The Lowry

Dance Sampled

Leave a comment

DS 2

Returning to The Lowry for a second year, Dance Sampled, a partnership programme between The Lowry, Sadler’s Wells and Birmingham Hippodrome, offers audiences an opportunity to see world class performers in an accessible and an affordable way in this dynamic, engaging & wonderfully varied celebration of dance in all its forms.

Transforming not only the Lyric theatre but the entire building into a vibrant hub of performance, Dance Sampled delivers not only a spectacular dance showcase but also introductory classes to several genres of dance from salsa to lindy hop as well as various drop-ins, post show discussions and even an chance to create your own unique signature dance move, it really is a day of discovery. The Salford quays venue was quite literally buzzing with movement and opportunity from the moment you stepped through The Lowry doors with its extensive and well planned programme of activities.

With an incredibly eclectic range of styles on offer, Dance Sampled strives to make dance more accessible and inclusive for all. Each of the 8 pieces in the main show are introduced by a short and beautifully crafted film, in which performers and creatives give clear and engaging information about the piece they are about to deliver. They also discuss their passion and love for their chosen form of dance, their drive, creativity and offer an insight into what dance means to them.

DS

First up is the powerful and dynamic Uchenna Dance ‘The Head Wrap Diaries’, bursting with style and colour the all female troop were bold and rhythmic as they moved across the stage incorporating the wrapping and unwrapping of striking head wraps which are used creatively to take on the form of scarves, dresses, shawls and capes through this expressive and empowering piece.

Next we se Nafisah Baba, winner of 2017 BBC Young Dancer who performs ‘Near the place where your feet pass by’, fluid and contemporary, she is a perfect example of how engaging and entertaining a solo performer can be.

Third on the bill is a stunning performace from Scottish Ballet who treat audiences to the famous Grand pas de deux from The Nutcracker. Bethany Kingsley Garner and Evan Loudon glide effortlessly across the stage in a stunning display of strength, poise and elegance.

DS 1

Following on from the ballet is Humanhood with their contemporary and highly charged exploration into the connection between physics and dance they excite and engage in their highly physical and visually striking piece.

Final act before the interval is the internationally renowned flamenco bailaor Jesús Carmona. Passionate and proud Carmona thrills the audience with a preview of his full show, ‘7 Balcones’ which can be seen at the Lowry on 26th February.. Accompanied by singer Juan José Amador and Spanish guitar specialist Dani Jurado, Carmona’s performance is electric, full of passion, proud gesturing and Latin heat.

Act II offers three further pieces, all enormously different from the last. Opening with Far From The Norm and their piece 60 Secs, extremely physical and theatrical mixing hip hop with more contemporary styles this expressive piece is fast, thrilling and a whole lot of fun.

Next up is an absorbing and highly original piece from Scottish Ballet, the male duet from Sibilo is a playful and powerful celebration of dance as the two male performers deliver a witty and light piece using a suit jacket as their only prop.

DS 3

Ending the show is a contemporary and quirky performance from Gandini Juggling entitled Smashed, showing dance comes in many forms, the piece incorporates juggling, a heck of a lot of apples, several dinner services and nine performers, it soon becomes a tea party like no other!

Dance Sampled is a joyful celebration of dance in all its forms, an incredible opportunity to explore the diversity of world-class dance in an accessible and exciting way. With so much to discover we’re already counting down to Dance Sampled 2019!

TEDDY

Leave a comment
Molly Chesworth and George Parker as Josie and Teddy

Josie and Teddy, played by Molly Chesworth and George Parker. Photo by Scott Rylander

Opening Night Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If Shakespeare did rock ‘n’ rock musicals I’d imagine they would look a lot like Teddy. Penned by award-winning writer and actor Tristan Bernays this new musical is full of lyrical verse (synonymous with Bernays work) bringing melody into the spoken word and not just the songs around them. It’s a genius production as it rethinks the musical genre and takes risks not just with the content (setting the action in a gritty 50s post Blitz East End rather than presenting the era as the sugar coated ‘dreamboats and petticoats’ dialogue we are used to) but also by having just two actors onstage throughout performing a number of different roles.

