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Festival Theatre, Malvern – until 19th November 2022

Reviewed Courie Amado Juneau

4.5 ****

Arguably the best known Marple, “The Mirror Crack’d” was first published by Christie in 1962 before finding a very admiring audience on the big screen when Angela Lansbury took on the title role in a truly star studded cast. Further small screen adaptations ensued (for BBC and ITV) each changing the original novel in subtle ways.

This new adaptation, by Rachel Wagstaff, makes much more dramatic changes to both the plot and the dramatis personae. For instance, in the original novel there were 3 children adopted and one of them was at the party. In this new adaptation both of those facts have changed! And the name of the first victim changed from Badcock to Lee, which took my attention away from the action on stage as I pondered this. Overall, though, the changes did make dramatic sense but purests who know the original well may balk at the liberties taken with the source material.

One thing that did not change was Miss Marple’s razor sharp sleuthing from her armchair and her busybody status. They even managed to weave in the old running joke regarding just what exactly an elderly spinster, member of the public, was doing at the scene of a crime interrogating witnesses – I enjoyed that. Susie Blake gave us everything we would expect (and more) from our lead character, regaling us with a very pleasing portrayal with believable sympathetic overtones and emotional gravitas – especially in the scene where she recounts her former lost love.

The play was almost a psychological drama and social commentary within the framework of the original novel introducing such a la mode topics as self harm, lesbianism, snobbery, nimbyism… The highlights for me were Marple and her friend, Dolly Bantry (played with an almost “I don’t believe it” air by Veronica Roberts), giving us some delicious on stage chat, especially when they went off piste i.e. discussing Dolly’s children or with Dolly reacting to “new fangled ideas”. Beautifully written drama, giving us warmth, humour and a genuinely warm chemistry beffiting their longstanding fictional friendship.

All the cast were wonderful but special mention must go to Chief Inspector Craddock, played with gusto by Oliver Boot. I particularly loved his exasperated asides to his medling “Aunt Jayne”.

The stylized direction from Philip Franks allowed Marple to be in the action (on stage) for every scene but it did at times feel like the suspects were lined up like pieces in a game of Cluedo! I really enjoyed seeing the testimony scenes re-enacted rather than just as a monologue, giving us a filmic quality which was welcome and pushed the action along nicely.

It is always a pleasure to see an old friend hit the stage and Christie never disappoints. This new adaptation is a fine night out which I thoroughly recommend. Glad rags on, strawberry daiquiri in hand and enjoy yourself heartily – elbow bumps not kisses perhaps… Go see this wonderful play, you won’t regret it!

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR
THE WAY OLD FRIENDS DO AT BIRMINGHAM REP

Birmingham Rep and James Seabright are delighted to announce the full cast for Ian Hallard’s brand new play, The Way Old Friends Do, which receives its world premiere at The Rep from 17 Feb – 4 Mar 2023.

Simultaneously tender and laugh-out-loud funny, this heartfelt story, written by and starring Ian Hallard (The Boys In The Band) is directed by Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Dracula, Doctor Who, The League of Gentlemen).

The cast includes Donna Berlin (Doctors) James Bradshaw (Endeavour), Sara Crowe (Olivier Award winner for Private Lives), Andrew Horton (Jupiter’s Legacy) and Rose Shalloo (Call The Midwife).

This wonderfully uplifting play also features the voices of two of the UK’s best-loved performers, Miriam Margolyes and Paul O’Grady.

In 1988, two school friends tentatively come out to one another: one as gay, the other – more shockingly – as an ABBA fan. Nearly thirty years later, a chance meeting sets them on a brand-new path and they decide to form the world’s first ABBA tribute band – in drag! But can their friendship survive the tribulations of a life on the road which includes platform boots, fake beards and a distractingly attractive stranger?

A story that will appeal to anyone who understands how it feels to be a fan: of ABBA or of anyone. 

Following its run at Birmingham Rep, The Way Old Friends Do will embark on a tour of the UK, which will include its London premiere at The Park Theatre.

The Way Old Friends Do, which receives its world premiere at The Rep from 17 Feb – 4 Mar 2023. To book tickets visit Birmingham-rep.co.uk, call 0121 236 4455 or visit the box office during opening hours.*

HELLOOOO, LONDON!

