Music and lyrics: Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber Director: Laurence Connor First produced in London’s West End in 1973, before being mounted to Broadway in 1982, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is one of the UK’s older homegrown and much-loved musicals… but this production, directed by Laurence Connor keeps the show well and truly alive for a modern-day audience by delighting in the sheer beauty of simple storytelling through epic music. Tim Rice’s lyrics move this well-known story along at a rocketing pace, complete with wit and gusto and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score embraces a plethora of musical…
Author: The Reviews Hub - North West
The Reviews Hub - North West
The North West team is under the editorship of John McRoberts. The Reviews Hub was set up in 2007. Our mission is to provide the most in-depth, nationwide arts coverage online.
Music/Lyrics: Andrew Lippa Book: Rick Ellice & Marshall Brickman Director: Matthew White The much-loved gothic family, The Addams Family musical has hit the Regent theatre in Stoke this week. This is an exciting tour for fans of the creepy and gooky family who will be intrigued to see their favourite characters on the stage. The musical, which was devised in 2007, is based on the original newspaper comic series rather than the films or television show. Matthew White directs this adaptation of the infamous family who have been part of popular culture since 1938. Wednesday Addams (Kingsley Morton) interests include…
Writer: Tim Firth Director: Joanna Read Reversing the gender of characters in plays usually serves some radical purpose- proving a political point or widening the range of roles open to women. Changing Tim Firth’s all-male Neville’s Island to the all-female Sheila’s Island seems a simpler process of recycling, and getting a bit more mileage out of, an established play. During Pennine Mineral Water Ltd.’s annual outward-bound team-building weekend, Sheila (Judy Flynn) disastrously misinterprets the clues on a treasure hunt and instead of guiding her team to the intended pub strands them on an inhospitable island. With Denise’s (Abigail Thaw) relentless criticism turning into bullying, Julie…
Composers: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Amalia von Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach Conductor: Gábor Takács-Nagy There is a sense of occasion to the Made in Manchester concerts. This is a hugely ambitious collaborative project between Manchester Camerata and Chetham’s School of Music to perform and record all of Mozart’s piano concertos. The project is overseen by Camerata Music Director, Gábor Takács-Nagy and features the pianist Jean -Efflam Bavouzet. A recording is one thing but there is a special thrill to a live performance especially with the exceptional acoustics of The Stoller Hall which are so fine the eccentric introductions by conductor Takács-Nagy can be…
Writer: Beth Flintoff Director: Hal Chambers The murder of Maria Marten in the early Nineteenth Century has been a source of fascination and intrigue ever since it became a headline news story and a staple of Victorian Melodrama. Murdered by her lover the remains of Maria’s body were discovered hidden under the floor of the infamous red barn where she was killed. This tragic tale which bares all the hallmarks of a classic crime drama has spawned several films, plays and folk songs, most of which have played up the gruesome elements of the story. In this excellent version written…
Writer: Mark Haddon Adaptor: Simon Stephens Director: Marianne Elliott The stage production of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time was created in 2012 at the National Theatre and after a successful few years in London’s West End is now touring the UK – arriving this week at the Liverpool Empire Theatre. “The Curious Incident” tells the story of 15-year-old Christopher Boone (David Breeds) and the struggles that not only he faces, but also the struggles the people around him face when dealing with, and understanding neurodiversity. In the opening scene, we see a distressed Christopher standing over…
Music: Tom Snow Lyrics: Dean Pitchford Director: Racky Plews It is time to drag the 80s clothes out of the cupboard and head to the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent where Footloose is on tour. Based on the 1984 film, Footloose currently stars celebrities Jake Quickenden and Darren Day. Footloose first hit the Broadway stage in 1998 and has experienced successful runs ever since. Directed by Racky Plews, this show is perfectly timed for the start of summer and the theatre urges the audience to dress up and enjoy the party. Chicago born teen, Ren (Joshhua Hawkins) isn’t happy about moving to…
Writer: Neil Baldwin & Malcolm Clarke Adaptor: Theresa Heskins & Neil Baldwin Director: Theresa Heskins After several false starts over the last couple of years, the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme has finally managed to stage a show about one of Stoke’s most treasured natives. The story of Neil ‘Nello’ Baldwin was previously told by Peter Bowker in the BAFTA award-winning 2014 film Marvellous, attracting huge critical acclaim for its voicing of inclusion, community and positivity as well as praise for Toby Jones’ wonderful portrayal of Neil. Now, artistic director Theresa Heskins has adapted his life story for the stage…