Book: Jessie Nelson Music and Lyrics: Sara Bareilles Director: Diane Paulus Waitress is a compelling musical featuring music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, with the book written by Jessie Nelson. It is an adaptation of the 2007 indie film of the same name, originally written and directed by Adrienne Shelly. The narrative centres on Jenna Hunterson (Carrie Hope Fletcher), a waitress and gifted baker trapped in an abusive marriage. Upon discovering she is unexpectedly pregnant with her husband Earl’s child, Jenna embarks on an affair with her obstetrician, Jim Pomatter (Dan Partridge). Seeking an escape from her hardships and encouraged…
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.
Book, Music and Lyrics: David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts Director: Robert Hastie It’s April 1943. The Allied armies are planning an invasion of Sicily. The only problem is that Sicily is crawling with Nazis. They need to be baited into withdrawing. The solution? Operation Mincemeat – the Allies will float a corpse into Spanish waters, holding a receipt for an engagement ring, some love letters, and theatre ticket stubs. Oh, and top-secret papers telling of Britain’s plan to invade Sardinia. ‘Major Bill Martin’ will have his effects claimed by the Germans, they’d leave Sicily, and the…
Director and Co-Adapter: Richard Lewis Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show brings the much-loved animated world to life in a lively new stage production that promises fun, laughter and plenty of surprises for its young audience. Based on the hugely popular children’s series created by Neville Astley and Mark Baker, this new show stays true to the gentle humour and family-friendly storytelling that have made Peppa Pig a global favourite since her television debut in 2004. With bright sets, energetic performances and audience participation woven throughout, the show offers an engaging experience that keeps children thoroughly entertained from beginning to end.…
Writers: Harry Murdoch and G.G. Director: Harry Murdoch When a play lasts an hour and you are implored by the director not to tell the secrets of the big reveal which comes 15-20 minutes before the end, it doesn’t leave too much to write about. But Harry Murdoch is right: the perplexity builds and, just when you can’t see where it will finish up, an end is called to the experiment and everything is turned on its head. The play is not what the play appeared to be about at all and, Harry, your secret is safe with The Reviews…
It seems a very simple concept for a show: celebrated accompanist/expert Neil Brand talking about Laurel and Hardy and showing extracts from their films, then in the second half showing two complete short films. However, there is more to it than that: the films have recently been beautifully restored and, projected onto a screen which (with a piano) is the entire set, are a splendid reminder of the beautifully paced mayhem of Laurel and Hardy. There are three fine extracts from the duo in talkies. Inevitably the evening starts with The Trail of the Lonesome Pine from Way Out West, Olly displaying…
Stories: Eric Carle Creator: Jonathan Rockefeller The advertising promises four timeless stories, but the show is named after only one of them. When the final one, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, starts, the audience reaction tells you why. This is certainly “the star of the show”, to quote the publicity material again. The show relies heavily on the beauty, grace and humour of the 75 puppets. The four white-clad manipulators are ingenious and efficient, but there’s no sense of personality in them. Instead, when we start off with the question and answer of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, after the lumbering bear, we…
Writer: Ryan Greaves Additional Material: Anton Benson and Steve Moorewood Director: Ryan Greaves Throughout the Easter holidays this year, Anton Benson Productions are touring their Easter pantomime Mother Goose. As Fairy Virtue tells us, panto is for life, not just for Christmas! The lesser known title tells the story of a beloved matriarch who gets tempted to trade her beloved goose for fame and fortune, before realising that money can’t buy happiness and family and friends is what matters in life. It’s a simple but lovely story which provides plenty of opportunities for the traditional panto gags. Ryan Greaves writes and…
Book, Music and Lyrics: David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts Director: Robert Hastie There was nothing undercover or discrete about the way in which the cast of Operation Mincemeat took Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre by storm. This show has become something of a phenomenon, its run constantly being extended in the West End and now also on Broadway, as well as this national tour – and it’s not difficult to see why. Devised and written by a remarkable team – David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts – and directed here by Robert Hastie, the show…