Book: Craig Lucas Music: Daniel Messé Lyrics: Nathan Tysen & Daniel Messé Director: Michael Fentiman Reviewer: Matt Forrest Back in 2001 a relatively small budget French/German co-production called Amélie, became a monster hit, garnering both commercial and critical success: it did huge numbers at the box office, was in the running during award season, but more importantly than that this ...
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Book: Oscar Hammerstein II Music: Richard Rodgers Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II Director: Bartlett Sher Reviewer: Matt Forrest As soon as the steamer glides onto the stage, you hear the opening note of I Whistle A Happy Tune, you know you’re in safe hands and are about to be treated to something special. For the arrival of the huge boat into ...
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Writer: Richard O’ Brien Director: Christopher Luscombe Reviewer: Matt Forrest The Time Warp has been a firm favourite at social clubs, school discos, and family gatherings for an age. Regardless if it’s the original and to a lesser extent the 1987 cover version by Damian: it is always guaranteed to pack out any dance floor and get people out of their ...
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Choreographer: Kenneth MacMillan Reviewer: Rebecca Cohen Renowned for its dedicated ensembles, magnificent costumes and stunning storytelling, the ballet is a difficult art form for any company to be recognised as the leading light. Yet, the English National Ballet could well be doing just that, with their magnificent interpretation of the classic tale Manon– currently showing at the Opera House in ...
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Music and Lyrics: Jim Steinman Reviewer: Ruth Jepson After topping the charts in 1977, and with over 43 million sales worldwide, the iconic Meat Loaf album Bat Out of Hellmade Jim Steinman’s songs household names. Two further Bat albums went on to be produced by the pair, not to mention the dozen or so other albums they put out, together and ...
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Director: Michael Gyngell Reviewer: Matthew Forrest It seems an odd pairing, that of John Barrowman and the Krankies: one forging out a career in Hollywood, the others light entertainment stalwarts delighting crowds for over 50 years. They make for strange but successful bedfellows together as this is their third outing together performing Dick Whittington, having previously taken the show to ...
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Director: Kim Gavin and Jack Ryder Reviewer: Rebecca Cohen The Band is a new production that has been created off the back of the international success of boy group Take That, and that sparked a TV search for five aspiring pop stars. Making its debut in Manchester, it is at once both fun and ridiculous, providing a real throwback to ...
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Musical Director: Marvin Laird Reviewer: Taylor Simmons The stage is set; a simple white backdrop, vibrant colourful lighting, the occasional projection, and 11 musicians. This evening is about the music. Before even a note is played, the atmosphere is electric. Bernadette Peters’ Broadway reputation from over 50 years in the business has preceded her and created an environment fit for ...
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