Blog Archives

Birmingham Royal Ballet return to The Lowry with THE SLEEPING BEAUTY and the biggest wardrobe in ballet

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY is one of the grandest ballets ever created, with a classical score by Tchaikovsky and original choreography by Marius Petipa...

Deborah McAndrew talks to Frankly My Dear UK about HARD TIMES and the importance of arts in education

Deborah McAndrew’s new adaption of Charles Dickens’ HARD TIMES heads to The Lowry next month as part of a four month long UK tour.

The famous Northern novel of repression and longing has been adapted for stage by McAndrew, who is best known as CORONATION STREET’s Angie Freeman in the 1990s.

“I’ve known this book for a long time” explains McAndrew in an exclusive interview with Donn...

Garrett Phillips as Frank Sinatra in THE RAT PACK – LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS. Photo: Betty Zapata

THE RAT PACK – LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS style-over-substance formula entertains but ultimately leaves you wanting more

Few tribute acts can boast the longevity or the popularity of THE RAT PACK. Since its West End premiere back in 2003, the musical production has enjoyed several return engagements, earning an Olivier Award nomination along the way...

Garrett Phillips as Frank Sinatra in THE RAT PACK – LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS. Photo: Betty Zapata

Garrett Phillips, Nigel Casey and David Hayes talk about their roles in THE RAT PACK – LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS

THE RAT PACK is back in town and this time, they are bringing Ella Fitzgerald!

Based on a concept by Mitch Sebastian, THE RAT PACK LIVE – LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS takes audience back in time to the glamorous, golden era of 1950s...

Nicola Emmanuelle as Ella Fitzgerald in THE RAT PACK – LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS. Photo: Betty Zapata

Nicola Emmanuel talks about taking on the iconic role of Ella Fitzgerald in THE RAT PACK – LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS

When THE RAT PACK made its West End premiere back in 2003, it took the theatre world by storm. 15 years later, the musical extravaganza is showing no signs of slowing down as THE RAT PACK – LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS heads out on a UK tour.

Based on a concept by Mitch Sebastian, THE RAT PACK LIV...

Julie Hesmondhalgh and Norah Lopez Holden in THE ALMIGHTY SOMETIMES. Photo: Manuel Harlan

Powerful and thought-provoking, THE ALMIGHTY SOMETIMES is an impressive and striking debut by Kendall Feaver

It’s hard to believe that THE ALMIGHTY SOMETIMES is Kendall Feaver’s debut play. With its carefully crafted narrative, vividly drawn characters and emotional poignancy, this powerful and thought-provoking piece boasts the maturity of an established and experienced writer...

Roland Schimmelpfennig’s radical play WINTER SOLSTICE is a timely warning of how easy it is to be taken in by the deceptive face of extremism

I’ll admit that I hadn’t heard of German dramatist Roland Schimmelpfennig before watching WINTER SOLSTICE its clear to see why he is the most performed playwright in Germany.

Written four years ago in response to the resurgence of the far right across Europe, Schimmelpfennig’s subtle yet radical play WINTER SOLSTICE feels as timely as ever, warning u...

Fresh, inventive and heart-warming, Jessica Swale’s bold adaption of THE JUNGLE BOOK brings Rudyard Kipling’s classic bang up-to-date

Forget Disney, there is a new THE JUNGLE BOOK in town and boy does it swagger and swing.

Based on the Rudyard Kipling family classic, THE JUNGLE BOOK tells the coming-of-age story of Mowgli, a man cub raised by wolves in the jungle...

Witty, unpredictable and atmospheric, TEDDY is an exciting and fresh take on the birth of rock ‘n’ roll

Tristan Bernays and Dougal Irvine’s award-winning 1950s musical TEDDY may turn the clock back 60 odd years or so but this innovative production is ahead of its time in so many other ways.

Set in the aftermath of the Blitz, TEDDY tells the story of two teenagers, Teddy and Josie, desperately seeking solace in rock ‘n’ roll in a post war Britain...

Big, bold and bright, FLASHDANCE boasts all the pulling power of the original film

Dust off the legwarmers and grab those hair crimpers, the eighties are back in all of their neon tinted glory as FLASHDANCE heads to town.

Based on the 1983 Oscar-winning film starring Jennifer Beals and Michael Nouri, FLASHDANCE tells the story of 18-year-old Alex Owens, a steel worker by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night...