Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Lowry, Salford

Ahead of their full length interpretation of The Tempest this Autumn, Birmingham Royal Ballet bring their Shakespeare triple bill to the Lowry, opening with American choreographer Jessica Lang’s elegant and contemporary, Wink, which takes its name from the first line of sonnet 43, ‘When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see’. Inspired by Lang’s favourite sonnets, the five poems, read in reflective and brooding voiceover, compliment the expressive and emotive choreography.

The large expanse of the Lyric stage is perfect for Mimi Lien’s minimalist yet striking set, individual dancers stand behind chest height square panels, which swivel round and change from black to white, in effect winking at the audience. Peter Teigen’s lighting mirrors the changing colours and helps set the dramatic and intense mood creating together the perfect staging for Lang’s powerful piece. The dancers give faultless performances, Brandon Lawrence’s movement is seamless, Lang has worked closely with composer Jakub Ciupinski to ensure the themes and feelings of each piece echoes the mood of the sonnets. Whilst there are many elements of classical ballet, Wink delivers something fresh, exciting and delightfully contemporary.

Next we have José Limón’s The Moor’s Pavane – Variations on the theme of Othelle created in 1949 it remains to this day a classic of American modern dance. Stripped back to just four principal characters; The Moor, Iago, Emelia and Desdemona, Othello’s tragedy is beautifully told in this 20 minute quartet. Limón through his delightful descriptive choreography tells the tale of the unfortunate Moor, his wrongfully suspected wife, and the Moor’s devious friend and wife.

The quartet move fluidly in a close circle, Othello’s precious handkerchief being passed from hand to hand, the niceties and decorum of the stately court dance soon exposed to be merely a façade for the passion and jealously bubbling away underneath. There is no set, just our four dancers as the focal point on a darkened stage; they succeed beautifully in drawing our attention as the glide effortlessly with purpose and heartfelt meaning, expressive, passionate and exquisite.

The final piece of this Shakespeare celebration is Frederick Ashton’s flirty and fun, The Dream. A 1964 one-act ballet telling the story of A Midsummer Night’s Dream all set to a delightful Mendelssohn score. In stark contrast to Wink and The Moor’s Pavane, The Dream has a full and detailed set, we are transported to Peter Farmer’s magical forest and ushered into Oberon and Titania’s enchanted Kingdom, gently and beautifully lit by John B. Read.

The pace of the story telling is perfect as the ensemble cast usher us through the story charmingly, Mathias Dingman’s Puck is perfection, impish, playful and full of fun. Kit Holder makes for a delightful Bottom, comedic and as oafish as you could wish for. Special mention must also go to both César Morales and Momoko Hirata whose Oberon and Titania are quite simply enchanting.

The company excel in the utterly delightful and totally entertaining piece, fun, witty and classically beautiful. Birmingham Royal Ballet once again prove just what an exciting and dynamic company they truly are.

https://www.brb.org.uk/

Based on the story of the Rylstone & District branch of the Women’s Institute and their innovative way to raise funds, writer Tim Firth and long-time pal Gary Barlow have worked their magic and created a musical about those much loved WI ground breakers simply titled ‘The Girls’.

Most will be familiar with the story having seen either the smash hit film or much loved stage play, (both written by Firth). Yorkshire lass Annie, played by the fantastic Joanna Riding, loses her beloved husband John (James Gaddas) to cancer and is determined with the help of her WI family to do something special in his memory, the decision is made to raise funds to purchase a new couch for the relatives room in the hospital where John was treated and soon the seed for the ‘alternative’ calendar is planted.

Girls is an absolute joy from start to finish, tender moments where tears threaten are immediately followed by laugh out loud scenes that remind us in life we can’t have the highs without the lows.

As the idea of the nude calendar edges closer to a reality we see each of our ladies wrestle with their own issues and struggles in life, offering up even more opportunity to empathise with these wonderful women as we soon realise we all face similar battles in life.

Firth and Barlow’s pairing is a perfect one, the script is witty and warm with accompanying songs that flow seamlessly as an extension of the script. The melodies are wonderful and the lyrics clever and catchy, toe tapping amongst the audience is almost immediate.

Designer Robert Jones’ set is striking, green cupboards and cabinets and stacked on top of each other to create various levels, the centre of which is a hill that beautifully represents the rolling hills of Yorkshire.

