Red Brick Theatre and 53two would like to announce their new production BRICKS, a night jam-packed with brand-new theatre set beneath the iconic brick arches of 53two. Produced by Red Brick Theatre, BRICKS provides an evening of bold, exciting and innovative theatre from March 24th – April 1st 2023 with BSL and relaxed performances.
BRICKS consists of six new plays by six new playwrights, each with a running time of approx 15 mins. Under the gaze of Greater Manchester’s finest directors and using the North West’s best actors, we present an evening of the best new writing varying in content and style.
Writers Luke Barnes (National Theatre, Young Vic, Leeds Playhouse) and Will Nyerere Plastow (BBC Casualty), will join other writers to explore stories of regret, revenge and reconnection. Each piece of writing is complemented by its own director including TV favourite George Bukhari (Ridley, Years and Years, Ordinary Lies), 53two’s Creative Director Simon Naylor, co-founder of Red Brick Theatre Oliver Hurst and more. Amongst the cast, 53two welcome Manchester icon Karen Henthorn (Coronation Street, Eastenders, Royal Shakespeare Company), Emmerdale’s Sammy Winward (Emmerdale, Prey) and Tachia Newall (Brassic, Dune, Waterloo Road).
Red Brick Theatre and 53two are collaborating to promote new writing in the Manchester theatre scene giving playwrights a platform for their new work and an opportunity to collaborate with directors around the Greater Manchester area.
53two is a Manchester-based theatre, bar and arts charity that strive to support disadvantaged and underserved artists. With their new renovation, they now have a 150-seater theatre that is fully accessible as well as being open 7 days a week for artists to meet, greet and share. For further information on 53two’s work and venue, you can view their website here.
Red Brick Theatre are a collaborative Manchester-based theatre company with a commitment to telling stories in innovative ways through varying mediums of performance. You can look into the company’s previous works here.
Following unprecedented demand, the first release of tickets for Streetcar sold out in record time, however the current run has been extended by one week and further tickets will be released for sale from 11am on Monday 13 March. Audiences are encouraged to sign up at www.streetcarwestend.com to be the first to have access to tickets.
Eduardo Ackerman
Gabriela García
Francesca Knight
Tom Penn
Jabez Sykes
Patsy Ferran
Paul Mescal
Reprising their roles from the critically acclaimed Almeida production are Eduardo Ackerman (Pablo), Gabriela García (Mexican Woman), Francesca Knight (understudy) Tom Penn (Doctor/Drummer) and Jabez Sykes (Young Collector) alongside the previously announced Patsy Ferran (Blanche), Paul Mescal (Stanley), Anjana Vasan (Stella)and Dwane Walcott (Mitch).
Alexander Eliot
Cash Holland
Rob Dempsey
Zach Parkin
Constanza Ruff
Alexander Eliot (Steve) and Cash Holland (Eunice) join the company, alongside understudies Rob Dempsey, Zach Parkin and Constanza Ruff to complete the cast for A Streetcar Named Desire at The Phoenix Theatre from 20 March to 06 May 2023.
The smash-hit production has just received six Olivier nominations including:
Sir Peter Hall award for Best Director – Rebecca Frecknall Best Actress in a play – Patsy Ferran Best Actor in a play – Paul Mescal
Best Supporting Actress in a play – Anjana Vasan Best Lighting Design – Lee Curran Best Revival – A Streetcar Named Desire
★★★★★
The Times, The Sunday Times, The Observer, The i
“How pretty the sky is! I ought to go there on a rocket that never comes down.”
On a street in New Orleans, in the blistering summer heat, a sister spirals.
When Blanche unexpectedly visits her estranged sister Stella, she brings with her a past that will threaten their future. As Stella’s husband Stanley stalks closer to the truth, Blanche’s fragile world begins to fracture. Reality and illusion collide and a violent conflict changes their lives forever.
Almeida Associate Director Rebecca Frecknall’s “heart-stopping” (The Telegraph)revival of Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece runs in the West End from 20 March 2023.
