Blog Archives

Theatre Review: THE COLOR PURPLE – The Lowry, Salford

Despite its heavy themes, THE COLOR PURPLE is a powerful and uplifting tale that celebrates life, love and the strength of survival.

4 out of 5 stars

Following its praised revival in 2019, new musical, THE COLOR PURPLE, finally heads out on a UK tour with a week-long run at Salford’s The Lowry.

Based on Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer prize-winning novel, the coming-of-age story follows courageous heroine Celie, who lives in the Deep South during the turn of the 20th century...

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BFI #LFF 2022: THE WOMAN IN THE WHITE CAR Film Review

Shamelessly indulging in genre cliches, Christine Ko’s twisty thriller, THE WOMAN IN THE WHITE CAR, finds new ways to turn itself on its head.

3 out of 5 stars

Originally conceived as a short, two-part TV drama, Christine Ko makes her feature film debut with THE WOMAN IN THE WHITE CAR, a twisty thriller that centres around three women.

The film opens with a frantic young woman arriving at Seolwon hospital by car, carrying a limp body...

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BFI #LFF 2022: SICK OF MYSELF Film Review

Dark, funny, and deeply disturbing, SICK GIRL is a sharp and biting satire about our desire to be seen.

4 out of 5 stars

Following his debut feature, DRIB (2017), writer-director Kristoffer Borgli serves up a deliciously horrid treat with SICK OF MYSELF, an extremely grotesque satire about morbid attention seeking.

On the surface, Signe (Kristine Kujath Thorp) and boyfriend Thomas (Erik Saether) look like an Insta-perfect couple, but their constant and petty attempts to outshine each other point to something m...

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BFI #LFF 2022: THE WOODCUTTER STORY Film Review

Strange, surreal, and deeply melancholy, THE WOODCUTTER STORY is a muted social comedy driven by Finland’s famously deadpan, dark humour.

2.5 out of 5 stars

Mikko Myllylahti delivers an unpredictable Nordic oddity with his debut feature, THE WOODCUTTER STORY, a deadpan philosophical fable with famously deadpan Finnish humour.

Set in a snowbound area of Finland surrounded by mountains and forests, THE WOODCUTTER STORY follows Pepe, a middle-aged, easy-going woodcutter who lives in contentment with his wife and yo...

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BFI #LFF 2022: SUBTRACTION Film Review

Taraneh Alidoosti in Subtraction (2022)

Taraneh Alidoosti in SUBTRACTION (2022)

Driven by strong cast performance and impressive cinematography, Mani Haghighi’s twisty human drama SUBTRACTION keeps you guessing until the final frame.

4 out of 5 stars

In his latest feature film, Iranian filmmaker Mani Haghighi delivers a tense Hitchcockian thriller about a married couple who meet their doppelgangers in Tehran.

While out on a lesson, young driving instructor Farzaneh (Taraneh Alidoosti) spots her husband, Jalal, walking into a woman’s apartment...

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Theatre Review: GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY – The Lowry, Salford

The cast of GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY. Photo Credit: Johan Persson

The cast of GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY. Photo Credit: Johan Persson

Leaning on Bob Dylan’s glorious melodies and poetic lyrics, Conor McPherson’s GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY is a stripped-back, heart-warming, and thought-provoking play packed with emotion.

4 out of 5 stars

It’s hard to imagine Bob Dylan’s extensive back catalogue could be woven into a 1930s musical, yet celebrated playwright Conor McPherson has managed to do just that.

Set in 1934 during the Great Depression, GIRL FROM THE NORTH CO...

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Theatre Review: DREAMGIRLS – Palace Theatre, Manchester

The cast of DREAMGIRLS UK Tour 2022. Photo Credit: Matt Crockett

From its vibrant set and costume design to the stunning cast performance, DREAMGIRLS is musical theatre at its best.

5 out of 5 stars

Following a successful run in London’s West End, the dazzling multi-award-winning musical DREAMGIRLS heads to Manchester’s Palace Theatre this week for a two-week run as part of a new UK tour.

Set in 1960s America, DREAMGIRLS tells the story of three fresh-faced wannabes – Effie, Lorrell and Deena – who embark upon ...

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THE OSMONDS: A NEW MUSICAL – Palace Theatre, Manchester

Alex Lodge and the cast of The Osmonds A New Musical.

Alex Lodge and the cast of THE OSMONDS: A NEW MUSICAL. Photo: Pamela Raith

Driven by some energetic and infectious performances, THE OSMONDS: A NEW MUSICAL gives us a glimpse into Osmond family life but barely digs beneath the surface.

3.5 out of 5 stars

With more than 100m record sales to their name and a wealth of hit songs in their back catalogue, it’s surprising that it’s taken so long for an official Osmonds musical to take to the stage… until now.

THE OSMONDS: A NEW MUSICAL tells the story of five brother...

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Theatre Review: SOUTH PACIFIC – Opera House, Manchester

Joanna Ampil (Bloody Mary), Sera Maehara (Liat) & Rob Houchen (Joe Cable) in SOUTH PACIFIC.

Joanna Ampil (Bloody Mary), Sera Maehara (Liat) & Rob Houchen (Joe Cable) in SOUTH PACIFIC. Photo: Johan Persson

Juxtaposing the lushness of the piece with an underlying threat of violent bigotry, Daniel Evans’ vibrant production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC emphasises the anti-racist message of the 1949 Broadway hit.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Following a successful run in 2021, Chichester Festival Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC launches at Manchest...

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Theatre Review: SISTER ACT – Palace Theatre, Manchester

The cast of SISTER ACT

The cast of SISTER ACT. Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan

Big, bold and bright, SISTER ACT plays to its strengths, making this feel-good musical worthy of its new run.

4 out of 5 stars

Following its postponed run in 2021, the eagerly anticipated brand-new production of the Broadway and UK smash hit musical SISTER ACT finally makes its premiere at Manchester’s Palace Theatre ahead of a major London run.

Based on the hit 1992 movie starring Whoopi Goldberg, SISTER ACT follows club singer Deloris Van Cartier who is pu...

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