Category Theatre Venues

Theatre Review: BLOOD BROTHERS – The Lowry, Salford

Niki Evans (Mrs Johnstone) & the cast of Blood Brothers- Blood Brothers UK 2022 Tour- Photo by Jack Merriman

Niki Colwell Evans & the cast of BLOOD BROTHERS. Photo: Jack Merriman

Carefully balancing moments of intensity with comedy, BLOOD BROTHERS continues to draw a crowd thanks to its compelling storyline, talented cast performance and instantly recognisable songs.

4 out of 5 stars

Few musicals can claim to be as popular as Willy Russell’s smash-hit show BLOOD BROTHERS...

Read More

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...

Read More

Theatre Review: BEAUTIFUL – Palace Theatre Manchester

Using its tapestry of greatest hits to reflect King’s changing personal circumstances, BEAUTIFUL tells the inspiring true story of Carole King’s remarkable rise to stardom.

4 out of 5 stars

If you’re a fan of musicals like JERSEY BOYS or DREAMGIRLS that give you a VH1 behind-the-scenes peek at the music world, then BEAUTIFUL, the Carole King story, is the show for you!

Returning for an extended third run at Manchester’s Palace Theatre, BEAUTIFUL takes place across the ’60s and ’70s in and around Broadway, Broo...

Read More

Theatre Review: A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN – Waterside Arts, Sale

Part performance, part lecture, A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN is a provocative and striking retelling of Woolf’s feminist essay.

5 out of 5 stars

October 1928. Virginia Woolf delivers two lectures at Cambridge University on Women and Fiction, which form the basis of her essay A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN, published in 1929...

Read More

Theatre Review: THE BOOK THIEF – The Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Niamh Palmer and the Ensemble of THE BOOK THIEF.

Niamh Palmer and the Ensemble of THE BOOK THIEF. Photo Credit: Pamela Raith

Full of heart, passion, and optimism, THE BOOK THIEF is a musical production that needs to be seen.

5 out of 5 stars

Having started as a novel published in 2005, then adapted to a feature film in 2013, THE BOOK THIEF now takes to the stage as a musical, beginning its journey on Bolton Octagon’s stage.

Set in Nazi Germany during the Second World War, THE BOOK THIEF follows young Liesel, who finds solace within words and books, words th...

Read More

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...

Read More

Theatre Review: LET ME COUNT THE WAYS – Waterside Arts, Sale

Messy, profound, unapologetic, and real, LET ME COUNT THE WAYS commands your attention.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Inspired by Elizbeth Barret Browning’s Sonnet 43, LET ME COUNT THE WAYS is a spoken word solo show written by and starring promising performer, Maz Hedgehog. What is it about? Well, LET ME COUNT THE WAYS is Hedgehog laid bare for their audience. It is the most intimate and delicate moments of their life, interspersed with romantic fairytale metaphor and disorienting sound.

As a performer, Hedgehog is exqu...

Read More

Theatre Review: MOTHER TREE – Waterside Arts, Sale


3.5 out of 5 stars

Written and performed by Kim Wildborne, Mother Tree is an honest and raw exploration of the challenges and intricacies of motherhood. Using the concept of mother trees – the oldest tree in the forest that communicates and provides resources to seedlings – Wilborne examines the most unique of human connections and what it means to be a mother.

Wildborne is dynamic, powerful, and skilful in her performance, combining poetry, aerial silks, and physicality with humour and heart to create a...

Read More

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 ...

Read More

Theatre Review: The Glass Menagerie – Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

5 out of 5 stars

More than two years later, The Glass Menagerie finally takes to The Royal Exchange stage. With rehearsals due to start in March 2020, this adaptation of Tennessee William’s play was put on hold due to the dreaded Covid. But now, two years later the full team return with a play that is now only more poignant.

Tennessee Williams is known as one of the greatest American playwrights, his works include; A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Suddenly Last Summer and another popular title, and previously adapte...

Read More