Month: March 2020

Richmond Theatre – Sunday 8 March 2020

Reviewed by Carly Burlinge

4.5 ****

Madama Butterfly is written by Puccini and directed by Ellen Kent.

When Lieutenant Pinkerton (Georgio Meladze) wants to marry Cio-Cio San (Elena Dee) a Japanese girl in which he sees as a short lived experience more lust than love. He wants her to put aside her fears in order to become his wife. She sees it very differently and is very much in love with him and quickly puts all her trust into him and the marriage. Putting her Japanese traditions and religion aside in order to take on his American traditions and make him feel happy and to fulfill their relationship. In her eyes it is true love and destined to last forever. But when her family find out they disown her for her choice to marry an American and give up the families beliefs leaving Madama Butterfly disowned but happy to be with the one she truly loves.  He stands his ground by telling her that their words are not worth any tears from her beautiful eyes. She is so besotted and feels that her rejection is soothed from her husbands love.

But when her husband leaves promising to return a year later. Three years pass by and still  she remains hopeful that their love is pure and he will return to her. Sharpless (Iurie Gisca) Lieutenant Pinkerton’s friend an American consul who is very knowledgeable about Japanese tradition tries to warn him from the beginning that this may be a dangerous game in which he is playing with Cio-Cio San (Elena Dee) and can only end in tragedy and with many consequences to follow.

Madama Butterfly (Elena Dee) is amazing to watch as she glides across the stage so elegantly in traditional Japanese costume. Her voice was beautiful to listen to as she carried it across the room with such emotion and feeling, captivating the audience throughout the show .

Mr Pinkerton (Georgio Meladze) also gave a strong and commanding performance with a very  powerful voice together making  them have a exceptional connection on stage also with a very emotional powerful bond in acting as well as through song.

The set was beautiful and very colourful and done to a high standard. It had a traditional Japanese home with sliding doors that overlooked a beautiful garden with many bright flowers, ferns, rockery, lanterns as well as working water features. The greenery went across and around the upper stage alongside a bright blue sky making it a very detailed but such a beautiful set.

The orchestra were absolutely incredible  throughout what beautifully played music from such talents,  giving the show greats depths throughout, especially for some of the more dramatic scenes. The sound was just superb.

Madama Butterfly was an outstanding Opera to watch, such an enjoyable night out and one that is not to be missed.

ON YOUR FEET! CONGAS INTO LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

ON YOUR FEET! the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan congas into Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 23 to Saturday 28 April 2020.

Telling the inspiring true love story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, ON YOUR FEET! charts their journey; from its origins in Cuba, to the streets of Miami and finally to international superstardom. It features some of the most iconic pops songs of the era, including Rhythm is Gonna Get You, Conga, Get On Your Feet, Don’t Want To Lose You Now and 1-2-3.

Directed by two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), with choreography by Olivier Award-winner Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys) and book by Academy Award® winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), ON YOUR FEET! will star Philippa Stefani (Rent, In The Heights) as Gloria and George Ioannides (Annie, Mamma Mia, An officer and a Gentleman) as Emilio.

Gloria Estefan has sold over 100 million records worldwide and is the most successful Latin crossover performer in the history of pop music. In addition to her 38 number 1 hits across the Billboard charts, Gloria recorded the Oscar-nominated song Music of My Heart and has received numerous honours and awards over the course of her illustrious career. Emilio Estefan is a founding member of the pioneering Miami Sound Machine, who created a brand new Latin crossover sound, fusing infectious Cuban rhythms with American pop and disco. Combined, they have won a staggering 26 Grammy awards.

The Tony Award® nominated show ran on Broadway for two years, playing for over 750 performances; it is currently on a two-year US tour.

On Your Feet! is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 23 to Saturday 28 April 2020

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700

New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme present a spectacular new adaptation of

Beauty and the Beast

Adapted and directed by Theresa Heskins from the original novels by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and Marie le Prince de Beaumont

Dates: Sat 21 November 2020 – Sat 30 January 2021

Venue: New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme

New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme

STAFFORDSHIRE’S NEW VIC THEATRE SET TO ENCHANT AUDIENCES WITH NEW ADAPTATION OF ORIGINAL

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST STORY THIS CHRISTMAS

A spectacular retelling of the original, much-loved fairytale Beauty and the Beast will take centre-stage at Staffordshire’s New Vic for Christmas 2020, the theatre-in-the-round announced today.

