This new musical charts the rise to fame of the famous Welsh “Voice” Tom Jones. Starting in his humble beginnings in Pontypridd, South Wales we learn quickly of his teenage marriage to his beloved wife Linda and then of the union of what will become his band, as this very much becomes the story of Tom Scott and the Senators as much as it is the making of Tom Jones as we know him today.
I had expected this afternoon's performance to be yet another Easter pantomime doing the rounds, but I could not have been more wrong. In fact, despite the title, Snow White barely featured in this new production, which told the story of two of the castle cooks from Snow White's birth right up to her wedding day. I love this type of alternate fairytale, and the narration and flashbacks performed whilst the wedding cake was baking was a fantastic concept. Unfortunately, the show was as flat as a pancake, if you'll excuse the pun.
Over the last few years, Bolton's Octagon Theatre have produced a very mixed bag of goodies. There have been some extremely strange and off-beat cringe-worthy misses and a couple of absolute hits, with most of their fayre falling somewhere in between. However, last night's production (in association with Derby Theatre) of Look Back In Anger by John Osborne can simply go straight to the top of their pile. It was undoubtedly and quite simply a sure-fire hit.
Possibly the most famous of all Dr. Seuss' creations, this 50 minute romp is a faithful retelling of his tale of The Cat In The Hat.
Billed as being suitable for children from 3 years old is possibly a little ambitious though. After seeing the show then I would certainly not entertain taking anyone younger than 5. This is a full-on, no punches pulled production, which is quite loud and very frenetic at times. It can be - and actually was - a little off-putting and too 'in-your-face' for a couple of this afternoon's youngsters.
If the late, great Michael Jackson is alive (as some conspiracies suggest) then he is evidently living in the bodies of those on stage in Thriller Live. If he’s not, I’d like to think that he’s looking down fondly at this incredible cast carrying on his work and doing a pretty great job of it!
Featuring a full live band, a whole host of energetic dancers and several of the most talented singers I have ever been lucky enough to see live, all performing the King of Pop’s greatest hits - it’s hard not to enjoy this show.
This record breaking production written by Agatha Christie is world famous for being the longest running show of any kind in the history of British theatre - with over 25,000 performances; but why has it reminded so popular?
I was very excited to finally see this abiding British classic, firstly because I love Agatha Christie’s writing and secondly because it has been around for such a long time. This is the second part of the 60th anniversary tour, the first time it has been performed professional in the UK, outside of London, since its premier at the Theatre Royal Nottingham in October 1952. I was not disappointed and the Regent Theatre was a fantastic venue in which to see it.
CBBC’s The Next Step merges with Lost and Found Music Studios to create the Wild Rhythm Tour
Today I walked into a world I had no idea existed yet had landed with a bang at the Lowry Theatre in Salford. The world of CBBC, today the cast of two immensely popular shows met on stage for an afternoon of entertainment through dance and song and had the audience whipped into a frenzy as the cast of the two current CBBC shows met and interacted with their young fans.
Lost and Found Music Studios is a relatively new yet popular daytime CBBC Channel show that shows members of a unique elite music programme all hoping to turn their passion into a profession and find their place in the world, and The Next Step is on its fourth season and is an equally popular CBBC TV show that is a reality-style drama following the lives of a group of dancers.
Good authors write about what they know and on stage at The Lowry comedienne Ruby Wax takes that idea one step further and performs about what she is; a person with a mental illness.
In conversation, with an interviewer from the BBC, she not only shared her own personal experiences of her illness but gave a deep understanding of the issues one in four face after studying a master’s degree in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy at Oxford University. Though the audience laughed with her, this was not a comedy show but rather an intimate workshop in a full auditorium.
Who wouldn’t be looking forward to seeing the loveable Pudsey, winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2012 along with his owner Ashleigh Butler in this new stage show currently touring the UK? Starring at Blackpool’s Beautiful Grand Theatre dating back to 1894, it was disappointing to see a very sparse audience at the early evening’s performance.
The performance started with cat burglars at the London Natural History museum and their attempts to steal the Bone Of Ruff for the despicable Dr Feline, who is intent on world domination, and the bone holds the secret to achieve this. Featuring Stevi Ritchie (X Factor and Celebrity Big Brother) as Dr Feline’s sidekick Karl, we were treated to a display of acrobatic dance moves by several dancers, with the comedy supplied by Ritchie throughout. As there are no programmes for the show I am unable to credit any of the other performers as they are not listed even on the flyers other than ‘featuring West End’ performers. I only knew of Ritchie as I recognised him from his past TV appearances. Also when researching online for more information it appears the cast does change.
Forced Entertainment bring us a story for all the family, told to us tonight by Claire Marshall and Cathy Naden. “Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin.”
That is very much the tone of the performance, an old fashioned storytelling, an art that goes back to before recorded history. This performance involves some audience participation, some musical interludes, live sound effects and animated projections. The sound effects are made on everyday objects and the projections are ‘caught’ by the performers on pieces of cardboard, creating a very homemade feel to the piece that fits perfectly with the delivery.
Hope Mill is in New Islington, just north of Piccadilly, central Manchester. Once it was a hinterland of warehouses and canals, now the warehouses have been converted into luxury flats. Unable to find the mill we were directed by a passer-by "right back the way you've come, across the tram tracks and past the dodgy looking pub". It didn't sound too promising. However, this turned out to be one of Ancoats best kept secrets, because Hope Mill Theatre is a cosy and quirky delight. The bar area is all bare bricks and subdued lighting; gilt edged mirrors and candelabras give it a theatrical feel and it is thankfully unpretentious. The mill is a Grade 2 listed building, a former cotton mill. A sign at the theatre door warns that the auditorium can be cold, so there is a basket of blankets if needed. The theatre is small, I'd call it a studio theatre, and seats around a hundred. It has good acoustics and a great deal of atmosphere.
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