Dirty Dancing-The Classic Story on Stage

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It’s been 10 years since Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story Live On Stage opened at London’s Aldwych Theatre, taking an advance of £15 million in ticket sales and becoming the fastest ever selling show in West End theatre history. A decade on a packed out Palace Theatre proves the show is still as popular as ever as it stops in Manchester as part of its UK tour.

Based almost word for word (bar a few additional scenes) on the hit 80’s movie starring the late great Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in the lead roles it’s a real treat for any fans of the film and even those who have never seen it before.

Dirty Dancing tells the story of 17 year- old Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman who learns a lot more than ‘dancing’ when she stays at Kellerman’s holiday camp with her family in summer of 1963. Baby is heading for the Peace Corps and wants to make the world a better place but, as she stumbles across a secret sexy dance off at the camps staff quarters, her life turns upside down. Mesmerised by the raunchy dance moves and resident dancer Johnny Castle, Baby soon has the time of her life mamboing her way into becoming a woman.

Packed with energy from start to finish the record-breaking show has been reconceived in this all new production by an innovative creative team. Federico Bellone’s direction is slick, the scene changes are tight and in the words of Simon Cowell, Bellone has definitely ‘made it his own’.

Leading the way is Lewis Griffith as dance instructor Johnny Castle. No stranger to the stage having starred in hit musicals such as Legally Blonde, Jersey Boys and Ghost, Griffith oozes sex appeal from every pore. He sizzles onto the dancefloor with sensational hip action and thrusts which will make you blush.

Making her professional musical theatre debut as Baby is the delightful Katie Hartland who, unlike others who have played the role before, steers clear of delivering a carbon copy of Jennifer Gray’s portrayal of the character. Hartland delivers every line with a fresh quality and creates some really sweet comic moments as she struggles to master the dance moves. Someone who has no issues with her footwork though is Carlie Milner as Johnny’s dance partner Penny. With a set of pins that makes everyone go green with envy Milner shows off her physical prowess and is perfectly cast as the former Rockette who gets ‘knocked up’ by love rat waiter Robbie.

Special mentions must go to Julian Harries and Simone Craddock who play Baby’s parents in roles which are more developed for stage than screen. Daniela Pobega also excels as part of the ensemble belting out  some of Dirty Dancing’s iconic tunes Yes and (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.

This latest production will leave you wowed not just by the cast but by Gillian Bruce’s brilliant choreography and the shows’ impressive set, designed by Roberto Comotti, which expertly revolves to reveal a number of different locations from the Kellermans to the Sheldrake and back again.

With an incredible finale that brings a magical movie moment to life and the electric excitement from the audience as Johnny utters the immortal line ‘nobody puts Baby in a corner’, Dirty Dancing – the classic story on stage will not fail to put a smile on your face and set your heart racing.

This is one production I’d definitely carry more than a watermelon to go see again and again!

www.dirtydancingontour.com

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LISTING INFORMATION

Dirty Dancing – Palace Theatre, Manchester

Mon 10 – Sat 15 October 2016

Rehearsal for Murder

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From the writers of Murder, She Wrote, Richard Levinson and William Link and produced by Bill Kenwright, Rehearsal for Murder arrives at the Opera House for a week long run. With an all-star cast the show is a well-acted and entertaining whodunnit that will have you scratching your head and realising what a dreadful Detective you’d make!

With numerous plot twists and a good dollop of red herrings Rehearsal for Murder creates suspense and intrigue along the way. Alex Ferns most famously known for playing psychotic Trevor in Eastenders plays Alex Dennison, a writer who exactly one year ago on opening night tragically lost his future bride and leading lady of his new play, Monica Wells, Susie Amy. Monica dies in suspicious circumstances after the opening night party following a mysterious phone call. Convinced she was in fact murdered Alex sets the scene to replay events of that night with all who were involved in order to discover what really happened.

