Festive 18/19

Music and Lyrics: Howard Blake Choreographer: Robert North Director: Bill Alexander Reviewer: Selwyn Knight 2018, was positively awash with anniversaries relating to The Snowman: Raymond Briggs' book was first published in 1978, 40 years ago, and Birmingham REP’s first stage production inspired by the book and animated film of 1982, was first seen in 1993, 25 years ago. And, as the ...

Writer: Michael Harrison and Alan McHugh, from the book by J.M Barrie Director: Michael Harrison Reviewer: Selwyn Knight It can’t be easy having to step into another performer’s shoes at short notice, especially when the show was written with the original incumbent in mind, but this is exactly what Darren Day has done: the Hippodrome’s panto for 2018/9 was originally ...

Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Version and Direction: Victor Smirnov-Golovanov Artistic Director: Ludmila Nerubashenko Choreographer: Marius Petipa Reviewer: Janet Jepson There is a certain magic in the air when a ballet is performed, and an evening at the ballet seems to hark back to that previous era of classic theatrical opulence and privilege. To properly partake in the experience, one feels ...

Writer: John Nicholson and Le Navet Bete Director: John Nicholson Set & Costume Designer: Fi Russell Composer: Peter Coyte Choreographer: Linzy Na Nakorn Lighting Designer: Marcus Bartlett Reviewer: Helen Tope Bright, bold and wittily inventive, Le Navet Bete’s pantomime takes on the challenge of telling the story of Aladdin. We know the nuts-and-bolts of the story: the lamp, the genie, ...

Director:  Neil Dorward Reviewer:  Richard Maguire 2018 has been a vintage year for circus in London. January was a little less cold with the sultry Becoming Shadesat the Vault Festival, while summer arrived early when Circus Abyssinia came to town in April. And favourites like the high adrenaline Cirque Berserk and the naughty Briefs still pull in the crowds. To finish the ...

Writers:  Jonty Stephens and Ian Ashpitel Director: Daniel Clarkson Reviewer: Dave Cunningham Be honest: some Christmas traditions are puzzling and do not meet the criteria of peace on earth and goodwill to all. Dark winter nights prompt ghost stories and an interest in elaborate murder-mysteries. One tradition that is easy to understand, however, is the continuing appeal of the comedy ...

Writer and director: Olivia Race Reviewer: Jay Nuttall The stockings may be hung by the chimney with care, In the hope that St Nicholas soon will be there, But Saint Nick seems to have fallen asleep in the chair, And it’s up to two elves to get the sleigh in the air! This is the premise for Front Room Productions’ ...

Orchestra: Orchestra of Opera North Choirs: Chorus of Opera North              Opera North Youth Chorus              Opera North Young Voices Conductor: Garry Walker Reviewer: Ron Simpson Besides superb musical standards in a variety of forms and innovative stage productions, one of the main reasons for Opera North’s huge success – ...