New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins (Olivier-nominated The Worst Witch; The Snow Queen, UK Theatre Award Best Show for Children and Young People) will return to the original versions by  Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve and Marie le Perince de Beaumont of the Beauty and the Beast story for her latest Christmas adaptation, which will take to the stage from 21 November 2020 till the 30 January 2021.

Reuniting the creative team from the New Vic’s spectacular productions of the UK Theatre award-winning The Snow Queen, and last year’s The Prince and The Pauper, Heskins’ direction will combine enchanting storytelling with music, humour and her trademark theatrical invention to breathe new life into this well-known tale.

When she is given a beautiful flower from the garden of a stranger, her family unwittingly doom Bella to imprisonment in a castle with a Beast. Bella believes she is there to clean; her sisters believe she’s about to be eaten. When she meets the Beast, what will happen…?

A story about what happens when first impressions are not all they seem, and love and kindness have the power to change the world, this beloved fable has been inspiring young and old for generations.

Artistic Director Theresa Heskins said: “Bringing new life to these classic stories is absolutely what we’re about at the New Vic.  I enjoyed discovering the original version of Beauty and the Beast to create this new version for our in-the-round stage. It’s a story about kindness; about love; about not judging people based on outward appearances: themes that feel apt for this time. And it’s about magic, which is exciting to me as a director.”

Beauty and the Beast takes to the stage at the New Vic from Saturday 21 November 2020 to Saturday 30 January 2021. Tickets go on sale from the theatre on Monday 16 March. For more details, visit newvictheatre.org.uk

Tyne Theatre and Opera House, Newcastle – 4 March 2020

Reviewed by Hayley Thompson

4****

The Russian State Opera’s version of Aida, an Italian opera is something I don’t usually go to the theatre to see. However the amazing vocals, set and the emotion that is presented throughout this production may have pushed me to become an opera fan.

The older ladies and gentlemen of the audience knew how to respect this production as soon as the lights dimmed which was so relieving and fascinating to see. This love story certainly keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I must admit I did struggle at first due to the language and having to take my eyes away from the cast to read the subtitles but after a while the subtitles seem unnecessary due to being pulled into the story. This is a huge thanks to the cast.

This production begins with the live orchestra giving us a taste of what they are about to bring to us. If you are into your music you will definitely appreciate this moment. The show then reveals the set which is so detailed and impressive. The actors vocals are outstanding and the expression they give is phenomenal which is key for us to understand the wonderful story

THE OLIVIER AWARD NOMINATED

MUSICAL TO EMBARK ON UK TOUR

Jonathan Church and Andrew Wright to lead the creative team

Tour follows London season at Sadler’s Wells this summer

Michael Harrison and Jonathan Church are today delighted to announce that Chichester Festival Theatre’s Olivier Award-nominated production of Singin’ in the Rain will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour in 2021, following a strictly limited five-week season at Sadler’s Wells this Summer. Singin In The Rain opens at Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury on Thursday 21 January 2021.

Singin’ in the Rain also reunites the original director Jonathan Church with choreographer Andrew Wright.

This production of Singin’ in the Rain opened at Chichester Festival Theatre and extended due to unprecedented public demand, before a transfer to London which received huge critical acclaim and four Olivier Award nominations.

It played to more than 750,000 people…. some leaving the theatre a little wetter than when they arrived! In fact the iconic rain scenes:

• Use 6k litres of water, equivalent to 5 tonnes (here’s a list of things which also weigh 5 tonnes: 2 Rhinos, 11 Grand Pianos or 30 Panda Bears!)
• Uses over 100 metres of heavy duty rubber hose
• Takes 15 minutes to drain. Afterwards it is recovered, it is then re-cycled, cleaned and used again
• Heats the water to 37 degrees for performer comfort!

Singin’ in the Rain features songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, including Make ‘em Laugh, Good Morning, Moses Supposes and Singin’ in the Rain. Original screenplay and adaptations are by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Reuniting the original Chichester production team, Singin’ in the Rain will be directed by Jonathan Church, with Olivier Award-nominated choreography by Andrew Wright. The production is designed by Simon Higlett, with lighting by Tim Mitchell.