Teddy

Photo by Scott Rylander

Molly Chesworth plays Josie, a ladette, decked out in her best ‘teddy boy suit’, red lipstick slicked on, ready to tear up London town for a night to remember. Chesworth fizzes with energy from the moment the spotlight shines on her, portraying Josie as a sassy, fired up, passionate East End girl. She is mesmerising to watch and you can’t help but get drawn into her desire to live life to the full, whatever the cost. Equally impressive is George Parker as the aptly named ‘Teddy’ who strives to live up to the subculture ‘teddy boy’ persona of the era. He’s a wide boy with wide eyes for Josie and together the two anti-heroes are like a watered down version of Bonnie & Clyde, willing to risk anything for each other, driven by the excitement and thrill of doing no good.

It’s like witnessing a masterclass in acting from the duo as they morph into a number of different roles during the production. From gangster heavies, to an old fragile pawn shop owner, their physical and vocal characterisation conjures up images in the audiences’ imagination without the need for a costume or set change. In fact, the majority of Max Dorey’s set design is minimal for this reason I imagine, with just the use of some corrugated iron for the backdrop, a ladder which takes the actors up to an upper level and a number of advertising posters from the 50s up on the wall.

Johnny Valentine and the Broken Hearts. Photo by Scott Rylander

Not only will the acting impress you but the onstage live band will get your toes tapping too. Johnny Valentine and the Broken Hearts provide the soundtrack to the musical with a plethora of original songs which suit the mood perfectly and sound like they have just come out of the jukebox. The band gets the party started early on with a short set before Teddy starts and also goes on after the production has finished, resulting in you leaving the theatre wanting to rock ‘n’ roll into the small hours. They are an integral part of the show as Johnny provides the focus as the music idol of our two protagonists as they spend the night trying to get close to him.

Teddy will leave you breathless, not just from watching the vigorous performance on display from the actors (which includes an incredible jive that wouldn’t look out of place on the Strictly dance floor) but also because the dialogue and action is so fast paced it is like taking a ride on a rollercoaster.

So, strap yourself in, get yourself down to The Lowry theatre before the run finishes on 17th Feb, this is one musical you would be a fool to miss!

https://www.thelowry.com/events/teddy

For more tour dates see: http://snapdragonproductions.com/productions/teddy/

 

 

Interview | Beverly Rudd | Brief Encounter

Leave a comment

img_0178

Not only have we been lucky enough to see Kneehigh Theatre’s stunning production of Brief Encounter ahead of its arrival at the Lowry but we also got to chat with the enormously talented Beverly Rudd who takes on an incredible five roles in this inspired production which has been thrilling audiences at the Birmingham Rep since opening on 2nd February.

Telling the story of star-crossed lovers Laura and Alec, Brief Encounter is a thrilling and visually stunning interpretation of the classic forbidden love story many of us know so well. Lowry audiences get the honour of seeing the show which opens on 20th February before it heads to London’s West End for the summer.

Based on the play ‘Still Life’ from which the much-loved film was developed, the production delivers more depth to the characters surrounding the central lovers offering an opportunity to add multiple layers including a sharp injection of humour. With three love stories rather than just the one each of the cast bring different elements to the piece, Beverly Rudd explained, “There is young love, which is exciting puppy love, also a couple older in years who are finding love for a second time alongside the well-known forbidden love story. They are all totally different, the tragedy of the forbidden love works really well with the comedy of the other love stories, something director Emma Rice does really well, she cuts through really serious moments by adding in great humour, because the story is so intense between Laura and Alec the lightness works brilliantly well.”

In discussing her various roles Beverly explained to us that out of the five parts she gets to play, Beryl is her absolute favourite, “She’s just brilliant, all of them are fun but Beryl has so much to do and gets to sing Mad About The Boy, she’s daft as a brush, it’s really lovely to play someone who is so much fun, silly and giggly.”

In delivering such an iconic film we asked Beverly if the cast felt any pressure? “Yes, but the show is so perfectly constructed that we can’t really go wrong, the production is so brave in its choices, I just love how it is so strong in its direction and identity, I’ve never know anyone not like this show, it’s so perfectly structured it’s got something for everybody.”