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Set inside an empty theatre the play uses a series of flashbacks to retell the story to great effect; the cast give strong performances with Ferns delivering delightfully unhinged grieving fiancé to great effect. Anita Harris makes for a fine theatre producer, in the role of Bella Lamb, dramatic, sassy and fabulous darling! Former Emmerdale favourite Peter Amory gives a great performance as David Mathews, a slightly seedy leading man….or so we are lead to believe. And of course where there is a leading lady there has to be a fame hungry starlet waiting in the wings, Sophie Powels plays Monica’s understudy Karen Daniels, could the opportunity of seeing her name in lights lead her to commit the crime?

Lighting designer Douglas Kuhrt has done a fine job in adding to the mysterious atmosphere and chillingly lights our deceased leading lady as she appears silently on stage reminding us why we’re here. Rehearsal for Murder is a gentle evening of murder mystery and as the suspense intensifies the calibre of the cast can be seen, a very well-acted and enjoyable production. So…..whodunnit? Well you’ll have to go and see it to find out!

Tuesday 11th October-Saturday 15th October, Opera House, Manchester

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/rehearsal-for-murder/opera-house-manchester/

 

 

 

Stripped Back, Elaine Paige Review

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RE: Elaine Paige 2016 - announcement & on sale

Elaine Paige Stripped Back Tour

Elaine Paige stepped onstage at the Bridgewater Hall to a rapturous applause last night as she treated Manchester fans to her latest tour Stripped Back. Looking a vision in lilac, Britain’s Queen of musical theatre belted out the tracks of her youth from some of her favourite songwriters including Nilsson and Webb. It was a night full of memories for Paige as she regaled the audience with amusing anecdotes of going on a date with Paul Simon and almost passing out with excitement as she met her idol Paul McCartney.

Featuring hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s such as Carole King’s One Fine Day, Donna Summer’s MacArthur Park and the Beatles’ Yesterday the concert was a step away from what we are used to hearing from the diva and for the first 30 minutes there was hardly a show tune in sight.

Defying her 68 years Paige shimmied through song after song, hitting some huge notes along the way. Despite everything though it all felt a bit flat, what the crowd really wanted to hear was some of her famous hits and it looked like they might be going home disappointed.

Luckily they got their wish as Elaine began to talk about the time she sung the duet I Know Him So Well with Barbara Dickson. There was an excited buzz of anticipation as the band began to play the intro and the audience came alive, mesmerised by her performance. This is where Elaine is truly at home, every note fitting her voice like a glove.

By the end of the show you feel like you have spent over an hour and a half with a friend and it seemed that Paige felt the same. The classy star was humbled at the standing ovation she received and looked like she truly enjoyed her time on the stage.

A few people left before the encore. Big mistake. With her biggest hit Memory from Cats and With One Look from Sunset Boulevard as part of the set list, it’s a moment you don’t want to miss.

Elaine continues her 23 date tour next weekend as she plays Southend Cliffs Pavilion.

Tickets on sale now

WWW.GIGSANDTOURS.COM • 0844 811 0051

WWW.TICKETMASTER.CO.UK • 0844 826 2826.

 

Elaine Paige Tour comes to Manchester

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Singer Elaine Paige comes to Manchester this weekend as part of her 23 date series of concerts from October to December 2016, entitled‘Stripped Back’, which will see her perform her most popular hits as well songs from her favourite songwriters.

The musical theatre legend will be at the Bridgewater Hall on Saturday 8 October and Opening Night are off to see her in action.

Elaine says: “I’m so excited about this series of ‘weekend’ concerts, this is going to allow me to do something completely different.  A brand new show celebrating songwriters I love such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice, Harry Nilsson, Jim Webb, Burt Bacharach, Sting, Lennon & McCartney … the list goes on.  Their music has been the soundtrack to all our lives, not just mine.  And it’s the ideal opportunity to perform in an intimate way … I’m doing these new shows ‘Stripped Back!”

Elaine has performed live in concert all over the world and as a recording artist has worked with legendary producers such as Tony Visconti, Dennis Lambert, Peter Matz, & Phil Ramone amongst others.She has starred in more smash hit West End & Broadway musicals than anyone else of her generation.

