‘I’ve never seen anything like it!’ exclaims Brian Capron’s Greatest Showman style circus owner, Albert Blossom on seeing the two-headed llama, Pushmi-Pullyu – and in years of reviewing, neither have I. The puppets, and there are lots of them, are...
Cinderella gets a Manchester make-over at The Opera House this Christmas – it’s all magic and sparkle mixed with attitude and northern humour. From Cinderella’s lively opening song about the theatre, the scene is firmly set in the city. And...
Badly bleached beehives, tap-dancing zimmer-frames and pigeon puppets – Raz Shaw’s new production of The Producers, at The Royal Exchange, is a riot of absurdity. As if taking stage notes from one of the show’s more well-known numbers, Shaw keeps it...
Prepare for flying violins and speed skating ballerinos as Netherlands’ comics Släpstick bring their unique mix of virtuoso live music and energetic physical comedy to Home, Manchester.Winners of the 2017 Edinburgh Spirit of the Fringe Award...
Coming home for Christmas with the family is a timeless theme all ages can relate to. And in Julia Donaldson’s festive tale, the journey becomes an adventure for youngsters, with high stakes as Stick Man battles to make it back to his family tree...
Olivier-nominated duo, Jonty Stephens and Ian Ashpitel bring sunshine to The Lowry with An Evening of Eric and Ern. Quays Life finds out what it takes to re-create the greatest comedy double-act of all time, Morecambe and Wise. Anyone who watched TV...
These boots weren’t made for walking, but they sure know how to get an audience on its feet. Thigh-high, ruby red and dazzling with glitter – the Kinky Boots get a round of applause all of their own. These aren’t just shoes, they are, as Drag Queen...
Comedian and playwright, Jackie Hagan has written a brand-new Christmas show, The Forest of Forgotten Discos, that innovatively integrates sign-language and visual storytelling into all its performances. She talks to Quays Life about improving...
The Oldham Coliseum has set the bar high for family theatre during the festive season. Their Christmas show is always a fun-filled, traditional pantomime. But sticking to the traditions doesn’t mean sticking to the past, and it is this fusion of old...
The true story of the Calendar Girls is now almost as deep a part of British culture as the Women’s Institute from which it arose. Just like a prized WI cake competition, the drama has all the right ingredients – love, loss, friendship, community...