Month: September 2023

Preview | By The Waters Of Liverpool

Leave a comment

The final ever UK tour of acclaimed author Helen Forrester’s captivating life story has opened to rave reviews – and it’s been a drama in itself getting the play to stage. 

By The Waters Of Liverpool Autumn 2023 UK Tour opened in Liverpool last week. The tour will run for eight weeks visiting 13 venues across the country. New production images have also been released. 

The tour will now visit The Lyceum in Crewe; Albany in Coventry; Waterside in Sale; Rhyl Pavilion; Hippodrome in Darlington; The Garrick in Lichfield; St Helens Theatre Royal; The Atkinson in Southport; Victoria in Halifax; and The Lowther in Lytham. 

The final run of By The Waters Of Liverpool will conclude at The Floral Pavilion in New Brighton – just a few miles from where Helen Forrester was born in Wirral.

By The Waters Of Liverpool is a stunning period drama produced by the team who brought the smash-hit Twopence To Cross The Mersey to the stage. 

The creative team are producers Rob Fennah and Lynn McDermott for Pulse Stage Productions and Bill Elms. The show is directed by Gareth Tudor Price and written by Rob Fennah. 

It’s been a long time coming to get the play out on the road. Its inaugural tour was scheduled to run for 12 weeks across 17 venues in Spring 2020. After some years in the planning, the tour was abandoned after visiting only three theatres when the country was forced into a national lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was also rescheduled twice when the pandemic failed to abate.

But before curtain up on this new and final tour, further challenges lay ahead for the team – including a life-saving operation and theatre closure. 

Co-producer Lynn McDermott needed a kidney transplant. And it was writer and partner Rob Fennah who stepped in to be tested and was a close match. Lynn and Rob underwent the transplant less than six months ago in March 2023 – but were determined to get back to work on the tour as soon as possible, defiant with the message: “The show must go on.” 

A short time later, tour opening venue The Epstein Theatre in Liverpool closed after funding was cut. So the team were tasked with finding a new venue with very little time. The Auditorium at M&S Bank Arena on the banks of the River Mersey stepped in to save the day and open the tour. The Gladstone in Port Sunlight on Wirral also played a key role by welcoming the play this week.

The tour is now open with a further 11 venues to come – and the four-star reviews are flooding in… 

“It was a beautiful piece of theatre” North West End 

“An uplifting account of how one ordinary Merseyside girl fought to keep her dreams alive and inspired so many in the process” Wirral Globe 

“Great nostalgia and romanticism of a by-gone era, lovingly crafted with care by all involved. 

This is a must-see show” The Reviews Hub 

The team behind By The Waters Of Liverpool and the earlier stage productions of Twopence To Cross The Mersey – which premiered in Liverpool almost 30 years ago – have announced this will be the ‘final chapter’ of Helen’s story on stage. Making it the last chance for fans of Helen’s million-selling books to experience her story first-hand.

By The Waters Of Liverpool has sold more than a million books. It is set in the 1930s after Helen’s father went bankrupt during the Depression. Her family were forced to leave behind the nannies, servants and comfortable middle-class life in the South West of England. The Forrester’s chose Liverpool to rebuild their shattered lives. They were in for a terrible shock. Taken out of school to look after her young siblings, Helen is sick of being treated as an unpaid slave and begins a bitter fight with her parents for the right to go out to work and make her own way in life. But by 1939 and with Britain on the verge of war Helen, now aged 20, has still never been kissed by a man. But things start looking up for her when she meets a tall strong seaman and falls in love.

Coronation Street’s Tom Roberts will play John Forrester, Helen’s father; Emmerdale’s Joe Gill will play Harry O’Dwyer, Helen’s love interest; with Emma Mulligan in the lead role of Helen Forrester. 

The line-up also features Lynn Francis, Daniel Taylor, Lynne Fitzgerald, Joe Owens, Samantha Alton, and Roy Carruthers. 

The nine-strong cast play more than 50 characters between them – just Emma Mulligan portrays the one single character throughout as Helen Forrester.

Co-producer Bill Elms commented: “It’s been such a challenging journey for By The Waters Of Liverpool. But the tour has now opened, we have an incredibly talented cast, and the four-star reviews are flooding – we’re delighted to be back on the road. 

“From pandemic lockdowns, a theatre closure, and Lynn and Rob’s extraordinary kidney transplant, it’s been a story in itself getting the play to stage and tour. This is the final ever opportunity for fans of Helen Forrester’s fascinating work to see her life story on stage 

“By The Waters Of Liverpool is captivating – the story of a young woman struggling to live her life. The story is heartbreaking, heartwarming, it does have plenty of comedy moments thanks to the myriad of characters, but most of all there is so much hope and love. Something everyone needs.” 