Brief Encounter heads to the Lowry after it’s Birmingham run, offering audiences a chance to see the show which has received five star reviews across the board. After this the production head’s to London’s West End with previews at the Empire Cinema beginning on 2nd March. Beverly explained how touring ahead of a West End run is of great benefit to the cast. “This is my third Kneehigh show now and with these type of shows, because they’re so absorbing it takes a lot of work to get the show bedded in, there’s so many quick changes and it takes time to get it right so it’s wonderful to know that what is a great show becomes a perfect show, the show has been in a really good place from the start so it’s really nice to have that time to gel together and experience different audiences ahead of heading to London.”

The show has a real cinematic element which is evident right from the start; “The opening sequence of the show is set within a cinema, there’s a huge screen presenting the show and we’re all dressed as ushers and we’re in the audience before the show starts with Laura and Alec sat in old fashioned cinema seats as the front of the audience, so the show actually starts in the audience and then Laura walks through the screen and appears on the screen. We try and not pull too much focus to them as we’re all singing and playing instruments around the auditorium, it’s nicer if it comes as a surprise to the audience when Laura gets up and the show starts, it’s something the audience just aren’t expecting”

Having performed at the Lowry previously in the first tour of Brief Encounter as well as in Victoria Wood’s enormously successful Acorn Antiques, Beverly is looking forward to taking to the stage on February 20th, “It’s such a gem of a show, it’s really beautiful and clever and I think really surprises audiences who perhaps think they’re coming to see something quite serious. I immediately break the fourth wall with the audience at the beginning of the show which for me feels really nice and lets the audience know they can come with you and experience the joy of the show, it really is something special.”

Brief Encounter on at the Lowry from Tuesday 20th February until Saturday 24th tickets available here. from £16-£35

Things I Say When I Don’t Say I Love You

Leave a comment

SB

Opening Night Verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Created as part of the Lowry’s flagship ‘Developed With’ programme Things I Say When IDon’t Say I Love You is a poignant and perfectly judged one-man play about male relationships within one family when dealing with a life changing dementia diagnosis.

Writer and performer Sam Brady focuses on three generations of one family, granddad Tommy, the no nonsense northern alpha male of the family, grandson Scott who is desperately trying to establish his own identity amidst a upbringing of tough love & what he sees as harsh parenting from dad Ian, who is seemingly stuck in the middle and trying his best to please everyone.

Tommy’s diagnosis ignites the nostalgia within Ian as he throws caution to the wind and purchases a clapped out 1967 Triumph Spitfire, a project to work together on, a dream to fulfil. Of course in theory the three generations would come together & restore the rusted shell to its former glory, real life however doesn’t work out quite this way as tempers fray, stress levels rise and the symptoms of dementia because all too obvious. How can three men who talk but never really say anything to each other communicate when they’re too busy butting heads?

Directed by Hannah Banister, Things I Say When I Don’t Say I Love You will warm your heart, provoke your thoughts and make you laugh out loud. Brady has a true gift for honest, intelligent and humorous storytelling. Witty and incredibly likeable, his script is littered with funny anecdotes and all too familiar situations we can all relate to from tense stand offs with a partner over broken promises to hilarious disagreements with a nosy neighbour. All bases are covered in this highly amusing, incredibly touching and well observed piece of writing. It is no mean feat to stand solo on stage taking on a variety of roles but Brady engages his audience entirely with genuine charisma and clever wit, his character definition is wonderfully clear & you quickly find yourself caring deeply for this family, dealt a cruel blow familiar to so many. Relationships are beautifully explored, bridges are built and laughs dished out a plenty.

Brady succeeds in taking a heart-breaking topic and exploring it with such care and respectful attention that it allows the human and humorous elements to shine through. Honest, relatable and thought-provoking theatre.

Nina – A Story About Me and Nina Simone

Leave a comment

Nina 1

Opening Night Verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reviewed by Francesca Eagleton

We were definitely left ‘feeling good’ after Olivier-award nominated actress Josette Bushell-Mingo brought her one-woman show, ‘Nina – A Story About Me and Nina Simone’ to the Lowry Theatre.

Originally performed in 2016 at the Unity Theatre in Liverpool, Nina – a story about me and Nina Simone toured across Sweden last year before starting its 2018 UK tour here in Salford.

The show opens with Bushell-Mingo painting a picture of a civil rights rally in Harlem, New York, during the early 1960’s – a time of promised revolution for the oppressed black citizens of America.