NEW COMEDY MUSICAL

MRS. DOUBTFIRE

TO OPEN IN THE WEST END IN MAY 2023

Introducing GABRIEL VICK as Daniel Hillard

Music and Lyrics by WAYNE KIRKPATRICK and KAREY KIRKPATRICK

Book by KAREY KIRKPATRICK and JOHN O’FARRELL

Helmed by legendary, Tony Award-winning director JERRY ZAKS

Performances begin at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre on 12 May 2023

Tickets go on sale today via www.mrsdoubtfiremusical.co.uk

(Tuesday 15 November, 2022) Producers Kevin McCollum and Jamie Wilson are thrilled to announce that new comedy musical Mrs. Doubtfire, based on the iconic movie, will open in the West End next Summer.

Having thrilled audiences at its UK premiere in Manchester earlier this year, the London production will begin performances at the newly refurbished Shaftesbury Theatre from Friday 12 May 2023, with a Press Night on Thursday 22 June. Tickets go on-sale today via www.mrsdoubtfiremusical.co.uk

A hilarious and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds, Mrs. Doubtfire is the musical comedy we need right now.

Out-of-work actor Daniel will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the ​alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives. As his new character takes on a life of its own, Mrs. Doubtfire teaches Daniel more than he bargained for about how to be a father.

Mrs. Doubtfire will introduce Gabriel Vick (Avenue Q) as Daniel Hillard.

Gabriel will be joined in the principal cast by Carla Dixon-Hernandez (Matilda the Musical) as Lydia Hillard, Cameron Blakely (The Addams Family) as Frank Hillard, Marcus Collins (Kinky Boots) as Andre, and Ian Talbot OBE (Hairspray, and Director of The Mousetrap) as Mr. Jolly.

Further cast include Joshua Dever, Samuel Wilson-Freeman, Maria Garrett, Kiera Haynes, Adam Lyons, Lisa Mathieson, Ellie Mitchell, Matt Overfield, Tom Scanlon, Vicki Lee Taylor and Rebecca Donnelly, Amy Everett and Paulo Teixeira.

The roles of Miranda Hillard, Stuart Dunmire, Janet Lundy, Wanda Sellner and the full cast are to be announced at a later date.

For cast & creative team information, please see www.mrsdoubtfiremusical.co.uk

Mrs. Doubtfire has been created by a transatlantic team of award-winning artists, with Original Music and Lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick, (the Tony Award-nominated team behind Something Rotten!, along with O’Farrell), a Book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, Direction by 4-time Tony winner Jerry Zaks (Hello, Dolly!), Choreography by Lorin Latarro (Waitress), and Music Supervision, Arrangements & Orchestrations by Ethan Popp (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical). Scenic design is by David Korins (Hamilton), Costume Design by Catherine Zuber (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), Lighting Design by Philip S. Rosenberg (Pretty Woman The Musical), Sound Design by Brian Ronan (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Hair Design by David Brian Brown (Frozen), Makeup & Prosthetics Design by Tommy Kurzman (The King and I), Casting by Stuart Burt (Cabaret) and Children’s Casting Director is Verity Naughton.

Mrs. Doubtfire is produced by Kevin McCollum and Jamie Wilson and is presented by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical.

For further information, please see www.mrsdoubtfiremusical.co.uk

The Victoria Theatre, Halifax – Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th November 2022

Reviewed by Sal E Marino 

5***** 

Rita, Sue and Bob Too has become a cult classic within the genre of ‘northern gritty drama’ and everyone of a certain age can quote word for word some of it’s golden lines.  Indeed, many audience members at the fabulous Victoria Theatre, Halifax, (where you always receive a warm Yorkshire welcome) couldn’t wait to hear some of those ionic phrases and were shouting them out and cheering loudly when the very talented acting crew delivered them!    Screen-to-stage adaptations (albeit Rita, Sue and Bob Too was performed on the stage before the popular film version) don’t always work as well, especially one where by the film is loved so much as the expectations are almost too high to level up to but, I have to say, I enjoyed Andrew Ashley’s (Artistic director) and Andy Fretwell’s (Managing Director) Rita, Sue and Bob Too more than the film!  Why – because I feel, after researching the writer, Andrea Dunbar, and being lucky enough to see ‘Black Teeth and a Brilliant Smile‘ (a magnificent play about the trials and tribulations of Andrea’s short and bitter-sweet life) that Ashley and Fretwell have done her justice and fulfilled her wishes of how she wanted the play to be and that’s very different to the film’s ending.  For me, the uncomfortable elephant in the room that permeates throughout the film has finally been resolved.  We all booed Bob at The Victoria, we didn’t laugh along with him or find him funny in anyway.  And yet, there was no anger, the play did NOT lose any humour at all, it was hilarious, just different – but in a good and better way.  