Writer and producer Rob Fennah enjoyed a long friendship with Helen Forrester since adapting her first book Twopence To Cross The Mersey in 1994. Helen travelled from her home in Edmonton, Canada, to see first-hand her story brought to life on stage.  

Prior to author’s death in 2011, Rob and Helen often discussed the possibility of another play to conclude her life story. By The Waters Of Liverpool is the result of many conversations and numerous letters between the author and playwright and, as such, the show is packed with provenance.

Rob has remained friends with Helen’s son, Robert Bhatia, and this production is fully endorsed by the Helen Forrester Estate.  

Robert Bhatia, said: “The partnership between playwright Rob Fennah and my mother Helen, and her legacy, has been outstanding.” 

By The Waters Of Liverpool is an adaptation of Helen Forrester’s third autobiography and the final chapter of Helen’s life in Liverpool during the Great Depression. It also features sizeable chunks from Helen’s earlier book Liverpool Miss, flashbacks to Twopence To Cross The Mersey, along with a storyline from Helen’s fourth autobiography Lime Street At Two. 

Helen’s literary achievements were further celebrated in 2020 to mark her 100th Birthday when an iconic Blue Plaque was unveiled at the Forrester family home in Hoylake on the Wirral, a place which featured heavily in her work. 

Written by Rob Fennah   ·   Directed by Gareth Tudor Price 

Produced by Pulse Stage Productions and Bill Elms 

Fully endorsed by the Helen Forrester Estate 

Website:         www.bythewatersofliverpool.com 

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/ByTheWatersThePlay 

YouTube:        https://youtu.be/r6TLMnPUleg 

TOUR LISTING INFORMATION 

HELEN FORRESTER’S  

BY THE WATERS OF LIVERPOOL 

CREWE – LYCEUM 

Monday 18 September – Tuesday 19 September 2023 

www.crewelyceum.co.uk  

COVENTRY – ALBANY THEATRE 

Wednesday 20 September – Thursday 21 September 2023 

www.albanytheatre.co.uk  

SALE – WATERSIDE 

Friday 22 September – Saturday 23 September 2023 

www.watersidearts.org  

RHYL – PAVILION 

Tuesday 26 September – Wednesday 27 September 2023 

www.rhylpavilion.co.uk 

DARLINGTON – HIPPODROME 

Friday 29 September – Saturday 30 September 2023 

www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk 

LICHFIELD – GARRICK 

Tuesday 3 October – Wednesday 4 October 2023 

www.lichfieldgarrick.com 

ST HELENS – THEATRE ROYAL 

Monday 9 October – Wednesday 11 October 2023 

www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com 

SOUTHPORT– THE ATKINSON 

Thursday 12 October – Saturday 14 October 2023 

www.theatkinson.co.uk 

HALIFAX – VICTORIA THEATRE 

Monday 16 October – Tuesday 17 October 2023 

www.victoriatheatre.co.uk 

LYTHAM – LOWTHER PAVILION 

Thursday 19 October – Saturday 21 October 2023 

www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk 

NEW BRIGHTON – FLORAL PAVILION 

Tuesday 24 October – Sunday 29 October 2023 

www.floralpavilion.com 

Annie

Leave a comment

Reviewed by Jodie Crawford

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s a tale we all know, a tale that is engrained in us from an early age. The tale of young orphan Annie, abandoned as an infant at the run down orphanage run by the equally run down Miss Hannigan. Annie and her fellow orphans live a life of chores and hard knocks. Annie’s luck suddenly changes when the Billionaire, Mr Warbucks enters it, from here Annie’s life is turned upside down. 

This production is a classic; it’s filled with everything we want. A cheeky, no-nonsense Annie (played by multi talented Sharangi Gnanavarathan on the night we reviewed) this, amazingly, is her professional debut, which you wouldn’t be able to tell as she was an absolute shining star on the stage, a haggard, meany Miss Hannigan (played by non other than the superstar Craig Revel-Horwood), a gang of energetic and mischievous orphans, and the familiar, nostalgic songs that have been etched into our memories over the years.