Paul Mescal (“tremendous” The Times)stars as Stanley alongside Patsy Ferran (“astonishingly good” Time Out) as Blanche DuBois and Anjana Vasan (“outstanding” New York Times) as Stella in this “mesmerising” (The i) production.
A Streetcar Named Desire is presented by special arrangement with The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.
A Streetcar Named Desire’s creative team is as follows: Director: Rebecca Frecknall; Set Designer: Madeleine Girling; Costume Designer: Merle Hensel; Lighting Designer: Lee Curran; Sound Designer: Peter Rice: Composer: Angus MacRae and Casting Director: Julia Horan CDG.
A Streetcar Named Desire is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions the Almeida Theatre, Gavin Kalin productions, Wessex Grove, GGRS and Los Angeles Media Fund.
CAKE THE MARIE ANTOINETTE PLAYLIST A PARISIAN DANCE GIG IN ONE ACT
WITH A MULTI AWARD-WINNING CREATIVE TEAM
WRITTEN BY MORGAN LLOYD MALCOLM
WITH DIRECTION & CHOREOGRAPHY BY DREW McCONIE
TOURING FROM DATES 13 MARCH – 29 APRIL 2023
The brand-new musical, come gig, come ballet is from some of the most exciting figures in modern British Theatre, with an Olivier Award winning creative team including Olivier Winner’s Drew McOnie (In the Heights; Jesus Chris Superstar) and Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emilia– The Globe)
Cake will be venturing on a UK tour from 13 March 2023, starting at the Mayflower Studios, Southampton.
Casting will include, fresh from her magical run as Mary Poppins on the West End, Zizi Strallen (she/her) stars as Marie Antoinette, with Renee Lamb (she/her), Catherine of Aragon from the original cast of SIX, starring as Jeanne.
The cast is completed by B Terry (they/them) as Nicole, Travis Ross (he/him) as Cardinal with Ope Sowande (he/him) and Megan Bryony G (she/her) asthe ensemble and Lukas Hunt (he/him) and Amie Hibbert (she/her) as swings.
Cake combines music with 18th century France to retell a story that sparked a revolution. When Marie Antoinette married King Louis, her reputation was already tarnished by gossip. But when she is implicated in a crime to defraud the crown jewellers of a diamond necklace, it is not just her reputation at stake, but the monarchy and France itself.
Originally commissioned by Paul Taylor-Mills (Heathers & In the Heights), Cake promises to re-define our expectations of what a musical can be.
Paul has said, “We are delighted to be partnering with 6 of the leading regional theatres to present a development production of this brilliant new show. I first commissioned this at The Other Palace five years ago and am delighted to be working with some of the best theatre makers in Drew McOnie, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, Tasha Taylor Johnson and Jack McManus. The show started life at our first MTFestUK and it’s great to see it come to production.”
The multi award-winning musical SIX, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, today announces a new cast for the UK tour. The current company will play their final performance on Sunday 23 April with the new company taking over from Tuesday 25 April 2023. The new touring Queens will be played by Nicole Louise Lewis (Catherine of Aragon), Laura Dawn Pyatt (Anne Boleyn), Erin Caldwell (Jane Seymour), Kenedy Small (Anna of Cleves), Lou Henry (Katherine Howard) and Aoife Haakenson (Catherine Parr). Izi Maxwell,Tamara Morgan and Ellie Jane Grant will be joining the cast as Alternates, with Super Swing / Dance Captain Shakira Simpson. The cast are backed by the show’s all-female band, The Ladies in Waiting.
SIX follows the six wives of Henry VIII as they take to the mic to tell their own personal tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power.
Since its early days as a student production in a 100-seat room at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the show has fast become a global musical phenomenon. On the international stage, SIX currently has productions playing on Broadway at the Lena Horne Theatre and two concurrent North American tours, including a seven-week run in Las Vegas, with further stagings announced in Canada and Holland this autumn. SIX opens in Seoul, South Korea on 17 March and recently completed an Australian tour. Back on home turf, the London production continues its reign in the West End at the Vaudeville Theatre (its third royal residence) and the UK and Ireland tour continues to break Box Office records. The UK tour is now booking through to 2024.
