Blog Archives

Matthew Bourne talks about his interpretation of Shakespeare’s timeless play ROMEO AND JULIET and his drive to engage and support young talent

Packed with drama and emotion, Matthew Bourne captures the essence and power of young love and passion in his latest production...

The cast of THE EXONERATED at Hope Mill Theatre. Photo Credit: Shay Rowan

Blending live theatre with filmed footage, THE EXONERATED is a powerful and poignant piece about the American criminal justice system gone wrong

Imagine being accused of a crime you didn’t commit. Now imagine being sentenced to death for that crime, left to rot on death row as you desperately wait a reprieve which may never come...

Tony Jayawardena as Hari Hobson in HOBSON’S CHOICE. Photo Credit: Marc Brenner

Tanika Gupta breathes new life into Harold Brighouse’s classic comedy HOBSON’S CHOICE in this sharp and witty Ugandan-Asian adaptation

HOBSON’S CHOICE has become a bit of a fixture in theatrical repertoire. Since its premiere in 1915, the classic comedy has been revived and reimagined many times, with adaptions for film, TV and even a ballet...

Camp, cheesy and full of fun, CLUB TROPICANA THE MUSICAL is the 1980s answer to LOVE ISLAND

Ever since I saw George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley live it up in the so-called ‘Club Tropicana’, I’ve wanted to go. After all, this is a place where drinks are free and there’s fun and sunshine enough for everyone. So when the producers of hit UK tour HAIRSPRAY decided to make a brand-new 80s musical inspired by the Wham! hit, I was naturally in.

Set at the vibrant Club Tropicana Hotel in Majo...

With its packed programme of live entertainment, food and drink, CHESHIRE FEST is bigger and better than ever before

The good old Mancunian weather didn’t stop the crowds from attending CHESHIRE FEST this weekend as the annual family fun festival makes a welcome return to Manchester Rugby Club on Saturday 1 June and Sunday 2 June.

Following the phenomenal success of last year festival, this year sees the ground increased by twice the size with a larger Main Stage, an all-new Acoustic Stage,...

Original London Cast of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan

James Lapine and William Finn’s stage adaption of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE may not boast the charm or warmth of the original film but a strong cast performance help pull it through

I’ve never seen the 2006 film LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE but I’m reliably informed that it’s a sad, sweet and strange film that is worth revisiting time and time again...

Win 2 x tickets for Cheshire Fest at Manchester Rugby Club on Saturday 1 June

Cheshire Fest makes a welcome return to Manchester Rugby Club this weekend and Frankly My Dear UK is giving away two tickets to one lucky reader.

Taking place on Saturday 1 June and Sunday 2 June, Cheshire Fest is family fun festival with live performances, children’s play areas and food and drink galore...

Taron Egerton as Elton John in ROCKETMAN (2019). Photo Credit: David Appleby © 2018 Paramount Pictures

Dexter Fletcher’s ROCKETMAN takes a brutal look back at Elton John’s hedonistic lifestyle in a film as flamboyant as its subject

Fresh from the success of BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, Director Dexter Fletcher returns to the big screen with his latest biopic, ROCKETMAN, an exciting, explosive and exuberant tribute to music legend Elton John.

Described as a “musical fantasy”, ROCKETMAN follows the si...

Drawing on every emotion to produce a profoundly moving yet hilarious two-hander, EDUCATING RITA feels as fresh, vibrant and relevant today as it did nearly 40 years ago

It’s fair to say that Willy Russell has a knack for creating human stories. From BLOOD BROTHERS and SHIRLEY VALENTINE to OUR DAY OUT and STAGS AND HENS, his plays just seem to strike a chord no matter what their age, as David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and Theatre by the Lake’s latest touring version of EDUCATING RITA deftly demo...

Annalene Beechey (Anna) and Jose Llana (The King) in THE KING AND I. Photo Credit: Johan Persson

Bartlett Sher handles this politically tricky piece with care, respect and skill to deliver a wonderfully lush and beautifully staged revival of THE KING AND I that is a joy to watch

Following its multi-award winning run on Broadway and its record-breaking sold-out season at the London Palladium, American director Bartlett Sher brings his revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I to Manche...