We are big fans here at Opening Night of Elaine’s successful weekly BBC Radio 2 show Elaine Paige on Sunday, which is a blissful two hours of songs from stage and screen. If you are heading down to the concert at the Bridgewater Hall on Saturday  then give us a tweet on @OpeningNight_ or if you’ve already seen Elaine in one of her tour dates let us know what you thought.

 

Tickets on sale now

WWW.GIGSANDTOURS.COM • 0844 811 0051

WWW.TICKETMASTER.CO.UK • 0844 826 2826.

Tour Dates:

October 2016

Saturday 8th             Manchester Bridgewater Hall

Thursday 13th          Southend Cliffs Pavilion

Friday 14th                Basingstoke Anvil

Friday 21st                Grantham Meres Centre

Saturday 22nd           Scunthorpe Baths Hall

Saturday 29th           Leicester The Curve Theatre

Sunday 30th               Kings Lynn Corn Exchange

 

November 2016

Saturday 5th             Birmingham Symphony Hall

Sunday 6th                 Buxton Opera House

Friday 11th                Swansea Brangwyn Hall

Saturday 12th           Malvern Concert Hall

Saturday 19th           Lowther Pavilion, Lytham St Annes

Sunday 20th               Scarborough Spa

Tuesday 29th             Cheltenham Town Hall

Wednesday 30th       Northampton Derngate

 

December 2016

 Monday 5th               Bury St Edmonds The Apex

Tuesday 6th               Bury St Edmonds The Apex

Sunday 11th               Leeds Grand Theatre

Tuesday 13th             Wrexham William Aston Hall

Sunday 18th               London Theatre Royal Drury Lane

 

           

 

Be My Baby

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Brooke Vincent makes her professional stage debut in Be My Baby, currently touring the UK with stops in Chesterfield and Bury St Edmund. The Coronation Street star is on home soil this week as the production sets up base at Salford’s Lowry Theatre, where it runs until 8th October.

Brooke has chosen well for her first major dabble into theatre, taking on one of the lead roles in Amanda Whittington’s play about teen pregnancy in the 60s. The period tale is a bitter sweet story of four young girls who form a bond after they are sent away in ‘shame’ to a convent for unmarried mums. Each from different backgrounds they hide away from society’s disapproving eyes until they give birth and return home, without their babies. As the play unfolds the audience laugh and cry along with Mary (Jess Cummings), Queenie (Brooke Vincent), Norma (Josie Cersie) and Dolores (Eva McKenna), as they share their stories with each other, keeping up their spirits and confessing sometimes shocking secrets.

The four actresses are all superb; Jess puts in a credible performance as well-educated Mary who wants to break out from the convent and survive as a single mum, Brooke oozes sass as ‘leader of the pack’ Queenie showing the girls the ropes and delivering some acidic one liners, Josie gives a heart-breaking performance as fragile Norma struggling to cope at giving her child away and Eva displays some great comic timing as she plays ditzy Dolores.

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Hi-Di-Hi star Ruth Madoc has also found a well suited role as the stoic ‘Matron’ of the convent. The 80s sitcom star manages to make the audience see the two sides of her character as she wrestles between her duty to make the girls do ‘the right thing’ and her sympathy towards the pain they are going through.

With scenes interlaced with well-known songs from the female icons of the sixties, such as The Ronettes and Dusty Springfield, Be My Baby has a nostalgic feel about it and at times you could imagine it being turned into a TV series, in the vein of Heartbeat or Call the Midwife. From the young teens in the audience to those who had grown up in the 60s the play manages to engage on all levels as they connect with the action onstage. There’s some great moments to watch out for as the pregnant young girls try to forget their predicament by singing along to Dusty tracks in the laundry room and some shocking revelations in act two.

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Not often does a play come around written for an all-female cast ( Charlotte Keatley’s My Mother Said I Should being one of them, along with Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls) so Be My Baby is a refreshing treat. It is also a harsh reminder of what the stigma was like to be an unmarried mum to be in the sixties and the unthinkable agony that many women went through went they were forced to give their babies up for adoption.

