Tag Archives: Liverpool

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: 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 ...

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: Kevin Fearon Reviewer: John Roberts The Royal Court has firmly become the place to go for the more adult and alternative fayre to the traditional pantomime. But if truth be told, while the cast have always been at the top of the game, the end results have always been a little hit and miss, for every Scouse of the ...

Writers: Tim Firth & Gary Barlow Director: Matt Ryan Reviewer: John Roberts Tim Firth is no stranger to Calendar Girls having penned the original movie screenplay in 2003 and then the stage production in 2008. Now working in partnership with singer/songwriter and lead singer of Take That, Gary Barlow, the pair have re-worked the cheeky true story of a group of ...

Music: Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky Choreography: Derek Deane after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov Conductor: Gavin Sutherland Reviewer: John Roberts  Swan Lake is arguably the most instantly recognisable name in the Ballet repertoire, its story is ultimately universal thanks to its themes of love and loss, betrayal and forgiveness, traits and characteristics that everyone can relate so it will always be able ...

Writer: Jess Green Director: Neil Reading Reviewer: Jamie Gaskin I was once asked that if teaching is such a cushy job why are so many teachers leaving? Burning Books provides a catalogue of reasons why the passion to pass on your blazing torch of wisdom can be squeezed out of you. The relentless and ever-changing bureaucratic goalposts is exhausting enough to ...

Writer: Patrick Marber Director: Adam McCoy Reviewer Matthew Forrest In 1997 actor/playwriter Patrick Marber was riding the crest of a wave: he had not long since had a prominent role in the comedy classic TV series Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge. His debut play, Dealers Choice had just been on an extensive run in the West End. His second ...