Motown The Musical landed in Manchester this week to rave reviews as the hit show took to the Opera House stage in Motown’s 60th anniversary year for a 4-week run in the city.
To celebrate the show’s arrival, The Supremes stepped out for a stroll in the unseasonably warm sunshine at Library Walks, off St Peter’s Square. Continue reading “Motown the Musical stars step out”
Get ready be razzle-dazzled and well and truly cheered up – these boots are made for entertaining.
Kinky Boots is in town and with music from the fabulous Cindy Lauper this glitterfest certainly gets us in the festive mood.
After a bit of a slow start as the scene is set, it doesn’t take long before the audience is plunged into one of the the most entertaining shows of the season so far at the Opera House.
The story is basically mirrors that of the film of the same name – the reluctant inheritor of down at heel shoe factory Charlie Price (Joel Harper-Jackson) striking an unlikely partnership with the flamboyant and outrageous drag artist Lola (Callum Francis) coming up with a plan to save the factory by making high heel boots for men.
It has a touch of the Billy Elliot, Pride and Fully Monty about it with the coming together of very different worlds, in this case the working class world of the factory floor and the outrageously camp world of drag artists. The drama is in the clash and the predictable overcoming of prejudice and difference.
The poignancy expressed in the film is not lost in the transition to the stage. Apart from the music the only difference between the storyline in the film and in the play is the boxing match between Lola and factory worker Don which replaces the wrestling match in the film – a wise move.
The songs are not that memorable it I’m honest but they do inject a huge dose of energy into the proceedings.
Francis is sensational in the role of Lola and is ably complemented by Harper Jackson’s Charlie and Lola’s fabulous angels.
But for me the real surprise in former Corrie star Paula Lane who is a revelation as love-lorn Lauren who falls for the factory boss.
This is a great show and if you’re fed up with hearing about Brexit, Brexit, Brexit it is the perfect antidote
Runs to December 1
Coronation Street legend, Beverley Callard has been announced as The Narrator in the The Rocky Horror Show when the hit show returns the Opera House in Manchester from 9-26 January.
Beverley, who plays Liz Macdonald in the ITV soap, said: “Wow! I’m really looking forward to joining the Rocky Horror family. I’ve been Time Warping for years as you all know, and I can’t wait to be back on stage at my favourite theatre, the Manchester Opera House. Get ready all you Rocky Horror fans, let’s make this strange journey together.”
The legendary musical extravaganza will also star West End star Stephen Webb as Frank, Strictly Come Dancing Champion Joanne Clifton as Janet, a1’s Ben Adams as Brad and Kristian Lavercombe will be reprising his role as Riff Raff, following more than 1300 performances around the world.
Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the smash hit show features all of the famous musical numbers which have made The Rocky Horror Show such a huge hit for over four decades, including “Sweet Transvestite”, “Science Fiction/Double Feature”, “Dammit Janet” and, of course, the timeless floor-filler, “The Time-Warp”.
The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit their favourite college professor. It’s an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party, which famously combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music while encouraging audience participation meaning, of course, getting dressed in the most outrageous fancy dress.
Former Eastenders star Anita Dobson will star as Miss Hannigan in a production of the musical ANNIE at Opera House, Manchester in February.
This production recently ran for an extended season in the West End following a sell-out tour of the UK and Ireland in 2015/16, as well as a recent sell-out season in Toronto.
As Angie Watts in EastEnders, Anita Dobson created one of the most popular characters in television, winning numerous awards. Her West End theatre credits include Madame Morrible in Wicked, Mama Morton in Chicago, Mrs Meers in Thoroughly Modern Mille, Chris in Calendar Girls, Joan Crawford in Bette and Joan and Nancy in Frozen at the National Theatre for which she was nominated for an Olivier, Evening Standard and London Critics Award. Her film credits include London Road.
Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search…
With its award-winning book and score, this stunning new production includes the unforgettable songs ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’, ‘Easy Street’, ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You’ and ‘Tomorrow’.
The show will run from February 2-16
The musical based on the 1980s film romance An Officer and Gentleman starring Richard Gere is in town this week.