The stage production of Singin’ in the Rain is based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, regularly voted the most popular film musical of all time.

After Sadler’s Wells, Singin’ in the Rain will return to Japan. This will be the third season the production has played in the country. Singin’ in the Rain will play in Tokyo, from the end of September 2020, ahead of the UK tour.

Michael Harrison Entertainment and Jonathan Church Productions present the Chichester Festival Theatre and Stage Entertainment Production of Singin’ in the Rain.

CATEGORY IS…ROMEO & JULIET

AN IMMERSIVE BALLROOM RETELLING

OF SHAKESPEARE’S GREATEST HIT

PLAYING AT COLAB FACTORY FROM 22 APRIL

BRING IT TO THE RUNWAY:

SHAKESPEAREAN REALNESS SASHAYS INTO LONDON

TuckShop – the UK’s only specialist production company devoted all things drag, and the team behind sell-out hit Cinderella, the UK’s first ever all drag pantomime in the West End, and nationwide sensation Gals Aloud with Cheryl Hole – alongside Colab Theatre Productions and Ameena Hamid Productions, will break new ground with a brand new immersive production at Colab Factory this spring.

CATEGORY IS…ROMEO&JULIET will transport audiences to 1980s New York City and to the heart of queer ballroom culture – recently highlighted to a new generation by FX’s hit TV show Pose, and seminal 1991 documentary Paris is Burning.

New York in the1980’s: we see the legendary rivalry of the House of Montague and House of Capulet play out with intense vogue battles, outrageous dance moves, over-the-top outfits, and a hell of a lot of heart. Audiences will join the Houses inside the Ballroom where they will be surrounded by the action the glamour, and Shakespeare’s iconic words.

Producer Chris Clegg said, “This is a project very dear to my heart, and we cannot wait to bring it to life with Omar at the helm, and a beautiful cast of queer, trans, non binary and LGBTQ+ performers! It’s going to unlike anything you’ve seen before! Plus, it’s the fabulous 80’s, so dress to impress, as you never know when you might be called to walk the runway yourself…”

Directed / staged by Omar F Okai, (Co Director/Founder of the Black British Theatre Awards and Artistic Director of the Okai Collier Co, and a freelance director/choreographer with West End leading actor credits including Five Guys Named Moe)  – and with a cast of LGBTQIA+ performers, drag queens, actors, and dancers from all ends of the gender spectrum, CATEGORY IS…ROMEO & JULIET will open on Wednesday 22 April and play until Sunday 14 June.

Open auditions will be held on Saturday 21 March at The Urdang Academy 2, 259 Goswell Road, EC1M 7AH, with registration from 11.00am. The producers are looking for the hottest and most diverse talent from across the sexuality and gender spectrum, as well as BAME performers.

Omar F Okai said, “we are SO excited to see what fabulous talent is out there – bring your headshot, CV, a short monologue, and plenty of sass…”

Registration is from 11.00am, but for any advance queries, please email [email protected] 

The COLAB Factory is the first dedicated immersive venue to open in London, hosting over 20 productions since its opening three years ago, including the critically acclaimed Immersive Great Gatsby, For King and Country and the original Crooks, which continues its run in the newly developed COLAB Tavern in Elephant and Castle.

CATEGORY IS…ROMEO & JULIET is produced by TuckShop UK with Colab Theatre Productions in association with Ameena Hamid Productions. Further casting and creative team to be confirmed.

THE OLIVIER NOMINATED PRODUCTION OF

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN

STORMS INTO BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME

Michael Harrison and Jonathan Church are today delighted to announce that Chichester Festival Theatre’s Olivier Award-nominated production of Singin’ in the Rain will come to Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 6 – Saturday 10 April 2021. Tickets will go on sale this spring with an exclusive booking period for Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and Patron scheme members.

Singin’ in the Rain also reunites the original director Jonathan Church with choreographer Andrew Wright. This production of Singin’ in the Rain opened at Chichester Festival Theatre and extended due to unprecedented public demand, before a transfer to London which received huge critical acclaim and four Olivier Award nominations.