This production doesn’t disappoint. It’s fun, high energy, tender and charming. The choreography of Nick Winston is just beautiful, and is perfectly executed by a stellar cast. The set and costume design from Colin Richmond is both clever and captivating and is complemented wonderfully by Ben Cracknell’s lighting design. Everything about this production screams that it’s been directed by the hugely talented and accredited Nikolai Foster; he just brings out such elegance and tenderness in all he directs and this is no exception.

There is no getting a way from the fact that some of the American politics gags are wasted on us as an audience and at times the dialogue can feel a little outdated, but it doesn’t matter – because it’s Annie. And we all know and love Annie and deep down we don’t really want to see it updated for the stage. We want the familiarity of it, we want to be surrounded by the love that Daddy Warbucks has for little orphan Annie.

Alex Bourne (Daddy Warbucks) and Sharangi Gnanavarathan (Annie) shared such wonderful chemistry in the production, and the final scenes together were just pure magic. 

And then there’s our villain, our baddie, our drunken Miss Hannigan played by the incredible Craig Revel Horwood. I won’t lie, I had reservations about this casting, I feared that it would all be a bit panto dame. I was wrong, so wrong. There isn’t anything panto about how Craig plays it. It’s perfection. And that voice! His rendition of Little Girls was outstanding.

I know that many people will buy their tickets based on Craigs presence on stage and yes you guessed it he is utterly fab-u-lous (sorry couldn’t resist!). The production as a whole is a joy, offering something for everyone. The children, the ensemble, all the individual characters and all elements of the staging come together to give us a classic version of one our favourite musicals – Annie.

Annie is on at The Opera House until Saturday 30th September tickets available here.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Leave a comment

Reviewed by Matt Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie debuted in Sheffield six years ago, since then the show has gone on to have a West End run, a UK tour, a North American outing in Los Angeles and a film adaptation. On the basis of tonight’s performance it’s blatantly obvious why Jamie is still the talk of the town: and that reason is this is an outstanding piece of work, and a great, fabulous, fun night at the theatre

Inspired by the BBC Three documentary entitled Jamie – Drag Queen at 16, which told the story of Jamie Campell, a teenager hoping to make it in the world of drag whilst finding acceptance from his family, classmates and teachers.

Kicking off its second full UK tour at the Lowry, this coming-of-age musical focuses on Sheffield based schoolboy Jamie New, as he attempts to break out from the conformities and expectations placed on him by school and other aspects of society. With a career path of fork lift truck driver, seemingly determined by his careers teacher Miss Hedge, Jamie has other ideas, he wants to become a star of the stage and one of the greatest drag artists the world has ever seen.

There is so much to love about this production, writers Tom Macrae and Jonathan Butterell’s script is punchy, packed full of heart, soul and humour. It’s filled with great one-liners and outstanding musical numbers. Director Matt Ryan, keeps the action flowing at a blistering pace, which is matched by the vibrance and energy of this hard working cast. Right from the get go, Kate Prince’s choreography is exceptional, with some spectacular set pieces sprinkled throughout the production.

Ivano Turco is a revelation as Jamie, this a flawless performance packed full of charisma, charm, and attitude. Turco owned the stage at the Lowry tonight, his fantastic vocals, comedic timing, and delivery are an absolute treat to watch, leaving you in little doubt that this young man like the character is going to be a big star!

The production is blessed with outstanding performances from top-to-toe: Rebecca Mckinnis gives a heartfelt, measured performance as Jamie’s mum, Margaret; her delivery of the song, He’s My Boy is sublime. Whilst Shobna Gulati is hilarious as Ray, Margaret’s straight talking, no nonsense best friend, who has the lion’s share of the show’s best lines.

There is a solid turn from John Partridge as Hugo/Loco Chanelle, a local drag legend who befriends Jamie. His blend of warmth, compassion and take-no- prisoners attitude, perfectly typifies what the production is all about. In addition Talia Palamathanan is fantastic as Jamie’s best friend, Pritti, the character development of Pritti, is a journey you invest in equally as much as you do Jamie’s which is down to Palamathanan’s pitch perfect performance, whose breakout moment towards the end of the production drew the biggest cheer of the night. The chemistry between Turco and Palamathanan is exceptional as you fully in their shared journey and friendship.

Every story needs a good villain, and with this we have three. Jordan Ricketts, brings a degree of menace as school bully Dean. Whilst Hayley Tamaddon is equally nasty as the ‘smiling assassin’, of Jamie’s ambition Miss Hedge. Finally there is Akshay St Clair as Jamie’s dad, a thankless role highlighting the bigotry that Jamie has to face. All three highlighting the various obstacles Jamie must overcome.

