Niamh MelodyFrom the roaring standing ovation to the audience hum of “You can’t stop the beat” following us into the street, it’s abundantly clear the opening night of Hairspray at the Palace Theatre was a resounding success. After more than 30 years on the...
Steve TimmsThere’s no such thing as an unlikely musical, though some don’t stick around long enough to make an impression. Does anyone remember Fields of Ambrosia, a mid 90’s affair about a travelling executioner who falls in love with one of his victims...
Paul ThomasonFour years after the world premiere at Manchester Opera House, Bat out of Hell makes a triumphant return, bringing back a string of awards. Unlike some other jukebox musicals, the songs make perfect sense in their placement and in moving the story...
Liz RatcliffeLiz Ratcliffe now understands why everyone is talking about Jamie. I had heard about Everyone’s talking about Jamie and seen that it had won award after award after award, but with the onset of Covid and being locked-down, the show took a little...
Georgina WellsAs Hope Mill Theatre’s Executive Director William Whelton observes in his programme notes, the journey to bring their production of Rent to the stage has been a difficult one. Originally scheduled for performance in the summer, national lockdown and...
Carmel ThomasonHope Mill Theatre owners, William Whelton and Joseph Houston reflect on the challenges of Covid for the theatre and their excitement at bringing a brand new production of RENT to audiences both live and online. Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester was...
Six the Musical makes history again as it becomes the first West End musical to resume performances since lockdown. Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’s histore-mix look at Henry VIII’s wives has become a global phenomenon since its early days as a student...
Moses KabungaOne of the best things about seeing a brand-new work, is just that – it’s brand new. And after watching the premiere of Bourgeois and Maurice’s new musical, ‘Insane Animals’ I can tell you, knowing very little about the performance...
Lorraine Worsley-CarterOur evening begins at the infamous Kit Kat Klub, in the heart of Berlin nightlife and as the clock strikes midnight we celebrate with revellers, greeting the uncertainty of all that 1931 will bring to Berlin – a city which had fast become the...
Martin Thomasson“A bit of humanity and a hell of a lot of glitter and giggles.” (Lockie Chapman’s take on “Insane Animals”). In rehearsals Viewing the plight of 21st century humanity from afar, a couple of glam and compassionate aliens decide to pay us a visit and...