4-8th October The Lowry, Salford Quays, www.thelowry.com/drama

Keep Dancing

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With this year’s Strictly now in full swing, dance fever has struck once again! If the week long wait for the celebrities and professionals to hit the dancefloor is just too much then shimmy down to the Palace theatre for dance extravaganza, Keep Dancing!

Starring ex-Strictly pro’s Robin Windsor and Anya Garnis with guest celebrity and 2012 winner, Louis Smith (who gets a huge cheer from the audience); Keep Dancing is an explosion of sequins, salsa and some seriously impressive hip swivelling! Showcasing everyone’s favourite dances from the Tango to the Charleston and everything in between, Keep Dancing is a delightfully entertaining production which will thrill all the diehard dance fans amongst us.

The stars of the show are undoubtedly Robin and Anya, performing both pieces with the ensemble dancers as well as some exquisite solo pieces; they truly give a masterclass in dance with each discipline just as impressive as the last. The speed and agility in which they move is incredible, they are true professionals and utterly mesmerising, if I even attempted some of the intricate routines they glide through I’d end up in A&E with at the very least a dislocated hip and several broken bones.

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Interspersed between the dance numbers are beautiful musical and vocal pieces, singers Adam Warmington, Harriette Virginia Mullen and the superb Lisa-Marie Holmes were excellent, delivering gorgeously reworked versions of well-known classics which offered the dancers the perfect soundtrack to showcase their skills. The set design is simple and effective with staircases on both sides leading to an upper deck for the singers/musicians, teamed with dramatic and atmosphere lighting the scene is perfectly set.

The choreography team of which Robin and Anya are a part of have done an incredible job in delivering a tight and engaging show, jam-packed with top class routines, a particular highlight for me was the all-male paso, totally stunning and as dramatic as any good paso should be, add to that the bare chest of Robin Windsor and the swooning soon began!

If you’re looking for a fun night out, teaming with sensational routines and stunning choreography then Keep Dancing more than hits the mark, fun, flirty and totally FAB-U-LOUS!  

Palace Theatre, Manchester – Tues 4th-Sat 8th

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/keep-dancing/palace-theatre-manchester/

 

All Or Nothing – The Mod Musical

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Telling the story of The Small Faces rise to fame from a wannabe rhythm and blues band up until their much documented break-up on stage at Alexandra Palace, All Or Nothing is an engaging and hugely entertaining new musical.

With a book by Carol Harrison and directed by Pat Davey, All Or Nothing delves into the troubled past of a band who started out as fresh faced and full of attitude teenagers who wanted to change the ‘Mersey-beat’ scene and deliver something fresh, raw and exciting. We follow the band as they change from cheeky newcomers into a top sellers racking up iconic hits including Itchycoo Park, Lazy Sunday, Sha La La La Lee and of course All Or Nothing until years of constant working, exhausting touring, clashes of ego and general disillusionment with life at the top takes its tragic toll.

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The show is narrated by an older, no longer with us, Steve Marriot (Chris Simmons) looking back at the story of his life while his younger self performs in front of him, his narration is witty, revealing and brings a great pace to the production. Thoughtful and at times nostalgic, Simmons gives an outstanding performance, we see him go from light-hearted, dancing round the stage to crumbling before our eyes as the lifestyle becomes too much for his younger self, the liquor bottle becomes his constant companion as he smokes and drinks himself past the point of no return.

The use of an on-stage narrator works extremely well, Simmons swiftly creates a warm relationship with the audience and gently guides us through his compelling tale.

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The four cast members playing The Small Faces are excellent, Kenney Jones, (Drew-Levi Huntsman) Ian McClagan (Joshua Maddison), Ronnie Lane (Joshua Dowen) and Steve Marriot (Tim Edwards). All four act and play throughout, their musical pieces are tight and their scenes together authentic from bright-eyed wannabee hit makers to worn out and irritated popstars, each cast member gives their absolute all.