Winner of 26 major international awards including the 2022 Tony Award for ‘Best Original Score’ and ‘Best Costume Design’ on Broadway, double Whatsonstage Award winner for ‘Best West End Show’ 2022 & 2023, and the 2020 BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for ‘Best Musical’, SIX was also nominated for five Olivier awards, including ‘Best New Musical’. Celebrating the global success of its songs with over 500 million streams and over three billion views on TikTok, the original studio album of SIX officially turned Gold in 2021, with the Broadway album ‘SIX – Live on Opening Night’ nominated for a Grammy Award.
Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, SIX is co-directed by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage, featuring choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille. The design team includes Emma Bailey (Set Design), Gabriella Slade (Costume Design), Tim Deiling (Lighting Design) and Paul Gatehouse (Sound Design). The score features orchestrations by Tom Curran with music supervision and vocal arrangements by Joe Beighton. Musical Director Caitlin Morgan and Associate UK Musical Supervisor Lauren Hopkinson. Casting is by Pearson Casting. SIX is produced by Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes and George Stiles.
Major new musical to receive its World Premiere in Birmingham this autumn
Birmingham Rep presents SINATRA THE MUSICAL in association with Universal Music Group Theatrical and Frank Sinatra Enterprises
The first Official Musical to focus on the Life and work of globally recognised entertainment icon, Sinatra.
Written by Tony Award-winning Joe DiPietro Directed and Choreographed by Olivier & Tony Award-winning Kathleen Marshall World Premiere at Birmingham Rep | 23 September – 28 October 2023
It was announced today (9 March 2023) that Birmingham Rep will co-produce Sinatra The Musical, a brand new musical based on the life and career of the legendary artist and cultural icon Frank Sinatra, with Michele Anthony, Bruce Resnikoff and Scott Landis for Universal Music Group Theatrical, and Tina Sinatra and Charles Pignone on behalf of Frank Sinatra Enterprises.
Sinatra The Musical will premiere at Birmingham Rep on Saturday 23 September and run until Saturday 28 October 2023. The show’s debut in Birmingham, coincides with the 70th Anniversary of Sinatra’s 1953 UK tour, which saw him perform in the city. Tickets are on sale now at birmingham-rep.co.uk.
Sinatra The Musical is bought to the stage by a world class creative team including two-time Tony Award-winning writer Joe DiPietro (What’s New Pussycat? and Memphis) and Olivier Award-winning and three-time Tony Award-winning director & choreographer, Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes and The Pajama Game).
It is New Year’s Eve, 1942, and a skinny 27-year-old Italian American singer is about to step onto the stage of New York’s Paramount Theatre and give a performance that will change music history. As Frank Sinatra’s career suddenly skyrockets, he struggles with balancing the love of his wife, Nancy, against the demands and temptations of being the most popular singer in America. But when he begins a torrid affair with movie goddess Ava Gardner, his records stop selling and the press turns against him, sending his career into a tailspin. Driven by his devotion to his family, Sinatra employs his peerless artistry and dogged determination to stage the greatest comeback in showbiz history.
Joe DiPietro, who has written the book said: “Growing up, there were two pictures hanging in my grandmother’s kitchen — The Pope and Frank Sinatra. So to sit down with Tina Sinatra and hear stories of her father which no one else knows, and then to be able to put those stories on stage – well I think it’ll make for an unexpected and thrilling new musical. We’ll be showing you how the man became the legend and how the legend was — at the end of the day — just a man. And I couldn’t be more excited that our world premiere is at Birmingham Rep, where I had such a phenomenal time working on What’s New, Pussycat?”
. Photo courtesy of The Old Globe.
Director and Choreographer Kathleen Marshall said: “I am beyond thrilled to return to the UK, which feels like my second home, to bring the story of the legendary Frank Sinatra to the stage at such a prestigious theatre as the Birmingham Rep. We hope to create an evening of theatre that is as stylish, sophisticated and elegant as Mr. Sinatra, with glorious music from the American Songbook.”
Tina Sinatra said: “I am very proud of our new musical production and I’m especially delighted that, for the first time, we’re going to give you a perspective on my father that you’ve never seen before.”
