Brighton Rock is not for the faint of heart. Adapted by Bryony Lavery from the Graham Greene novel of the same name, the story follows the travails of Pinkie (Jacob James Beswick), a small-time gangster and sociopath in the resort town of Brighton in the 1930s. The murder of the gang’s previous leader has left a power vacuum which Pinkie hopes to fill. Unfortunately, he is dogged by rival gangs and dissent from within his own ranks; the affections of Rose (Sarah Middleton) a young waitress perhaps not as innocent as she first appears; and the scrutiny of would-be detective Ida (Gloria Onitiri) as well as the official police. Soon, Pinkie’s world starts to unravel, as he and those around him descend into self-inflicted vortex of tragedy and violence.
This rags-to-riches-to-rags to-riches story kept a jam-packed Hull New Theatre enthralled on Wednesday night, as the award-winning West End production Jersey Boys came to town.
Bringing to life the remarkable rise to stardom of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - a bunch of deadbeat kids from New Jersey, in America - Wednesday’s sell-out show was one of 16 performances of the true story at this newly-refurbished theatre.
The absence of Barry Rutter offering his traditional handshake to the Northern Broadsides faithful as they troop into their unique Viaduct space is a mark of how the company he founded is entering a new era without him.
From the production team behind Jeeves & Wooster, The Miser, The Dresser and the sensational smash-hit musical The Bodyguard, comes the stage adaptation of the 2012 comedy film “Quartet”. This charming tale of four ageing opera singers - Cecily, Reggie and Wilfred, currently residing in a grand retirement home in Kent, along with newly arrived resident Jean - a once Opera star and ex-wife of one of the fellow residents.
Alice Howland has the perfect life - a successful job as a linguist’s professor at Columbia University, a doting husband who also has a successful job as a Physician, and two grown up children, John and Lydia - a budding actress. In June 2015, Alice celebrates her 50th birthday surrounded by her family. A month later, believing she is menopausal, she visits her GP and admits she has forgotten things lately such as names and on occasions has become disorientated. A few years ago Alice’s mother and sister were killed in a car accident and the GP thinks it could be depression but organises blood tests and an MRI scan.
My husband, knowing I am a Hamlet virgin, and upon hearing I was reviewing William Shakespeare’s work, offered the following advice: “It’s a story about a baby pig.”
Well-meaning friends suggested I take my knitting to the theatre; plug in my headphones during the performance and even take a book to read. Mention Shakespeare and this seemed to be the common reaction.
From Weight Watchers, to F-Plan, SlimFast to Cambridge and Atkins to name a few (all of which are mentioned within the musicals song lyrics), there was (and still is) always some new diet coming out. Curious to get an understanding of the diet craze, writer Kay Mellor joined a local slimming group to get an insight into the ever expanding diet franchise.
When 492 Jamaicans set off for England on the SS Empire Windrush to start a new life they could scarcely have dreamed that 70 years on a dance company created by their descendants would create a powerful piece celebrating their rich legacy.
The Scary Bikers is the seventeenth and latest production from the collaboration of the John Godber Company and the Theatre Royal, Wakefield. It is written, directed and performed by John Godber and he is joined on stage by his long term colleague and co-writer Jane Thornton, together they are a double BAFTA and Olivier Award winning partnership.
Following the success from the West End production, “Beautiful” - the musical telling the story of the huge success of singer/songwriter Carole King, from her humble childhood beginnings to becoming an international star, is now well into its UK tour and has arrived at Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre for the week.
It’s not often I’m lost for words, but what I witnessed at the Hull New Theatre on Tuesday night, left me speechless with awe.
And the cause of my “struck dumbness”? – dancers and the stars of Tango Moderno, Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone.
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