Special mention must go to Carol Harrison who as well as writing the book delivers a moving performance as Kay Marriot, mother of Steve. Carol delivers not only comedy and plenty of laugh out loud moments but also emotional and intense moments as she sees the tragedy that is unfolding before her.

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Rebecca Brower’s set is simple and effective, allowing the music and story to take centre stage here. This isn’t a musical with narrative dropped in around it; it’s a well written play which uses the music of its subject to great effect. With authentic 60’s clothing as well as props this is a piece that has been developed with true love and affection. The ensemble are excellent, playing various roles with some great comedic timing. The audience lapped up the witty jokes and cheeky quips and many a sound of recognition was heard as the cast kicked into one of The Small Faces classics. All Or Nothing makes for a fabulous night out, fun, feisty and totally fabulous!

On at Buxton Opera House until Weds 5th Oct

Manchester Opera House 18th Oct – 22nd Oct

http://www.allornothingthemusical.com/tickets.html

 

 

Little Shop of Horrors – Cast Interviews

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Cult classic and audience favourite, Little Shop of Horrors is heading to the Palace Theatre in October as part of a new UK tour. Set in 1950’s New York, well, Skid Row, to be more precise, Little Shop of Horrors is a hilarious tale of, love and laughter, with a little bit of murder, mayhem and of course a mean green mother from outta space thrown in for good measure!

Geeky but loveable Seymour discovers an exotic new plant which soon turns around the fortunes of the failing Mushnik’s Flower Shop where he works as an assistant in downtrodden Skid Row. He christens the plant ‘Audrey II’ in honour of his fellow assistant Audrey whom he is secretly besotted with. Sadly Audrey is stuck in the clutches of the sinister (if not a little bit sexy) Dentist, Orin Scrivello, who has a rather unhealthy passion for pain. Add to this the fact that Audrey II is quickly developing into a demanding, ill-tempered, obscenity loving carnivore that’s attracting more and more attention by the second and you’ve got one hell of an entertaining production.

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We sat down with cast members Rhydian (The Dentist), Sam Lupton (Seymour) and Stephanie Clift (Audrey) to hear what this revamped production has in store for Manchester audiences.

Taking on the devilish role of the Prince of plaque, is X Factor finalist and recording artist Rhydian, who has been a huge fan of the show for many years so jumped at the chance to join the cast. Experienced in musical theatre having appeared in Grease, We Will Rock You, Jesus Christ Superstar and Rocky Horror to name but a few, Rhydian loves the fact he can be completely outrageous on stage and have so much fun with the role.

“With this show you feel every single emotion, you’ll be crying, you’ll be laughing, you’ll be wincing, you’ll become absorbed with the relationships the characters have with each other. The energy is fantastic, we have the best director, lighting designer, choreographer, cast, it’s a winning combination and a great night out”.

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“I do musicals if I really like the show, and I really, really like this show, I love big show stoppers, everyone knows the music from Little Shop even if they don’t at first realise, the audience reactions have been incredible, we’ve even got the rights to perform Mean Green Mother live which we’ve never had before and the audience totally love every single minute of it as do we as a cast performing it”.

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Joining Rhydian as unlucky in love, Seymour is Sam Lupton, a graduate of Manchester School Of Theatre and experienced West End performer who has appeared as Boq in Wicked as well as in the touring production of Avenue Q amongst many other great shows. Having studied in Manchester for three years Sam is really looking forward to returning to the city, Sam loved living in Manchester and misses his time here, he used to frequent the Palace Theatre weekly so his return is made even more special by the fact that this is his dream role in a theatre that he loves.

“I saw an article around April time announcing the tour would be happening and have been a huge fan of the show since I was 6 or 7, I’ve always wanted to play Seymour professionally even more so after appearing in an amateur production when I was 15 where I played the voice of Audrey II, I rang my agent straight away and said ‘That’s mine, I want it’, after four or five rounds of auditions where I auditioned with several different Audrey’s, officially getting the part was fantastic”.