It’s a very raw, harsh but strangely touching piece of popular theatre that encapsulates the mood of the 1980s –  Thatcher’s Britain, when a generation of men realised that their jobs-for-life, especially in certain northern industries, were now gone and ‘they’ were no longer needed – obsolete – they didn’t fit into the new corporate, financial world.  So what happened to some of them such as on those on the Buttershaw estate, Bradford, where Sue and Rita lived – unfortunately drink, depression and a vicious cycle of poverty and abuse of various kinds.  Pretty grim – so it’s amazing how this play, with all it’s dark sides can evoke such laughter, that in the face of such adversity we can chuckle along at the dialogue.

Beginning with the scene on the moors, where sleazy Bob played by Dale Vaughan, (this play is Dale’s professional debut and in my view he nailed it – spot on!) first seduces Rita and Sue really sets the play’s narrative and  different tone –  it’s  uncomfortable – it’s not how I remember it in the film  probably because I’m now a grown up – with a child just a bit younger than Rita and Sue and I didn’t laugh – I cringed a great deal!  Both Emma Hooker (Rita) and Polly Lovegrove (Sue) were so believable in their roles as these two teenagers who sadly had no hopes or dreams and no aspirations other than to live in a house that has space, quiet, no screaming and shouting and if that involves being with a slime-ball older man like Bob (who would inevitably cheat on them too like he was with them), then that wasn’t a problem because they wanted to be Michelle because she has nice clothes and nice things. The way this came out on stage highlighted the girls’ vulnerability, young age, lack of: guidance, care and nurturing love the film doesn’t bring in my opinion.  Thankfully, the behaviour of that such as Bob has started to be exposed now and people won’t turn a blind-eye anymore if they’re aware, we’ve just got the monster of the media to tackle to ensure that our young girls and women can find inspiring role models and mentors who dis-encourage the sexualisation of young females today.  That aside, the action and pace of the play just flowed as the multi-media backdrop clips of news and events of 80s flashed up on stage.  We were reminded of the wave of the times – protests, riots, anger, disease, despair along with greed and ‘loadsa money’ … which made one reflect about those issues and their relevance today. 

Another actors professional debut is that of Andrew Ashley, who plays ‘Dad’ and the only word for his performance is ‘professional’.  From the look, the walk, the line delivery – the whole essence of the character he was portraying, Ashley had this down to a tee!  He stole the show, burnt it up – I could have watched a drama of just him arguing and sparing with ‘Mum’, Alison Gibson (yet another professional debut who was equal to Andrew Ashley’s Dad in every way).  These two – Mum and Dad – were comedy gold, like Jim Royal and his long suffering wife except with an edge – the swearing, the insults and threats weren’t solved by having a chocolate digestive and a brew – more like a bottle of vodka to knock them out of their depressing reality.  

One character very different from the film version was Michelle played by Charlotte Spowage (another long suffering wife) and I’m so glad she was!  You like Michelle in this play, really feel for her and she delivered a line that I won’t repeat here but had the whole theatre cheering and willing her on to leave creepy Bob. Another refreshing difference from the film was George North playing ‘Sam’ who stood in the balcony shouting some iconic lines with a pumped up attitude and look of the time.  

This play and whole production has the heart the size of Yorkshire – big, warm and it keeps beating and going even times are tough! A wonderful tribute to Andrea Dunbar – it’s a blast, you’ll love it! 

Theatre Royal Bath Productions, by arrangement with

Paul Blake and BFI Productions, presents

The New COLE PORTER Musical

ROMAN HOLIDAY

U.K. Premiere of a new stage adaptation of the Academy Award-winning movie

To open at THEATRE ROYAL BATH from June 2023

Adapted for the stage by KIRSTEN GUENTHER and PAUL BLAKE

Directed by JEREMY SAMS

Monday 14 November 2022: Theatre Royal Bath Productions, by arrangement with Paul Blake and BFI Productions, is delighted to present the U.K. premiere of a brand new stage adaptation of Roman Holiday, the multi Academy Award winning movie comedy which made a worldwide star of Audrey Hepburn.

