Month: June 2024

Burlesque

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Credit: Johan Persson

Based on the iconic 2010 film starring Cher and Christina Aguilera, Burlesque introduces us to Ali, a small-town girl who finds herself in the big city where life is about to get spicy, and the stakes are gonna get a whole lot higher.

This much-anticipated stage adaptation switches up elements of the film’s storylines so those looking for a faithful retelling will without doubt find something new to discover here. Some storylines and characters have been removed while others are further developed adding new dynamics to the production.

Credit: Johan Persson

We follow Ali (Jess Folley) as she leaves her home in the Midwest in search of her birth mother Tess (Jackie Burns). A stressed-out debt-ridden Burlesque club owner isn’t quite who Ali expects to find but she sticks around nonetheless as she awaits an opportunity to tell Tess the real reason she’s there. Life suddenly begins to take a dramatic turn and almost accidentally Ali becomes the star of the Burlesque show.

Taking a keen interest in Ali is Jackson (Michael Mather) the friendly bartender who has more than bourbon on his mind while there’s added depth given to Tess’ husband Vincent (George Maguire) who becomes the villain of the piece, adding an entertaining element of jeopardy as well as an opportunity for a gloriously camp male tap ensemble piece.

Credit: Johan Persson

Jess Folley is superb as Ali, her vocals are incredible, she has big shoes to fill taking on the role made famous by Christian Aguilera and she does so convincingly, while managing successfully to make the part her own. She is a true star. Her talents don’t end on stage as she also takes writing credits for several of the show’s new songs, it really feels like we’re witnessing the launch of a world-class talent here.

As Tess, Jackie Burns delivers a Broadway quality performance right here in the heart of Manchester, she has a strong chemistry with Jess Folly and the duet Got It All From You between the two is one of the most heartfelt moments in the production. Burns brings strength and sass to the role while gradually allowing her softer side to show.

Credit: Johan Persson

Ramping up the fabulous is a sensational Todrick Hall as Tess’ right-hand man and club assistant Shaun. An incredible performer who commands attention from the moment he appears on stage. His epic numbers are flawless, showcasing his extraordinary talents perfectly. His performance feels fresh, effortless and uniquely creative. A generous performer, he pitches things just right ensuring while his lead numbers pop his shared scenes are balanced and nuanced.

Special mention must also go to Nina Ann Nelson who is clearly having great fun as mean girl Nikki. While B Terry makes for a wholesome Midwest bestie, reminding us just how different life is becoming for Tess.

Credit: Johan Persson

The ensemble numbers are sensational, proving that Burlesque really is BIG. Film favourites Express and Show Me How You Burlesque whip the audience into a frenzy with Nick Winston’s sizzling choreography matching the quality of the stunning vocals perfectly. Add to this Soutra Gilmour’s lavish set design combined with Ryan Dawson Laight’s incredible costumes and Jack Knowles’ dramatic lighting and these pieces have wow factor worthy of winning awards. The additional element of Nina Dunn’s video design further takes the visuals up a notch.

Steve Antin’s book is fairly light and frothy but manages to steer away from cheesy however it’s the epic ensemble scenes that really steal the show. Some punchier dialogue in parts would bring a little more balance to the piece however judging by tonight’s audience reaction no one really came her for the convos.

Credit: Johan Persson

This incredibly talented cast go all out to deliver an exhilarating night of fierce, feel-good, fabulousness. The audience lap up the dazzling design and killer choreography with expectations of outrageous escapism fulfilled as we all head off into the Manchester night feeling a whole lot sassier than when we arrived. Burlesque will go far with the West End and Broadway surely beckoning, catch it in Manchester while you can!

Burlesque The Musical is on at Manchester’s Opera House until Saturday 29th June, it will then return from Thursday 3rd October until Saturday 2nd November tickets are available here.

Twelfth Night

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Having brought audiences a boundary breaking version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2022, Not Too Tame return to Shakespeare North Playhouse this month with their inspired interpretation of Twelfth Night, with the aim to rock your socks off!

This modernised version centres the action within the music industry, there’s raunch, romance and a whole lot of riffing as this Shakespeare classic is given the rock star treatment. Utterly irreverent and a whole lot of fun this is Shakespeare for today. There’s a glorious mix of modern language which marries perfectly with Shakespeare’s script, it’s extremely funny, a little bit naughty and as far from stuffy as you can possibly get.

This is the second co-production between Warrington based Not Too Tame and Shakespeare North Playhouse and it’s clear both know this stage and setting well. Director Jimmy Fairhurst ensures his cast use every inch of the stunning Cockpit Theatre, making this production all the more exhilarating as you wait in anticipation of who will appear next, from where and when. The theatre becomes the cast’s playground and it’s clear for all to see just how much fun they’re having with it.

