James Baker

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto Cinderella

Leave a comment

Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An absolute staple of the Everyman’s calendar and a festive tradition for families across the region, Liverpool’s legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll panto is back and it’s more fabulous than ever.

This sparkling retelling of the classic Cinderella story, written by Luke Barnes, is brought to brilliant life by a highly talented group of actor musicians who sing, dance, act and play their way through this joyous production.

Dame Fairy Godmother (Ben Welch) opens the show in tremendous style, making it clear from the off that we’re in for a whole heap of fun, Beyoncé eat your heart out! With DFG announcing their plans for retirement following one last love match, trainee Graham (Adam Keast) is introduced allowing this tremendous twosome to set about ensuring Ellanora (Grace Venus) gets the happy ending she deserves.

Of course, where there’s Cinderella there’s always a pair of undesirable stepsiblings and their even more insufferable parent, and this story is no different with the Ooglay’s throwing a spanner in the works as the villains of the piece. Mr Ooglay (Zoe West) is desperate for his children Judi Ooglay (Rebecca Levy) and Dench Ooglay (Folarin Akinmade) to marry rich, and as if by magic a ball at the palace might just offer the perfect opportunity.

This is a Cinderella for today as we soon realise our heroine has so much more about her than just waiting by the ashes for her Prince Charming to come along. Ellanora just needs a little help from a few friends in order to realise what will truly make her happy. And what better way to do that than via brilliant bops, beltin’ bangers and a whole heap of belly laughs along the way.

This superb ensemble production has something for everyone. There’s your usual cheeky panto innuendo, glittering gowns, hilarious local references, and great gags but in addition there’s a whole heap of heart, proud inclusivity, and a true message of self-belief.

Ben Welch is superb as Dame Fairy Godmother; he skilfully pushes the narrative along and is a born entertainer. He gifts us with powerhouse vocals and superb comic timing. His pairing with Adam Keast as Graham is perfect, the two bounce off each other brilliantly taking the audience along with them for this wonderful ride.

Grace Venus is excellent as Ellanora, showing vulnerability as well as relatability while letting the audience know it’s ok to be different and choose your own path in life.

The Ooglay’s are the perfect panto baddies, with special mention going to Zoe West who delights in whipping the audience up into a booing frenzy. Their trip to Rumpleskims and resulting fashion show is an inspired highlight.

Aminita Francis gives us stunning vocals as The Queen, hosting the most incredible vogue ball where the category no doubt is FAB-U-LOUS, while Thomas Fabian Parrish as a Prince Charming who’d prefer to be reading his Superman comic is an absolute hoot.

Panto has long offered the perfect opportunity for friends and families to collectively experience live theatre in a relaxed and accessible way, seeing such an inclusive story told here with such joy and honesty will be a magical memory for so many this Christmas. Director James Baker has ensured there’s opportunities to laugh, sing, dance and truly celebrate love in all its forms.

The song choices are genius, the costumes incredible, while the talent on stage give their all to make sure each and every audience member goes away feeling uplifted and thoroughly entertained. A special shoutout must also go to BSL interpreter June who was perfection as well as audience member Brian who stole everyone’s hearts.

This Rock ‘n’ Roll panto will illuminate your festive season, warm your heart, and give you magical memories to treasure. Pure joy.

The Everyman Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto Cinderella is on at The Everyman until here.

Jerry Springer The Opera

Leave a comment

Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Newly formed theatrical company Northern Ricochet – made up of James Baker, Tom Chester and Bill Elms – don’t do things by halves. Taking the bold step of reviving controversial musical Jerry Springer The Opera as their first company production, they’re sending a clear message to the theatre world that there is a new, ambitious, creative and proudly Northern kid on the block.

Auditions were held in the North – including an open-call casting whilst the opportunity for local in-training actors to make up the onstage choir was offered. The result of this is a sensational piece of theatre packed full of humour, hilarity and genuine heart.

Written by Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee, Jerry Springer The Opera debuted at the National Theatre in 2003 – winning four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and courting controversy at every turn. This revived production staged in the intimate Hope Mill Theatre allows the audience for Jerry Springer The Opera and Jerry Springer the talk show to become one as audience members sit on opposite sides of the theatre while the cast perform in-between them – giving this production an immersive and atmospheric feel.

James Baker directs the show in such a bold way that as an audience we’re whipped into a “Go Jerry” frenzy before the main man has even stepped foot on stage. The company do an excellent job of building the bubbling excitement ahead of our host’s grand arrival – led brilliantly by Warm Up Man Tom Lloyd, who whets our appetites for what’s to come: reminding us exactly who are the good guys and who we should be reserving our biggest boos for.

