The first thing that strikes you about this National Theatre of Scotland production is Simon Kenny’s set, the centrepiece a 30-foot high wooden picture frame, with the top corner a wild, untreated tree branch. Initially, this appears to be something...
One of the most remarkable theatre productions I’ve seen in recent years was Feelgood Theatre’s Macbeth, staged in Heaton Park 10 years ago, and which coincided with a week of torrential rain; performing in a muddy pool in damp costumes sorely...
Early Doors, the stage show of the BBC2 pub sitcom, returns to the Lowry for a limited run, and even the hottest day of the year can’t keep its punters away. The theatre is packed to the top, and it’s no surprise given the size of the Arena venues...
So, burn me at the stake but I was completely bewitched by Joan – part compelling theatre, part horrible-histories, part drag act and all hugely entertaining. The basic set comprises four mirrors and four crates forming a cross in the centre of the...
When talking about the inspiration behind new play, Admissions, writer Joshua Harmon points to his central character Sherri Rosen-Mason: “I knew a lot of Sherris growing up, and in my experience, it struck me that often those who were the most vocal...
With comedy stars a-plenty in the likes of Caroline Quentin, Rufus Hound and Les Dennis, a theatre-goer could be forgiven for expecting an hilarious restoration comedy in John Vanbrugh’s The Provoked Wife. However, although plenty of laughs...
After 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...
American Idiot, the punk rock opera based on Green Day’s 2004 concept album of the same name, is on its 10th anniversary UK tour. Just like the album, the show comes with a parental advisory warning for explicit content. This hasn’t become any less...
We expected something different from Opera North’s new production of The Magic Flute after director, James Brining described it during our interview as a ‘mash-up of The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror and Dr Who’. ‘The Magic Flute’ Opera...
There was a time when Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise were as much a part of Christmas as tinsel and turkey. In an age before Netflix their Christmas specials drew in audiences of 28m. And on their move to ITV the comedy duo even had their own TV...
Steve Timms
Carmel Thomason
Liz Ratcliffe