Featuring an outstanding repertoire of Nina Simone hits including; Mississippi Goddam, Sinnerman, Ain’t Got No (I Got Life) and Feeling Good. Bushell-Mingo had the Lowry audience in the palm of her hand, as she retold important chapters of her life and connection to the legendary artist and civil rights activist. She begins by singing Simone’s 1969 single, Revolution but stops in her tracks.

Nina

“The truth is I don’t think a revolution has happened yet.” Bushell-Mingo explains that it has been over 150 years since the singing of the Thirteenth Amendment and the abolishment of slavery, but society still struggles with racial inequality. “How did we come to a time when we have to say Black Lives Matter?” She begins reciting a list of names of black people, including Martin Luther King Jr and Stephen Lawrence who were all persecuted and murdered.

Laquan McDonald is part of that list, an unarmed teenager who was shot 16 times by a police officer in Chicago in 2014 – his name is repeated throughout the show. Signifying this moment in history, Bushell-Mingo stamps her foot, counting them off every time, to represent each individual gunshot. Followed by silence, which while unsettling to the audience captured the injustice perfectly without the need for words.

Nina 2

Finishing the show with a selection of Simone’s finest compositions, supported by an exceptional live band; Shapor Bastansiar (musical director and pianist), Shaney Forbes (Drums) and Neville Malcom (Bass). Bushell-Mingo brings the house down with her exquisite powerhouse voice, quite rightly receiving a standing ovation.

She might say, ‘I’m Nina Simone’s understudy” but this is so much more than a straight up tribute performance, it’s a performance full of fire, fury and a whole lot of sass. But it also leaves you feeling strong and empowered – everything that Nina Simone was.

Catch this powerful and soulful show at the Lowry Theatre before it finishes it’s run on February 3rd tickets available here.

The Weir

Leave a comment

Weir

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

English Touring Theatre and Mercury Theatre Colchester’s revival of Conor McPherson’s Olivier award-winning play The Weir arrives at the Lowry’s Quays theatre this week, proving it is as fresh and as engaging as it was when it took the west-end by storm back in 1997.

Set in a rural in a rural Irish pub, vastly unvisited out of tourist season apart from by its entirely male regulars, conversations are familiar amongst Brendan (Sam O’Mahony) the happy-go-lucky landlord and middle aged locals cantankerous Jack (Sean Murray) and mild mannered Jim (John O’Dowd), both bachelors with their own crosses to bear. Tonight however something is different, Finbar (Louis Dempsey) the local fella turned successful businessman has been seen with a woman, not only has he been seen with a woman but he has been bold enough to bring her to the pub, and him a married man and all, changing the landscape of the status quo from the minute she arrives.

Weir 3 The Weir is a play based entirely round the art of storytelling in which writer Conor McPherson delivers the loneliness of small-town life in Ireland for his isolated characters with humanity and heart. Past and present intertwine as stories are shared and the ghosts of times gone by are reimagined and redelivered. Links to folklore litter the narratives as incidents and goings on become more peculiar and harder to explain, lives woven together by circumstance bonded over many years through the sharing of tales and the comfort of company now have a new source of narrative in the intriguing and attractive out of towner, Valerie (Natalie Radmall-Quirke).

The regaling of stories to entertain their visitor ultimately exposes their anxieties and loneliness, when finally it’s Valerie’s turn to share her chilling tale, unexpected and deeply powerful, the truth she calmly reveals bonds her to the group, comrades now in their complexities.

Weir 2 At approximately 90 minutes straight through The Weir captivates entirely, each actor on stage delivering a compelling and gripping performance, from the deadpan put downs to the infectious Irish charm. Director Adele Thomas is happily includes awkward silences, a taste of the daily norm in The Weir. While there is great poignancy there is also great wit in McPherson’s script, presented with impressive skill by this incredibly strong cast.

Just as important as the storytelling is the listening, director Adele Thomas ensures that each storyteller is the focus of their moment with fellow cast members their audience, perfectly placed around Madeline Girling’s set, while Lee Curran’s lighting design further adds depth, atmosphere and weight to each tale.

The Weir is a cleverly constructed and entirely compelling piece of theatre, goosebump chilling in parts with laugh out loud moments of deliciously sharp humour. Perfectly paced with an excellent cast and exceptional writing which will leave you longing to pull up a chair, grab a Guinness and revel in the delights of the storytellers.

On at The Lowry until Saturday 27th January tickets available here.

