Tag Archives: Harrogate Theatre

Writer: Rachael Halliwell Director: Nathan Marsh Set and Costume: Caitlin Mawhinney Lighting: Charlotte Robinson Reviewer: Ron Simpson Connection is described in the pre-publicity as “a Yorkshire Thelma and Louise”. This seems overstated to a degree. In place of heading off for Mexico on the run from the law over a shooting, Elaine and Catherine have some 20 minutes of stage ...

Writer: John Godber Director: Phil Lowe Set Design:  Graeme Skingle and Will Heyes Reviewer: Ron Simpson Harrogate Rep, back for a second year, is a smart idea and already a favourite with audiences. The same company performs three plays in three weeks, thus enabling the audience, as the programme says, “to see the same cast in different roles across the ...

Writer: Grace Chapman Director: Nicholas Pitt Reviewer: David Guest Asylum seekers and their plight is an issue regularly seen on the news, but increasingly the topic is being explored on stage as more and more people ask the question, “What can be done?” The impact on the refugees is portrayed on a large scale in plays such as The Jungle, ...

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 ...