This is a joyous, feel good night at the theatre, and one not to be missed. It won’t be doing a “Sashay Away” anytime soon, with the Everybody’s Talking About Jamie tour continuing well into the summer of 2024.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is at the until 17th September 2023 and continues on a UK Tour until July 2024

Tickets for the Lowry available here.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Leave a comment

Reviewed by Matt Forrest

Opening Night Verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Early on in tonight’s performance the cast belt out What’s the Buzz? The same sentiment perfectly sums up the arrival of Jesus Christ Superstar into Manchester, before it heads out on a full UK tour.

The excitement and expectation is more than understandable as director Tim Sheader’s Olivier Award winning adaptation of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber penned creation has garnered huge commercial and critical success, with its original 2017 run at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre resulting in a return the following summer followed by a further run at the Barbican before a concert version in between Covid lockdowns and a North America tour. On the basis of tonight’s performance it certainly lives up to the hype and more than delivers.

Originally conceived as an album in 1970, and then in 1971 turned into a rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar follows the last seven days of Jesus’ life as documented in the Gospels. The main focus is the growing animosity between Jesus (Ian McIntosh) and Judas (Shem Omari James), with Judas disgusted by the path Jesus is taking him and his fellow disciples on. As Jesus’s popularity grows, so does Judas’s resentment. Both men are fully aware that their fates are intertwined with both needing the other to fulfil their destiny even though both are reluctant to do so.

This a production of the highest quality, from the cast to the creatives all involved are on the top of their game. Ian McIntosh is outstanding as the reluctant messiah, in what is a physically draining role, he is a force of nature, exemplified in his heart breaking rendition of Gethsemane, his vocals on this are phenomenal.

Opposite Jesus plays Shem Omari James, who is equally as impressive as Judas, his guilt riddled, gut wrenching turn adds depth to the unfolding drama. In addition there is a strong turn from Hannah Richardson as Mary Magdalene, a devotee of Jesus, who may/may not be in love with him. Richardson’s tender rendition of I Don’t Know How to Love Him is again another highlight.

There is a fleeting cameo from Julian Clary, as Herod, playing him as a grotesque chat show host/inquisitor, it’s a darkly comedic slightly jarring moment, taking you out of the action; however, Clary’s star power will have the desired effect of putting bums on seats, I’m sure.

The production is littered with spectacular, well choreographed set pieces, put together by Drew McOnie, which showcase the talents of this incredibly hard working cast. One particular scene which recreates the Last Supper is crafted superbly and looks absolutely stunning.

Visually this production is flawless, filled with religious tableau and iconography, the sight of Judas’s hands bathed in silver and the intense crucifixion scene will live long in the memory. Add into the mix the fabulous set design which works perfectly with the atmospheric lighting adding a gritty, urban quality to proceedings.

At times this feels like a rock concert, with the musicians ever present throughout lurking in the shadows of the stage. It certainly leans heavily on its rocky opera origins which more than works in its favour.

JCS is a triumph, at times brutal and doesn’t pull its punches, it’s easy to see why after 50 years this piece of work is still beloved. This version feels fresh and contemporary and ticks all the boxes for an incredible night at the theatre and will be talked about for many years to come.

Jesus Christ Superstar is at the Palace Theatre till 23rd September, before heading out on a UK tour. Tickets are available here.

Rachel Fairburn

Leave a comment

Reviewed by Jodie Crawford

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was super excited to be asked to review a stand up comic – one, because I haven’t seen any stand up since before I had my kids seven years ago and two, because I’ve never reviewed a stand up gig before and I’m always keen to try something new. And this show really is new! Tonight was opening night for a nationwide tour – a tour that you absolutely have to go and see, and take every friend you have with you, because they are not going to want to miss out.

My only knowledge of Rachel Fairburn is that she once sat next to a friend of mine on a train to London and moved seats once my friend started eating crisps! Which is possibly the best “I once met” story I have ever heard. And before tonight, before getting a small insight into Rachel’s soul, I considered this to be a big precious. But now I know that there is absolutely nothing precious about Rachel Fairburn. She just literally won’t do anything she doesn’t want to do – including have kids, sit in the pub with other people’s kids and have anyone stay over at her house! 

Rachel draws a good size crowd for opening night in Manchester and from the minute we entered the auditorium I realised that Rachel clearly has a strong following and while most of the audience were women, they were woman of all ages.  

The show begins with Rachel entering onto stage as the warm up to her warm up act. And she captures us with her warm, no nonsense storytelling from the minute she opens her mouth. Mancunians, love another Mancunian- and Rachel is no exception. You can tell the audience are willing her to be funny- and there was nothing to fear because this woman is bloody hilarious.