Now transformed into a glittering stage musical and featuring the unforgettable music of Cole Porter including Easy To Love, You Do Something To Me, In The Still Of The Night, Just One Of Those Things and Night and Day, the beloved movie has been adapted by Kirsten Guenther and Paul Blake, who co-wrote the stage version of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

Winning multiple Academy Awards when first released 70 years ago, Roman Holiday follows a youthful princess and an American journalist on a frenetic 24-hour adventure through the delights of the Italian capital.

Ann, a young princess visiting Rome on a goodwill tour, escapes from the watchful eye of her chaperone. She meets Joe who offers to show her around the city, but Joe’s editor has demanded a story regarding a missing princess. Through the course of one charming day and eventful night in Rome, Ann and Joe grow closer, but will true romance blossom before Ann has to return to her royal duties…?

Roman Holiday is directed by double Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Jeremy Sams, whose directing credits include Noises Off in the West End and Jason Robert Brown’s 13. He also wrote the script for the West End production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and translated the award-nominated Amour on Broadway.

Cast and further creative team will be announced in due course.

Pleasance Theatre – until 26 November, then on tour around UK until April 2023

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Awkward Productions hit the jackpot again with this hilarious, irreverent but affectionate show that gives Princess Di the chance to tell her own story.

The magnificent Linus Karp’s drag version of Diana is coy, self-deprecating and ridiculously funny, forever declaring that there were 3 “of us” in every situation and flinging themselves to the floor whenever she is overcome with emotion. Fresh from hanging out with Captain Sir Tom Moore in heaven, Di comes to the Pleasance to share her life story, beginning at her conception, with her adoring fans. A low-tech video display and a few props are all Karp and Joseph Martin need to suck everyone into this conceit within moments. Audience members are roped in to perform in minor roles, from Di’s parents to a landmine and the Queen’s corgi, reading their lines on the big screen – and invariably ending with a gushing giggle worthy tribute to Diana’s selflessness and humanity.

Geri Allen’s wonderfully dotty and vindictive version of QE2 makes Lewis Carroll’s Queen of Hearts seem forgiving recorded segments manipulated cleverly for live interactions. Charles is a cardboard cut-out voiced by Joseph Martin – the 2020s version aged down by a very subtle hairpiece! Of course, even as their whirlwind courtship occurs, there are mysterious phone calls from a demonic voice – and when Camilla first appears on stage you think it can’t get any sillier, but Joseph Martin whirls and manipulates the giant puppet as if he is auditioning for The Exorcist. While Karp’s Di hovers around Charles waiting for a kiss, CamCam launches herself at him like a wolverine on heat – brilliantly daft and cleverly cementing Di’s image of herself as a tortured saint amidst the royal horror show.

We see the wedding – Karp’s dress will make you howl before he even speaks – the births of the heir and the spare, and Di’s decision to leave Charles – complete with the revenge dress. Then Di decides to take a trip to Paris… This being Di’s version, we see how she would have continued to be a champion and ally of queer culture in a heart-warming section that brought the biggest cheers of the night from the audience, and God herself (Zina Badran) turns up to fangirl over Diana before Diana retires in triumph to the bar upstairs where you can meet her and buy her merch.

A fantastically funny and near the knuckle show that celebrates the life of a queer icon in the queerest way possible. Grab a ticket for the only royal tour worth seeing.

Tour dates

8 – 19 Nov The Pleasance Theatre, London

23 – 24 Nov Arts at the Old Fire Station, Oxford

1 – 4 Dec Alma Tavern and Theatre, Bristol

3 – 4 Feb Theatre @41, York

10 – 11 Feb Nonsuch Studios, Nottingham

15 – 18 Feb Town & Gown, Cambridge

24 – 25 Feb Old Joint Stock, Birmingham

28 Feb – 1 Mar Old Gym Theatre, Acting Coach Scotland, Glasgow

2 – 4 Mar The Brewers, Manchester

16 Mar The Acorn, Penzance

25 Mar Lighthouse, Poole

31 Mar – 1 Apr Accidental Theatre, Belfast

1 Apr Digital livestream at accidentaltheatre.co.uk/live

6 Apr Two Brewers, London

7 Apr The Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield – 11th November 2022

Reviewed by Sophie Dodworth

4****

Following twelve years as an Edinburgh Festival favourite musical, Showstopper stops off at the Sheffield Lyceum for one night only. Showstopper has had a critically acclaimed West End run and now can also add an Olivier Award to their name!

The performance is totally improvised and unique, what a different experience for theatre fans this is! It is quite astonishing and you are left wondering how on earth they have managed to do this so seamlessly, have they someone undercover in the audience so they can manipulate it? But this can’t be as someone would surely notice, right?

