Original Book: Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler Original Director: Sally Cookson Director: Mark Kane Music: Benji Bower Freckle Productions brings to life the classic children’s story Stick Man by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler in a colourful and joyous way at the Leeds Playhouse this festive season. To the delight of the young audience they sing, dance, and play through the beautiful narrative, which sees our hero Stick Man, played by Luke Byeford, who is going out for a run but ends up being chased by a dog, thrown into a river by a girl playing poo sticks and washed out to…
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: Rory Mullarkey Director: Becky Morris A wintry white stage stocked with Christmas pines greets you on entering the theatre – very festive (Aileen Kelly). The two actors, Alice Faith and Bridget Marumo, peer round and cautiously enter the stage. They then act out six tales, taking on all the characters, from polar bears, robots, elves, humans and more besides. The first, Sophie’s New Best Friend, is about friendship between a polar bear and a shark – talking animals, kids love that; second Trouble at the Toy Factory involves an elves revolt at work; third, An Uneventful Afternoon, well there…
Writer: The Brothers Grimm Adapter: Nick Lane Music and Lyrics: Simon Slater Director: Gemma Fairlie A look at the cast-list tells you this is no ordinary Cinderella. At three or four characters per actor, plus various unlisted parts, there are Ratface, Filania, Blob and Flarf – and Charming isn’t even a prince! At least there’s Cinderella sneaking in at the bottom of the list. This is evidently one of Nick Lane’s nuttier versions of well known tales which always begin somewhere totally unexpected. In an odd recollection of Clarence earning his wings in It’s a Wonderful Life, the plot centres…
Book: Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce Director: Craig Revel Horwood Strictly Ballroom, based on the popular Baz Luhrmann film, is currently touring the UK after enjoying runs at Leeds Playhouse (formerly West Yorkshire Playhouse) and in the West End. This is a new production directed by Craig Revel Horwood of Strictly Come Dancing fame. The show tells the story of Scott Hastings, a rebellious ballroom dancer, who decides to try and put his own stamp on ballroom dance with beginner Fran. It is a fun show featuring the songs everyone knows from the film (Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps…
Writer: Laura Lindow Director: Maria Crocker Atmospheric music (Katie Doherty), swirling smoke, sinister lightning and caped figures start the show. “Long, long ago before time began…” two wizard cousins fought and lost all their magic powers. The wicked wizard, Canopus Sly (Jessica Johnson) sets out to find the one to unlock the magic, the sorcerer’s apprentice. While 13 is unlucky for some, Hatty Rabbit (Beth Crame) is an exception. As the 13th child, she has been endowed with magical powers and elected to be the sorcerer’s apprentice. This is Hattie’s story and Crame carries the audience along energetically unfolding her…
Writer: Paul Hendy Director: Juliet Forster What do you do when last year’s pantomime was greeted by five star reviews (full disclosure: four and a half on this site) and was nominated as Best Panto in the UK Pantomime Awards? Well, engage the same company to work with and bring back the same two funny men, of course. Then, when you’ve confirmed Evolution Productions will come up with a script by Paul Hendy and booked in Robin Simpson and Paul Hawkyard, what next? How about latching onto the story of Peter Pan with the cast flying hither and yon and…
Writer and Director: Paul Hendy Pantomime has a long theatrical history in Western culture and has been the go to show during the festive season for decades. This colourful art form (derived from classical theatre) in which actors tear down the fourth wall has delighted modern audiences for centuries. In more modern times, folk tales and nursery rhymes were introduced which become almost a sub-plot to the proceedings. Jack and the Beanstalk at Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre is no exception. From the fabulous glittery backdrop to the pre-show Christmas bangers, you know, even before you take your seats, you’re in for…
Writer: Andrew Pollard Director: Rachel Gee Jack and the Beanstalk has officially moo-ved into Lawrence Batley Theatre this festive season. Following the success of last year’s Robin Hood, director Rachel Gee returns with her latest offering, bringing back some familiar faces. The story, true to form with some modern tweaks, follows our protagonist, Jack (Thomas Cotran), as he and his Mum, Dame Trott (Pete Toon), need to find some money. The two of them set out to sell the family cow, but Jack is tricked by Gru-sum (James Mclean), who pays Jack with magic beans. The magic beans help transport…