From the pens of the writers of the American TV show, Murder She Wrote, comes a show at the Opera House which promises mystery and suspense.
Unfortunately this production, staged by the Classic Thriller Theatre Company falls way short of that promise. For Classic read dated and staid and as for thrilling – there is is more excitement in an England World Cup qualifier. Continue reading “REVIEW: Rehearsal for a Murder @ The Opera House, Manchester”
Harper Lee’s timeless tale exploring justice, courage, racism and class comes to Bolton Octagon this week.
Bringing this iconic classic novel to the stage is a challenge, but it is one which director Elizabeth Newman has risen to superbly – making every possible use of the auditorium drawing the audience into the lives of the townsfolk of Maycomb and the intense heat of the courtroom confrontation.
To Kill a Mockingbird, based partly on Lee’s own recollections of her upbringing in Alabama USA, retells, through the childhood memories of Jean Louise Finch (Scout), the story of her father Atticus’ defence of a black man wrongly charged with rape.
Barbara Drennan gives a good performance providing the linking narration as grown up Scout looking back on those dramatic events. However, it is the children – Jasmine De Goede (Scout), Che Tligui (Jem) and Adam Crompton (Dil) – who steal the show. None of them put a foot wrong in three vital roles in the production.
But this is one of those shows where is it is difficult to single out performances for special praise. If pushed I would have to say Atticus Finch is brilliantly realised by Rob Edwards and Leila Mimmack is excellent as the tragic Mayella Ewell.
This is well worth the trip to Bolton. Runs till October 15
Dave Toomer
After strolling on a hot sunny afternoon, what better way to spend an evening than to experience this top notch production celebrating the music of one of Britain’s best loved bands at the Opera House.
Sunny Afternoon is a marvellous rendition of the story of the Kinks, from their humble beginnings through the turbulent years of establishing themselves as the original Brit Pop masters, their setbacks and heartache, through to their eventual conquest of America. Continue reading “REVIEW: Sunny Afternoon @ The Opera House, Manchester”
Agatha Christie’s classic whodunnit, the Mousetrap is back in Manchester this week as the show celebrates its 60th anniversary.
Famous across the world for being the longest-running show of any kind in the history of theatre, with over 26,000 performances in London, you can see why it has endured. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Mousetrap @ The Opera House, Manchester”
I have to admit, an evening celebrating a teenage girls’ magazine which was big in the 60s and 70s was not something that greatly appealed to me and I feared a ropey time ahead at the theatre last night.
My fears were reinforced after a cursory glance at an Opera House audience consisting mainly of women of a certain age with an obvious affectionate and nostalgic connection with the Jackie phenomenon.
I was a youngster in the 70s and sometimes saw the magazine when I picked up my copy of Look In from the newsagent – but that is as far as my knowledge went. I didn’t even have a big sister to grab a peek at her copy, so “The Jackie Guide to Kissing” and “Teenscope” was a blissful mystery to me.
It didn’t bode well, surely, as I took my seat. But I can honestly say Jackie the Musical is up there with the best shows I’ve seen at the Opera House and as a story essentially about relationships, I discovered this can appeal to blokes of a certain age as well.
But the most important thing about the show is that it is great fun, with oodles of that fab and groovy retro energy. Every one of those classic tunes is a show-stopper thanks to a combination of incredible performances, slick direction and near-perfect choreography.
The show tells the story of Jackie, brilliantly played by Janet Dibley, a 54-year-old separated woman confronted by the problems posed by three men in her life – her ex-husband, grown-up son and new potential love interest. Help comes from the projection of her younger teenage self, dispensing advice straight from the pages of the all-knowing magazine.
An exceptionally strong cast makes this truly a night to remember and the show is a triumph for director Anna Linstrum. The production makes the most of every line and every note – from the big numbers to the seamless scene changes delivering quirky little stories of their own.
And the show certainly demonstrates why dance veteran Arlene Phillips is still regarded as one of the country’s top choreographers.
This is well worth a look, if you fancy a good night out.
Runs till Saturday May 21
Dave Toomer
