Lowry Theatre, Salford, I had no idea of what the evening would hold. It was apparent I didn't initially match the clientele of the young and trendy as we walked up to the Compass Room where we were greeted by a solo singer playing his unique compilation of songs. The evening was to be a double bill with first up Tom Cassani followed by Alicia Jane Turner.
Roald Dahl books have delighted children and adults alike like no other child's author ever could, his tales of eccentric characters and plot twists were a staple in my childhood and I think almost everyone can say they have a certain favourite Roald Dahl classic which they've read more than once or twice, so I was thrilled to discover that another of Roald Dahl's delights has been adapted for the stage, this time the charming and often overlooked; Fantastic Mr Fox.
The biggest regret I had tonight after seeing The Sons of Pitches live at The Lowry in Salford was why I haven’t seen this sensational group on stage before! The Sons of Pitches are one of the premiere vocal groups currently working in the UK. In November 2015 they became the winners of BBC2’s The Naked Choir hosted by Gareth Malone. They have won multiple awards and their videos have had over two and a half million views on their YouTube channel.
When Michael Aitkens' sitcom Waiting for God originally aired in the early 1990s, the public had a different view about how older people should behave than I do in the 21st century. Waiting for God staged at the Lowry theatre tells the story of Bayview Retirement Home, residence of battle-axe Diana Trent (Nichola McAuliffe) who conspires with new resident, Tom Ballard (Jeffrey Holland), to give the conniving manager, Harvey Baines (Samuel Collings), his comeuppance through a hilarious conspiracy with unexpectedly heart-warming results.
Never have I entered a theatre to see long queues of people waiting to collect their free copy of the performers latest autobiography, until now. I was flabbergasted at this unique gesture of kindness from Eddie Izzard, to his fans. Furthermore, the books we all received were exclusively signed hardbacks, with the same title as the show we had come to watch.
On entering the Quays theatre there was an immediate atmosphere of entering a Jazz club. There was table seating with smoky, subtle lighting in the theatre and a smattering of audience members who seemed to know what to expect arrived dressed in pure glamour, right down to feather boas.
Declaration is a one woman show staring a charming, energetic woman with a charisma that filled the entire room called Sarah Emmott. As soon as I took my seat Sarah approached me asking direct questions. "Who is this sat next to you" "Why are you friends with her?” “Why does your friendship work?" From this moment, Sarah’s curiosity and her search for answers to questions continued throughout her performance.
An inspiring mix of astonishing athleticism alongside tender purposeful moments, Kin is a show that is breathtakingly stunning from start to finish.
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