Liz RatcliffeAfter the anti-LGBT+ hate crime two of the Rotterdam actors experienced in Southampton last week, it was good to see them back on stage and the Manchester crowd taking them straight to their hearts. Jon Brittain’s award-winning play is a clever...
Carmel ThomasonThe sensational stage version of Dirty Dancing is back on tour. Ahead of its stop at Manchester’s Palace Theatre we meet cast, Kira Malou (Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman), Michael O’Reily (Johnny Castle) and Simone Covele (Penny Johnson). How does it feel...
Since premiering in 2004 Jersey Boys has won 57 major awards across the world, including Best New Musical at Broadway’s Tony, London’s Olivier and Australia’s Helpmann Awards. Add to that an audience worldwide of more than 25 million and you start...
After 15 years at the top of its game, Wicked can no longer simply be thought of as a quirky off-shoot of the Wizard of Oz. It’s fair to say that if you’re a fan of Frank Baum’s original tale, you’ll get much more from this re-imagining of the...
It’s more than 10 years ago since I first saw Mamma Mia! and I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen it on stage, at cinema and on TV since then. But as the band strikes its first note, ABBA’s feel-good, disco beats hook me right back in...
It’s pink, fluffy and even has two puppies – Legally Blonde is as sweet and light as candy-floss, and OMG, you guys, this is the last week of the tour! It’s 11 years since we first met Elle Wood, the pink princess turned legal eagle, in the 2007...
Eva Peron is reported to have once said: ‘My biggest fear in life is to be forgotten’. Well, if she was as ambitious as Madalena Alberto portrays, you could be forgiven in thinking the former Argentinian first lady has aligned the stars for this...
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is on its first UK tour and stops at the Palace Theatre, Manchester for the festive season. It’s an unexpected treat for its star, Bronté Barbé who gets to spend both her birthday and Christmas at home in...
Everyone loves a good underdog story. Throw in cute kids, catchy tunes, a real-life pooch, and you’ve got a tale to leave no heart-string un-pulled. Writer, Debbie Isitt knows how to pen a winner. Currently working on the fourth installment of her...
I’m coming a bit late to the party with this one I know, but when something is this good I don’t think too many people can shout about it or shout too loud. I missed press night because I was in York for the official launch of my latest book with...