Carmel ThomasonIt feels like a welcome home coming for Tracy-Ann Oberman’s Shylock as The Merchant of Venice 1936 returns to Greater Manchester. The Watford Palace Theatre & Home Manchester production was first seen at Home almost two years ago. Since then...
Dear Evan Hansen, today is going to be a good day because there is a great new musical in town that’s full of heart, hope and leaves you feeling like the sun is shining on your face. Well, when I say new, it’s a new production. The show is 10-years...
Dave PorterIt’s arguable that in youth-obsessed culture there’s a distinct lack of older people represented on stage, giving scant roles for those getting on in years. Beckett had some memorable characters and Arnold Wesker made some headway with The Old Ones...
Steve TimmsNot every popular novel transfers successfully to the stage. If you want proof, check out this touring production from Simon Friend Entertainment and Josh Andrews. The Girl on the Train is a clunky, lukewarm mess – albeit one with...
‘We’re going to need a bigger boat’. For people of a certain age – reader, include your reviewer in that category – these immortal lines evoke both terror and nostalgic fascination. Looking back to the heady days of 1970’s hot summers it’s...
Thigh-high, screaming red heels that dazzle as they shine – these boots weren’t made for walking, but they sure know how to get an audience on its feet. These aren’t just any boots, they are, as Drag Queen, Lola cheekily describes them: ‘Two...
Cast your mind back to the days before streaming platform playlists. If that’s before your time, the staging will give you a hint. Tom Rogers and Toots Butcher’ set places the action within a big box of blank tapes that frame the stage. Yes, we’re...
In celebration of its 9th birthday Hope Mill Theatre is staging a concert version of Nine the Musical, starring Ramin Karimloo and Ruthie Henshall. The show, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, features the songs, ‘Be Italian’, ‘Unusual Way’, and...
Floella Benjamin talks to Quays Life about the stage adaptation of her autobiographical book Coming to England as a vibrant new play with music, which arrives at Lowry, Salford on 5 February as part of a UK tour. Could you tell us about Coming to...
Actor Laura Littlewood has become a familiar face reporting breaking news from Coronation Street’s many dramatic moments. Now at the other end of the reporter’s notebook, Laura tells us about her latest role playing Mrs Bradman in HER...