The second instalment of the Lovehistory Loves Crime series invited us into a world of disturbing and sinister circumstances that occurred in the underworld of Victorian Liverpool. The performance consisted of four theatrical re-enactments of gruesome tales, therefore it is only fitting that the performance was staged in The Concert Room of St George’s Hall, best known for playing host to one of the best story tellers of our time, Charles Dickens, who labelled the room as the most perfect room in the world.
Welcome to the Irish dance phenomenon that is Riverdance. Now in its 21st year, and having all started with a short number for the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, this show has grown out of that short interval piece and done more for dancing and Irish dancing in particular than any other single theatrical experience ever, and has now been performed all over the world and has been seen by 30 million people. Well, let's now make that 30 million and one - me!
It was a rollercoaster ride of spectacle and the time went by so quickly, the show was over long before I thought it should have been, and it's a two hour show excluding interval! That is recommendation in itself.
Now in its 15th season, JB Shorts makes a welcome return to Joshua Brooks in Manchester. For anyone who is not familiar with JB Shorts, it is essentially six 15 minute plays performed on the same evening.
The topics on offer in this season included life in the workplace, religion, politics and of course Britain’s latest obsession; paedophilia and child abuse, which has been covered so much in the past year that for me it has just become part of daily life and is no longer shocking or upsetting - which is sad in itself.
Oscar Wilde's only novel endured an awful reception on its release in terms of both reviews and sales. Condemned for its immorality and with the ongoing threat of prosecution, with focus on its content rather than message, it was not until many years after his death that it was recognised as a classic. It tells the story of a beautiful and innocent young man's seduction, moral corruption and eventual downfall as he sells his soul for eternal youth.
The Lowry Theatre again welcomes the Birmingham Stage Company for an education packed touring production of Horrible Histories - Incredible Invaders, and Groovy Greeks. The Birmingham Stage Company is unique in British Theatre as 100% of its income is from ticket and merchandise sales. The Company was formed in 1992 and has staged over 70 productions all over the UK and throughout the world. They welcome feedback on their shows via twitter @_HHLiveOnStage and on facebook.com/birminghamstage, they also have their own website at www.birminghamstage.com
Critically acclaimed Northern Broadsides is reputed for classic productions where actors perform in their natural voices. This production, The Merry Wives, in collaboration with The New Vic Theatre is no exception.
Adapted from William Shakespeare’s comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor, it is about Sir John Falstaff who pursues two women of considerable wealth, Mistresses Ford and Page. The pursuit leads to hilarious consequences which are unravelled throughout.
This production is no doubt entertaining albeit a slow start at the beginning until the mistresses decide to “entertain him with hope” and carries out the first trick on Falstaff.
As 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, there is going to be no escaping the literary great this year. However, Talawa Theatre’s production of King Lear is rather remarkable and brave as they challenge the stereotypical view that many people have of Shakespeare plays, and the result is quite exceptional.
From the very beginning we are brought into Lear’s kingdom and immediately get the sense of a gothic vibe from the costumes and set design. Lear (Don Warrington) seems like a scary man for making an example of his daughter; Cordelia (Pepter Lunkuse) when she is unable to put into words how much she loves her father.
Into the Hoods is the ultimate feel good Hip Hop show that has been based on Stephen Sondheim’s popular musical Into the Woods. The show follows the story two school children who find themselves lost and on the “Ruff Endz” estate. They meet the landlord of “Beanstalk Towers” who sets them the challenge of finding his daughter’s four birthday presents before he will help them home. They need to obtain an iPhone as white as milk, a trainer as pure as gold, a hoodie as red as blood and a weave as yellow as corn.
When you think of the humble beginnings of Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers, it is hard to believe that it has become what it is today. It is a piece of work that Willy Russell originally spawned from a memory at the age of eleven. After much internal deliberation about being taken seriously as a composer, he was thrown into doing a play for Merseyside Young People’s Company and decided, in his own words ‘to do just that’. After its opening at Fazackerley Comprehensive, Willy Russell immediately began to write what we now know as the full scale musical version of it.
‘I knew that if I allowed this smaller version to become too fixed in my brain, I’d never move on to the full musical version’ (Willy Russell 2016).
Bad Jews written by Joshua Harmon enjoyed its premiere in the summer of 2014 with great reviews it extended its run to the West End Arts Theatre where the rave reviews continued.
Directed by Michael Longhurst the play is based following the death of a beloved grandfather 'Poppy', and a treasured family heirloom with religious significance is in the sights of his three grandchildren.
A Midsummer Night's Dream at Blackpool Grand Theatre. What a magical evening. Firstly the theatre is absolutely stunning, known as 'Matcham's Masterpiece' from the detailed Victorian architecture.
I was excited to see what was in store as this production from the RSC is performed by 18 professionals and will visit each region and nation of the UK, using local amateur theatre companies who will play the Mechanicals.
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