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Stephanie Clift who appeared in Mamma Mia in the West End straight after graduating from Arts Education Schools London in 2013 completes our leading line up and is totally thrilled to have bagged the role of Audrey, finding out about the show in a more unusual way;

“My baby niece is taught dance by the associate musical director Mark’s partner Suzie in Devon when I’m from, I was home one day and went to see my nice at her dance class where I got chatting to Suzie who asked me what my dream role was, I immediately answered Audrey from Little Shop and Suzie told me then that it was due to be going on tour, I knew straight away I had to be in it”.

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Both Sam and Stephanie agree that one of the highlights of the show for both them is when they sing Suddenly Seymour together, they feel the buzz of the audience anticipation of the song followed by their enjoyment once the music begins, for Stephanie it holds some really special nostalgic memories;

For me as a little girl, falling in love with the show, with Audrey and now getting to do that, remembering my reaction as a little girl and now being involved in creating that reaction for our audiences, it really is a dream come true”

Directed by Tara Wilkinson for Sell a Door Theatre Company and Damien Tracey Productions, Little Shop of Horrors is already proving to be an almighty hit, with rave reviews from each stop on the tour so far. With only one week to catch this riotous and hugely entertaining show act fast and book your tickets, with a strong cast, awesome staging, and catchy tunes you’ll be humming for days this really is one not to be missed!

Little Shop Of Horrors – Palace Theatre, Manchester,
Mon 31st Oct-Sat 5th Nov
Perf Times: Mon-Sat eves 7.30pm, Sat mat 2.30pm
0844 871 3019

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/little-shop-of-horrors/palace-theatre-manchester/

 

 

GENESIS premieres at The Lowry this November

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Image: Morag Siller and Sally Dynevor [Steve Searle/WENN.com]

The world premiere of Genesis will open at The Lowry, Salford, on Friday 11 – Sat 12 November 2016.

Genesis has been created by Forward Theatre Project and is the result of a two-year research partnership with the UK’s only charity dedicated to the prediction and prevention of breast cancer, South Manchester’s Prevent Breast Cancer.

The story of Genesis began when Charlotte Bennett, Artistic Director at Forward Theatre Project, met one of Prevent Breast Cancer’s patrons, actress Morag Siller in 2013. Morag shared her story of her battle against the terminal breast cancer and how this prompted her to get involved with Prevent Breast Cancer. In 2015, Charlotte began working with Morag to create a piece of theatre that would help raise awareness of breast cancer prevention. Sadly Morag passed away this April,and now Genesis has become part of of Morag’s legacy in supporting the work of the charity, and the play will be performed in her memory.
Coronation Street star Sally Dynevor was close friends with Morag and a co-patron of Prevent Breast Cancer. A breast cancer survivor herself, Sally says:“In order to build a breast cancer-free future, prediction and prevention are imperative. This play is about telling the human side of science. It addresses the incredibly difficult emotional journey we embark on when we are told we can potentially avoid rather than survive cancer by being told our predicted risk.”

Sally continues:“Breast cancer prevention is something that’s extremely close to mine and my family’s hearts, which is why we’re backing this incredible project to create awareness through the art of theatre.”

In developing the play Frazer Flintham, Genesis playwright, and Charlotte Bennett interviewed over 40 people – from geneticists, scientists and surgeons to patients, families and fundraisers connected with Prevent Breast Cancer, to explore the complex human impacts of predicting illness through science.

The all-female cast, featuring Helen Bradbury (who played Elizabeth I in BBC2’s Bloody Queens: Elizabeth and Mary in February this year), Joanna Nicks and Charlotte Melia, will be rehearsing in Manchester throughout October, which is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Judi Hibbert of Prevent Breast Cancer said: “1 in 9 women and 1 in 1000 men will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. We are delighted to be working with Forward Theatre Project and tremendously excited that they will be able to help portray the breast cancer situation in a way that even more people across the UK will understand the situation and help support it.”