The cast as a whole are fantastic, each and every character is portrayed with a deep affection, Girls works so well due to the love the cast clearly have for the story, each person on stage gives their absolute all. Special mention goes to Joanna Riding playing Annie and Claire Moore who takes on the role of Annie’s best mate Chris. Their chemistry is wonderful and their relationship as best friends through thick and thin is truly heart-warming. The icing on the cake of this delightful production is of course the photoshoot scene; it is absolutely hilarious and has the audience crying with laughter.

Girls is as charming as it is moving, as fun as it is touching and truly deserving of the standing ovation it received. I’ve no doubt Mr Firth and Mr Barlow have an absolute smash hit on their hands which will delight audiences for many years to come.

Some very, very exciting news has reached us here at Opening Night, Rufus Norris, director of the National Theatre, exclusively announced last night that the incredible War Horse will return to The Lowry in 2018. Speaking at a special ‘In Conversation’ event with The Lowry’s chief executive, Julia Fawcett OBE, Norris confirmed the acclaimed production will return to the Lowry on Tue 13th June 2018 and run until Fri 30 June. The dates will coincide with the national centenary commemorations of the end of the First World War.

The new dates follow two previous hugely successful runs at The Lowry – the first of which, back in 2013, was the most popular run of any show in The Lowry’s history, evidence of what a truly remarkable show this is.  Michael Morpurgo’s emotional story of courage, loyalty and friendship, about a young boy called Albert and his horse Joey, set against the backdrop of the First World War is the most successful play in the National Theatre’s history.  Featuring ground-breaking puppetry work by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, which brings breathing, galloping horses to life on stage.

Directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, adapted by Nick Stafford, War Horse received its world premiere on 9 October 2007 at the National Theatre, running for two seasons before transferring to the New London Theatre from March 2009 until March 2016.  War Horse, has been seen by over seven million people worldwide in 97 cities and 10 countries.  There have been productions in New York, Toronto and Berlin, and tours of the UK and Ireland, South Africa, North America, the Netherlands and Belgium, and most recently China.  It has received 25 awards including the Tony Award for Best Play.

It is the kind of production that really leaves it’s mark, emotional, captivating and utterly mesmerising. An absolute must see!

Tickets will go on sale in the New Year, Opening Night would recommend booking tickets asap as they will no doubt be in very high demand. They will be available direct from the Lowry Box Office and through their online booking system http://www.thelowry.com

New Play Will Put Issue Of Homelessness In The Spotlight

PARALLEL image credit: Anthony Robling

An all-female cast has been announced for a thought-provoking and innovative new play, which tours the North of England this Autumn, co-produced by Black Toffee and Harrogate Theatres.

Parallel is a darkly comic drama, which highlights the personal stories behind homelessness. The play is hugely pertinent, as the national housing crisis worsens and rough-sleeping has doubled since 2010. As well as highlighting this important social issue, Parallel also explores our broader understanding of home, purpose and charity, through the lives of three strangers, who desperately need to connect.

Anna is stranded. Beth came for a think. C just wants some kip. Three women meet by chance late at night. None of them really want to be there, yet none of them leave. It is a rare moment of stillness in a hectic modern world, bringing both solace and discomfort. With only loose change, some booze and a dodgy carrot at their disposal, will any of them find their way home?

The three women will be played by actors who will learn all three parts. A dice roll by an audience member decides which parts the actors will play at every performance. There are in effect, six different versions of the play.

Writer, Laura Lindsay, explains her reasoning behind this exciting theatrical device: “The dice roll explores the impact of chance on the outcome of our lives. It illustrates that homelessness can happen to anyone. Ultimately I wanted to emphasise that we’re all very much alike with the same needs and wants, and it is largely fortune and circumstance which determine the quality of our living situation. I also think it is really interesting for the audience to imagine the show in different combinations and reflect on why they think an actor is most suited to a certain part. We’ve had some audience members come to see the show more than once to see another combination.”

The cast are confirmed as Janet Kumah, Arabella Gibbins, and the writer herself, Laura Lindsay.

Janet Kumah has a wealth of experience across stage, TV and film, as well a strong musical background including performing in West End smash-hit, The Bodyguard.

Arabella Gibbins played the lead in the musical Poppies earlier this year, which premiered at The Space Theatre in London to wide critical acclaim. She has recently returned from performing in  a five star sell out show at the Edinburgh Fringe, with her comedy group Laughing Stock.