Once the infamous Jerry (Michael Howe) makes his grand entrance, we see him play host to three sets of guests who are all too willing to reveal their deepest darkest secrets via soaring profanity-laden arias and wickedly brilliant ballads. Bickering bubbles into bitch fights – leaving security guard Steve (Kai Jolley) to step in and calm the chaos.

Amidst the snarling and sniping Jerry expertly stirs the pot – gently probing his simmering guests and pushing them that little bit further… giving the audience that extra bit more. Things go a tad too far and Act II finds Jerry hosting the ultimate showdown: the Devil versus Jesus. Should Jerry refuse to host this clash of the titans, he’ll burn in Hell forever in a most uncomfortable and ‘barb-baric’ way!

This cast is without doubt one of the most impressive you’re ever likely to see. The ensemble pieces literally raise the roof off Hope Mill Theatre. Each voice is sheer perfection – coming together to create the most beautiful of sounds. Add to this perfectly judged comedic timing delivered with vibrant energy and you have an irresistibly entertaining piece of theatre. Every member of this cast gives their all – each offering something uniquely special and truly memorable.

Michael Howe embodies Jerry Springer perfectly, with every knowing shake of the head, contemplative hand on the chin and nuanced raise of an eyebrow; he is Jerry to a T.

Tom Lloyd makes for a fabulously extra Warm Up Guy while his Satan in Act II is deliciously devilish. David Burilin’s Jesus is pouty and petulant while Matt Bond’s God really hasn’t got time for this shit.

Cici Howells’ voice is sublime as both Shawntel and Eve while Andrew Patrick-Walker has moves Ru Paul herself would be proud of.

With such strong voices and powerful performances the score could easily become lost; however, Tom Chester ensures his band of six are perfectly pitched. The music – together with the rich mix of voices – really is heavenly.

This production has been brought bang up to date and feels frighteningly in-line with the chaotic times we live in. Hillbilly Chucky wears a ‘Make America Great Again’ cap while gun control statements are made alongside caricatures of Trump. The desire to feel superior and the joy in public humiliation raises questions about just how civilised we really are.

Yes it’s profane, yes it’s irreverent but every profanity is worth it for the absolute pleasure this production brings. You’ll shriek with laughter one minute and be stunned into silence by the sheer talent on display the next in this joyful and vivid piece. Cleverly crafted and outrageously naughty, this wild romp of a production will both amuse and impress as once again Jerry reminds us all to “Take care of yourself and each other”.

Jerry Springer The Opera is on at Hope Mill Theatre until Saturday 31st August tickets available here.

Jerry Springer – The Opera heads to Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre

Leave a comment

Newly formed production company Northern Ricochet today announced their first project, bringing an all new production of the award-winning musical Jerry Springer – The Opera to Manchester; almost 15 years since it was last performed in the UK.

This new revival will entertain audiences over a four-week run this summer from Thursday 8th until Saturday 31st August with tickets going on sale today at 10am.

Jerry Springer – The Opera proves nothing is off limits with its tap-dancing KKK members, provocative dancing stripper as well as the ultimate battle of good versus evil between God and the Devil.

The original show caused a storm when it first opened in the UK back in 2002 with this new revival promising the same raucous energy not to mention chaos and debauchery.

The show will be the first from new production company Northern Ricochet formed by James Baker (Parade, Yank), Tom Chester (Parade, Mamma Mia) and Bill Elms (Epstein The Man Who Made The Beatles, Twopence To Cross The Mersey). The trio aspire to passionately produce quality theatre in the north, for the north whilst using northern creatives, actors and voices.

James Baker said: “Jerry was ground-breaking and placed a mirror up to the audience. A mirror of reflection and a possibility for us to learn something. The big question is, have we learned anything? Sadly not, and I’d argue we’re even more divided than before. Prejudice still remains within race, sexuality and equality. Just because we don’t see it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I think we’ve just got better at pretending all is more harmonious. We’ve become even better actors than those in the Jerry show. Reality has become even more blurred. It’s time to hold that mirror back up. We are bringing you a fresh version of Jerry. One that is again a provocation but also a reflection of our times. We aim to create a movement.” 

Tickets for Jerry Springer The Opera are on sale now and can be booked here.

Facebook: /JerrySpringerManchester

Twitter: @JSTOMANC #JERRYJERRY

Yank!

1 Comment

Yank! is a story which needs to be told, it teaches us about love, and shares a poignant and heartfelt message inspiring audiences to love freely and with no time to waste.

Yank! is the third in-house production born from the hugely successful paring of Hope Mill Theatre and Aria Entertainment, who together brought both Parade and cult classic Hair to Manchester audiences last year, with the addition of third producer Ben Millerman, Yank! further confirms their commitment to delivering new and innovative theatre as this beautiful production is brought to life by Director James Baker and his stellar cast.

