Georgina WellsBlood Brothers continues to live up to its reputation as the “standing ovation musical,” finds Georgina Wells Blood Brothers tours the UK once again – stopping at the Palace Theatre for 12 nights – it is easy to see why Willy Russell’s...
Niamh MelodyFor those who’ve never seen Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show before, it can be summed up in three words: crazy, catchy and confusing. In fact, the plot is so baffling and nonsensical that it is hard to explain. Directed by Christopher...
After the sadness and gloom of last year, I’m dreaming of a normal Christmas with all the essential ingredients – and where better to kick off festivities than at the Palace Theatre with White Christmas? With an audience keen for a night of...
Joe’s Pie Diner has opened its doors in Manchester for the first time, with the arrival of Waitress at the Opera House. Boasting a female creative team and a female-fronted cast and storyline, this heart-warming musical focuses on Jenna (Lucie...
From 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...
As 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...