North East & Yorkshire

The Rite of Spring Music: Igor Stravinsky Choreographer: Jeanguy Saintus Gianni Schicchi Music: Giacomo Puccini Director: Christopher Alden Conductor: Garry Walker Reviewer: Dawn Smallwood This production marks the first-ever collaboration between Opera North and Phoenix Dance Company.  Garry Walker conducts both Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring and Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi in the company of Opera North’s orchestra.  In another first, The ...

Writer: Rob Ward Director: Adam Zane Reviewer: Ron Simpson First of all a grumble at a company that mostly deserves high praise. The notable absence of a cast list, both on the night and/or digitally on the website (at the time of writing this review), is disappointing. No mention of the actors or the tech team are given – and sound ...

Writer: Neil Gore Song Writer/MD: John Kirkpatrick Director: Louise Townsend Designer: Elizabeth Wright Reviewer: Ron Simpson To an extent we know what to expect of a Townsend Theatre production. With the wonderful exception of the fictional Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, it will be based on a significant moment in the class struggle, usually a key piece of union activity; it will ...

Writer: Debbie Tucker Green Director:  Gbolahan Obisesan Reviewer: Rich Jevons Debbie Tucker Green's Random benefits from a script that combines the everyday with the sensational without giving up its gritty realism and compulsive drama. Yes, there is much tragedy here, but always complemented with the West Indians' nuclear family's sense of normality. Max Johns' set is made up of stacked-up ...

Musicians: Fitzwilliam String Quartet                   Opera North String Quartet Reviewer: Ron Simpson The Fitzwilliam String Quartet’s appearance at the Howard Assembly Room was celebratory in mood, notably in the stunning performance of Shostakovich’s String Octet with the Opera North String Quartet which concluded the evening, the perfect antidote to any mistaken belief ...

Actor, musician and director, Conrad Nelson has been associated with Halifax based theatre company, Northern Broadsides for over 20 years. The Company, founded by acting legend and professional northerner, Barrie Rutter, is a unique theatre company with a truly authentic northern voice. Its work is characterised by a high degree of theatrical inventiveness and robust performances from Northern actors who ...

Based on the book by Barry Reed Adapted for the stage by Margaret May Hobbs Director: Michael Lunney Reviewer: Mark Clegg Based on Barry Reed’s 1980 best-selling novel, this newly adapted version of The Verdict is the first time the story has been dramatized since the 1982 Paul Newman-starring movie. Featuring a failing, drunken lawyer finding a new lease of ...

Writer: Book by Michael Gyngell Music: Greg Arrowsmith Director: Samuel Holmes & Nick Winston Choreographer: Nick Winston Reviewer: Sue Collier The narrative for Club Tropicana - The Musical is very simple. Serena jilts Olly on their wedding day, and they each go on holiday to Spain, accompanied by their friends. Lo and behold, they both stay at The Club Tropicana ...