A graduate of Manchester’s Arden School of Theatre, writer and producer of Parallel Laura Lindsays’ acting credits include the national tour of Hidden, The Rise and Fall of Little and Emmerdale.

The production sees Laura, Black Toffee’s founder, join forces again with Director James Baker. The pair enjoyed recent success and critical acclaim with the musical Parade at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. 

Parallel is touring five venues throughout November, playing Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester from 1 to 5 November.

For more information visit:  http://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/parallel

Now time for something a little different…

Opening Night usually tells you about what is coming up in the world of theatre…but what about when theatre finds itself a temporary new home?

Well that is what is about to happen today (11th September).

Theatre company The Letter Room will be descending on Manchester’s Selfridges Exchange Square, creating raucous little pockets of theatre that puts the audience in a Shakespearean world to celebrate the Shakespeare ReFASHIONed scheme. They will be enhancing shoppers experience, getting them laughing, clicking their fingers and maybe even dancing.  The performances will take place at 2pm and 4pm and will run across different floors of the Exchange Square store.

Head down the escalators to the Lower Ground’s beauty floor the the underground speakeasy where Juliet is the singing diamond. There’s music and dancing, everyone is beautiful and it’s a party. Think Baz Lurhman’s Great Gatsby. As the Capulets are getting ready for the masquerade ball behind the scenes you might just see Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time.

On the ground floor, Malvolio is donning his most favourite accessories….the yellow stockings. That hugely famous scene from Twelfth Night unfolds among the shoes and handbags, farcical and fierce. In his garters and stockings it’s a nod at the burlesque and freak show inspired world of the French vaudeville.

First floor menswear is where to meet Rosalind and Celia from As You Like It, where Rosalind is trying on her new threads, to impose as Ganymede to win the heart of Orlando in the Forest of Arden. Ascend to the second floor and you embark on  1950s glamour, think Mad Men and sharp suits. Here you’ll find the rebellious Kate from Taming of the Shrew and enjoy Rock and Roll music from the Buddy Holly’s and the Don Cherry crooners as the characters sip on cocktails.

The day will be full of acoustic live music with some original and some twists on recognisable tunes. The Letter Room will perform excerpts from four Shakespeare plays, incorporating modern day fashion with bygone eras to create an exciting, otherworldly interpretation of some of Shakespeare’s most famous characters. The Shakespeare ReFASHIONed scheme celebrates four hundred years after his death with a range of in store activity and exclusive product.

So, if you fancy some Shakespeare this Sunday, head to Selfridges Exchange Square…there’s no need to be ‘Bard’ at home!

For more info visit www.selfridges.com

Dirty Dancing UK Tour

Get those watermelons ready….it’s time to head to Kellermans when Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story Live on Stage mambos its way to the Palace Theatre, Manchester in October.

The classic story of Baby and Johnny, featuring the hit songs ‘Hungry Eyes’, ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do You Love Me?’ and the showstopping ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’, returns to Manchester this autumn following two blockbuster West End runs, two hit UK tours, and various sensational international productions.

Lewis Griffiths will star as Johnny Castle, one of the most iconic roles in popular culture. Lewis has had a prolific career in musical theatre, most recently starring as ‘Nick Massi’ on the UK tour of Jersey Boys. Katie Hartland will make her professional musical theatre debut carrying the watermelons as she takes on the role of Baby Houseman, having graduated from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2015. Carlie Milner will star as Penny Johnson. Carlie is part of the Dirty Dancing family; starting as a member of the ensemble in 2014, she covered and subsequently took over the role of Penny in 2015.

Dirty Dancing –The Classic Story On Stage originally opened at London’s Aldwych Theatre in 2006 with a record-breaking advance of £15 million, making it the fastest ever selling show in West End theatre history. The production became the longest running show in the history of the Aldwych Theatre and played to over 2 million people during its triumphant 5 year run.

Full of passion and romance, heart-pounding music and sensationally sexy dancing, the record-breaking show has been reconceived in an all new production created by an innovative new creative team; directed by Federico Bellone, choreographed by Gillian Bruce and with design re-imagined by top Italian set designer Roberto Comotti.

The production features the much-loved characters and original dialogue from the iconic film, with exciting extra scenes added in.

Dirty Dancing – Palace Theatre, Manchester

Mon 10 – Sat 15 October 2016

Book tickets here  www.atgtickets.com/manchester