MTA Nominations 2018

Leave a comment

Logo

Nominations for this year’s Manchester Theatre Awards have been announced, celebrating the best work on stage and off within the city in over 20 categories, with winners being announced at a red carpet event at the Lowry theatre on Friday 9th March which will be hosted by local funny man Justin Moorhouse.

With some interesting choices and some considerable omissions, our personal pick and who Opening Night will be backing when we head to the ceremony will be;

Performance in a Fringe Production – Amie Giselle-Ward, Little Women – The Musical,

Best NewcomerHope Mill Theatre, Scott Hunter, Yank!, Hope Mill Theatre,

Best Opera La Cenerentola , Opera North, The Lowry,

Studio Production – From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads, The Lowry

Best Performance in a Studio Production – Alex Walton, From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads, The Lowry

Target Live Award for Best Visiting Production The Lowry, La Strada, The Lowry

With four incredible selections for Best Musical it will be a hotly contested category, we adored each production but would loved to have seen additional nominations for Hope Mill Theatre’s spectacular Pippin and Tim Firth and Gary Barlow’s uplifting audience favourite The Band.

 

The nominations are as follows;

Actress in a Leading Role

Karen Henthorn, Spring and Port Wine, Oldham Coliseum

Lisa Dwyer Hogg, People, Places & Things, HOME

Nina Hoss, Returning to Reims, Manchester International Festival

Janet Suzman, Rose, HOME

 

Actor in a Leading Role

Cliff Burnett, Hard Times, Oldham Coliseum

Jason Merrells, Uncle Vanya, HOME

Kenneth Alan Taylor, The Father, Oldham Coliseum

Ashley Zhangazha, Guys And Dolls, Royal Exchange

 

Actress in a Supporting Role

Alison Halstead, The House of Bernarda Alba, Royal Exchange

Kate Kennedy, Twelfth Night, Royal Exchange

Kerry Peers, The Father, Oldham Coliseum

Katie West, Uncle Vanya, HOME

 

Actor in a Supporting Role

Tom Michael Blyth, Hard Times, Oldham Coliseum

David Fleeshman, Uncle Vanya, HOME

Andrew Sheridan, People, Places & Things, HOME

 

Actress in a Visiting Production

Ria Jones, Sunset Boulevard, Palace Theatre

Laura Pitt-Pulford, Nell Gwynn, The Lowry

Natalie Radmall-Quirke, The Weir, Oldham Coliseum

Sheridan Smith, Funny Girl, Palace Theatre

 

Actor in a Visiting Production

Danny Mac, Sunset Boulevard, Palace Theatre

Graham McDuff, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Palace Theatre

Sean Murray, The Weir, Oldham Coliseum

 

Ensemble

Oh What A Lovely War, Oldham Coliseum

Operation Black Antler, HOME

The Suppliant Women, Royal Exchange

 

Performance in a Fringe Production

Rosie Fleeshman, Narcissist in the Mirror, Greater Manchester Fringe

Amie Giselle-Ward, Little Women – The Musical, Hope Mill Theatre

Alexandra Maxwell, The Loves of Others / Freak, Greater Manchester Fringe

Danny Solomon, Days Of Wine And Roses, 53TWO

 

Performance in a Studio Production

Rhodri Meilir How My Light Is Spent, Royal Exchange

Lucy Jane Parkinson, Joan, Contact

Keisha Thompson, Man On The Moon, Contact

Alex Walton, From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads, The Lowry

 

Robert Robson Award for Dance

Debut, Acosta Danza, The Lowry

English National Ballet double bill, Palace Theatre

Ghost Dances, Rambert Dance, The Lowry

Leviathan, James Wilton Dance, Contact

 

Design

Jenny Melville (set) and Lysander Ashton (video), Paul Auster’s City of Glass, HOME

Bunny Christie, People, Places & Things, HOME

Alex Lowde, Persuasion, Royal Exchange

Yael Bartana, What If Women Ruled the World?, Manchester International Festival

 

Fringe Production

Bad Advice, Greater Manchester Fringe

Gypsy Queen, Hope Mill Theatre

The Marriage of Kim K, Greater Manchester Fringe

Moth, Hope Mill Theatre

 