Sean Foley, double Olivier Award-winner, Tony nominee and Artistic Director of The Rep, Birmingham said: “The Rep is thrilled to be co-producing this world premiere production about the legendary artist Frank Sinatra. His was an extraordinary life, and this promises to be an unmissable show about that life. We look forward to welcoming Kathleen Marshall and the rest of the world class cast and creative team to create the show about his life with us right here in Birmingham. In particular, we welcome back Joe Pietro to The Rep, where his Tom Jones musical, What’s New Pussycat? so thrilled audiences last year.”
Michele Anthony(Executive Vice President, Universal Music Group) and Bruce Resnikoff(President & CEO, Universal Music Enterprises) producing on behalf of Universal Music Group Theatrical said: “We’re delighted to premiere this inaugural production of Sinatra The Musical at Birmingham Rep later this year, and to bring a new dimension to one of the most dynamic and creative periods in Frank Sinatra’s iconic life and career. Through the legacy of his music and legendary performances, Frank Sinatra continues to capture the attention of both life-long fans and a new generation of audiences around the world.”
Joe DiPietro is the winner of two Tony Awards, a Drama Desk Award and three Outer Critics Circle Awards. His musicals and plays have received thousands of productions across the country and around the world. His new comedy, Babbitt, starring Matthew Broderick, will premiere at La Jolla Playhouse this autumn. His most recent musical, What’s New Pussycat? played to critical and popular acclaim when it premiered at The Rep last year. His other shows include Memphis (2010 Tony Award for Best Musical); Diana (currently streaming on Netflix) Nice Work If You Can Get It (10 Tony Award nominations including Best Book of a Musical for DiPietro); The Toxic Avenger (Outer Critics Circle Award – Best Off-Broadway Musical); I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (longest-running musical revue in Off-Broadway history); as well as the much-produced comedies Clever Little Lies and Over the River and Through the Woods, amongst others.
Kathleen Marshall is a nine-time Tony Award nominee, winning three times for Best Choreography for the Broadway revivals of Wonderful Town, The Pajama Game and Anything Goes. She recently received an Olivier Award for her choreography of the West End production of Anything Goes. She has worked on more than twenty Broadway shows and she is the first woman who has directed a play, directed a musical and choreographed a musical on Broadway. Off-Broadway and regional credits include for the New York Shakespeare Festival, Second Stage, Transport Group, Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Old Globe, Long Wharf, Paper Mill,Hollywood Bowl, Boston Pops, Signature Theatre and St. Louis MUNY. Kathleen served as the Artistic Director for City Center Encores! for four seasons, during which time Encores! received a special Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre. Her film and television credits include My Week with Marilyn (choreographer), Once Upon a Mattress, The Music Man (choreographer) and 2 Broke Girls. She has received three Drama Desk Awards, three Outer Critics Circle Awards, an Emmy nomination, the Astaire Award, the George Abbott Award, the Smith College Medal (her alma mater), the Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for the Arts and she has been named a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania.
Sinatra The Musical is the first of a series of new projects and initiatives developed by FSE in partnership with Universal Music Group that will help introduce new audiences and fans to the timeless singer’s rich catalogue and superstar legacy.
Sinatra The Musical will premiere at Birmingham Rep on Saturday 23 September and run until Saturday 28 October 2023. To book tickets visit Birmingham-rep.co.uk, call 0121 236 4455 or visit the box office during opening hours.*
My Fair Lady is the Lerner & Loewe smash hit musical, which first hit Broadway in 1956. It follows the story of feisty flower girl Eliza Doolittle, who under the tutelage of Professor Henry Higgins, a phonetician, takes speech lessons so she can drop her cockney drawl and rise above her station. At the same time, Higgins stands to win a bet if he can succeed in taking a girl out of the gutter and fooling people into believing she is a lady. An agreement is formed, and the process begins. However, despite his highly professional and cynical nature, and completely unawares to him, Higgins develops an attachment to Eliza. Eliza too grows fond of Henry, she also battles with knowing who she is after changing so drastically.
