We are living in an era where we are constantly being monitored and tracked by the Government. ‘In the Vice Like Grip Of It’ aims to explore this theme - it’s an interesting topic, however it is poorly executed in this play.
The highlight of this show is the lighting and sound. From the very beginning upon entering the theatre we are greeted with dismantled furniture and white noise, creating an eerie feeling. The characters then emerge from the set, which is cleverly done and looks set to be a promising piece.
Being rather fond of Beckett, and having seen countless Godots but never Endgame, this was something I was actually really looking forward to. Further, all the notices for this production so far have been stellar, and so expectation was high last night as I took my seat in the main auditorium of Manchester's HOME Theatre. And from the very moment the play started, with Clov wordlessly going about his mundane quotidian routine I knew I was watching something special. I would like to think that this will one day become known as the definitive Endgame.
i know all the secrets in my world is a piece of physical theatre exploring the relationship between father and son in the aftermath of the loss of the mother. It explores grief from a unique perspective, and the physical performance, punctuated only with a few words (“Dad,” “Son,” “No,” “I love you”), is so apt for a period in our lives when words are of no use.
Flare Path sends you on a rollercoaster of war, emotion and drama, an established play written in 1941 and first staged a year after that, it’s a fantastic show filled with all the components that are needed in a war time drama-romance. The story mainly centres on a love triangle between a pilot, his wife and a famous Hollywood star, set in a hotel close to an RAF Bomber Command airbase during World War 2- an idea the writer (Terence Rattigan) found from his actual experiences throughout the war. Also, throughout the hotel is a collection of various pilots and wife’s all from assorted towns and cities.
After its premiere at The National Theatre late last year Husbands and Sons has made its way up North to the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Combining three of D.H. Lawrence’s plays Ben Power has adapted them into a wonderful cross section of life. The set, brilliantly designed by Bunny Christie, holds three individual houses, each displaying the heart of the home, the kitchen. Each house corresponds to one of D.H. Lawrence’s plays. The Holroyds telling The Widowing of Mrs Holroyd, The Lamberts displaying A Collier’s Friday Night and The Gascoignes presenting The Daughter-in-Law; each story individually fascinating and linked seamlessly to the others.
I have to confess, since the first time I watched the film, I have been a fan of this heartwarming story and was looking forward to seeing it translated onto the stage. It beings with the threat of World War Two looming and the mass evacuation of children from cities to the countryside.
William Beech is one of these children. Neglected, malnourished to the point of being unable to digest proper food and covered in injuries from severe beatings. He is taken to Dorset and placed with the reclusive and reluctant eponymous hero Tom Oakley. A widower of 41 years, he has never got over the loss of his wife Rachel and closed himself off with the grief.
It is hard to believe that anyone would not know the musical of Joseph as the first professional production with lyrics by Tim Rice and music of Andrew Lloyd Webber took place in 1972 but I have to admit that other than the lyrics of ‘Any Dream Will Do’ I knew very little about the show and had no real desire to do so, so having no expectations my next statement seems a contradiction… I did not expect this… Joseph is a biblical story portrayed on stage with Country music, Elvis, Calypso and French accordion with a backdrop of the Eiffel Tower which bizarrely works well. My husband said I would love it…we will see.
Winner of the Tony Awards Triple Crown for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Avenue Q has a huge furry, fleshy, funny heart! Created by Jeff Marx and the writer of the songs for Disney’s Frozen, Robert Lopez, Avenue Q is a charming and cheeky musical which is definitely not for children!
Brought to use by the Sell A Door Theatre Company, Avenue Q tells the story of a recent college graduate named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. There, he meets Kate (the girl next door), Rod (the Republican), Trekkie (the internet sex-pert), Lucy The Slut and other colourful types, who help Princeton try to discover his true purpose in life!
I walked in identifying myself as non-Beatles fan, yes I knew a lot of the songs and yes I would occasionally have sung along when a Beatles song came on the radio, but by the end of the show I was well and truly hooked!
Seen by over one million people worldwide, LET IT BE has established itself as one of the West End's most popular shows and continues to delight audiences across the globe, having recently performed to audiences in Germany, Japan, Moscow, and France as well as a critically acclaimed extended run in Liverpool, the home of The Beatles.
The newest project brought to us by Lovehistory Theatre Company and St George’s Hall invites us into the world of the criminal gangs of Victorian Liverpool. The mood was effectively set in the darkness of the hall, which already encompasses an eerie and profound presence without the added bonus of the actors encouraging the fear that already exists in a dark, cold ancient building at night time. It is noticeable that the beginning of the tour, which runs for approximately an hour, is stronger than the end. It sets up what seems to be a story with continuity and engagement, and the guide, named Niall Ross Hogan, was initially successful in keeping interest within the group peaked and excited for what the tour had to offer.
Last night I attended Paul Carroll’s Music Hall Tavern (MHT) at the Dancehouse Theatre. Firstly a note on the venue- It’s always brilliant to see a relatively new and upcoming theatre doing so well and that can certainly be targeted down to their comfortable and happy setting, I felt at home as soon as I walked in, a lovely venue.
Now onto the performance, it’s hard to imagine what this show hasn’t got! It seems to include everything but the kitchen sink which makes for a spectacle, the track includes all the great diva hits which kept the audience joyful and tapping their feet.
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