Theatre Review: LORD OF THE DANCE: 30TH ANNIVERSARY - Palace Theatre, Manchester
With stunning visuals and exceptional dancing, LORD OF THE DANCE continues to entertain, even if its storytelling and pacing occasionally interrupt the momentum. It is 30 years since LORD OF THE DANCE debuted in Dublin on 2 July 1996. Since then, the show has toured the world to widespread acclaim. Now, in its 30th anniversary […]
Theatre Review: SOMETHING ROTTEN! - Opera House, Manchester
Packed with sharp comedy, inventive choreography, and unforgettable songs, SOMETHING ROTTEN! is a fast paced musical that delivers pure theatrical fun. On paper a musical about William Shakespeare might not sound that appealing. In reality, SOMETHING ROTTEN! is a barnstorming romp through the 1590s, with not a note out of place, not a cultural reference […]
Theatre Review: THE CHOIR OF MAN – Opera House, Manchester
With crowd-pleasing songs and an infectious pub atmosphere, THE CHOIR OF MAN is a lively, feel-good celebration of friendship and community. Grab your dancing shoes, a packet of peanuts, and get the drinks in. The Olivier-nominated CHOIR OF MAN has arrived in Manchester, and it’s bringing the pub with it. When I first heard about […]
Theatre Review: DOUBLE INDEMNITY - Opera House, Manchester
Despite its strong design and engaging second act, DOUBLE INDEMNITY is a stylish but uneven adaptation that struggles with pacing, clarity, and character depth. Ask anyone what Film Noir is, and they will mention a hard-boiled femme fatale, a gullible man, and dark, stylish cinematography. They will also point to the subject matter. The underbelly […]
Theatre Review: INSPECTOR MORSE: HOUSE OF GHOSTS - The Lowry, Salford
With strong performances and an engaging plot, INSPECTOR MORSE: HOUSE OF GHOSTS is a fast-paced and layered adaptation, despite some parts of the story being unevenly signposted. INSPECTOR MORSE was a television staple of detective drama for eight series from 1987 to 2000. In INSPECTOR MORSE: HOUSE OF GHOSTS, writer Alma Cullen takes us back […]
SINGLE WHITE FEMALE - Opera House, Manchester
Driven by strong performances, sharp direction, and clever use of social media, SINGLE WHITE FEMALE is a tense, modern psychological thriller. Updating a well-known psychological thriller, whilst still keeping the bones of the work is a path fraught with danger. However in this updated adaption of SINGLE WHITE FEMALE, Rebecca Reid has worked well to […]
Theatre Review: SUNNY AFTERNOON – Palace Theatre, Manchester
Vibrant, authentic, and emotionally charged, SUNNY AFTERNOON captures The Kinks’ rise to fame in 1960s Britain. Great Britain in the 1960s was a time of social change, optimism, the breaking down of the old guard and above all the original British invasion. The bohemian set had The Rolling Stones, the mods The Who and the […]
Theatre Review: DEATH ON THE NILE - Lowry, Salford
With strong performances and a standout set and costume design, Ken Ludwig’s DEATH ON THE NILE is a stylish and inventive adaptation of Agatha Christie's well-known novel. Any adaptation of a well-known work by a much-loved author is a tight walk between pastiche and underrepresentation. However, Ken Ludwig’s latest production of DEATH ON THE NILE […]
Theatre Review: HERE & NOW - THE STEPS MUSICAL - Opera House, Manchester
Packed with humour, heart, HERE & NOW – THE STEPS MUSICAL is a lively, nostalgic jukebox show that will delight long-time Steps fans and win over newcomers. With a career spanning 25 years, over 22 million records sold, and one of pop’s strongest back catalogues, it’s surprising it has taken two decades for a musical […]
Theatre Interview: Rebecca Lock, Jacqui Dubois, Blake Patrick Anderson, Rosie Singha and River Medway Talk HERE & NOW – THE STEPS MUSICAL
Joyful, diverse, and emotional theatrical, the cast of HERE & NOW - THE STEPS MUSICAL promise audiences an uplifting night of music and escapism. Returning to the HERE & NOW musical for the UK and Ireland tour, Rebecca Lock promises that audiences are in for a theatrical treat. "They can expect a rollercoaster of emotion," […]