Blog Archives

Gig Review: Shakin’ Stevens GREATEST HITS AND MORE – Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

Shakin Stevens UK Tour 2019

© Graham Flack

Almost forty years after his first UK number one, Shakin’ Stevens still knows how to entertain an audience but vocally struggles to pull off some of his biggest hits

3 out of 5 stars

Mention the name Shakin’ Stevens and MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE will most likely spring to mind. But outside of his Christmas number one, the Welsh singer-songwriter actually has more than 33 Top 40 hit singles under his belt, making him the UK’s biggest-selling singles artist of the 1980s.

Nearly forty years late...

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INTERVIEW: Katy Lipson Talks Musicals, RAGS and Hope Aria Academy

2018 Season Hope Mill Theatre

Award-winning theatre producer Katy Lipson talks about her love for musical theatre, why RAGS means so much to her and what to expect from new drama school Hope Aria Academy

It’s fair to say that it’s been a whirlwind few years for Katy Lipson...

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Theatre Review: MOTOWN THE MUSICAL – Opera House, Manchester

The Four Tops in MOTOWN THE MUSICAL

The Four Tops in MOTOWN THE MUSICAL. Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton

With its goldmine of hits, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is a feel-good show about this iconic period in music and popular culture history

4 out of 5 stars

Mention the word Motown and you’re more likely to think of the US city of Detroit, not the UK city of Manchester. Yet this humble Northern city has more links to the iconic record label than you may think as MOTOWN THE MUSICAL aptly demonstrates.

Based on the autobiography by Berry Gordy Jr...

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Theatre Review: LES MISERABLES – Palace Theatre, Manchester

The cast of LES MISERABLES with 'The Barricade'

The cast of LES MISERABLES with ‘The Barricade’. Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy 

From the innovative new staging to its magnificent cast, every inch of this touring production of LES MISÉRABLES will take your breath away

5 out of 5 stars

It’s been almost a decade since Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of LES MISÉRABLES last toured the UK but if the press night at Manchester’s Palace Theatre is anything to go by, it was well worth the wait.

Boubil and Schonberg’s musical tale of redemption and r...

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INTERVIEW: Rupert Hill Talks THE FULL MONTY

The Cast of THE FULL MONTY

Actor and director Rupert Hill talks about being at the helm of THE FULL MONTY on its final UK tour

After six long years on the stage, THE FULL MONTY heads out on a UK tour for the final time, stopping at Manchester’s Opera House for a week-long run.

Based on his smash hit 1997 film, THE FULL MONTY tells the story of six out-of-work and impoverished steelworkers from Sheffield who decide to bare all in a Chippendale-style show in order to raise some money.

From the cobbles of Weatherfield to...

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INTERVIEW: Elesha Paul Moses Talks WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

WHATS LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT - ELESHA PAUL MOSES AS TINA TURNER

Elesha Paul Moses talks about paying homage to rock and soul legend Tina Turner in new tribute show WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

Elesha Paul Moses has paid her dues in the entertainment world; she’s been striving for success in the music business for 20 years, via traditional grafting and TV talent shows. Now, she’s set for a fresh start, taking her singing career to a new level starring in the mammoth tribute show tour WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?, celebrating the music and life of roc...

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INTERVIEW: David Walliams Talks BILLIONAIRE BOY THE MUSICAL

billionaire boy

David Walliams talks about BILLIONAIRE BOY THE MUSICAL, wacky inventions and what he would do with a Billion pounds

The smash-hit show BILLIONAIRE BOY THE MUSICAL, based on the book by David Walliams, comes to The Lowry this February half-term. Ahead of the show’s arrival, Walliams talks about the musical, wacky inventions and what he would do with a Billion pounds!

BILLIONAIRE BOY THE MUSICAL begins when factory-worker Len Spud and his son Joe become overnight billionaires, due to Mr Spud’s ...

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Book Review: THE LOST MAN by Jane Harper

THE LOST MAN Jane Harper

Jane Harper once again brings to life a vivid and captivating sense of place in THE LOST MAN

There seems to be no stopping Australian author Jane Harper at the moment. Following the overwhelming success of her debut novel THE DRY and her fantastic follow-up FORCE OF NATURE, the award-winning author has knocked the ball out of the park again with the release of her brand new thriller THE LOST MAN.

Set in the harsh Australian outback, THE LOST MAN opens with two brothers – Nathan and Bub – visit...

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Theatre Review: ANNIE – Opera House, Manchester

ANNIE UK Tour. Photo: Paul Coltas

The cast of ANNIE UK Tour. Photo: Paul Coltas

Nikolai Foster’s touring production of ANNIE certainly looks and sounds the part but the 40-year-old story is beginning to show its age

Forget the adults, it’s the kids who rule theatre at the moment. From Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin’s MATILDA THE MUSICAL to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s SCHOOL OF ROCK, the array of young talent gracing the stage in 2019 is certainly impressive as Nikolai Foster’s touring revival of ANNIE clearly demonstrates.

Se...

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COMPETITION: Win Tickets To See TITANIC at The Valentine’s Movie Experience

Valentines Movie Experience

Win tickets to see TITANIC at The Valentine’s Movie Experience in Manchester

Following the hugely successful Magical Christmas Movie Experience, a special 5-day movie event to celebrate Valentine’s Day is taking place at Manchester’s Mayfield Depot and Frankly My Dear UK is giving away two tickets to one lucky reader.

Staged in the transformed surroundings of Mayfield Depot near Manchester Piccadilly, The Valentine’s Movie Experience gives couples the chance to snuggle up together to watc...

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