Musical

Funny Girl, Palace Theatre

Jim Steinman’s Bat out of Hell the Musical, Opera House

Sunset Boulevard, Palace Theatre

Yank!, Hope Mill Theatre

 

New Play

Gypsy Queen, writer Rob Ward, Hope Mill Theatre

How My Light Is Spent, writer Alan Harris, Royal Exchange

Narcissist in the Mirror, writer Rosie Fleeshman, Greater Manchester Fringe

Narvik, writer Lizzie Nunnery, HOME

 

Newcomer

Gemma Dobson, Rita, Sue and Bob Too, Octagon Theatre Bolton

Scott Hunter, Yank!, Hope Mill Theatre

Vinay Lad, The Railway Children, The Lowry

 

Opera

Cendrillon, Royal Northern College of Music, RNCM

La Cenerentola, Opera North, The Lowry

Opera North Little Greats, Opera North, The Lowry

The Snow Maiden, Opera North, The Lowry

 

Production

The Father, Oldham Coliseum

People, Places & Things, HOME

Rose, HOME

The Suppliant Women, Royal Exchange

 

Special Entertainment

Dick Whittington, Opera House

Running Wild, The Lowry

The Toad Knew, The Lowry

Under Glass, Clod Ensemble,The Lowry

 

Studio Production

From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads, The Lowry

Joan, Contact

Man On The Moon, Contact

Swansong, The Lowry

 

Target Live Award for Best Visiting Production

La Strada, The Lowry

My Country; a Work in Progress, HOME

Nell Gwynn, The Lowry

The Weir, Oldham Coliseum

 

Youth Panel Award

There is a Light/BRIGHTLIGHT, Contact Young Company

Singin’ in the Rain, RNCM Young Company

Tis Written in the Stars, Oldham Theatre Workshop, Oldham Coliseum

The Band head to The Lowry!

Leave a comment

 

The Band Q

Due to overwhelming public demand, Tim Firth’s smash-hit new musical, The Band, featuring the music of Take That, will return to the North West with a stop at The Lowry from Wednesday 16th until Saturday 26th January 2018.

The show which we gave a well-deserved five stars. is produced by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, Robbie Williams takes audiences us back to 1992 when for five 16 year old friends The Band is their absolute everything, they live, breathe, eat & sleep the music. Fast forward 25 years and life is somewhat different for our ladies as they attempt one last time to meet their teenage crushes. The winning of concert tickets to Prague soon becomes a journey of self-discover as they not only attempt to reconnect with each other but remember and realise the hopes and dreams of their 16 year old selves.

With superb direction from Kim Gavin and Jack Ryder, The Band has quickly become the fastest selling touring musical of all time as the show continues to delight audiences across the country.

Ticket information can be found here.

The Gruffalo

Leave a comment

The Gruffalo 2

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tall Stories Theatre Company arrived at the Lowry’s Quay’s theatre this week for their month long run of the glorious Gruffalo.

This beautiful musical adaptation Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler classic picture book brings the animals of the deep, dark wood to life as we follow mouse (Lauren Scott-Berry) on her search for hazelnuts, during her journey through the woods mouse meets a mixture of woodland folk (all played wonderfully by Alastair Chisholm) including a cunning Fox, a supposed wise old Owl and a hilariously hypnotic Snake. All fancy a little bit of mouse for dinner but the clever little creature outwits them with the threat of the Gruffalo (Aaron Millard), but we all know there’s no such thing as a Gruffalo is there?

The Gruffalo 1

Tall Stories which was founded in 1997 by joint artistic directors Olivia Jacobs and TobyMitchell have excelled in translating this children’s classic from page to stage, each and every child in the audience entirely captivated from start to finish. The tree actors work together beautifully as they enchant the young audience, characters are differentiated through a variety of voices, movements and simple but very effective costumes. The short book has been perfectly padded out to ensure an hour of quality entertainment including a dancing snake, a bossy old owl and if you’re lucky you may even get the Gruffalo sat beside you!

Gruffalo 1

The delight on the children’s faces for the entirety of the show is worth the tickets price alone, with wonderful audience interaction, a charmingly authentic set, sweet and simple songs the Gruffalo is the perfect family festive treat!

On at the Lowry until Sunday 7th January tickets available here.

Around The World In 80 Days

1 Comment

80 Days

Who knew that we could take a trip around the world without even having to leave Salford?

