Blog Archives

Despite its loose narrative, THRILLER LIVE successfully pays homage to the King of Pop

It’s been nearly 11 years since Michael Jackson died but as the audience took to their seats in Manchester’s Palace Theatre for the press night of THRILLER LIVE, it’s clear to see his legacy still lives on. 

An icon of the 20th Century, Jackson began his career enjoying chart-topping success with his brothers in the Motown era as the Jackson 5, before embarking on a solo career in 1971...

Combining magical storytelling with music and audience participation, THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD is just what theatre for children should be – engaging and beautiful

Children, parents, guardians and grandparents alike all piled into the Quays Theatre for THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD at The Lowry. 

Based on the bestselling sequel to the smash-hit picture book THE GRUFFALO, THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD follows the adventures of said youngster who sets foot in the deep dark wood...

Lisa Stansfield AFFECTION 30th Anniversary UK Tour. Photo Credit: Ed Fielding

30 years after the release of her debut solo album AFFECTION, Lisa Stansfield still knows how to command an audience

Lisa Stansfield brought an early 90s dance party vibe to Salford’s The Lowry on Saturday to mark the 30th-anniversary release of her debut solo album AFFECTION.

Released in 1989, the multi-platinum album went onto sell over 5 million copies worldwide, winning 3 BRIT Awards, 2 Ivor Novello Awards, a Bil...

Inspired by the hit cult film, 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is a laugh-a-minute production about teaming up, standing up and taking care of business!

Based on the hit 1980s cult film, 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL tells the story of Doralee, Violet and Judy, three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and bigot boss. Fed up, the ladies create a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor...

Charlotte Bate and Charlotte O’Leary in DAUGHTERHOOD. Photo Credit: Rebecca Need-Menear

Opening the ROUNDABOUT Festival at Albert Park in Broughton, DAUGHTERHOOD is a powerful and ferocious play about the bonds that tie us

A bright yellow dome in the middle of a park certainly attracts attention. The Paines Plough ROUNDABOUT is the UK’s first-ever fully accessible and portable plug-and-play theatre...

Audrey Brisson and Danny Mac in AMELIE THE MUSICAL. Photo: Pamela Raith Photography

Michael Fentiman brings Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s 2001 film AMELIE to life on stage, delivering a fresh and new interpretation of this much-loved romantic comedy

Adapting a film into a musical can be a tricky business but Director Michael Fentiman has done an impressive job of bringing French movie AMELIE to the stage, delivering a fresh and new interpretation of this much-loved romantic comedy.

AMELIE is a music...

The cast of Matthew Bourne’s ROMEO AND JULIET. Photo Credit: Johan Persson

Effectively playing with light and shadow, Matthew Bourne’s ROMEO AND JULIET is a passionate and contemporary re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic love story

Sir Matthew Bourne’s ROMEO AND JULIET is an interesting reimagining of the bard’s iconic love story. Set in an institute, the staging portrays somewhat of an asylum with its Victorian tiled white walls and bright lights...

Simeon Truby, Linford Jonhson, Robert Wade & Matt Rixon in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. © Nobby Clark

Northern Broadsides’ MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is a parade of good humour, joy, deceit and forgiveness wrapped up in a Britain facing war

This Northern Broadsides production is Conrad Nelson’s last directorial role for the company, and he has done well to bring out the comedy and the tragedy of Shakespeare’s play, by interspersing 1940s world war songs and dances with the complex language of Shakespe...

Rowdy and raucous, THE FULL MONTY is the ultimate crowd pleaser and a hilarious adaption of the hit 1997 film

First performed in 2013, the stage production of THE FULL MONTY is an adapted version of the 1997 film about a group of unemployed men who decide to become strippers for a night to raise money. The film was a major success upon release, becoming the highest earning film in the UK until it was outsold by TITANIC.

David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers’s presentation of the Sheffield Theatres produc...

The cast of TITANIC THE MUSICAL. Photo by Scott Rylander

Five-time Tony award-winning TITANIC THE MUSICAL heads to Salford’s The Lowry as part of its first ever UK & Ireland tour

With Adele throwing a Titanic-themed 30th birthday this week, Maury Yeston’s musical about the ill-fated maiden voyage of RMS Titanic makes a timely appearance at Salford’s The Lowry this week. But does TITANIC THE MUSICAL sink or sail? 

Based on the real stories of passengers aboard the ill-fated ship, TITANIC THE MU...