Author: The Reviews Hub - Yorkshire & North East

Writer: Caroline Bird Director: Wils Wilson Music: Jasmin Kent Rodgman After campaigning for women’s suffrage, through being a founder member of the British Communist Party, and campaigning tirelessly against all forms of injustice, Ellen Wilkinson became one of the first female Labour MPs in 1924. Her conspicuous and controversial parliamentary career culminated in becoming Minister for Education in Clement Attlee’s post-war Labour Government. Along the way, she was a journalist and an author. Her achievements were many, but she is chiefly remembered for her association with the Jarrow March in 1936, when she was MP for the town. Caroline Bird’s…

As a fellow-audience member remarked, the thing about Opera North’s programme at the Howard Assembly Room is that you get to hear stuff you don’t know anything about. So first off you need to be told that this review is written out of ignorance. Having said this, Huur-Huun-Tu’s take on Tuvan Khonei (folk music) was superb and greeted with a standing ovation. Huur-Huun-To wisely decided that the audience needed an introduction to Tuva and Tuvan throat singing, so the evening began with a short film. Tuva is mostly part of the Russian Federation, mostly because boundary-drawing placed part in Mongolia…

Music: Elton John Lyrics: Tim Rice Director: Julie Taymor Choreographer: Garth Fagan Since first opening on Broadway in 1997 The Lion King has been a firm favourite with both audiences and critics alike. It has been seen by over 100 million people worldwide, received six Tony Awards and is Broadway’s highest grossing production of all time. The cast ensure, through their energy, skill and passion that it still feels as fresh as ever. Based on the 1994 popular animated film, the story follows Simba (Stephenson Ardern-Sodje), a lion cub who learns he is destined to take the place of his…

Writer: Peter James Adaptor: Shaun McKenna Director: Jonathan O’Boyle Looking Good Dead poses a problem, a mystery, at the end. In the final scene, after all sorts of revelations and indiscriminate seizing of pistols, the audience’s laughter is obvious. Then comes a rousing curtain call and members of the audience can be heard saying how good it was as they exit. The problem is, “Is it meant to be funny?”. On the one hand there are the three police stuffed up together in a cramped little station downstage left, with Glenn Branson (Leon Stewart) decorating a murder investigation with silly…

Writer: Tess Seddon Composer: Harry Blake Directors: Harry Blake, Tess Seddon Say Yes to Tess began in 2017 when Tess Seddon moved back to Yorkshire from London after a disastrous experience on the Edinburgh Fringe and the break-up of a relationship. She became involved with the Yorkshire Party and stood as a candidate in the General Election that year. Two years ago it was about to be staged when Covid got in the way and now, finally, it’s now reached fruition, produced by TheatreState in association with Leeds Playhouse. The 2022 version, written by Tess Seddon with songs by Harry…

Choreographer: Lewys Holt The basic ruse of Empty Orchestra is to have three dancers: one, attempting unsuccessfully to croon along to karaoke favourites; the other two, to respond to the performance with wild dance antics. So there are no apologies to be made for the fact that the three performers – Luke Divall, Lewys Holt (who also choreographs), and Inari Hulkkonen – all manage to totally kill each and every one of the show’s tunes. Kicking off with Wham’s Last Christmas which sets the tone for Holt’s piece, with the two dancers wiggling, waving arms, playing the doggy and weightlifting…

Writer and Director: Chris Connel Original Book: Lucy Nichol Live Theatre’s Elevator Festival is a highlight in the north-east cultural calendar and showcases new work from up-and-coming artists. The Twenty-Seven Club rose to the occasion and proved there is no need to panic for husband-and-wife creative team Chris Connel and Lucy Nichol. This is an unvarnished play that is confident in its courage to address disquieting issues such as mental health anxieties, cancer diagnosis and family loss. Sensitivity and empathy result in a sincere and honest insight into what it feels like to experience panic attacks and how genuine love…

Writesr: Ian Kelly and Kenneth Tindall Music : Kerry Muzzey Choreographer & Artistic Director: Kenneth Tindall The spellbinding character of Casanova, a person not afraid to be himself, a polymath, a writer not just an infamous womaniser is portrayed magnificently in this Northern Ballet production of Casanova. First premiered in 2017, it was Kenneth Tindall’s first full length ballet. As choreographer and scenario writer he worked closely with biographer Ian Kelly to create the ballet. Taken from Casanova’s own memoirs it is based on the story of his life and the women in his life. Varied scenes provide opportunities for…