Laura Eason’s fast-paced adaptation of the Jules Verne’s classic novel sailed into Salford last night, as it continues its Christmas run at the Lowry theatre.

The 1872 classic tells the story of the mysteriously wealthy Phileas Fogg (Andrew Pollard), who puts his life savings on a bet that he can travel around the world in just 80 days, whilst avoiding the devious Inspector Fix (Dennis Herdman), who believes he’s a bank robber.

Passepartout is Fogg’s lovable companion, played by Michael Hugo who certainly knows how to steal a show. Hugo and Passepartout are a match made in heaven, superbly displaying his skills as an actor, from martial arts to his improvisation with unfortunate members of the audience – which was particularly impressive.

80 Days 1

Director, Theresa Heskins pieced the whole show together in a staggering 25 days and the hard work has truly paid off as she’s transported the classic book onto stage effortlessly.

The brilliance that is set designer, Lis Evans can’t go unmentioned either. Evans easily transports us around the globe with her simplistic set design of suitcases and maps. These objects may seem relatively uninteresting, however in this case with the help of choreographer Beverly Edmunds, the duo manage to turn a set of old battered suitcases into stairs, trains and even boats with the blink of an eye.

80 Days 3

A talented ensemble of only eight actors play a globe’s worth of more than 100 different characters. The strong cast work like a well oiled machine, switching seamlessly between not only characters but countries too. One moment we’re in France and the next (with a change of a hat) we’re whisked away to Italy.

The intimate Quays Theatre at the Lowry is the perfect setting for this well-loved classic. Even without the use microphones and an audience filled with young children, sound projection was never an issue.

Eight actors, 125 characters, eight countries, six trains, five boats, four fights, a circus and an elephant all crammed into a two-hour show – we’re exhausted just thinking about it.

You can join Philleas Fogg and Passepartout in their race against time at the Lowry Theatre until January 7th 2018 tickets available here.

 

*Reviewed by Opening Night guest reviewer Francesca Eagleton*

Interview – Sting | The Last Ship

1 Comment

Sting

Undoubtedly one of the most successful UK artists of all time having sold millions of records, won every award & prestigious accolade imaginable including multiple Grammy’s, Brits, a Golden Globe, 4 Oscar’s nominations, an induction to the Hollywood walk of fame and a CBE to name but a few, Sting has now set his sights on musical theatre with the self-penned, The Last Ship. We were lucky enough to be invited to an intimate launch of the musical which docks at the Lowry Theatre from 3rd July 2018.

Sting may have come a long way since his childhood days spent in the shadows of the shipyard in Tyneside but he has never forgotten his roots. In writing The Last Ship Sting rediscovers the impact industrialisation & loss of identity has on a town and it’s inhabitants. As a child Sting thought of the shipyard as a dark and dangerous place, his biggest fear that he would end up there, unable to fulfil his dreams of being a singer. “Many years later I realised I owed a debt to my community, a community who’d had their incredible skills set thrown on the scrap heap, their dignity in working taken away, I wanted to explore what happens when you take this away, economics does not exist without community.”

Not strictly autobiographical but certainly very influenced by Sting’s childhood, lead character Gideon has turned his back on his hometown, leaving to become a sailor, after 17 years away her returns to reconnect with a lost love, however tensions between his past and his future flare as the once proud town he left is now a community in demise as the local shipyard is closing and fear for the economic stability of the town is overwhelming.

Sting 1

Of the story Sting said “I know how difficult it is to write an original story, many musicals are based on stories we already know, films, even cartoons but I wanted to take on that challenge, it was fun, it was hard-work, inspiring, challenging, disappointing, thrilling so many emotions, almost like a ship, there are so many moving parts and elements that need to come together, effectively you are the captain of the ship. It was hugely challenging but also so much fun.”

The musical has a very strong sense of regional identity, having lived away from the North East for so many years now Sting feels he is in the perfect place to look from the outside in, “I live an international life, I’m from a community but I live outside of it which to me feels like a good place to be impartial and give a voice to a community who maybe don’t have one.”