It played to more than 750,000 people…. some leaving the theatre a little wetter than when they arrived! In fact the iconic rain scenes:

• Use 6k litres of water, equivalent to 5 tonnes (here’s a list of things which also weigh 5 tonnes: 2 Rhinos, 11 Grand Pianos or 30 Panda Bears!)

• Uses over 100 metres of heavy duty rubber hose

• Takes 15 minutes to drain. Afterwards it is recovered, it is then re-cycled, cleaned and
   used again

• Heats the water to 37 degrees for performer comfort

Singin’ in the Rain features songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, including Make ‘em Laugh, Good Morning, Moses Supposes and Singin’ in the Rain. Original screenplay and adaptations are by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Reuniting the original Chichester production team, Singin’ in the Rain will be directed by Jonathan Church, with Olivier Award-nominated choreography by Andrew Wright. The production is designed by Simon Higlett, with lighting by Tim Mitchell.

The stage production of Singin’ in the Rain is based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, regularly voted the most popular film musical of all time.

Singin’ in the Rain will come to Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 6 – Saturday 10 April 2021. Tickets will go on sale this spring with an exclusive booking period for Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and Patron scheme members. Visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge) for more information.

BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE SEASON LAUNCH
PLAYFUL, POPULAR, PIONEERING
 

• SEAN FOLEY ANNOUNCES FIRST FULL SEASON AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE
   
• WITH A COMMITMENT TO REVITALISING THE REP, FOLEY’S PROGRAMME FOCUSES ON A MAJOR RE-INVESTMENT IN MAKING NEW WORK, RECLAIMING POPULAR THEATRE AND REPRESENTING THE CITY IN ALL ITS DIVERSITY
   
• TANIKA GUPTA IS NAMED AS LITERARY ASSOCIATE, WHILE PIPPA AILION BECOMES THE REP’S CASTING ASSOCIATE. MADELEINE KLUDJE BECOMES ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
   
• THE McONIE COMPANY AND TOLD BY AN IDIOT ARE ANNOUNCED AS ASSOCIATE COMPANIES
   
• LOLITA CHAKRABARTI, TYRONE HUGGINS, MEERA SYAL, IQBAL KHAN, RICHARD THOMAS, SELINA THOMPSON, DEBBIE ISITT, LORNA LAIDLAW, AND MOHAMMED ALI ARE ANNOUNCED AS ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES. ALL ARE BIRMINGHAM/WEST MIDLANDS BORN AND BRED ARTISTS AND/OR ARE BASED IN THE CITY
   
• SIR HOWARD PANTER IS ANNOUNCED AS THE NEW CHAIR OF BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE
   
• SEAN FOLEY WILL DIRECT THE UK PREMIERE OF THE HIT BROADWAY MUSICAL COMEDY SOMETHING ROTTEN
   
• THE STUDIO WILL BECOME A HOME FOR AMBITIOUS NEW PLAYS AND CONTEMPORARY CLASSICS, LAUNCHING WITH THE WORLD PREMIERE OF A NEW PLAY BY LOLITA CHAKRABARTI, CALMER, A CO-PRODUCTION WITH THE BELGRADE THEATRE, COVENTRY. DIRECTED BY ADRIAN LESTER MAKING HIS DIRECTORIAL DEBUT
   
• BREAKFAST ON PLUTO, A NEW MUSICAL ADAPTATION OF PATRICK McCABE’S NOVEL, WILL MAKE ITS UK PREMIERE AT THE REP, FOLLOWING ITS WORLD PREMIERE IN GALWAY AS A CO-PRODUCTION WITH LANDMARK PRODUCTIONS AND GALWAY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL. AFTER BIRMINGHAM THE PRODUCTION WILL TRANSFER TO THE DONMAR WAREHOUSE
   
• KATHERINE CHANDLER, GURPREET KAUR BHATTI, CASEY BAILEY, TANIKA GUPTA, TERRY JOHNSON, ASIF KHAN, ANIL GUPTA AND RICHARD PINTO ALL UNDER COMMISSION TO WRITE NEW PLAYS
   
• BRIGHT PLACES BY RACHAEL MAINWARING, AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL PLAY ABOUT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, HAS ITS WORLD PREMIERE IN THE DOOR. DIRECTED BY FORMER BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR TESSA WALKER
   
