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Review: ‘Dick Whittington’ At Regent Theatre

Photo credit Claralou Photography It's officially the Christmas season in Hanley! There's only one way to mark when that begins and that is when Jonathan Wilkes run onto the Regent stage and says ‘Ay Up Me Ducks’. A milestone year, Jonny is celebrating 20 years since his first Regent Theatre panto. This time he takes on the role of Dick Whittington. Dick (and his trusty cat!) seek fame, fortune and happiness journeying to become Lord Mayor. Can he outwit the evil rodent King Rat and free the city from his team of revolting rodents? Will true love prevail? The glitz and…

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Review: ‘Only Fools & Horses’ At Regent Theatre

Regent Theatre plays host to the theatrical remake of the classic BBC sitcom, 'Only Fools & Horses' on the latest leg of its UK tour. The TV series originally aired in 1981 and ran until 2003 amassing 64 episodes filled to the brim with instantly recognisable characters, fantastic storylines, fabulous jokes and making household names out of the cast as well as adding a few new catchphrases to the history books. The musical originally opened in 2019, written by John Sullivan's son, Jim along with comedian Paul Whitehouse. It ran for over 1000 performances until 2023 where shortly after, it…

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Review: ‘The Three Musketeers’ at New Vic

Photo credit Andrew Billington The 1844 famous Alexandre Dumas classic has been adapted for this years' festive production at New Vic. A swashbuckling story about a young man named d'Artagnan who travels to Paris to join the Royal Guard and befriends three of the most famous musketeers. Along the way he meets Milady and gets caught up in a villainous plot, can d'Artagnan and his new friends uncover the secret agent and the mastermind behind it all? Theresa Hesksins delivers a hugely entertaining production with elaborate costumes, clever choreography and the swish and clash of the rapier. The fight direction…

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Review: ‘Chicago’ at Regent Theatre

Photo credit Paul Coltas The Regent is transformed into 1920's Illinois as 'Chicago' brings the 'Razzle Dazzle' for what is to be a sensational week on its leg of the latest UK tour. Chicago tells the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring sleazy criminal lawyer Billy Flynn to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily…

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Review: ‘Ghost The Musical’ at The Regent

Photo credit Alastair Muir The Regent Theatre welcomes 'Ghost The Musical' this week on the latest leg of the UK tour for 2024. Bruce Joel Rubin won an Oscar for the screenplay from the 1990's smash hit and he has adapted it for the production. Directed by Bob Tomson and with music and lyrics co-written by Eurythmics Dave Stewart, it tells the story of Sam, walking with his girlfriend Molly back to their apartment late one night. A tragic encounter sees Sam murdered and his beloved Molly alone, in despair and utterly lost. With the help of a phony storefront…

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Eric’s Full Monty Outstrips Competition to Return to Stage As 25th Anniversary Concludes

Eric and his pals are preparing to bare all as rehearsals start this month for Eric’s Full Monty. David Graham Productions bring back this hilarious show from Monday 25 November to Tuesday 10 December, following unprecedented demand from New Vic audiences as they voted for the top ‘Eric’ production they’d like to see return. Outstripping votes for all the other Eric shows combined, Eric’s Full Monty was the audience’s top choice to make a comeback in 2024, the 25th anniversary year of the much-loved character. First staged in summer 2021, Eric’s Full Monty sees Eric finally settling down! He’s moved…

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Review: ‘Perfect Pitch’ At New Vic

John Godber's 1998 classic 'Perfect Pitch' opened at New Vic last night in its latest tour of the UK. Telling the story of burnt out, retired teacher Matt who borrows his parent’s caravan for a week on the Yorkshire coast with partner Rose, expecting four days of hill running and total de-stress. But with the world’s biggest tribute band festival taking place nearby, Grant and Steph’s pop-up tent is an unwelcome addition to their perfect pitch. Subtle changes have brought this into the present day (song references etc.) but the core remains the same, the presentation of the microcosm of…

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Review: ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!’ at Regent Theatre

Everyone's fine four fendered friend flies into Regent Theatre this week. Based on Ian Fleming’s timeless story for children and later made into the famous 1968 film, we meet absent-minded inventor Caractacus Potts who restores a broken-down old racing car with the help of his children Jemima and Jeremy. Soon the family discover the car has magical powers, and along with the delectable Truly Scrumptious and Grandpa Potts, they end up on a fantastical adventure to far off lands. Filled with instantly recognisable songs such as 'Toot Sweets', 'Posh!', 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and 'Me 'Ol Bam-Boo' the score is…

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Review: ‘Show & Tell’ at New Vic Theatre

The New Vic becomes one of only a few venues which are playing host to Alan Ayckbourn's latest production 'Show & Tell'. Marking the 65th anniversary of Ayckbourn's professional debut as a director, it comes in his 85th year and is his 90th play. Some huge numbers for the legendary figure. Premiering on 10th October this year, it tells the tale of retired department MD, Jack, who is planning a big party for his wife’s birthday and has booked a theatre company to perform in the family home. But Jack’s getting a bit forgetful in his old age and can’t…

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Rehearsals Underway for New Vic Version of The Three Musketeers

Hot on the heels of the New Vic’s international transfer of The Princess and The Pea to New York (a co-production with Upswing and The Unicorn Theatre), the theatre’s rehearsals for their Christmas production created for families and young people, The Three Musketeers, are now underway. Onstage from Friday 15 November 2024 to Saturday 25 January 2025, The Three Musketeers follows the plight of spirited country boy, D’Artagnan, who arrives in the big city with big dreams and has his courage pushed to the limits as he earns his place amongst the legendary Musketeers: Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Meanwhile, cockney…

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