Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

Let The Sun Shine

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Reviewed by Sophie Rowley

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chester has been transported to the swinging sixties, an era synonymous with peace, love, flower power and unforgettable music. Let the Sun Shine, written by Helen Redcliffe and directed by Rob Green and Lucy Thatcher, is an uplifting celebration that proves it is never too late to follow your dreams, embrace new beginnings and believe in yourself. 

Set in 1969 when the sixties were in full flow, a quiet, small, suburban town is disrupted by a cascade of festival lovers. At the heart of the whirlwind is Harry (Lucas Button), a local dreamer whose love of music inspires him to chase something bigger than suburban life. Fate intervenes when he meets Cloud (Annabelle Aquino) who brings the light back into his life, Puck (Abigail Middleton), the self-proclaimed “seller of dreams”, alongside Joan (Kate Milner Evans), who is embarking on her own journey of self-discovery, and carefree festival-goers Sunny (Perry Moore) and Claire (Sorrel Jordan). There is also David Ahmed as Arthur, Rebecca Bainbridge as Veronica, Lawrence Hodgson Mullings as Bobby, , Zoe Lambert as Viper and Robert Wade as PC Hamer.

The chemistry between every member of the cast is clear, they not only portray multiple characters, but also play instruments and engage directly with the audience, sometimes quite literally by bringing them onto the stage making the show a fully immersive and wholly enjoyable experience. There can be no better venue than the Grosvenor Open Air Theatre to host this production, Performed in the round beneath the open sky, the production feels completely at home in Grosvenor Park. The outdoor setting becomes an extension of the festival itself, creating a visually effervescent experience that couldn’t be replicated indoors. Chester really has entered its festival era.

Writer Helen Redcliffe wanted “to create something that made the audience feel part of something special, a shared celebration of music, hope, laughter and togetherness”, in this she entirely succeeds as this is exactly what the show is. It doesn’t just make you smile, but through Green and Thatchers direction, it fully drenches you with warmth, hope and happiness, “humming” the “well known songs, all the way home”. 

Many audience members will recognise this talented ensemble from previous Grosvenor Park productions, and their easy chemistry and versatility create an immediate sense of confidence and warmth. That familiarity also contributes to the production’s success.

The versatility of the company is remarkable. Whether it’s Lucas Button’s warmth and charisma, Annabelle Aquino’s soaring vocals or David Ahmed’s and Perry Moore’s impeccable comic timing, every performer makes an invaluable contribution and are all well deserving of the accolades they receive.

The soundtrack demonstrates this further, the recognisable songs invite the audience to engage further and for some lucky members, the chance to demonstrate their moves on the dance floor. In addition, the creative team including Charlotte Murphy’s design, Ieuan Reeve’s lighting, Dan Langton’s sound are further triumphs. Shelby Hamer’s vibrant costumes perfectly embrace the spirit of dopamine dressing, while every corner of the compact stage has been transformed into a miniature festival bursting with colour and life. As daylight gradually fades, the production somehow seems to shine even brighter beneath the evening sky.

The standing ovation that accompanied the bows was immediate and richly deserved. Moments like these are what make live theatre so special. Perfection is never the goal; it is how a production makes you feel that truly matters. Helen Redcliffe’s creation clearly resonated with this audience, and their reaction was the clearest testament to its success.

As Helen Redcliffe describes it, Let the Sun Shine is “a tribute to the people brave enough to dream.” It is exactly that: a joyous celebration of hope, community and the courage to embrace who you truly are. So throw away your inhibitions, start your own revolution and let this wonderfully uplifting production fill your world with music, colour and love.

Let The Sun Shine is on at Grosvenor Park Theatre until Sunday 23rd August tickets are available here.

Sherlock Holmes

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Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The game is afoot at  Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre 2025 as Chester Storyhouse bring an all-new adventure by ever-popular sleuth Sherlock Holmes to life.

From misdirection to missing valuables, criminal masterminds to secret codes, ‘The Chester Conundrum’ is everything you’d want from an adventure featuring the deer stalker donning detective – ably assisted by his right hand woman Dr Jo Watson.

Written with wit and imagination by Molly Taylor and directed with pacy fun by Ellie Taylor, the open air theatre is the perfect setting for such an enjoyable summer romp.

The scene is set in modern day Chester (no musty Victorian parlours for our ‘Sherly’) at a popular ‘Crime Con’ convention (it’s fun to spot the various other famous crime icons including Poirot, Kojack and yes, Velma from Scooby Doo!)

Dr Watson (a sparky Alyce Liburd) is one of the guests at the convention, organised by a childhood friend (Eddy Westbury) who also doubles up as a delightfully daffy Duke of Westminster.

Organisers hope her partner Sherlock Holmes (a snarky and sardonic Ethan Reid) will also make an attendance – and they aren’t disappointed, although I won’t spoil the manner of his arrival.

