Reviews

Review: ‘Bouncers’ At New Vic

The in-the-round setting at New Vic Theatre became the 1980's hottest nightclub in town 'Mr. Cinders' as John Godber's classic comedy 'Bouncers' opened last night. Directed by Jane Thornton and originally performed at Edinburgh Fringe in 1977, this four-hander relives a night at a Yorkshire disco with a thumpingly good soundtrack. Telling the tale of Bouncer's Judd, Les, Ralph and Lucky Eric, the versatile cast play every character in it, from the vulgar and laddish Bouncers, to the young 'lads and lasses' on a night out, even the pre-event barbers and ladies' hairdressers. The cast of Frazer Hammill (Lucky Eric),…

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Review: Blood Brothers At Crewe Lyceum

Photo by Jack Merriman Now in its 34th year, the fantastic Blood Brothers musical opened this evening at Crewe Lyceum. The play and score written by legendary writer Willy Russell (Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine, Our Day Out plus many others) is an analysis of nature versus nurture as well as an important social study of the era. Set in 1980’s Liverpool amongst the height of Thatcher’s power in office, the plot centres around twins Eddie and Mickey who are separated at birth, with one growing up in a wealthy family, the other in poverty. Firm friends and ‘blood brothers’, but…

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Quality Street: New Vic Review

The wonderful setting of The New Vic Theatre transports the audience back to the 19th century for the latest production, which is a revival of J.M. Barrie's Quality Street by Northern Broadsides. The story, set in the Napoleonic war era, follows sisters Phoebe and Susan Throssel who live on Quality Street. Susan and their neighbours, the Willoughby's (Mary and Fanny), seem to have resigned themselves to being eternal spinsters, however "Phoebe of the ringlets" as she is known, is eagerly awaiting Doctor Valentine Brown to make a proposal. Sadly when she believes the time has finally come, his announcement isn't…

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Review: The Bodyguard at The Regent

Photo Credit Paul Coltas Another Hollywood blockbuster hits The Regent this week in the form of 'The Bodyguard'. The 1992 smash hit starred Whitney Houston as vocal superstar Rachel Marron whose team engage bodyguard Frank Farmer (Kevin Costner) after a series of unsavoury letters lead them to the inevitable conclusion that the star has a dangerous stalker. The film showcased the vocal talents of Houston and included some memorable numbers including 'Run To You', 'I Have Nothing' and the unforgettable 'I Will Always Love You'. The stage play stays true to the film script and the storyline follows the hectic…

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Review: Shawshank Redemption At The Regent

Starting a week of back-to-back Hollywood blockbusters at The Regent, Shawshank Redemption began life as a 1982 novella by Steven King 'Rita Hayworth And The Shawshank Redemption' which was then the basis of the 1994 blockbuster film and has now been once again transformed wonderfully to the stage. Those familiar with the Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins depiction, will find this a slightly different fare. Adapted by Owen O'Neill and Dave Johns, the stage play traverses its own path and develops the other characters far more than the screen version, whilst staying loyal to the storyline and major themes. The…

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New Vic Review: Ladies’ Day

Photo credit: Andrew BillingtonAmanda Whittington's comedy/drama 'Ladies' Day' makes its way to New Vic theatre, with all the glitz and style of a day at the races. Four work colleagues from a Yorkshire fish-filleting line, Pearl, Jan, Shelly and Linda swap their gloves and apron, for dresses and fascinators as they head off to Royal Ascot. Originally written in 2005 when Royal Ascot did temporarily move itself to York, the play isn't a fish-out-of-water storyline (pun fully intended!) but a focus on the personal trials and tribulations of the four main characters. Take away the workday routine and you see…

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Review – Aladdin: Crewe Lyceum

The festive season has officially been rung in, in Crewe, with the opening of the Lyceum pantomime, Aladdin. The traditional tale sees our hero Aladdin, retrieving the mystical lamp from the cave of wonders from a mysterious stranger, Abanazar, in his dastardly attempt to become the most powerful sorcerer by summoning the genie and marrying Aladdin's beau, Jasmine. Set to a number of fantastic backdrops (hats off to the set designer), household names in the cast include a fantastic lineup of dancer Louie Spence (Spirit of the Ring), Corrie's Jamie Kenna (Abanazar) and Milkshake TV presenter Kiera-Nicole Brennan (Jasmine). They…

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Regent Panto Review: Jonny Flies High Again!

Photo courtesy of Claralou Photography There's certain things to indicate that it's the festive season; the first Christmas Ad, 'I'm A Celebrity' concluding, your first mince pie and, in our household, its the first time we hear Jonathan Wilkes run on and say 'Ay Up Me Ducks'. Peter Pan opened last night at The Regent to a high-flying start of a run that will last until the end of the year. Peter (Rory Sutherland) finds himself without the ability to fly and the enchanted waterfall with fairy dust drying up, Peter, Smee (Jonathan Wilkes), Tinkerbell (Amanda Coutts) and Wendy (Hannah…

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Review: Eric’s Christmas Turkey

Photo courtesy of Andrew Billington David Graham returns to the New Vic with his festive show 'Eric's Christmas Turkey'. The New Vic favourite's follow up to the autumn 'Eric's Monster Mash' finds the Basford Amateur Dramatics (BAD) short of a player or two and long suffering Bev (Laura Sheppard) brings along her husband to the latest meeting. He seems more interested in Twinkle (Carly Cook) than any thespian aspirations. Finding their rehearsal room double-booked with a local band, they reluctantly set about combining forces for the upcoming play. With the band short on gigs and the players' short on actors…

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Review: Alice In Wonderland

Photo courtesy of Andrew Billington The New Vic has brought to life the 1865 imaginings of Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures In Wonderland' as its festive production, first staged at the venue in 2011. It tells the tale of Alice as she makes her way through the famous fantasy world filled with strange characters and anthropomorphic creatures. Adapted and directed by Theresa Heskins ('Tom, Dick & Harry', 'Marvellous' plus many more) the tale has an overhaul and Alice begins her journey on a boat, her family hungry and searching the nearby town for food, Alice herself struggling with literacy. Mesmerised by…

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