Rachel spins us a few very funny tales and then leaves the stage all warmed up for Tom Lawrinson, her support act. Tom is funny, slightly odd (in a good way) and the crowd love him. He nudges the boundaries of appropriate and the crowd lap it up. The people sat next to me were chanting his name in joy after his set. 

When Rachel returns to the stage, she returns as the title of her show “the showgirl” – how she wore that outfit for the whole show in the 30 degree heat, and under the lights of the stage, I will never know. This show is unlike any I’ve seen before, she is so spot on with her observations and her reflections on nostalgic culture. The comparisons between the haves and the have nots, the observations of TV culture and her hilarious tales of her childhood. I don’t want to give away any of her gags – but if your name is Paula, then you’re in for a treat or two! 

Rachel Fairburn is clever, bold, brilliant and does one of the best Mancunians swaggers I’ve ever seen anyone, who doesn’t have the surname Gallagher, do. This show is a triumph, a masterpiece and an ode to turning middle aged. In a world where often people try to put us down and tell us to stop showing off – we could all just be a bit more Rachel, a bit more of a Showgirl. 

Tickets are on sale from ATG for the remainder of the tour – don’t hesitate – go see it. And take tissues because you will 100% be crying with laughter – just “ask Jeeves”.

Tickets for Rachel Fairburn’s tour are on sale now, click here for more info.

Lizzie

Leave a comment

Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The true crime story of a double axe murderer may not be your obvious choice for a musical but then a bit of blood & gore never did Sweeny Todd any harm. Now it’s time for some herstory, enter Lizzie Borden, who was put on trial for the murders of both her father and stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts back in 1892, a time before women had the vote and life for your average female was dictated by males who controlled everything.

Oppressed and abused Lizzie Borden (played by Lauren Drew), is drowning. Life is cruel and the claustrophobia of her crushing environment threatens to engulf her. Seeking sanctuary in the barn amongst the pigeons or during secret stolen moments with neighbour Alice (Maiya Quansah-Breed) something’s gotta give and when Lizzie’s protective sister Emma (Shekinah McFarlane) leaves town, give it does.

Along with maid Bridget (Mairi Barclay) the four bring the infamous story of Lizzie Borden to brilliant and bloody life. From the haunting nursery rhyme opener Forty Whacks to the powerhouse vocals displayed throughout, this is a musical with might.

Director and choreographer William Whelton ensures that the vocals take centre stage here and my goodness does this cast deliver! Lauren Drew is such a talent, carefully nuanced when necessary, making the moments of pure power all the more impactful. She transfixes as Lizzie, giving her both light, shade and believable complexity. Her pairing with Maiya Quansah-Breed is a joy, their voices complement each other beautifully, while the telling of their stories is delivered with a delicate determination leaving you desperately hoping they reach their own happy ending. Maiya Quansah-Breed’s calm, loving Alice offering Lauren Drew’s Lizzie the anchor she needs in life.

Shekinah Macfarlene is superb in the role of Emma, strong and soulful she brings a delicious depth to the sizzling score. While adding a genius touch of humour is the brilliant Mairi Barclay as glorious gossiping Bridget, she completes the quartet ensuring this formidable foursome won’t be forgotten in a hurry. Their harmonies are tight, powerful and utterly perfect.

Set and lighting designer Andrew Exeter transforms the intimate Hope Mill Theatre giving us drama and atmosphere well worthy of this gory tale. Dan Light’s video design takes things to another level while the live band led by Honor Halford-Macleod and made up of Dejante Hinks, Sarah Giles and Rebekah Slater are sublime.

With Act 1 lasting 55 minutes and Act 2 a shorter 40 minutes this cast grip you from the first eerie beat, you find yourself rooting for Lizzie wholeheartedly long before the first swing of the axe. You feel her pain, forgive her failings and empathise entirely with her reasoning.

Hope Mill Theatre have succeeded in adding humanity and personality to the Lizzie Borden of the history books, and they’ve done it all with slick style and pure rock star swagger. Lizzie will sit perfectly alongside the likes of SIX and Heathers, the score and specifically this production has cult classic written all over every rocktastic riff.

As the tempo changes once the verdict is reached our four protagonists become the liberated girl band you never knew you needed, Lizzie is bold, brilliant and totally badass, another monster hit!

Lizzie is on at Hope Mill Theatre until Saturday 30th September tickets available here.