This is where this production loses a star, its character development. This show as a whole is wonderous but its missing key elements. The chemistry between Higgins and Eliza is never realised and there is no real suggestion of an awkward romance between them. There are opportunities galore, during the prolonged elocution training, a lingering glance, a close touch, but instead these moments were geared up for comedy. When Eliza sings ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’ it didn’t have quite the impact it could have had if the romantic element had been emphasised, and when Higgins sings ‘I’ve grown accustomed to her face’, it comes off the back of him stating he has missed Eliza’ being a glorified personal assistant. Other characters also came across as one dimensional and odd. The first half was very long, it would have been perfect to have had the interval just before the races. The second half was very dialogue heavy, explaining things which should have been clear from punchy lines, delivery and movement.
This aside, the production values were astounding. Michael Yeargen’s set is a multi-layered marvel. A mixture of watercolour backdrops, lampposts, barrows, sets wheeled in and out, doubling up, and a wonderful three-dimensional, revolving set piece that enabled us to view the Higgins’s house in its entirety, from the stuffy study with its gramophones, books and spiral staircases, to the garden, hallway and even the bathroom. There is a glorious scene where an enraged Eliza traverses through all the rooms singing ‘Just You Wait’ as the set piece revolves around her.
Michael D. Xavier as Henry Higgins was engaging. Powerful voice and great stage presence. His take on Higgins was reminiscent of a foppish Hugh Grant and a sullen teen as opposed to a much older, stern Professor in the original production. Adam Woodyatt was brilliant in the role of Alfred P. Doolittle. He had bundles of energy and lots of comedy, the Eastender brought a real piece of the Eastend to the show with his rendition of ‘Get Me to the Church on Time’. I couldn’t help but feel the world-famous soprano Lesley Garrett, who played Mrs Pearce, was sorely under used. Breaking the forth wall at one point she is a consummate professional and was an utter joy to watch. John Middleton as Colonel Pickering was oodles of fun. He embodied every part of the Colonel, and, along with Michael D. Xavier, Lesley Garrett and Rebekah Lowings they combined to bring the stage to life.
A special mention has to go to Rebekah Lowings, who played Eliza Doolittle. As an understudy for the night, she was simply sublime. She grabbed the role of Eliza and made it her own. Audrey Hepburn vibes, she commanded the stage with aplomb. She delivered flawless renditions of ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly’, ‘The Rain in Spain’, and ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’, the final note leaving me tingling and a reverberation around the theatre.
The cast as a whole, were amazing and came together to give a stunning vocal, visual and physical performance. My Fair Lady is ladened with the most beautiful songs. This production has stunning sets, sumptuous costumes and sensational singers. If you love the film you will enjoy this performance. It was loverly hearing people leave the theatre singing and whistling, I knew the music would stay with them all night.
Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge – until Saturday 11th March 2023
Reviewed by Steph Lott
4****
When Roy Grace, wife Cleo and their baby Noah, plagued by poor directions, terrible weather and darkness falling, arrive at their dream holiday destination, the Chateau-sur-L’Eveque, all is not what it seems. Tired and late, with no-one to greet them, no phone signal or wifi, they decide they will rest and re-assess the situation in the morning. Unfortunately, the dingy chateau holds more mysteries and threats beyond the sinister gloomy decor and mangy animal heads on the wall. Who is the mysterious Madam L’Eveque who begrudgingly greets them and why does she speak with such an odd accent? Why is there a large painting of the Crucifixion of Christ hanging in the Honeymoon Suite? Is there someone in the suit of armour?!
Peter James’ Wish You Were Dead is the latest stage play by the author featuring Detective Roy Grace. It’s been adapted for the stage by Shaun McKenna and is directed by Jonathan O’Boyle. This witty romp is a mixture of domestic drama, a gothic murder mystery and entertaining farce, all in one. The story is rather weak in my view, but the excellent script and superb acting make it a lot of fun.
The stage design, by Michael Holt, is very clever and encompasses both the bedroom and the living room. The lighting, by Jason Taylor, creates a very atmospheric and haunting environment which draws the audience in from the start. It’s definitely more haunted house than French château!