IMG_4391

Based on the 2010 Off-Broadway production written by David Zellnik with a score created by brother Joseph, Yank pays homage to Rodgers and Hammerstein and charmingly evokes the time period of the unforgettable 1940’s. The scrip has both great humour and enormous heart as we follow the journey of Stu (Scott Hunter) after he is called up to serve for his country in a war he doesn’t fully understand. As a vulnerable and scared young recruit Stu meets and falls in love with macho and self-assured, all-American guy Mitch (Barnaby Hughes), the two merely want to survive the war so they too can live and love their own American dream, sadly such a simple wish proves to be more of a challenge than any military battle they face, and so an emotional and complex uphill battle just in trying to be true to themselves begins.

IMG_4392

Scott Hunter gives an exceptional performance as Stu, we see how love changes him from a fearful and weak new recruit into an assured and quietly confident man whose inner strength and belief in his right to love is unshakeable. The relationship between Hunter and Barnaby Hughes (Mitch) is heart-warming, delicate and pure with a strong on stage chemistry, you desperately want them to make it. The whole cast are superb, each character is delivered with colour and is strongly defined from the swaggering, larger than life, Czechowski (Kris Marc-Joseph) to the flamboyant and fabulous Rotelli (Tom Lloyd) every single cast member makes their mark. Special mention must go to both Chris Kiely who plays Atrie the toe-tapping photographer who takes Stu under his wing and Sarah-Louise Young who plays multiple female roles and delivers each and every one with style and sass.

IMG_4390

There is stunning choreography from Chris Cuming culminating in the most beautiful of dream sequences which is a real highlight of this lovingly crafted production and again shows the sheer level of talent in this small cast of twelve.

Yank! is a delight, full of emotion and performed with true heart and soul, at a time when division is so rife it is crucial we see the importance of love, are able to love whom we choose and be loved back without question or complication. A truly special piece of theatre which delivers a powerful and honest message, Yank! is absorbing, dynamic and deeply moving.

Tickets available via http://www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk

 

Yank! Preview

Leave a comment

img_4218

On March 9th award-winning venue Hope Mill Theatre will host the European Premiere of the much anticipated Yank! A moving World War II love story which will examine what it means to be a man, to be in love, and explore the struggles simply being in love can bring.

Based on the 2010 Off-Broadway production written by David Zellnik with a score created by his brother Joseph Zellnik the musical transports us back to the unforgettable sounds of the 1940’s, focussing on the life of Stu (Scott Hunter) who is called up to serve for his country. Stu meets and falls in love with all-American guy Mitch (Barnaby Hughes) and so begins a tougher and more emotional fight than Stu ever expected to be facing.

img_4201

Yank! will be the third in-house production delivered by the hugely successful paring of Hope Mill Theatre and Aria Entertainment, who brought runaway hit Parade and cult classic Hair to Manchester audiences last year. This pairing is clearly one which understands the importance of getting things absolutely right, they put their heart and soul into delivering emotional, powerful, dynamic and beautiful productions, the prospect of them handling something with issues so current and so important is utterly thrilling. Add to this the fact that James Baker (director of Parade) is at the helm along with the addition of a third co-producer, Ben Millerman from Mr Millerman Presents and you soon realise that this is going to be something very special, without doubt crafted with love.

img_4207

We were lucky enough to join the cast for a preview at Hope Mill Theatre and hear from director James Baker who shared just how thrilled he is to be given the opportunity to tell such a beautiful story and really examine what it means to love in a time when division is so rife.

“I read the musical and just absolutley adored it, I think for me it’s important that when I pick up a musical, I absolutely  fundamentally love the story, for me it’s always about the story and Yank! has such a beautiful story. It’s about two people, two men that fall in love in World War II  in America, that alone is an exciting prospect, a gay love story set in World War II, that was enough to hook me in, but then the layers, the questions, the things that it asks, made me think there’s much, much more to this musical”

The cast delivered several of the shows musical numbers including the beautiful Rememb’ring You, My Soldier and Your Squad Is Your Squad each of which were absorbing and really gave a taste for this vibrant and dynamic production. Scott Hunter and Barnaby Hughes’ voices perfectly complimented each other, rich and powerful with an enormous amount of warmth. Sarah Louise Young the only female in the production sounded exquisite as she delivered her piece with real emotion and heart.The 12-strong cast are hugely talented and totally committed to doing justice to this emotive and bold piece of theatre, we fully expect Yank! to follow in the footsteps of Parade and Hair in firmly placing Hope Mill Theatre on the cultural map as a groundbreaking and innovative venue and one of Manchester’s brightest and boldest assets, roll on opening night!

img_4213

Yank! will run for four weeks from Thursday 9th March to Saturday 8th April at Hope Mill Theatre. Tickets are available now. Previews £15, all other performances £16-£22

www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk