Month: November 2019

The Lowry, Salford – 13 November 2019

Reviewed by Niamh Holleran

4****

Having never watched an opera before, I wasn’t sure what to expect with Giulio Cesare. I was pleasantly surprised there were subtitles to accompany the Italian singing, although not constantly which was nice as it allowed you to just focus on the extraordinary singing.

On the night I attended, the role of Cornelia was sung by Amy J Payne, who did a marvellous job. From the outset, with the death of her husband, her pain was awfully obvious in her songs and by the end of the first half, I wanted to cry for her.

The villainous role of Tolomeo was made darker by the significant pointed finger attachments he wore when exercising his power over the defeated Romans. I’m quite sure that by the time Act Two began, whenever he entered the stage, I got goosebumps due to my dislike of him.

The set was particularly powerful too, beginning with what looked like a simple black mound that the characters looked down from, until slowly revolving to reveal a luxuriously gold tomb, representing the riches of the Eqyptian rulers. It made a perfect backdrop for the entrance of Cleopatra, the real star of the opera.

From her initial entrance when she revealed her plans, to the ending when she is united with her love, Cesare and given the throne of Egypt, she held the audience captive. She was not a typical Cleopatra with heavy eyeliner and heavy handed drama but a lighter, more charming version, who handled a sword against Tolomeo beautifully.

The Lowry, Salford – 13 November 2019

Reviewed by Charlotte McWilliam

4****

Phyllida Lloyd and Opera North treat us to a perfectly up to date performance of Puccini’s La Boheme. Set in Paris in the 1960s the production features an international cast including some of today’s most promising young artists.  Ukranian baritone, Yuriy Yurchuk, shines as Marcello during the opening scene. Later met by his partner in crime Anush Hovhannisyan as the seductress, Musetta. Hovhannisyan captures the audience with her dominating entry portraying Musetta’sflirty persona effortlessly. The use of the Opera North Children’s Chorus during act 1 is such a fun addition bringing smiles to the faces of audience members. 

During act two the lead roles really come into their own. Eleazar Rodriguez as the love struck Rodolfo and Lauren Fagen as the ill-fated Mimi relax and this really shines through in their singing. Fagen’s rounded and full soprano voice really takes precedence during the duet. Anthony Ward has chosen a simple approach to the set design, which oozes modernity, perfectly complimenting Lloyd’s direction. 

Act 3 opens with a bright and uplifting set. Later in the act we see the clever comic partnership of Ward and Lloyd return as Musetta’s face is revealed behind French flags.  The bond between Fagen and Rodriguez continues to grow ever stronger towards the end of the final act. The audience are now mesmerised by the story even to the extent that Mimi’s ailment (her cough) has now spread throughout the stalls or maybe it’s just the time of year.

Bravo opera North! A wonderfully modern yet traditional take on one of Puccini’s finest works.

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

BACK TO THE FUTURE THE MUSICAL

PREMIERING AT

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

FOR 12-WEEK SEASON FROM THURSDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2020

AHEAD OF WEST END TRANSFER

Producer Colin Ingram (Ghost – The Musical) and the creators of the film Back To The Future, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, are delighted to announce the full cast for the world premiere of BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical, which will open at the Manchester Opera House on 20 February 2020 for a strictly limited 12-week season, finishing on 17 May, prior to transferring to the West End.

The full cast includes Aidan Cutler as ‘Biff Tannen’, Courtney-Mae Briggs as ‘Jennifer Parker’, Will Haswell as ‘Dave McFly’ and Emma Lloyd as ‘Linda McFly.’ Also in the cast are Rhianne Alleyne, Amy Barker, Owen Chaponda, Jamal Crawford, Nathanael Landskroner, Bethany Rose Lythgoe, Cameron McAllister, Alessia McDermott, Laura Mullowney, Oliver Ormson, Mark Oxtoby, Katharine Pearson, Jemma Revell, Jake Small, Justin Thomas and Mitchell Zhangazha.

They join the previously announced Roger Bart as ‘Doctor Emmett Brown’, Olly Dobson as ‘Marty McFly’, Hugh Coles as ‘George McFly’, Rosanna Hyland as ‘Lorraine Baines’ and Cedric Neal as ‘Goldie Wilson’. 

Based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film, BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical will have a book by Bob Gale and new music and lyrics by Emmy and Grammy Award-winning Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy Award-winning Glen Ballard, with additional songs from the film including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode.

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical will be directed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando (Urinetown, On The Town), alongside the multi Tony and Olivier Award-winning design team of Tim Hatley (set and costume design), Hugh Vanstone and Tim Lutkin (lighting), Gareth Owen (sound) and Finn Ross (video), with choreography by Chris Bailey, musical supervision and arrangements by Nick Finlow and Illusions by Chris Fisher. Orchestrations will be by Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook, with dance arrangements by David Chase. Casting is by David Grindrod Associates.

Back to the Future the movie was released in 1985, starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Dr Emmett Brown. The film grossed $360.6 million (£279 million) at the box office worldwide and the total box office for all three films in the Back to the Future franchise was $936.6 million (over $1.8 billion in today’s money).

Marty McFly is a rock ‘n’ roll teenager who is accidentally transported back to 1955 in a time-travelling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr Emmett Brown.  But before he can return to 1985, Marty must make sure his high school-aged parents fall in love in order to save his own existence.

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical is produced by Colin Ingram, Donovan Mannato, Frankel/Viertel/Baruch/Routh Group, Gavin Kalin Productions, Hunter Arnold, Crush Music, CJ ENM, Teresa Tsai, Ivy Herman/Hallee Adelman, Augury, Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, in association with, Kimberly Magarro, Robert L. Hutt, Ricardo Marques, Glass Half Full Productions/ Neil Gooding Productions, Playing Field.

Website: BackToTheFutureMusical.com   

Twitter: @BTTFmusical

Instagram: @BTTFmusical    

LISTINGS INFORMATION

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical

20 February – 17 May 2020

Opera House Manchester

3 Quay Street 
Manchester 
M3 3HP

Box Office: 0844 871 3018

Performances:
20 Feb – 14 Mar: Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Sat matinee 2.30pm

17 Mar – 17 May: Tue – Sat 7.30pm, Wed, Sat & Sun matinees 2.30pm

Tickets: From £19.55

Leeds Playhouse – until 16 November 2019

Reviewed By Dawn Smallwood

4****

English Touring Theatre in partnership with Sheffield Theatres brings Matt Haig’s Reasons to Stay Alive to the Leeds Playhouse. Based on April De Angeli’s adaptation and directed by Jonathan Watkins, Reasons to Stay Alive is a down to earth bestselling biography about Haig’s journey experiencing severe depression and the impact it has brought.

The play explores the premise of loving and living life to the full despite Matt’s depressive setbacks and self doubts, the latter resulting from past beliefs. With Simon Daw’s innovative staging as the backdrop, the Older Matt (Phil Cheadle) narrates the journey from when he was younger (being played by Mike Noble) during his twenties when he was at his lowest ebb to recognising the value of living. Matt certainly achieves what he initially thought impossible and the shared celebrations are accompanied with movement, music and sounds under the creative arrangement of Jessica Hung Yun, Alex Baranowski and Nick Greenhill.

This short play, approximately, 1 hour 20 minutes, is packed with content with key messages how personal and collective support can help those in need who are experiencing depression and mental health issues. The play with the aid of key texts as props looks at the importance of listening and more crucially choosing the words and the timing during discussions which consequentially may hurt more than help. The key message of the play is to open up about mental health whether positive or negative and aiming to eliminate the stigma which is still sadly associated with it especially among men.

The narrator, the Older Matt, mentors his younger self with everyday language which everyone can relate to and understand. The whole cast has put on an excellent portrayals particularly Janet Etuk (Andrea), Chris Donnelly (Dad) and Connie Walker (Mum) and Dilek Rose (multiple roles) who all play as Matt’s support network. More so the portrayals of the Older Matt and the younger Matt by Cheadle and Noble respectively are demonstratively outstanding and have successfully battled through the lows and celebrated the highs.

Everybody’s mental health is unique and different to every individual and emphasis is about the importance of sharing experiences and how support given must be tailored made to each individual’s needs. Reasons to Stay Alive is a heart warming and delightful play, well directed, and well performed. There are reasons to celebrate life and be supported and this production coincides with the Northern Man Festival taking place on the 16th November at the Playhouse and thus more the reason to watch this production.

MAGICAL MOVIE EXPERIENCE RETURNS TO MANCHESTER FOR CHRISTMAS 2019

Make a festive date with The Holiday, Love Actually,

Elf, Home Alone, and Santa Claus The Movie

The Magical Christmas Movie Experience returns to Manchester for Christmas 2019 with some of the best all-time festive films ever made.

Last year’s event was hailed such a success, that the event returns with five box office smash hit movies to get everyone in the festive spirit.

The event runs in Manchester city centre between Thursday 5 December and Sunday 8 December 2019, and will feature modern cinema classics The Holiday, Love Actually, Elf, Home Alone, and Santa Claus The Movie. Tickets are on sale now.

Visitors are invited to leave behind the madness of Christmas shopping and escape to a Winter wonderland where they can wear their favourite Christmas jumper, sit back, relax, and enjoy a festive movie classic. The magical venue will be announced shortly.

Alongside the programme of heart-warming modern cinema classics, filmgoers will also be delighted with the return of the fully immersive family experience, which includes a live choir at every film screening, enchanted forest, Christmas themed refreshments – and appearances by the man of the moment, Father Christmas and his festive elves.

The Magical Christmas Movie Experience starts on Thursday 5 December with a 6pm screening of The Holiday, followed by Love Actually with a LIVE Gospel Choir at 9pm on the same evening.

Upon arrival, movie fans will be greeted by a live choir singing carols and festive songs, before taking a trip through the Narnia-inspired wardrobe of fur coats and transported into a magical enchanted Christmas forest, where the carols will also be heard.

The forest centrepiece is a 14ft Christmas tree, surrounded by snow drifts, snow dusted pine trees, Victorian lamp posts, and many more surprises – providing no end of festive backdrops for that ultimate Winter selfie!

After exiting the enchanted forest, guests will be welcomed to the food hall with wooden benches where festive refreshments, including food and drink, will be available to purchase. These include popcorn, candy floss, burgers, doughnuts, street food, hot chocolate, Christmas cocktails, and mulled wine.

Although indoors, visitors are encouraged to dress warm. Blankets will be provided, which will be donated to the city’s homeless community after the final screening.

Steven Matthews, organiser of The Magical Christmas Movie Experience, explained: “We’re delighted to once again bring The Magical Christmas Movie Experience to Manchester. Feedback last year was absolutely glowing – and we’re sure that the choice of fantastic festive films we have for 2019 will see everyone leave with a real festive warmth.

“Everything our visitors loved about last year’s event will be back – including the live choir, enchanted forest and elves. We want visitors to be transported into a Winter wonderland where they can forget about the stresses and pressures of the festive season, and simply sit back and enjoy quality time with family and friends.”

Tickets for all films start from £16.99.

LISTING INFORMATION

The Holiday

Thursday 5 December 2019 at 6pm

Love Actually

Thursday 5 December 2019 at 9pm

Friday 6 December 2019 at 9pm

Saturday 7 December 2019 at 9pm

Elf

Friday 6 December 2019 at 6pm

Saturday 7 December 2019 at 5.30pm

Home Alone

Saturday 7 December 2019 at 1.30pm

Santa Claus The Movie

Sunday 8 December 2019 at 2pm

For more details and to book visit www.magicalchristmasmovieexperience.com

Follow on Facebook /AMagicalChristmasMovieExperience

Richmond Theatre, Richmond – until Saturday 16 November 2019

Reviewed by Riley Anderson

4****

From Paris to Peckham, Jeremy Sams (translator and adapter) had deftly adapted the original french play Le Prénom into a wonderfully colloquial British comedy drama. Set in Peter (Bo Poraj) and Elizabeth’s (Laura Patch) stylish Peckham home, South East London, we are instantly welcomed as spectators to delight in 90 minutes of riotous comedy drama with characters that may seem all too familiar.

Vincent (Joe Thomas) is the cocksure provocateur, who initiates the drama by announcing that he and his wife Anna (Summer Strallen) are going to call their unborn son Adolf, or more precisely Adolphe. What begins as an intellectual debate as to why they cannot name their son after the ‘Führer’ soon spirals into a hysterically chaotic dinner party in which, more than couscous and tagine get spilt.

Amidst the mayhem, Carl (Alex Gaumond) is often more in the know than the other characters, and is probably the only character who enjoys the meal and takes a great deal of pleasure in watching the drama unfold, chipping in with the occasional hilarious one-liner. That is until the spotlight turns to him and his modesty is confronted by Vincents flamboyance, it makes for a highly entertaining sparring match, and the features of Joe Thomas, with which we have become so accustomed, work wonderfully for the character.

The combination of the ego pricking and pace of the piece really make for the comedy, and the cast didn’t let the ball drop, especially in the second half, when most of the reveals take place. The drama ultimately resolves itself with Elizabeth (Laura Patch), who after endlessly running around, getting the meal prepared, putting the kids to bed, puts everyone in their place with a monologue that I’m sure many wives and mothers would relish the opportunity to deliver

Darlington Hippodrome – until 16 November 2019

5*****
One of the newer and lesser known Kander and Ebb productions, Curtains, opened in Darlington this week as part of its UK tour – with a Christmas residency announced for the Wyndhams theatre in London’s West End.

An absolute delight of a show, Curtains is good old fashioned entertainment at its best.

