Conductor: Chloe Rooke Soloist: Dana Zemtsov (viola) It was an inspired performance of Prokofiev’s ballet music for Romeo and Juliet that lifted this concert above the normally excellent level expected of the Orchestra of Opera North. Guest Conductor Chloe Rooke, in her pleasing spoken introductions, had already praised the virtuosity of the orchestra and expressed her enthusiasm for the Prokofiev ballet music. Now the two came together. Prokofiev was having a frustrating time in the mid-30s trying to get his ballet staged and decided to make two orchestral suites from the music. Eventually, long after the ballet was finally staged, he…
Author: The Reviews Hub - Yorkshire & North East
The Reviews Hub - Yorkshire & North East
The Yorkshire & North East team is under the editorship of Jacob Bush. The Reviews Hub was set up in 2007. Our mission is to provide the most in-depth, nationwide arts coverage online.
Writer: Lucy Kirkwood, from a conception by Katie Mitchell Director: Bryony Shanahan Original Songs and Music: Katie Doherty Northern Stage have long been known for providing an alternative to the brash and populist traditions of pantomime. Their seasonal offerings generally comprise a charming, quirky show for younger children and a fairytale story told in a style more in keeping with the source material, while still keeping enough magic to entertain older children and, of course, adults. This year’s main stage production revives The National Theatre’s 2010 adaptation of Gabriel-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve’s 1740 original. The narrative has gone through many…
Director: Rob Salmon Writer: Pete Rowe Welcome to Kirkgate Market, the vibrant heart of Leeds, bursting with lights, music, and excitement. This year’s production of Aladdin: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto transforms the beloved tale into a whirlwind of energy and song. The story opens to the electrifying sound of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk, introducing us to Aladdin (Harry F Brown) – here affectionately named Alvin – a cheerful dreamer employed by his flamboyant mother, Widow Tallulah Tightbottom (Widow T). Widow T presides over the Wash and Nosh Emporium, a bubbly café-laundry brimming with humour and chaos.…
Writer: Charles Dickens Adapter: Aisha Khan Director: Elin Schofield It may be impossible to keep count of the iterations of A Christmas Carol that have been generated in the past one hundred and eighty-two years. It is a tale that has endured, and for many is the ultimate story that encapsulates what it means to truly keep Christmas. While the story is ubiquitous, this year’s adaptation by Aisha Khan for the Sheffield Crucible is brand new. Khan honours the original text by Charles Dickens but ensures that this adaptation belongs firmly in South Yorkshire by embellishing the text with Sheffield’s…
Book & Lyrics: Alain Boublil Music: Claude-Michel Schönberg Director: Jean-Pierre Van Der Spuy Miss Saigon has never been a show to do things quietly, and the new touring production at Leeds Grand continues that legacy with style. Visually rich, emotionally charged and based on some incredibly difficult material, it’s a revival that honours the original while making clever choices in its design. One of the most striking elements of this production is the updated set and costume design. While long-time fans will notice changes from the original – some simplifications, some reinterpretations – the overall effect is hugely impressive for…
Writer: Andrew Pollard Director: Rachel Gee The Lawrence Batley Theatre’s annual pantomime has become a firm Huddersfield tradition, and this year’s Beauty and the Beast continues that legacy with warmth and joy. Written by Andrew Pollard – a familiar name to regular LBT panto-goers – the show confidently delivers every classic ingredient of pantomime, but with a clever script that feels fresh, funny and full of heart. One of the real pleasures of this show is seeing so many returning cast members step into new roles. There’s a comfortable sense of familiarity, but also a spark of excitement watching them…
Writer: Charles Perrault Adaptor/Director: Nick Lane It’s rather odd that Charles Perrault is cited as writer for this production as it’s unlikely he’d recognise more than the word “Aurore” (applied to the mother rather than the child) from his original. This is one of Nick Lane’s Christmas extravaganzas, applying all his imagination to finding bizarre twists to a well-known Christmas story. This time he has been given his head as director which means the whole thing moves at a cracking speed and a high volume, with (mostly) cheerful songs, weird and wonderful costumes (Helen Coyston at her most ingenious) and…
Music & Lyrics: Cyndi Lauper Writer: Harvey Fierstein based on the Miramax motion picture Director: Nikolai Foster Once dwelling only in music hall, pantomime and back-street clubs, drag is now very much in the mainstream. Ru Paul probably has a lot to do with this, but the proliferation of musicals that feature drag have also helped make what was once potentially shocking into something simply fabulous that almost everyone can enjoy. Kinky Boots can’t really be described as shocking. In fact, it’s simple story of the proprietor of a failing shoe factory gambling its future on producing high-heeled boots for drag artists is surprisingly tame and almost tension free. Yes, one of its central characters and their ever-present entourage are all drag queens, but…