Tag Archives: The Grand

Writer: Harvey Fierstein Composer: Cyndi Lauper Director and Choreographer: Jerry Mitchell Reviewer: Ruth Jepson Ladies, gentlemen and those who have yet to make up their minds, Kinky Boots is finally touring and it’s time to strap on your stilettos and sashay to the theatre! Based on the 2005 film, Kinky Boots the musical is pretty much a direct retelling of ...

Writers: Marshall Brickman and Rick Elise Music: Bob Gaudio Lyrics: Bob Crewe Director: Des McAnuff Choreographer: Sergio Trujillo Reviewer: Janet Jepson The Grand in Leeds is celebrating its 140th anniversary! On the 14th November 1878, this wonderful theatre first opened its doors, showing a production of Much Ado About Nothing. It certainly started something though, and the back catalogue of ...

Stage adaptation: Michael Gyngell and Mark Haddigan (based on the film Summer Holiday) Music: Bob Wicks Director and Choreographer: Racky Plews Assistant Director and Choreographer: Blair Anderson Reviewer: Janet Jepson It’s summer 1963 and everyone is keen to get away from it all, escape the daily grind and the dreary weather, and go on a Summer Holiday “where the sun ...

Music and Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz Director: Joe Mantello Based on the novel by: Gregory Maguire Reviewer: Ruth Jepson Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them? Wicked is a musical phenomenon. Since opening in 2006 the show has garnered over 100 major international awards and already been seen by nine million people in London alone. Seemingly ...

Writer: Hans Christian Anderson Director, Choreographer & Costume Designer: David Nixon Composer: Sally Beamish Reviewer: Holly Spanner Originally published in 1837, the Hans Christian Anderson fairy story has been adapted on countless occasions for film, television, print and theatre over its 180-year history. The most famous of these, of course, being the Disney 1989 animated movie. David Nixon’s version with ...

Writer:  Chad Beguelin & Tim Herlihy Music: Matthew Sklar Lyrics: Chad Beguelin Director: Nick Winston Reviewer: Stephen Brennan There’s a repeated joke towards the end of The Wedding Singer where fake versions of 1980’s icons are introduced, each time with a knowing wink to the audience inviting them to accept the pale imitation as the real thing. Unfortunately, for a ...

Writers: Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrix Director: Ian Talbot Reviewer: Holly Spanner It’s the fourth of December 1956 in Nashville, Tennessee. In a small recording studio on 706 Union Avenue, a seminal moment in rock n’ roll history is taking place; an impromptu jam session between Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. And, as far as ...

Creative Supervisor: Keith Strachan Sound Designer: Mike Whyte Musical Director: John Maher Reviewer: Janet Jepson “Act like you’re 17 again!” “Wave your mobile phone in the air!” It could be impossible for a large part of the audience to carry out both suggestions simultaneously, but everyone at The Grand in Leeds gets into the spirit for their idols, The Beatles. ...