Alongside the production, Forward Theatre Project will deliver a series of workshops and events including:

  • Free educational drama workshops with young women (aged 16+) from schools about body confidence and teaching breast checks.
  • ’Feel Good’ workshops for breast cancer patients including a pamper day of makeovers and professional portrait photographs.
  • A live stream of the show online for audiences to access across the world
  • A photography exhibition of 5 topless images of patients who have had mastectomies which celebrate survival, to be shown at The Lowry during the opening run of Genesis.
  • A full post-show panel discussion at The Lowry on Friday 11 November with collaborating scientists and artists.
Following its premiere at The Lowry, Genesis will then tour to Soho Theatre (London); Beggar’s Theatre (Cumbria); The Continental (Preston) and CAST (Doncaster).

Listings information
Genesis (UK Premiere)
11 & 12 November (8pm) | 12 November (2.30pm)
Tickets: £12 (£10 concessions)
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ
Box office: 0843 208 6000
www.thelowry.com/event/genesis

English National Ballet – Giselle

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Choreographed and Directed by Akram Khan, with co-production from Manchester International Festival and Sadlers Wells, Giselle is quite simply magnificent. Having seen the classical ballet only once before being asked to choreograph this new interpretation, Akram Khan has created something so special and unique I would have happily stayed in my seat and waited the 24 hours until the next performance just for the chance to see this magical piece again.

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Powerful, emotive and hauntingly beautiful. Khan has taken Giselle, originally choreographed in 1842 by Jules Perrot and Jean Coralli and brought it bang up to date, expanding it’s themes of love, betrayal, reality, the afterlife, money, power and the injustice that comes with not having either, so apt for the times we live in. Khan’s Outcasts are a community of peasant migrant workers disposed of by their employers and banished behind a thick and impenetrable wall, their only use now seemingly is to entertain the factory Landlords ,should their elitist former employers so desire.

Despite this dark and desolate life refugee Giselle (Alina Cojocaru) still finds hope and a love to cling to in the form of Albrecht (Issac Hernandez), a wealthy suitor who has crossed the line after becoming transfixed by Giselle’s beauty. Their love affair sadly has not gone unnoticed by Hilarion (Cesar Corrales) a peasant ‘fixer’ who shifts his allegiance from his community to the wealthy Landlords for his own gain, Hilarion will set about to ensure that Giselle and Albrecht do not get their happy ending.

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Vincenzo Lamagna’s reworking of Adolphe Adam’s score injects drama and grit with its powerful industrial presence, paired beautifully with Mark Henderson’s dynamic lighting design and Academy Award winning Tim Yip’s epic visual design and incredible costumes this production is destined to become a modern classic, a piece you would happily return to time and time again and discover something new on each visit. It is quite simply breath-taking; the skill on show left me speechless.

In Act II we see Giselle arrive in the afterlife, a ghost-factory inhabited by the Wills, (haunted spirits of the ill-treated factory girls) their en pointe work is dazzling, they appear to hover ghost like en masse, powerful and dark they are completely hypnotic with their tumbling unkempt waist length hair and tattered, rag-like dresses. Khan isn’t afraid to use long dramatic silences where you find yourself holding your breath afraid to break the silence yet desperate for the next mesmerising move from the stunning Company.

Bold and inspiring, Giselle more than deserved the standing ovation it received. Special mention must go to Principles, Alina Cojocaru, Issac Hernandez, Cesar Corrales and Begona Cao, all gave exquisite and unforgettable performances. My advice would be to beg, steal or borrow to get a ticket to this truly ground-breaking and achingly brilliant production.

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Giselle, The Palace Theatre, 27th Sept-1st October 2017

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/giselle/palace-theatre-manchester/

George Egg, Anarchist Cook, Review

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The Lowry, Salford

George Egg is an anarchist, now I’m not saying he’s currently plotting to overthrow the Government (although what he does in his spare time is quite frankly none of our business) but when it comes to the rules and restraints of a hotel room, George Egg most certainly likes to bend, boil and slap them in between a Corby trouser press!