Based on the original book and concept of the same name by Peter Stone, the musical is a send-up of backstage murder mystery plots.  Set in 1959 Boston – it follows the fallout when Jessica Cranshaw, the incredibly untalented star of Robbin’ Hood of the Old West is murdered during her opening night curtain call. It is up to Lt. Frank Cioffi, a police detective who moonlights as a musical theater fan to save the show, solve the case

Jason Manford is fabulous as Lt. Cioffi, not only solving the murders but reworking and directing Robbin’ Hood too.  Manford maybe the “star” of the show but it is very much an ensemble piece and whilst he can sing and dance with the rest of them he doesn’t outshine anyone.

Carmen Bernstein (Rebecca Lock) commands the stage with her incredible voice, her solo It’s a Business and she has some fabulous put downs for her husband Oscar (Martin Callaghan), daughter Bambi (Emma Caffrey) and employees.  Samuel Holmes is excellent as Director, Christopher Belling. His upper class British accent hides the wonderful sarcasm that drips from his mouth like diamonds. It’s just a shame he doesn’t get a solo, although he has some fabulously funny moments – like when he accidentally admits to being the murderer because he likes to take credit for everything.

Song-writing duo Georgia Hendricks (Carley Stenson) and Aaron Fox (Andy Coxon) are so sweet as a divorced couple thrown back together again.  Both still in love with the other but too scared to let them know.

Leah Barbara West is Niki Harris, Cioffi’s love interest, who keeps finding clues to the murderer with the running gag that her finger prints are now on the evidence.

The live band (Alex Beetschen, Matthew Spalding, Katie Punter, Helen Blamey, Eikel Hernadez, Zeb Tonkin, Sam Ainslie, Nicholas Breakspear and Damien Fisher) are an integral part of the show, playing the fabulous score and moving on the plot of the play within a play.  And Alistair David’s choreography is outstanding. I loved David Woodhead set – from the moment I entered the theatre I was instantly transported back to an age of limelight’s and plush red velvet curtains.

Full of red herrings, marvellous music, divine dancing, stunning singing and laugh out loud funny, Curtains is a not just a musical whodunit it’s one of the best nights out I’ve had in a long time.  And while they may hate the critics in What Kind of Man?  This woman loved the show – long may it continue

LAST CHANCE TO SEE

TOBY STEPHENS, CLAIRE SKINNER AND PATRICIA HODGE IN

FINAL THREE WEEKS – UNTIL 30 NOVEMBER 

Also starring

STORME TOOLIS, CLARENCE SMITH & LUCY EATON

Directed by SIMON EVANS

TRAFALGAR STUDIOS

West End audiences have until 30 November to see the brilliant acting trilogy of Toby Stephens (Oslo, Lost In Space), Claire Skinner (Outnumbered, The Father) and Oliver Award winning Patricia Hodge (Miranda) in Simon Evans’ critically acclaimed production of Peter Nichols’ masterpiece A Day In The Death Of Joe Egg at Trafalgar Studios.

The strictly limited season of Nichols’ applauded bitter sweet comedy has audiences and critics raving alike. The five star “Celebrated tragi-comic masterpiece” (The Arts Desk) has been breaking audiences hearts while being hailed as “Pin-sharp. Heartbreaking and funny” (Evening Standard) and “Full of bravery” (Metro) and is not to be missed.  A Day In The Death Of Joe Egg focusses on two parents, Toby Stephens (“Excellent” The Guardian) and Claire Skinner (“Striking” The Times), and the issues they face raising a disabled daughter in the 1960s. Patricia Hodge gives “A killer cameo” (Evening Standard) and Storme Toolis in the title role is “without question the living, beating heart at the centre” (The New European) and “the inscrutable emotional core” (Daily Mail) of this classic play. This remarkable story challenges all our assumptions on the limits of love and the power of family.

Inspired by Nichols’ own experience, Joe Egg was one of the ground-breaking plays of its generation and the issues faced by two parents in this bittersweet comedy still resonate with audiences today, breaking your heart one minute and filling it with warmth the next.  Now this startlingly funny and celebrated play only has three weeks left on the West End and will close on Saturday 30 November.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Performances: Monday – Saturday at 7:30pm, Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2:30pm
Box Office: www.atgtickets.com/trafalgarstudios / 0844 871 7632

Ticket Prices: From £25

Access performance dates to be confirmed

Website: www.JoeEggPlay.com 

SANDRA MARVIN AND KELLY AGBOWU WILL HOST THE NEXT

CAST ALBUM KARAOKE NIGHT ON 19 NOVEMBER

Waitress has announced its next Cast Album Karaoke Night will take place on 19 November, hosted by cast members Sandra Marvin who plays Becky and Kelly Agbowu who plays Nurse Norma. Audience members who want the opportunity to sing live on the West End stage just need to sign up before that evening’s show to be in with a chance to sing one minute of any song from the musical at the Adelphi, accompanied by the show’s musical director Katharine Woolley.