This stage adaptation of Peter James’ novella Wish You Were Dead contains all the ingredients for a good night out at the theatre. This is an enjoyable production with an engaging story. The tensions begin and build in a pacy Act One. I haven’t read any of the Roy Grace series so there were a few twists that had me wondering what would happen and how Grace and his family would escape. There isn’t a lot of attention paid to developing the characters or back story as the main characters are already established favourites with a lot of the crime and thriller fans in the audience I would imagine. As a story it is quite far-fetched. However, the acting is what really makes this show. It has a star-studded cast featuring Casualty regular George Rainsford playing Roy Grace, with Giovanna Fletcher, playing wife Cleo Grace. They provide an excellent contrast to the undoubted stars of the show for me – the baddies, who get all the best lines! Clive Mantle, who played Consultant Mike Barrett in Casualty and has a string of other theatre, radio credits to his name, plays bad guy Curtis with great aplomb. Rebecca McKinnis playing Madam L’Eveque is fantastic. And I thought Callum Sheridan-Lee was suitably menacing as Brent.
Overall, Wish You Were Dead is a thoroughly enjoyable crime thriller which doesn’t fail to entertain. The talented cast have an absolute ball with it and consequently so do the audience.
Section 28 … a musical? Not something that first comes to mind in this, the “golden age” of the Hollywood/jukebox musical.
This piece, produced by Breach and commissioned by New Diorama, dares to go where not many shows do these days. Billed as a “documentary musical” and based around the controversial Section 28 law that was passed in 1988 under the Thatcher’s Conservative government, we hear the voices of real people who lived their lives during this time, seeing the effects and impact this law had on the country’s people and society.
I’ll admit it, for the first thirty seconds of the piece, once the auditorium lights came down, the music launched and our troupe of performers walked onstage in unison, pounding their fists in time to the beat of the music, angst and rage emulating from them… I had a moment of panic, “what have we let ourselves in for here?” My thoughts were immediately diminished as the next two hours had me captivated from beginning to end.
With a hugely gifted creative team behind the scenes, the show is informative, engaging and hugely entertaining; cleverly borderlining respect with passion without coming across overly negative and preachy. It has been written by Ellice Stevens and Billy Barrett (who also directs) with fantastic music by Frew (the music is the beating heart of the show) and simple yet effective choreography by Sung Im Her.
The small but mighty cast of four, whose heart and dedication to the project are evident throughout, bring something unique to showcase their talents. Ellice Stevens’ fantastic rendition of Margaret Thatcher was a particular highlight for me and any monologue recited with vulnerable indignation by EM Williams never failed to provoke emotion within. What I appreciate most of all is the fact that these performers are clearly actors first and foremost, they can sing, they can move but it all comes from their organic, raw and rooted performances.
There is some really polished work shining through visually with this piece, almost like a fifth character performing on stage, the graphics elevate the narrative and help move the pace along, again without distraction and so a special mention to Zakk Hein feels greatly deserved.
A musical documenting the devastating effect of a law that was put in place to prevent the “promotion” of homosexuality – this team had quite the task at hand, but abseiling lesbians followed by an all singing all dancing Margaret Thatcher – who could ask for more?
The Mix, Theatr Clwyd, Yr Wyddgrug – Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th March 2023
Reviewed by Julie Noller
5*****
Something About George is the latest touring show from producers Bill Ems, Jon Fellowes and Gary Edwards Jones collectively called Something About Productions a name that hopefully promises more offerings in the future.
On a snowy night in North Wales we gathered in Theatr Clwyds The Mix which to those who don’t know is a sort of outdoor yet indoor smaller dome shaped theatre. Usually it has a smaller audience giving the feeling of being closer to the stage setting and more in touch with the action.
I’m too young to remember most of George Harrisons life and career; to many he was simply the quiet Beatle, the baby of the group and dare I say the forgotten one. Something About George helped to readdress those issues and I came away more knowledgeable about a man who was not only incredibly talented but obviously a human being far ahead of his time.
