Tag Archives: Grand Theatre

Writer: John Osborne Director: Sean O’Connor Reviewer: James Garrington The country is in turmoil. The people are divided, with strong views on both sides of the argument. Parliament is split with some fervent and vocal opposition to the Government’s plans. The Rice household is equally divided – Billy Rice gets all of his news from The Sun and rants constantly ...

Music: Gary Barlow Lyrics: Gary Barlow and Tim Firth Director: Matt Ryan Reviewer: Clare White It’s been 16 years since the film Calendar Girls was released, inspired by a true story about a Women’s Institute group from Yorkshire who ditched jam and Jerusalem to bare all for a nude charity calendar. It was the brainchild of Chris Harper, who wanted ...

Book and Lyrics: Gerome Ragni and James Rado Music: Galt McDermot Director: Jonathan O’Boyle Reviewer: Selwyn Knight It’s hard to imagine now that until 1968, the Lord Chamberlain’s Office had the power to censor theatre in Britain so that only licensed plays could be performed. Literally the day after censorship ended, Hair, the brainchild of friends Gerome Ragni and James ...

Writer: Willy Russell Director: Max Roberts Reviewer: Selwyn Knight Frank is a bitter failed poet and university lecturer. His life is spiralling downwards as his drinking threatens to get out of control. Indeed, in order to finance his drinking, he says, he signs up as a tutor with the Open University and is allocated Susan – or Rita as she ...

Writer: Alexander Dinelaris Director: Thea Sharrock Reviewer: Selwyn Knight Rachel Marron is a superstar actress and singer. Her concerts are spectacular events with dazzling dancing, powerful pyrotechnics and lurid lights. She also has a ten-year-old son, Fletcher, of whom she is fiercely protective, an entourage of publicists and agents … and a menacing stalker. Wraithlike, the stalker is able to ...

Writer: Chris D’Arienzo Director: Nick Winston Reviewer: Hannah Powell Depicting the birth and survival of the legacy of rock culture on the famous Sunset Blvd, Rock of Ages  bursts onto the stage showing musical fans and rockers alike there is no one set way to make a musical. Featuring classic rock songs like Cum On Feel the Noize, We Built ...

Book: Kevin Del Aguila Music and Lyrics: George Noriega and Joel Someillan Director: Kirk Jameson Reviewer: Clare White The musical stage version of Dreamworks animation Madagascar is in safe hands with Selladoor, the theatre production company behind Shrek the Musical. The family favourite is a vibrant and fun-filled animal adventure, packed with laughs for all ages. Marty the Zebra is disillusioned with ...

Writer: Michael Gyngell Directors:  Samuel Holmes and Nick Winston Reviewer: Selwyn Knight Under the leadership of business partners Serena and Robert, the Club Tropicana hotel has gone from strength to strength and is now a real contender for Hotel of the Year. However, with the arrival of the incognito inspector imminent, they realise too late that they’ve been the victim ...