How it works is that the Director, Sean McCann (who acts as a little bit of a narrator also) is in control of directing the audience as his writing group, so approaches the auditorium for ideas. The ideas requested at the beginning are: to name a place the musical can be set, and a musical style (as in, previously seen musicals) Our audience selected Elon Musks office and four musicals that the show would work through. The ideas are all written on a chalk board so you can keep reference, but it is obvious, if you’re a theatre buff when they arrive at each one anyway! (the Les Miserables section was most impressive) During the interval you are invited to tweet the company with ideas for the second half, the ones that McCann read out were all used frequently, the favourite seeming to be (and well-deserved favourite at that) that Martha Pothen turns emo – she did this so well, perfectly in fact, you would just have no idea that this wasn’t part of the script.

Part of the band is on stage and together with the actors they form an extremely talented crew, ready to adapt to whatever the audience throws at them. The actors seem to be more astonishing as the show goes on, probably because you can’t quite believe how quick, sharp and comical they can be, just put on the spot as they are! A few to mention are Matt Cavendish, Adam Meggido and Martha Pothen seemed to really steal the show. Pothen has the most beautiful voice and in a duet towards the end of ‘Tattoo On My Heart’ she totally shines and it was such a special moment. Lots of smiles on lots of faces after that. Another stage star is the drummer, Craig Apps. Never have I ever not been able to take my eyes off a musician! Totally animated all the way through, clearly enjoying every minute, donning the best smile on the stage.

There is a clear following to this musical, dedicated fans that laughed all the way through and were super quick to give a standing ovation at the end. The show is worthy of this though and deserves every follower. The actors have to work harder than your usual cast with the thinking then performing on the spot. A different, entertaining and unusual piece of theatre – a real phenomenon.

Grand Theatre, Leeds – until 19^th November 2022

Reviewed by Katie Brewerton

4****

Fisherman’s Friends The Musical is based on the true story and film of the same name. The Fisherman’s Friends from Port Isaac in Cornwall have been singing the traditional shanty songs of their ancestors for decades. In 2010 the real-life Fisherman’s Friends signed a record deal and went on perform at Glastonbury, sing for Queen Elizabeth and have a film made about them. Now a brand-new musical based on their story has come to Leeds!

The musical begins with Danny (Jason Langley) hearing the Fisherman’s Friends sing in their local pub, as a down on his luck music manager, he seizes the opportunity to help them land a record deal using some of his old contacts, but first Danny must convince Jim (James Gaddas, known for Bad Girls and Coronation Street) that making a record is a good idea. On their mission to gain success they travel to London and one of the best bits of the show takes place as the band enjoys a drink in one London’s gay bars, culminating in a hilarious rendition of In The Navy. ​It’s not just the Fisherman’s Friends who sing in Port Isaac, with a lot of the town joining in, notably Alywyn (Parisa Shahmir), daughter of Jim and love interest of Danny she is a musician in her own right and has some lovely performances. 

This is the first musical I’ve seen which has consisted of folk music and shanty songs and with the cast and company playing their own instruments on stage making it very unique. The whole cast are fantastic singing wonderful catchy songs from start to finish. 

The staging is great, transporting you to the Cornish coast and using ropes to make you believe they really are in small boats on the stormy sea. Although being mainly light-hearted and funny, darker themes are also explored including bereavement, debt, the struggles of being a new mum and family and relationship problems.

A brilliant new musical based on an inspiring true story this is one not to be missed.

Aud Jebsen Studio Theatre, Royal Academy of Dance – until 11th November 2022

Reviewed by Antonia Hebbert

4****

This was a fabulous evening of dance in a stunning setting. New English Ballet Theatre exists to nurture dancers, choreographers and designers as they enter their professional careers. The idea is that they can explore and experiment while always honing their classical skills, and launch themselves into full-time places with top companies. This evening was a fine demonstration of the dancers’ commitment – besides the gorgeous technical skills, they brought striking emotional intensity to the performances. The theatre itself felt like an ideal place to enjoy this – spacious for the dancers, but bringing the audience very close.

The evening’s four works paid tribute to Remembrance Day (11th November), with themes of love, loss and resilience, including one work directly inspired by the Armistice year of 1918.

The lovely opening piece was Nocturne, choreographed by Daniela Cardim. It’s a pas-de-deux set to the melting music of Chopin’s ‘Nocturne 13 in C Minor’. Dancers Genevieve Heron and Aitor Viscarolasaga Lopez drew us beautifully into the deep blue world of this piece, designed by Lisa James.