How did the setting work? It felt like an intimate gig or even a live lounge environment, don’t expect conventional theatre acting but do expect humour, tales, joy, facts and plenty of musical entertainment. Daniel Taylor is just himself taking to the stage with his massive pearly smile and skinny jeans, he is not there to impersonate George Harrison but to share his passion for singing and help us on our journey into an understanding of the quiet one.
It’s not a one man show he is joined by fellow musicians Max O’Hara, Callum MacMillan, Tom Kinton and Joe Smithson. Daniel himself plays guitar throughout whilst singing those songs many of us love, some when I read the list I wasn’t sure I knew but nothing was stopping me and most inside the packed Mix head bobbing, foot tapping, hands twitching and clapping. I loved everything about this show from the music delivered with passion, head bobbing guitarists (mop top much a kin with The Beatles early days), watching the fast paced keyboard changes, the rifts, the gentle taps and booms of uptempo numbers; the stories and facts that I listened to bringing a deeper understanding of a man who struggled privately but ultimately absolutely stuck to his beliefs and fraught with passion yet still at times wasn’t afraid to jump head first without thinking, for he was passionate about his friendships)
Watching the people around me in deep enjoyment and lastly being able to if I wished just close my eyes and become lost in the music. Of course if you didn’t wish to close your eyes you could watch lots of moving and still footage along with abstract images shown above the performers I may not have said I liked the polished unfinished feeling it has that brings you closer to the stage and being part of a life that I knew nothing about.
Once heading home we were determined to spend time rewatching footage of George to compare the show and Daniels dancing moves but more importantly to listen to many classics that today go unlistened to by those far too young to have heard stories of the swinging 60’s but are far more loved.
George Harrison may have been the quiet one but he was no less talented as the other members of the fab four. It was lovely to be able to see Daniel on our way outside being congratulated by all with a huge beaming smile on his face, he deserved all the well done’s and I had to say Thank You for giving us such a brilliant night of non stop entertainment.
EMPIRE THEATRE, LIVERPOOL – UNTIL SATURDAY 11TH MARCH 2023
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
5*****
It has been an enduring aspiration of Matthew Bourne, following Nutcracker! and Swan Lake to complete Tchaikovsky’s ballet masterworks. Sleeping Beauty has enchanted international audiences throughout the UK and across the globe, making it the fastest selling production in the company’s history. New Adventures is celebrating the 10th anniversary of this alluring dance-theatre production with a lengthy UK tour until April 2023. Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty has been brought back to life, with a new cast and emerging artist apprentices. New Adventures takes Tchaikovsky’s classic storybook ballet and goths it up, offering something beautifully unique.
The dancing from the whole cast is superlative and technically brilliant throughout, blending a variety of dance styles and bursting with energy; it looks like they are having so much fun on stage! Most of Bourne’s choice of dancers are largely trained in performing arts rather than ballet schools.
There are superb performances from Cordelia Braithwaite as Princess Aurora, who is pert and charming when awake and impressively inanimate in her sleeping state, she exudes grace. Leo the Royal Gamekeeper, her love interest is played by Stephen Murray and together they have a great chemistry on stage. There are also strong performances from the villains, Carabosse the Dark Fairy and her son Caradoc, Leo’s love rival, both performed breathtakingly by Ben Brown. Dominic North as the King of Fairies and Count Lilac makes an indelible impression with his strong dancing.
The original ballet score is long, but Bourne ensures that the timeless tale of good vs evil does not lose momentum and plays out in four scenes in two acts, rather than four lengthy acts. He captivates the audience with such detail, drama and humour, the way he choreographs his storytelling.
Sleeping Beauty is, of course, a love story and a triumph of good over evil. Described as a gothic romance, this story begins in 1890, the year Marius Petipa’s famous ballet was first performed in St Petersburg, Russia and takes us right up to the awakening scene in the present day.
Lez Brotherston’s beautifully enchanting set and spectacular costumes will transport you from the halcyon days of the late Edwardian era through to the modern day.
As always with Bourne’s work there is inventiveness. In this world full of magic, fairies, vampires, love and romance, he creates memorable theatre and characters.