Twelfth Night is often described as one of Shakespear’s greatest comedies and Not Too Tame have gone full throttle with this, the production is bursting with top quality comedic moments, well-timed delivery and wisecracks galore. There is of course the classic Shakespeare tropes of unrequited love, mistaken identities, and subterfuge as separated twins Viola (Georgina Frost) and Sebastian (Tom Sturgess) arrive in Illyria each thinking the other is dead. This is Illyria as you’ve never seen it before, no longer is it a shipwreck that separates the siblings but a euphoric night on the nose candy.

Frost and Sturgess are both excellent in their roles, the addition of multiple genres of music to this innovative production allows them to show their talent as singers while Dean Fairhurt’s musical composition gifts them with great opportunities to lyrically progress the story.

Jack Brown as Sir Toby Belch and Reuben Johnson as Sir Andrew Aguecheek are hilarious, Brown nails it as the odious Sir Toby, the hard-drinking, hard-partying, high-spirited (or is that just high?) uncle of Olivia (Purvi Parmar). His pairing with Reuben Johnson is perfection, as Jonson gives us a hilarious Tim, Nice-But-Dim-esque interpretation of Sir Andrew, the two together are a joy.

Purvi Parmar as Olivia is excellent, while Louise Haggerty as Feste gets the party started right from the off. Returning to Shakespeare North Kate James takes on the roles of both Maria and Antonia and delivers both brilliantly.

Then of course we come to Les Dennis who shines as Malvolio, there is little Les hasn’t done in his incredible career and now he can well and truly say he’s not only ticked performing Shakespeare off his list but he’s well and truly knocked it out the park. His Malvolio is multifaceted, starting off as a confident, sharp suited tour manager and transforming entirely in Act 2 in a scene I don’t think anyone will forget in a long time – iconic! A gifted actor he has the ability to draw you in and break your heart a little as he shifts impressively from victimiser to victim.

This is Shakespeare with sass, spunk and seriously bangin’ beats. The relocating of the action does at times in Act 1 make the story a little more complex to follow but once you’re on board the anthemic beats and knock-out cast will whip you up and carry you along for this feelgood ride. If music be the food of love, play on, and on and on!

Twelfth Night is on at Shakespeare North Playhouse until Saturday 29th June tickets available here.

2:22 A Ghost Story

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Having wowed the West End with multiple record-breaking runs as well as an ongoing UK tour that continues to sell out, 2:22 returns to The Lowry for another two-week run and judging by tonight’s standing ovation a third visit would be most welcome.

Written by award-winning writer Danny Robins, this supernatural thriller is fast becoming a modern classic, with its clever narrative and inspired cast changes keeping audiences on their toes.

The action takes place over one evening at the home of Sam (George Rainsford) and Jenny (Fiona Wade). Having recently moved into an old house with their baby daughter Phoebe, extensive renovations have begun. Amidst the sleepless nights and with her husband away with work, Jenny has begun to experience some strange goings on, footsteps heard in daughter Phoebe’s room and the sound of a male crying, more curiously always at the same time, 2:22.

When Sam return’s home the couple host a dinner party inviting Sam’s university friend Lauren, (Vera Chok) and her new partner Ben (Jay McGuiness). When Jenny reveals the mysterious goings on to the group husband Sam is sceptical, insisting there must be logical explanations. Support comes primarily from Lauren and Ben, with Ben particularly having a keen interest in the supernatural. Jenny convinces the group to stay up until 2:22 so they can witness for themselves the scary shenanigans.

It’s here that Danny Robins brilliant script really shines, witty and sharp the tension builds as you wait for the jumps that this clever script continually threatens. Act 1 sets the scene while Act 2 ramps up the scares impressively. This is not just a ghost story but an exploration on humans, their beliefs, struggles, strengths and weaknesses. The digital clocks displaying the time ticking towards 2:22 brilliantly aid the uneasy feeling that something bad is about to happen.

Fiona Wade is excellent as Jenny, filled with angst and frustration she portrays the character with believable authenticity. George Rainsford is equally as impressive as the initially arrogant and unlikeable Sam, his journey from start to finish shows an interesting exploration of character which he delivers convincingly. Vera Chok as booze loving Lauren increases the drama as we see her shift from confident to emotionally crushed while Jay McGuiness as Ben brings heaps of charm, humour and likeability as the working-class outsider of the middle-class group.

With an excellent plot twist, masses of misdirection and swathes of suspense 2:22 is a brilliantly crafted piece of theatre. Entertaining, well-acted and surprising right to the end, it’ll make you think twice about things that go bump in the night.

2:22 is on at The Lowry until Saturday 15th June tickets available here.

Testmatch

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Reviewed by Matt Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve watched a great many shows at the Octagon Theatre since its redevelopment and have always been impressed by the quality and variety of its output and I’m more than happy to say that writer Kate Atwell’s comedy/drama Testmatch continues this trend.