Having spent many years on the comedy circuit George has become more than familiar with both hotel rooms and the ridiculously overpriced room service that comes with them, I mean £10 for a cheese and pickle sandwich?! Really?!! So, he decided to take a stand and do something about it, thus his show was born. George sees past the traditional uses of your average hotel room’s equipment and with a little bit of thought, creativity and lashing of sachets of malt vinegar, somehow not only manages to create a three course meal (and an impressive one at that) but delivers a highly entertaining comedy show throughout.

Where we might see a small and a little bit useless travel kettle, George sees an opportunity to create his own tasty ricotta before gently poaching a fresh seabass to perfection, and don’t even get me started on his use for a Gideon Bible!

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George is a total foodie, his knowledge and creativity are exceptional, add to this the fact he can make you laugh too and you’ve got a pretty marvellous all-rounder. Multi-tasking his way through first, second and third courses, George entertains with jokes, comedy stories and fun foodie facts along the way, all while doing things with a hotel iron you never thought possible! The show is fast paced and highly entertaining, made even better when you realise you get to try the food at the end of the show! There was even a guest appearance from Great British Bake Off finalist and owner of The Hive Bakery, Luis Troyano. Innovative, creative and engaging, you’ll leave the show with a smile on your face and the burning ambition to stay at a Premier Inn!

http://www.georgeegg.com/

https://thehivebakery.com/

The Community Centre

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Engine House Theatre, International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Manchester

Written by Nicola Gardner (who also takes on two roles in this new production) Directed by John Klark and Produced by Darren Adams, The Community Centre gives us a hilarious account of a day in the life of a local Community Centre and all the madness that comes with it. With diverse characters and lots of laugh out loud moments, The Community Centre is a riot of the familiar ridiculousness of day to day life down at the local Community hub.

Receptionist and self-declared Manager Precious played by writer Nicola Gardner, rules the Centre like an old school mistress with threats to bar anyone misbehaving as she ‘Has the power, you know’ I absolutely adored Precious, such a brilliant character and so well acted by Nicola, she perfectly recreated that ‘power gone to their head’ type character we’ve all no doubt come into contact with at some point in our lives, the audience lapped up her ‘service with a (sinister) smile’ such a great character I’d love to see more of.

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The play is performed in the thrust formation, meaning that the audience sit on two opposing sides of the theatre with a runway style stage running through the centre, with action taking place both in the centre and at either end of the ‘runway’. At one end we have Bev and Anisha, played by Lynne Payne and Sayera Haque, employed by the Community Centre to look after the Community Farm animals, both however are much, much better at taking extended tea breaks and having a good old gossip about their love lives than they are at actually doing any work. Their conversations were brilliantly written, many a giggle of recognition rippled through the audience as they reflected on their disastrous love lives from speed dating to borderline stalking of clearly uninterested men who they hilariously assumed were just playing hard to get.

At the other end of the Community Centre we have Sister Johnson (Linda Hargreaves), Sister Richards (Nicola Gardner, Brother Leroy (Tony McPherson) and Brother Myers (Declan Wilson) four friends who while away their days making use of the centres gas and electric whilst sharing a tot of rum and the playful banter only true friends can have. All four actors excelled in their roles, witty, entertaining and totally loveable. Moving between the two groups, broom in hand is hopeless Caretaker Robbie, (Mike Coombes)  white as snow yet desperately trying to convince both himself and those around him that he’s black, frequently asking his spirit guide Bob (Marley) whom he has a shrine to, for guidance and clarity. Despite his ridiculous swagger and Bob Marley hat complete with dreadlocks, you can’t help but love the hapless Robbie and will him to succeed.

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The Community Centre succeeds in demonstrating to us all that despite our differences and quirks we are basically all the same; we are all seeking out comfort and happiness through our meaningful connections with others. A real fun piece of theatre, with many laugh out loud moments, the production will leave you feeling smiley and thoroughly entertained, as the late great Bob Marley would say, ‘Let’s get together and feel alright’

Tickets are £10/£8 for concessions and the show runs until Saturday 24th September.

Schools/BSL Interpreter: Friday 23 September 2016, 14:00

http://www.communitycentre.org.uk/