Thaddeus Philips is a magician. In the space of 75 minutes, under his wing, I visited Italy, Croatia, Brazil, and Mexico, amongst other countries. The level of visual story-telling achieved through a chair, a table, a lamp, a microphone, and a mug was incredible, although the skill with lighting was truly a wonderful thing to behold. A metal bar hung from the ceiling, raised or lowered as necessary, covered in various torches and neon coloured lights. The bar became, at various points, a Communist train carriage, the infamous Amsterdam Red Light District, several different waiting rooms in airports, border patrol floodlights, and car headlights. Visually, it was stunning.
As the title suggests, this is a play about Judy Garland. More specifically it is a play about her final years, her last UK concerts at The Talk Of The Town, her engagement and marriage to her fifth husband Mickey Deans and the unlikely love of her homosexual pianist Anthony Chapman.
It has been well documented that Judy Garland had a very troubled personal life. Financial instability and debt followed her around wherever she went; and her dependency on drugs, started by the film studios as a young girl, needs no further explanations here, save to mention that these were the key themes of the evening's entertainment, focusing on her tragic and pathetic later life until her untimely death at aged just 47.
I think, no, I am sure I have just enjoyed the most mesmerising dance production at the Quays Theatre I have seen in a long time. I still think I’m underselling this, just go and see it and I hope you leave with the same deep smile I have.
Chotto Desh, if I can loosely play with the translation, ‘homeland,’ takes us by the hand into, the dancer, choreographer, the creator of this piece, Akram Khan’s early London childhood and the anxiety and joy of discovering a passion for dance; setting him on a collision course with the expectations of his restaurant owner father who wants to open his son’s eyes to a real and at times cruel world; a world of protest and civil war.
A successful musical these days is judged by longevity not necessarily by just how good it is, and as Avenue Q enters its 13th year there are no signs that this juggernaut of a show is about to end anytime soon. Playing at the Palace Theatre in Manchester this week the audience on opening night appear to agree. It is a show that has everything, it’s a little bit rude, a little bit sad, and lots of fun, and it is difficult not to connect to at least one part of the story. I even sensed from the audience reaction some had not used the internet just to book their tickets!
Tap Factory is so much more than a show with tap dancing in it. It is not only a visual treat but an audio one as well with a multitude of household items being used to create a percussive beat that cannot fail to get your own feet tapping and bring a huge smile to your face.
Stopping off in New Brighton as part of the current worldwide tour which is set to take in France, Germany, Switzerland, Shanghai, Liaoning and Beijing in the next 12 months it is clear to see this is an art form with a true international feel and appeal.
The Three Little Pigs were brought to the Aldridge Studio at the Lowry this afternoon by The Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company. Lots of excited children were waiting outside the studio doors waiting for the pigs to get ready to put on the show. The Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company returned to the Lowry following previous sell out shows. They pride themselves on making theatre out of anything mixed up with a splodge of imagination. They have toured since 2008 with versions of children's classics such as today's show The Three Little Pigs.
Walking into the very highest point of the Lyric Theatre’s auditorium shrouded in total darkness but for about 200 seats illuminated for the audience to sit on, you are immediately drawn into what was a spectacular performance tonight of An Anatomie in Four Quarters. As you take your seats the silence is almost deafening with nobody seemingly brave enough to utter a word as you wait in anticipation for something to happen.
Thrilling physical theatre
“Origins” by Animikii Theatre is an enthralling piece of work telling the story of the biblical first murder of Abel by his brother Cain. We begin seeing Cain in exile, before the story of him and his brother is told from the beginning. Instantly it was clear how much work had gone into this production, as the slick choreography was timed to perfection, every sidestep was measured, and every glance was carefully considered. The performers, Henry McGrath and Adam Davies, are hugely talented and highly trained, both having graduated from the Theatre Lab MA at RADA.
Thought-provoking, Illuminating and Infectious - for all the right reasons!
So imagine. You're on an aeroplane. Flying from Uganda to England. During the flight, one by one, everyone begins weeping. Uncontrollably. Everyone that is except you.
And so begins Daniel Bye's engaging solo show as, sat amongst the audience throughout, he takes us on a journey - his journey, our journey - as we are forced to contemplate what happens next. Is this really what we would do? Or would we dare to be different?
Presented by The Eggs Collective, Late Night Love is a play that shines the light on real love, relationships and awesome power ballads! The Eggs Collective are a very creative trio of actresses who use music and real life stories to entertain audiences. The creativity and imagination of these extremely talented seems boundless and the interpretation of these real life stories and how they are associated with the performance is a joy.
Cloudcuckoolanders is an absurdly contempary play that leaves you horrified, emotional and thoroughly entertained. Firstly an apology as there is neither a programme nor any website intonation that gives me any indication of the actors in the production. A small handout or printed paper programme would not have gone a miss and would have helped with this dilemma.
As I walked into the intimate space of The Continental Preston, the instant hit of venting freshly popped popcorn that completely makes you feel warm and comfortable is a brilliant but subtle detail for the piece. The stage was filled with knick knacks of various sorts: kettle, microwave, popcorn, chairs, laptop, and books. It is quite a messing setting but does well the relate to a flat or apartment where the characters may live. There is also the addition of a large screen that is projected and is used from the moment you walk into the space.
Subcategories
Page 25 of 63
- You are here:
-
Home
- Reviews