Waitress features an original score by 7-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave), who has recently been announced to join the West End cast as Jenna opposite Gavin Creel (The Book of Mormon, Hello Dolly!) as Dr Pomatter for a strictly limited six-week season from 27 January to 7 March 2020. Hannah Tointon (The Inbetweeners, Mr Selfridge, Hollyoaks), has also been also announced to join the company from 2 December in the role of Dawn. Joe Sugg (ThatcherJoe, Strictly 2018) who is currently appearing as Ogie, now enters his final weeks in the production and will mark his last performance on 30 November. Further casting will be announced in due course.

London’s brand-new smash hit musical comedy Waitresstells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams her way out of a loveless marriage. When a hot new doctor arrives in town, life gets complicated. With the support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna overcomes the challenges she faces and finds that laughter, love and friendship can provide the perfect recipe for happiness. 

Waitress celebrated its official opening night at the Adelphi Theatre on 7 March 2019 and the Tony-nominated musical is now booking to 28 March 2020.

Waitress currently stars Lucie Jones as Jenna, Joe Sugg as Ogie, Laura Baldwin as Dawn, Sandra Marvin as Becky, Tamlyn Henderson as Earl, David Hunter as Dr. Pomatter, Andrew Boyer as Old Joe and Stephen Leask as Cal and Kelly Agbowu as Nurse Norma.

The full company includes Kelly Agbowu, Laura Baldwin, Piers Bate, Cindy Belliot, Andrew Boyer, Michael Hamway, Tamlyn Henderson, David Hunter, Lucie Jones, Stephen Leask, Chris McGuigan, Sandra Marvin, Olivia Moore, Nathaniel Morrison, Sarah O’Connor, Leanne Pinder, Charlotte Riby, Joe Sugg and Mark Willshire.

Brought to life by a ground breaking, female-led creative team, Waitress features an original score by Sara Bareilles, a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland) and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The production recently toured across the US and Canada and has announced an Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre with further productions to open in Holland next year and Japan in 2021.

On its Broadway opening at the Brooks Atkinson Theater where it has since become the  longest running show in the venue’s history, Waitress was nominated for four Outer Critics’ Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical; two Drama League Award Nominations, including Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical; six Drama Desk Nominations, including Outstanding Musical; and four Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical.

Theatre industry comes together to inspire young people about offstage jobs at biggest ever TheatreCraft

The UK theatre industry came together yesterday (Monday 11 November) for the 14th annual TheatreCraft, the largest free offstage theatre careers event for 16 to 30-year-olds. Hosted by the Royal Opera House, over 1,300 young people attended – making it the biggest ever TheatreCraft – with more than 85 industry professionals running nearly 60 workshops, talks and backstage tours.

Sessions ranged from tips on producing, writing, directing and marketing, to insights into technical theatre, armoury, scenic art, video design and costume, as well as expert advice on networking and getting a foot on the ladder of an arts career. The Royal Opera House offered tours and insight into its different backstage departments, and the nearby Lyceum, Novello and Cambridge theatres also hosted sessions.

A ‘careers marketplace’ in the Royal Opera House’s Paul Hamlyn Hall featured stalls from over 60 top theatre organisations and arts education providers, including the National Theatre, RADA, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Delfont Mackintosh, LW Theatres, Ambassadors Theatre Group and the Lir National Academy of Dramatic Art at Trinity College Dublin.

The day culminated in a special Ambassadors Panel with leading Artistic Directors Yamin Choudury (Hackney Empire), Michelle Terry (Shakespeare’s Globe) and Matthew Xia (Actors Touring Company), who were interviewed by members of Mousetrap Theatre Projects’ Youth Forum and discussed the question ‘why choose a career in theatre?’. The Ambassadors opened the floor to the young audience for questions, challenging them to rewrite the rules and not be afraid to fail or change their minds as they find their feet in the industry.

TheatreCraft aims to inspire a new generation of offstage talent from all backgrounds, ensuring the UK’s theatre industry remains world-leading. The event, organised in partnership with the Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust, the Royal Opera House, the Society of London Theatre and Mousetrap Theatre Projects, is one of several the theatre sector is involved in, as part of a drive to encourage new workforce talent for the country’s fast-growing creative industries.

www.theatrecraft.org | @TheatreCraft | #TheatreCraft19