Tag Archives: Harrogate Theatre

Writers: Phil Lowe and David Bown Director: Phil Lowe Reviewer: Ruth Jepson It's December, which means it's time to put the tree up, sip mulled wine, and head to the theatre for the best part of Christmas: The Pantomime! Jack and the Beanstalk at Harrogate Theatre has been given a modern twist by reimagining the titular hero as a heroine. ...

Writer: Marc Camoletti Director: Ben Roddy Designer: Andy Newell Reviewer: Ron Simpson For the next three weeks, Harrogate Theatre is reverting to the days of weekly rep, with Phil and Ben Productions (that’s Stewart and Roddy) creating what, in these days of pop-up theatres, could be called a pop-up rep company. For many years repertory companies acted as the backbone ...

Writers: Phil Lowe and David Bown Music: Nick Lacey Director: Phil Lowe Choreographer: Sophie Zealand Reviewer: Sophie Dodworth Upon entering Harrogate Theatre, elegant Christmas decorations have been hung, and harmonic sounds from the Harrogate Theatre Choir fill the air. The grand decoration of the venue, following its 2011 refurbishment, contributes to the flamboyant energy emitted by this quintessential family pantomime, ...

Devised by: The Paper Birds Co-Directors: Jemma McDonnell, Kylie Walsh Projection, Video & Sound: The Media Workshop Reviewer: Ron Simpson An audience of up to eight people sits in a conventionally comfortable caravan while the rain beats on the roof (at least it did on the first night in Harrogate) and a pleasantly chatty young woman hands round biscuits and ...

Writers: Phil Lowe/David Bown Director: Phil Lowe Musical Director: Nick Lacey Choreographer: David Kar Hing Lee Reviewer: Ron Simpson Pantomime traditionally plays tricks with the gender of the characters, but Harrogate’s gleeful version of Dick Whittington goes further than most. A mixture of tradition and innovation gives us, in addition to the customary Dame,  a splendidly old-style Principal Boy together ...

Writer: Neil Gore Director: Louise Townsend Musical Director: John Kirkpatrick Lighting Designer: Daniella Beattie Reviewer: Ron Simpson With Townsend Productions you know what to expect: an important left-wing subject, an entertaining, involving and informative mix of song, comedy and serious agitprop, two men in their time playing many parts (and several instruments), an ingenious production by Louise Townsend that disguises ...

Writer: Graham Linehan Director: Kevin Shaw Reviewer: Ruth Gerrard Having been a hit in at the Liverpool Playhouse and in the West End previously, it is time for the Coliseum in association with Harrogate Theatre,to present this adaptation of the 1955 Ealing Studios film of the same name. When lovely old widow Mrs Wilberforce (Roberta Kerr) advertises a room to ...

Writer: Jean Genet Director: Michael White Designer: Irene Jade Reviewer: Ron Simpson The Maids is a mystery, not in the sense of The Mousetrap that occupied Harrogate Theatre’s main auditorium the previous week, but in the difficulty in determining what Jean Genet’s play really means. Murder, incest, lesbianism and sadomasochism nudge their way into the text, along with much more ...