The Drifters Girl comes to Manchester Opera House next week. Nominated for Best New Musical at the 2022 Olivier Awards, the show is full of Drifters hits including “Saturday Night At The Movies”, “Save The Last Dance For Me” and “Stand By Me”. It tells the story of the Drifters and the truth about the woman… Continue reading Drifters Girl for Manchester
Month: October 2023
Sherlock Holmes: A Study in Lipstick, Ketchup and Blood
The third performance space I’ve attended at Pitlochry Festival Theatre this week is outdoors in the Explorers Garden against the backdrop of the River Tummel and the hills behind through the trees. It’s referred to as the Amphitheatre, although the seating only surrounds half of the circular wooden stage. Cushions are provided for those who… Continue reading Sherlock Holmes: A Study in Lipstick, Ketchup and Blood
Bard and booze for the night
Sh!t-faced Shakespeare takes seven actors, a Shakespearean script and throws a bucket-load of booze into the mix. Having performed at Leicester Square Theatre and around the world they will be playing the Tyne Theatre & Opera House October 7. Each night, one designated actor is given four hours to consume as much alcohol as they… Continue reading Bard and booze for the night
Hole
As most people over the age of 30 can tell you, there is a great yawning chasm of anxiety and depression writ large through the mundane horror of everyday life and the painful existential terror of being in your early 20s, usually compounded by the listlessness of an unclear career-path, the grind of boring day-jobs,… Continue reading Hole
Stage debut winners announced
The Stage newspaper has announced the winners of its Debut Awards, which aim to “highlight breakthrough actors, writers, directors, designers, composers or lyricists to help cement their position in the industry.” At a ceremony on 1 October 2023 at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London hosted by Divine De Campo, the winners from 45 nominees across 8 categories… Continue reading Stage debut winners announced
Wearmouth
The projection of February 2023 Sunderland versus Reading on the backdrop sets the location and scene. We meet two suicidal Sunderland supporters bemoaning their life’s trials and tribulations. “We are two suicidal Sunderland supporters but there are 40,000 of them in there”, says one. They go to the bridge every match day intending to jump,… Continue reading Wearmouth
Rabone flops back to Lichfield for Beauty and the Beast
Resident dame and “Lichfield legend” Sam Rabone will be back for his eighth year at the Garrick when he plays Madame Fillop in Beauty and the Beast. Rabone said, “I’m thrilled to be back at the Garrick and, after a short gap, back with my old partner in crime Ben Thornton. Bringing Ben back means one… Continue reading Rabone flops back to Lichfield for Beauty and the Beast
Gypsy: A Musical Fable
This 1959 musical, with a dream writing cast for the time of Laurents, Styne and Sondheim, is revived by Ben Occhipinti as the big musical running through the whole of the Pitlochry summer rep season. Based on the memoirs of upmarket stripper Gypsy Rose Lee and set on the burlesque circuit of the 1920s, the… Continue reading Gypsy: A Musical Fable
Northampton venue reopens after concrete closure
Northampton’s Royal and Derngate has announced its two main theatre spaces are to reopen after a type of concrete prone to collapse was found in its foyers. The building had to be closed at the beginning of September in line with new government health and safety guidance about reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Performances will resume in… Continue reading Northampton venue reopens after concrete closure
Never Have I Ever
Oscar Wilde is said to have hidden his most subversive and challenging dialogue under the guise of laughter, and Frances-White’s hilarious and screamingly funny play follows that theme. I found some of the shrieking laughter from the audience a bit excessive and distracting, but this excellent cast never lose their focus for a moment. Designer… Continue reading Never Have I Ever