Next was War Women Awaiting, which is an excerpt from Wayne Eagling’s ballet Remembrance. It was inspired by the real-life love story of the dancer Marie Rambert and the playwright Ashley Dukes. They met in 1917 and fell in love, but within a few days he had to go back to the war. This part of the ballet focusses especially on women’s experience of waiting, hopes and fears – and mourning, with widows providing a delicate and moving chorus part to the dance. Natalia Kerner and Dylan Springer gave us compelling, passionate conviction as the young lovers in their pas-de-deux, and it is all set irresistibly to the music of Handel’s ‘Ode to St Cecilia’, with back projections of church architecture and wartime scenes (costumes by Arpil Dalton, set design by Nina Kobiashvili).

We had a special treat to end the first half: Re(Current) was performed by guests Mayara Magri and Matthew Ball, who are principal dancers at the Royal Ballet and supporters of NEBT. It was a breathtaking feast of beauty, strength and agility, choreographed by Matthew Ball to the music of Sibelius’s ‘Laetare Anima Mea’ (My Soul Rejoices).

The second half was The Four Seasons, using Max Richter’s bouncy reworking of Vivaldi’s music. It didn’t have the intimate emotional intensity of the dances in the first half, but allowed the dancers to showcase their impressive range of skills as they followed the cycles of the year. Choreography was by Jenna Lee; costumes were by April Dalton.

NEBT finishes its season with this programme. Various performances and workshops are planned for 2023 (see nebt.co.uk), and in the meantime you can see a lot of their work on Youtube. The Royal Academy of Dance (royalacademyofdance.org) is also worth a look, not just for its stunning premises in Battersea but also because it has a mission to get the world to dance. Its website promotes opportunities for all ages and abilities (perhaps there is hope for me yet).

53two team up with Imaginality Productions to bring brand new musical, ‘Realms Of Glory’, to Manchester, this Christmas

Since opening their larger, 150 seater house, 53two have already seen the incredibly successful JB Shorts and the recent launch of a Halloween thriller from their Associate Artists, Switch MCR. In December, newly founded partnership between 53two and Imaginality Productions bring you this world premiere musical to get you ready for Christmas.

“We’re super excited to launch our first festive show since being in the old venue. To team up with the gang at Imaginality is a dream. Their work is second-to-none and for us and as a company they represent a perfect fit for the arches. It’s going to be a great piece to set us all up for the festive period.” – Simon Naylor, Creative Director, 53two

“Realms of Glory” is a new stage musical with Music & Lyrics by Ollie Mills and a book co-written with Rachel Mann

It’s Christmas 1940 and the Blitz has come to Manchester. Set to a toe-tapping score inspired by the golden age of wartime music, this brand-new musical tells the story of the lively locals trying to navigate their broken world. Trapped beneath the streets, Lizzie Horton takes us on a whistle-stop tour of her life in Manchester; her formative years, a whirlwind romance with her RAF pilot husband, Bob, and encounters with her pals Mavis, Jim and Ida. Guaranteed to raise some smiles and prepare you for the Festive season, “Realms Of Glory” takes a heartwarming look at dealing with grief and fighting for second chances.

The show will be presented with 53two by Imaginality Productions, hot on the heels of their sell-out concert of “Mallory On The Mountain” at Salford’s The Lowry in October 2022. Realms Of Glory received its first workshop in 2019 and the team are thrilled to finally be bringing the show to life, two years after the centenary of the Manchester Blitz.

Beneath the iconic brickwork of 53two’s 150-year-old arches, expect a Christmas tale like no other that will warm your cockles and fill your hearts.

Emma Clare Harvey and Alex Cosgriff (Associate Artists for Imaginality Productions) will play Lizzie and Bob Horton, alongside Rebecca McAuley as Mavis Snow, Ben Kawalec as Jim Snow/Others and Ella Heywood as Ida Barnes. The show is to be directed by its co-creator, Ollie Mills, with Musical Direction from Joe Clayton.

Realms of Glory will run from 14-22 December at 53two, Manchester. Tickets are now on sale via Eventbrite: https://realms-of-glory.eventbrite.co.uk/

As usual with 53two, access is key and the venue will be offering £2 Unwaged Tickets at every show for those that are currently out of work or receiving any financial support and the venue is fully accessible. Support dogs are welcome and any carers receive a free ticket.