• TWO SEASONAL CLASSICS MADE IN BIRMINGHAM RETURN TO THE REP: NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL PLAYS A CHRISTMAS SEASON, FOLLOWED BY THE SNOWMAN BASED ON THE BOOK BY RAYMOND BRIGGS WHICH COMES BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL HOME
   
• A BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE, BRISTOL OLD VIC, NORTHERN STAGE, ENGLISH TOURING THEATRE, ROYAL AND DERNGATE NORTHAMPTON, LYRIC HAMMERSMITH THEATRE AND OXFORD PLAYHOUSE CO-PRODUCTION OF GATSBY WILL BE DIRECTED BY MARIA ABERG
   

Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s Artistic Director, Sean Foley, alongside Executive Director, Rachael Thomas, and Deputy Artistic Director, Amit Sharma today announced their first full season of work for the theatre. Featuring a commitment to invest in making new work, the season combines comedies, new musicals, new drama and early career artists, in a way that is designed to reflect Birmingham in all its diversity whilst bringing the best of national and international theatre to the city, and creating work in Birmingham that plays nationally and internationally.

Sean Foley said: “I’m excited and honoured to be announcing my first season at Birmingham Repertory Theatre. The REP was the world’s first purpose-built repertory theatre, and has an unrivalled pioneering history in the UK theatre industry – I can only hope to build on its amazing legacy of developing national and international artists, debuting extraordinary new shows, and delivering great nights out for the people of Birmingham and the world.

My own background is in creating and performing in independent, devised, comic theatre, in international touring and European-style physical theatre – as well as more latterly directing comedies and musicals – I hope that The REP can become a home, not just for existing plays and the classic repertory, but for creating great new shows that come from every part of the theatrical and cultural spectrum … artistically ambitious popular theatre in all its forms. 

There is a palpable sense of civic and cultural renaissance in Birmingham which everyone involved in The REP is thrilled to be contributing to. I’m incredibly lucky to be arriving here at a time of such potential for the creative industries in the City. Equally, I’m fortunate to be joining an already extraordinary team of people at the theatre, as well as those who are, like me, new to The REP.  Rachael Thomas, Executive Director, Amit Sharma, Deputy Artistic Director, Sir Howard Panter, our new Chair, and all the other new appointments – together with all the writers, directors and artists in our first season – are thrilled to join those already here and be part of the challenge of creating a new chapter in The REP’s history.”

Sir Howard Panter is announced today as the new Chair of Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Howard Panter said: “Under the fresh leadership of Sean Foley and Rachael Thomas, this is a very exciting time for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.  Birmingham is such an important international city with its unrivalled diversity and vibrant creative industries. I believe The REP is central to the flourishing of its cultural life – I’m honored to become the new Chair and look forward to working with such a great theatre.”

As part of a major re-investment in creating work, Birmingham Repertory Theatre announces a range of new Associates who will help revitalise the artistic life of the building. Tanika Gupta is appointed as the theatre’s first Literary Associate, Pippa Ailion becomes Casting Associate, and Madeleine Kludje, who joined the theatre through the RTYDS scheme, becomes Associate Director. A group of Artistic Associates, who will help inform and shape the development of new work – and also work directly with and at The REP – is also announced: Mohammed Ali, Lolita Chakrabarti, Tyrone Huggins, Debbie Isitt, Iqbal Khan, Lorna Laidlaw, Meera Syal, Richard Thomas and Selina Thompson will also be part of a wider group of artistic ambassadors for the theatre.

Two new Associate Companies to The REP are announced: Told by an Idiot and The McOnie Company.

Drew McOnie is a Birmingham born artist whose relationship with The REP began when he was cast as the Boy in the original production of The Snowman over 25 years ago. He has gone on to become an award-winning director and choreographer. The partnership will include major main house work, and new theatre-dance pieces across all 3 auditoria, as well as artist development for Birmingham-based dancers. Told by an Idiot, led by Birmingham born and bred Artistic Director Paul Hunter, has a history of creative collaboration with The REP. Following two co-productions, several touring shows, and working across all three spaces, the company now becomes an Associate Company. As well as developing new shows with The REP, the company will develop its unique and internationally recognised participation programme Taught by an Idiot for the city in partnership with The REP’s own nationally recognised Creative Learning offer.