Giving his childhood community a voice is clearly a huge driving force behind The Last Ship as well as the emotional debt Sting feels he has to pay. “I was formed by the North East, my engine of ambition was created there, I was very lucky to be able to do what I did and it was only through good fortune when I left at aged 18/19 that I was able to, I am enormously grateful for the environment in which I was raised. It was rich and full of symbolism, the launching of a ship makes me tearful even now, something so enormous being launched by the hands of its makers, the workers of the town, happy and proud of what they have created yet at the same time anxious at when their next job might be.”

Sting 2

Sting explained what drove him to take on the challenge of musical theatre, “I’m undoubtedly driven by curiosity, driven always by the thought of ‘What’s next?’ I never want to keep pressing the same buttons, creativity is an elusive animal, hunting creativity means putting yourself out of your comfort zone, I’m not driven by success but driven by my own curiosity, I’m an eternal student.”

After a runs on Broadway, Chicago, Salt Lake City and now Finland, Sting explained how the piece has been altered slightly for the UK and Ireland tour which opens in Newcastle in March. “I felt the show needed slightly refitting for this tour, it’s more political than it was on Broadway, the struggle of the men takes precedence here as opposed to the love story which was very much focussed on for Broadway. Once I’d started with the characters the songs then came very, very quickly, almost like it was stored up deep inside, a story just waiting to be released. I’ve never been so passionate about anything I’ve done.”

Directed by Lorne Campbell with set design by the Tony Award-winning 59 Productions The Last Ship promises to a powerful, emotional and inspiring piece of theatre. Steeped in the proud history of the North with a stunning score, melodic folk music as well as rousing ensemble numbers The Last Ship starring Jimmy Nail sails into the Lowry from Tuesday 3rd July 2018, tickets available here

 

 

Elf the Musical

1 Comment

Elf

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

West End smash hit Elf the Musical arrived at the Lowry this week for a festive six week stint.

Based on the much loved 2003 film with a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone) and songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), Elf tells the popular tale of Buddy the Elf.

After crawling into Santa’s toy sack as a young orphan boy Buddy finds himself living amongst the elves in the North Pole, with an inability to make toys even half as fast as his fellow workers and being twice the size of every other elf there Buddy realises it’s time to face the truth and admit perhaps he isn’t an elf after all. With Santa’s permission Buddy heads to New York City in a bid to discover his true identity, find his father and hopefully spread some Christmas cheer along the way.

Elf 3

West End favourite Ben Forster reprises the role he won rave reviews for and it’s clear to see why, he commands the stage with his witty, warm and charismatic take on the loveable Buddy. His confused interactions with the hardened New Yorkers are hilarious and his innocent boisterous wooing of Jovie (Liz McClarnon) is a delight to see. Forster is perfectly cast, he completely makes the role his own, no easy task for such an iconic character made so famous by Will Ferrell. Forster bursts with enthusiasm and Christmas cheer, he entirely captivates with his joyful characterisation, his voice is smooth, strong and pitch perfect.

Forster is joined by a talented cast including Liz McClarnon as love interest Jovie. McClarnon is superb as Christmas pessimist Jovie, with the most beautiful of voices and strong characterisation, Jovie’s ice maiden persona takes some melting, she is witty, sarcastic and the perfect sour to Buddy’s sweet.

Elf 4

Tim Goodchild’s sets are lavish and impressive, sparky and slick as scenes move effortlessly from one to the next. The additional use of Ian William Galloway’s video design further adds to the wow factor of this big budget production. Sue Simmerling’s costume design is perfection, glitter, sequins, red and green for the North Pole, sharp grey suits for NYC.

The production remains true to the film but is so charming in its storytelling that those who haven’t seen the film (yes they do exist) will thoroughly enjoy the musical regardless. There are the classic lines we would all wish for hilariously delivered, a stunning score with catchy uplifting songs which you’ll be humming for days, the score literally has it all from stand out beautifully choreographed showstoppers to a witty yet moving solo from Jovie (Liz McClarnon).

Elf 2

Elf is a heart-warming, sparkly, spectacular. The message of love, hope and family is a special one, wonderfully and hilariously delivered. The audible gasps of joy from the audience will warm the coldest of hearts and will ensure you’ll leave the theatre grinning from ear to ear, offering hugs to anyone who will accept one and maybe even a few to those who won’t! Elf delivers the most perfect escapism from the crazy times we’re living in, funny, feel-good and oh so fabulous, a festive treat for all the family.

On at the Lowry until Sunday 7th January tickets available here