Testmatch begins in the present day, it’s England vs India and the stakes couldn’t be higher as it’s the final of the women’s Cricket World Cup final from England. However, rather inevitably, rain has stopped play. As the two teams sit and wait for the umpires decision on whether the game will continue or not. Some of the players from both teams shun the dressing rooms, instead opting to keep an eye on the conditions themself.

With no sign of play resuming, the opposing teams vent their frustrations at the situation, as well as bemoan/gloat on the balance of the match.  Soon the six women let their guards down and discuss other matters aside from the match, which include the passion they have for the sport, the rules of the game, and of course their personal lives and situations.

The six women present never use their names or nicknames, instead are identified by the squad number on the back of their shirts. Both of the team captain’s are present. India 1 (Aarushi Riya Ganja), the best bowler in the world right now, who needs the victory in her retirement match: and her opposite number, England 1 (Bea Svistunenko), the best with the bat for her country, but plagued with self doubt over fear of failure.

Also present are England 2 (Mia Turner) who is dealing with troubles off the field, as her recent relationship breakup is plastered over the front pages of gossip magazines and the tabloids. India 2 (Aiyana Bartlett) has to keep her sexuality secret for fear of the scandal it will cause. Finally there is India 3 (Tanya Katyal), whose love and passion for the game knows no bounds, and England 3 (Haylie Jones) who is just trying to make sure everyone gets along till play can resume.

As the long wait continues, tensions begin to rise, not just from the desire to win, but from  allegations of cheating and as well as racism, which spill over into a shocking confrontation and sets up a very unexpected change of direction for the production’s second part.

There is so much to admire about Testmatch. Kate Atwell’s script is as hilarious as it is thought provoking. At first packed with great one liners and risque dialogue, we are treated to a sneak-peek into the life of professional sports people. However this is somewhat of a red herring, as the play moves into darker territory, with prejudice and colonialism discussed in a thought provoking and rightly confrontational manner. 

Under Diana Page’s slick direction the production is always engaging and holds your attention throughout. The ensemble cast are superb, striking the right balance between comedy and drama, never straying into melodrama. It was a pleasure to see a cast bringing out the best in each other which makes for captivating viewing.

I’m not going to discuss the play’s second act in any detail, but it really is a shift in pace with a different set of characters (played by the same cast), and a different setting, however still continuing the themes from act 1. Just to say it’s a smart, ambitious and a bold choice, which is at first quite jarring, but brilliantly pays-off.  

This is an entertaining and enjoyable night at the theatre, that sadly highlights some of the issues that still blight our society today. Whilst the English weather is certainly hampering the current cricket season, get on down to the Octagon, where there is plenty of high quality drama on display, why not bring your cricket whites and pads too, you may even get a game during the interval if you’re lucky!

Teatmatch is at the Bolton Octagon until the 1st June. Tickets available here.

Judy & Liza

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sixty years ago this November, mother and daughter duo Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli performed together at the London Palladium. Taking this historic performance and centering it as the shows backdrop, Judy and Liza takes us on an emotional and impressive journey from The Wizard of Oz to Cabaret and much more in between.

Written by Emma Dears who also brilliantly portrays Liza, the show details both the highs and lows in the lives of these two legendary performers through their incredible back catalogues which are seamlessly interwoven between narration and anecdotes from years gone by.

Helen Sheals is superb as Judy, her mannerisms, voice and vocals matching the mega stars perfectly. The pairing of Sheals and Dears is wonderful, their chemistry as mother and daughter draws you in from their first moments on stage. Both incredible actors they tell the turbulent story of these two global icons with real heart and genuine emotion. There are moments of joy, tears and laughter as they explore the light and shade of these fascinating women.

This piece has been lovingly created with each song choice being perfectly placed, from Get Happy to Smile, each number is treated with love and care ensuing the audience hear old favourites in ways they may not have experienced before.

Vaunderville lightbulbs glow amidst a backdrop of photographic projections adding context to the narrative, bringing us into the heart of Judy and Liza’s world.

This simple yet effective staging allows the focus to remain on the two talented performers who give their all.

This is not a direct tribute show, more a lovingly curated homage to the talented pair. Act 1 primarily focussed on Garland’s early year, allowing Helen Sheals to take us on an incredible journey as Garland’s youth and innocence becomes tainted by Hollywood and the insecurities that plagued her life. Her haunting delivery of Somehwere Over The Rainbow which closes the Act is a heartbreaking highlight.

Act 2 shifts our focus more to Liza’s career, allowing Dears the opportunity to take centre stage. Her performance is authentic and impressive while she wonderfully embodies Liza with her convincing mannerisms and incredible vocals.

Judy and Liza is a hugely entertaining show. It will thrill long standing fans of the duo and no doubt win over new fans learning about their incredible lives for the first time. This show, which is now in its tenth year succeeds entirely in delivering an engaging, emotive experience for music fans of all ages, heartfelt and joyous.

Judy and Liza is touring until 29th June, further information and tickets can be found here.