Category Theatre Reviews

Lloyd Daniels as Ben and Sam Retford as Henry in CLOSETS THE MUSICAL

Sweet, heart-warming and fantastically camp, CLOSETS THE MUSICAL is a coming-of-age story that inspires the soul and warms the heart

With musicals like PARADE, YANK! and PIPPIN all making their debuts at Hope Mill Theatre, it’s easy to understand why the team behind new original musical CLOSETS decided to open their new show in Manchester...

Matt Terry as Alex The Lion in MADAGASCAR THE MUSICAL. Photo: Scott Rylander

Comical, colourful and completely charming, MADAGASCAR THE MUSICAL successfully brings the much-loved film to life on stage

When Dreamworks’ animated comedy MADAGASCAR first hit cinema screens back in 2005, it took the world by storm. Generating over two billion pounds for the studio, the franchise quickly spawned multiple sequels and spin-off films, including a stage musical which is currently on tour in the UK.

For...

Emma Williams as Paula and Jonny Fines as Zack in AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN. Photo: Manuel Harlan

Despite a few dodgy moments, AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN is an uplifting adaptation of the classic film

Considering the success of fellow 80s musicals DIRTY DANCING, FAME and FLASHDANCE, it seems surprising that it’s taken this long for AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN to make the transition from screen to the stage – more than thirty years in fact...

Looking for something to keep you entertained this week? Check out the latest film, theatre and music events on in Manchester this week from 13 to 19 August 2018

As the British heatwave comes to an end and Manchester sees some welcome rain and a not-so-welcome drop in temperature, you may be wondering what to do with yourself this week? Well, fear not, because there are plenty of events on in the North West this week to keep you entertained, from new film releases to all-singing, all-dancing mu...

Despite its weak script, Nick Winston’s new touring production of FAME THE MUSICAL is full of energy and vigour

Before GLEE (2009-2015) and HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL (2006) came FAME, the original teen musical drama. Directed by Alan Parker, the 1980 film about a group of wannabe New York performers quickly became a success, spawning a hit TV show and a stage musical. 30 years later, FAME THE MUSICAL out on tour once again to celebrate its 30th anniversary, opening at Manchester’s Palace Theatre ...

Katherine Kingsley as Dusty and Roberta Taylor as Kay in DUSTY. Photo Credit: Johan Persson

Katherine Kingsley steals the show as the blue-eyed soul singer in Jonathan Harvey’s new musical DUSTY

Few singers are as loved, revered and fondly remembered as Dusty Springfield. But behind the hits, the hair and the husky voice was a complex and troubled artist as Jonathan Harvey’s new musical DUSTY demonstrates.

Drawing on personal memories of those who knew her best, DUSTY is a warts-and-all biogr...

Robert Powell in SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL CURTAIN. Photo Credit: Nobby Clark

SHERLOCK HOLMES – THE FINAL CURTAIN boasts all the ingredients of a great thriller but ultimately fails to live up to expectation

From Basil Rathbone’s memorable interpretation to Benedict Cumberbatch’s modern portrayal, it’s easy to see why Sherlock Holmes is the most portrayed literary character in film and television history...

Kelly Price (Rose) and Felix Mosse (Alex) in ASPECTS OF LOVE. © Anthony Robling

Jonathan O’Boyle takes on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s tangled tale of love and lust with his stunning revival of ASPECTS OF LOVE

The eighth in-house musical to be produced by the Hope Mill Theatre team, and the first from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s extensive repertoire, Jonathan O’Boyle takes a less familiar Lloyd Webber show, ASPECTS OF LOVE, and makes it feel very much at home in this intimate theatre.

This is O’Boy...

Helen Bradbury in LOVE FROM A STRANGER. Photo Credit: Sheila Burnett

Lucy Bailey ramps up the tension in her adaption of Agatha Christie’s 1936 play LOVE FROM A STRANGER

Lucy Bailey’s slick new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1936 play LOVE FROM A STRANGER is tense and entertaining, with a good blend of grit and lightheartedness, which creates an enjoyable piece of entertainment.

Based on Christie’s short story, Philomel Cottage, Christie adapted the story for the stage herself...

The cast of MAMMA MIA UK Tour. Photo: Brinkhoff/Mögenburg

Cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA, MAMMA MIA! is a fabulous, funny, feel-good musical that will warm the heart

With MAMMA MIA 2 heading to cinemas later this month and Abba’s recent announcement of their first new material in 35 years, there couldn’t be a better time for musical MAMMA MIA! to head out on a UK tour.

Since its opening at the Prince of Wales Theatre in 1999, the hit musical has been seen by over 54 millio...