North West

Book:  Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan Music/Lyrics: Mel Brooks Director: Raz Shaw Reviewer: Dave Cunningham The original movie version of The Producers was so outrageously funny it is hard to imagine a musical version could be an improvement. Yet this festive season The Royal Exchange certainly have a damn good try with director Raz Shaw’s staging of the musical. Producer Max ...

Music and Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz Book: Winnie Holzman Director: Joe Mantello Reviewer: Helen Jones For those who have been living under a shell for the last fifteen years, Wicked, based on Gregory McGuire's fantasy novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, is a prequel and retelling of The Wizard of Oz but from the viewpoint ...

Writer: Kevin Dyer Music: Patrick Dineen Director: Nina Hakiyianni Reviewer: Jamie Gaskin Including a great deal of movement and physical theatre in a show for children is always a risk. While many delight in the comic antics and accent on movement, others insist on breaking the silence with their own dialogue – some of it from traditional Panto. In many ...

Writer: Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss Director: Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage Reviewer: Frances Scott The chopped and changed wives of Henry VIII have moved heaven and earth to tell their side of the story. Overshadowed by their husband’s reign, these queens have taken over the Quays theatre to upgrade the audiences limited knowledge of their lives. Assuming that you ...

Writer: Jessica Lea Director: Sam Donovan Reviewer: Jamie Gaskin It was probably the title that made the team change the ancient rules of pantomime: Instead of a girl as the principal boy they decided to bring A-lad-in. [Editor: Groan] The lad in question being Adam McCoy who wastes no time using his youthful good looks to win over the audience ...

Reviewer: Jo Beggs There’s never been a better time for a sharp, honest look at the United States, and Rich Hall, with his sardonic outlook on life, does it with style. The Virginia-born Anglophile comedian has truly come of age thanks to the current state of the union. With his Radio 4 Rich Hall’s (Election) Breakdown he attempted to make sense ...

Writer: Sarah A Nixon & Mark Chadderton Director: Mark Chadderton Reviewer: John Roberts This year’s Rock’n’Roll pantomime from The Everyman theatre is a loose take on the Hans Christian Anderson tale The Snow Queen, and while it may not be as slick as last year’s Little Mermaid offering, it’s still a funny, engaging and energetic offering that ensures its place as ...

Writer & Director: Sarah Punshon Reviewer: May Mellstrom With just a sprinkling of fairy dust, J.M. Barrie's timeless tale of the boy who never grew up is brought to life in this years festive production from The Dukes.  Artistic Director Sarah Punshon writes and directs this new version of Peter Pan and ensures there is something for everyone to enjoy. ...