But the duo’s Crime Con appearance sparks a madcap mystery featuring, among other things (and minus any spoilers that would ruin the fun) a missing painting, a grisly murder, a supremely silly bust-up in a Liverpool Irish boozer and even a mass karaoke session.

And of course, this being the open air theatre, some audiences members are also recruited to play a part in proceedings – which they gamely did, getting lots of laughs.

The cast are all first rate – we particularly enjoyed Howard Chadwick’s exasperated police detective DCI Chadwick, Victoria Brazier’s dotty Mrs Hudson and Jessica Jolley’s Scouse crimelord. And Lauren Chinery and Hannah Baker were also excellent in their various roles.

(It’s worth noting that not only do the cast play all the instruments that help bring the story to life, they also double up in the theatre’s other summer outdoor production Pride & Prejudice – in case you want to see them in alternative guises.)

It’s particularly nice to see two young actors, Morgan Lewis & Alex James Mason making their professional debut thanks to the Storyhouse Young Company training scheme – which the audience was encouraged to donate to on the night.

Packed with local gags and insider jokes, slapstick physical comedy but with moments of real menace – as well as all the twists and turns you’d expect from a Sherlock mystery, this is a crime caper that fully lives up to the Sherlock name.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is on at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre until Sunday 31st August tickets available here.

The Gangs of New York

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Reviewed by Matt Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Images by Mark McNulty

Storyhouse and Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre productions have become somewhat of a must for theatre lovers during the summer months. With its purpose built theatre set in the beautiful picturesque surroundings of this Victorian park, it is the perfect setting for live theatre.

The venue has hosted some fantastic productions over the years which have included Little Women and The Great Gatsby. Continuing with the theme of adapting celebrated works of literature, one of this year’s offerings is The Importance of Being Earnest, the other is a far more daring prospect: the world premiere of The Gangs of New York, based on the factual book of the same name by celebrated American journalist, Herbert Asbury.

Set in the mid 1800’s, we are introduced to John Morrisey (Oisín Thompson) and Hellcat Maggie (Hanora Kamen) , a pair of Irish immigrants fresh off the boat arriving in America. It would appear that they have a certain skills set which will help them to survive the mean streets of New York, Maggie, is a light-fingered pickpocket, whilst Morrisey is equally as good with his hands as a boxer.

Almost immediately Morrisey’s growing reputation draws the ire of local gangland chieftain, William Poole (James Sheldon) a.k.a ‘Bill the Butcher’, as he puts it “a true American ”. Poole’s love of violence is only matched by his hatred for all immigrants landing in America hoping to make a better life for themselves. Soon the pair enter into a blood feud, which threatens to cost both of them not just their business ventures, but their lives as well.

As a huge fan of the 2002 Martin Scorsese, Gangs of New York, I was intrigued to say the least by how the production was going to unfold, and I’m more than happy to say it does not disappoint. The story doesn’t just focus on the prejudice and bigotry that many immigrants faced, but also the seedy criminal underworld of New York. Crooked cops, and bent politicians are all thrown into the mix, rather sadly it would appear that 1840’s USA isn’t too different from modern society.

At its core writer Kieran Lynn’s adaptation focuses on two love stories: Morrisey and Suzie Smith (Yolanda Ovide), a young women, from a wealthy family who has ambition to be more than just some rich man’s trophy wife. Whilst the other is the forbidden romance between Maggie and Lew Baker (Lucas Button), a local beat police officer, indebted to Bill the Butcher. It’s a bold move and one that pays dividends as you firmly invest and care about what will become of them all.

Director John Young’s production despite its weighty subject matter is filled with energy and a surprising amount of humour, there are sly, on point one liners which hit the mark throughout. In addition, the glorious in-the-round setting allows for some audience interaction, with some (un)willing audience members dragged up to be part of the show.

Throughout there are various cast members playing all manner of musical instruments, and performing songs giving an authentic folk/roots feel to the production. These light touches mean that when an act of violence does take place, it’s all the more brutal and comes as a bit of a shock.

The cast are in fine form throughout, Oisín Thompson gives a performance packed full of charisma. James Sheldon has a commanding stage presence, full of menace and rage. Hanora Kamen puts in a turn full of sass and grit, whilst Yolanda Ovide gives a restrained, measured performance, as one of the few voices of reason. Lucas Button is equally impressive as the troubled police officer, with a performance full of nervous energy and subtle comic timing, his arc is the one that underpins the entire production.

It’s a bold, brave choice to adapt this weighty, historical book for the stage, but one that rewards its audience with an entertaining and surprisingly fun watch. It’s a production performed by a super talented ensemble cast of actors and musicians, in an as perfect (weather permitting) setting as you’re going to get, live theatre doesn’t get much better than this!

The Gangs of New York is on at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre until 31st August tickets are available here.