Blog Archives

Dark, daring and incredibly dramatic, LITTLE SISTER is an innovative production which explores the themes of silence and survival

Following highly acclaimed performances of HUSBANDS & SONS, KING LEAR, THE NIGHT WATCH and THE MIGHTY WALZER, Royal Exchange close their spring/summer season with the world premiere of LITTLE SISTER, an innovative reinterpretation of a classic fairytale that is dark and daring.

Loosely based on the Brothers Grimm fairytale THE SIX SWANS which tells the story of a y...

This review was originally written for The Reviews Hub.

The Lowry played host to the regional final of the 2016 Funny Women Awards as nine comedy acts took to the stage compete for a place in the coveted final.

Launched in 2003, the Funny Women Awards aims to find the best new female comedy performers by offering the winner a career developing cash prize of £2000 as well as industry support...

Paul Refsdal’s latest film DUGMA: THE BUTTON hasn’t even been released yet and it’s already causing a stir. The original feature film documentary which follows a group of suicide bombers working for Al Qaeda in Syria, was originally picked up by four broadcasters but due to its controversial nature, has come up against some opposition with the director choosing to distribute the film online instead.

Ahead of its official release on iTunes on 2 August, Donna Kelly caught up with the direct...

People Zoo Productions grotesque and darkly comic adaption of Kafka’s THE TRAIL is both innovative and incredibly daring

This review was originally written for The Reviews Hub. 

Considering Franz Kafka wrote THE TRIAL more than half a century ago, it’s uncanny prediction, both in subject matter and form, is eerily disturbing...

Norwegian filmmaker Paul Refsdal is no stranger to controversy. The freelance journalist has spent more than three decades covering conflict around the world and his last film, TALIBAN BEHIND THE MASKS, was shot behind enemy lines in Afghanistan. But when Refsdal went to film an airstrike in northern Syria back in 2014, little did he realise that it would be the start of his most controversial project so far.

DUGMA: THE BUTTON is a feature film documentary about a group of suicide bombers worki...

The cast and creatives behind Julian Fellowes’ new musical adaption of THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS gave theatre fans a first glimpse into the new musical at the official media launch at The Lowry on Monday. 

Fra Fee, Neil McDermott and Sophia Nomvete wowed guests with performances of three new musical numbers from the new British production, with theatre producer Jamie Hendry and lyrist Anthony Drewe providing a unique insight into the making of the project.

Based on the classic novel by Kenneth...

Following their five-star production of HAMLET and sell-out performances of TWELFTH NIGHT, Liverpool’s PurpleCoat make a welcome return to Manchester with their innovative re-imagining of KING LEAR.

Widely considered William Shakespeare’s bleakest tragedy, KING LEAR tells the story of the jealous and ageing King of Britain who greedily divides his kingdom between his three daughters based on who loves him most...

Spectacular line-up of feature films set to be released in UK cinemas this summer

Film fans are in for a treat this summer with a whopping 175 new films to be released between June and August.

From family favourites such as THE BFG, ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE and THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS to action-packed blockbusters such as STAR TREK BEYOND, JASON BOURNE and SUICIDE SQUAD, film fans will be spoilt for choice this summer when it comes to movies.

Summer typically marks a peak in cinemagoing by fam...

Dark, edgy and surprisingly funny, MILLIONAIRES ANONYMOUS takes a hilarious look at our never-ending lust for the green stuff

This review was originally written for The Reviews Hub. 

It is often said that money doesn’t buy you happiness and if Stewart McDonald’s new comedy play is anything to go by, the proverb certainly appears to be true.

MILLIONAIRES ANONYMOUS tells the story of six lottery winners who have lost their money to drink, drugs, sex and booze...

FAST FRINGE is a ridiculously fast-paced show that is as funny as it is frantic

If FAST FRINGE is anything to go by, the 2016 Greater Manchester Fringe Festival looks set to be a cracker! The two-hour comedy show opened the month-long festival at Manchester’s The Dancehouse last night, cramming more comedy and variety acts than into one bill than you thought possible.

Hosted by GM Fringe patron Justin Moorhouse, FAST FRINGE is a ridiculously fast-paced showcase of comedy and variety acts...