As part of the commitment to new work Foley announced that new plays are under commission from a raft of writers including: Tanika Gupta, Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, Terry Johnson, Asif Khan, Anil Gupta and Richard Pinto, Katherine Chandler and Casey Bailey.

In his first show as Artistic Director, Sean Foley will direct the UK premiere of the hit Broadway musical comedy Something Rotten. Set in 1595, the show follows the hapless brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, who struggle to find success in the theatrical world as they compete with the wild popularity of their contemporary Shakespeare… desperate for success, they invent an entirely new theatrical form – the Musical! The show was nominated for ten Tony Awards.

Landmark Productions returns to The REP in the autumn with a new adaptation of Patrick McCabe’s uplifting coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the Troubles. Breakfast on Pluto will star Fra Fee in the role of Patrick/Pussy Braden and has been adapted by Bob Kelly and will feature music by Duke Special. It is a co-production with Landmark Productions and Galway International Festival, and is produced in association with the Donmar Warehouse.

Calmer, a new play by Lolita Chakrabarti, will receive its world premiere in The STUDIO in October. Directed by Adrian Lester, who will be making his directorial debut, it is a co-production with Belgrade Theatre Coventry. Bright Places sees local artist Rachael Mainwaring develop a shorter piece created through our nationally recognised artist development scheme, Foundry, into a world premiere new play in The DOOR. In a co-production between Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Northern Stage, English Touring Theatre, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and Oxford Playhouse, a new adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book entitled Gatsby will be directed by Maria Aberg.

Two seasonal favourites created by the theatre also return to The REP as NATIVITY! The Musical and The Snowman play back to back seasons in The HOUSE over the Christmas period.

Full programme information is listed below.

Priority booking for Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s Autumn and Winter 2020-21 season opens on Monday 9 March. General booking opens on Friday 13 March.
 

Bridgewater Hall, Manchester – Friday 6 March 2020

Reviewed by Sarah Cockerill

5*****

German singer Max Raabe greeted Manchester this weekend along with his 12 person entourage, together known as the Palast Orchestra.

Having never seen or heard of this wildly popular singer, at first his stage presence seemed wooden and disengaging, however, having soon realised that his style was actually perfectly choreographed, every nuance, gesture and glance had a purpose, so, before the second song had even finished I was transfixed. 

With plenty of one liner jokes between songs, the audience was just as entertained by Max’s wicked, dry sense of humour as they were by the world class musical talent. 

Every member of the orchestra was given a moment to shine, showing off their individuality and raw talent which was loved by the audience, confirmed by the loud cheers as each musician took a bow at the end of the evening.

The introduction of German sounds of the 1930 coupled with a handful of well know classic tunes, made famous by the likes of Hollywood’s Gene Kelly, made the night a perfect hit.

Both acts flew over, leaving us all wanting more. If you get chance to catch Max Raabe and the Palast Orchestra I would urge you to catch them. This is a guaranteed evening of feel good entertainment.

Blue Elephant Theatre – 4 March 2020

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

3.5 ***

The Blue Elephant’s Elefeet Dance Festival opens with Coalesce Dance Theatre’s exciting exploration and celebration of women. Sharing the stories and experiences of women’s groups in Manchester, Coalesce have devised an uplifting production encompassing the highs and lows of the female experience.

The company, Rachel Maffei and Fern Wareham (who also direct the piece), Jemma Stein, Rebecca Callow and Jenna Nathan, have a glorious sense of unity, with fantastic energy and sisterhood in the group routines, and a sense of sympathetic focus as they watch solo numbers from the side of the stage.

Richard Smithson’s score moves from the soothing soundscape of the seaside to driving high energy Bates seamlessly, matching the mood of each story being told. From the memories of a mother whose job opportunities were so limited in the 60s giving advice to her ambitious daughter to stories of love and being trapped in repetitive behaviours and relationships, the poetic, sparse language compliments the movement of the dancers as they convey more of the emotions of the storyteller than words can through the bold and sometimes hypnotic choreography. Some of the repeated movements representing lack of control and freedom make more and more impact throughout the show, with the company helping each other up and never letting each other fall. There is welcome humour in one section representing the importance of friendship and laughter.

Such powerful stories need powerful dancers, and the entire company are a joy to watch as they demonstrate the pain, joy and strength behind these women’s stories. An inspiring and emotional show.