The Accountants is a multimedia stage spectacle, melding dance and modern communication. It premieres at Aviva Studios and is the UK debut performance for the Terrence Lewis Contemporary Dance Company and Xiexin Dance Theatre. Liam (Josh Hart) is trying to find himself while travelling Asia, keeping in contact with his favourite ‘auntie’ Kash (Shobna Gulati). Using … More THE ACCOUNTANTS – REVIEW – AVIVA STUDIOS
On Me is a play by Caroline Lamb of Dangerous To Know Theatre Company. It is presented at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale before touring to Bolton Library, after its award-winning run at the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival in 2022. It is followed by a short post-show Q&A, with speakers from domestic violence charities working in Manchester and academics studying the psychology of abuse and abusers. We … More ON ME – REVIEW – WATERSIDE ARTS
After being commissioned by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival to write a play about the American Revolution, Lynn Nottage wrote SWEAT eerily close to the announcement of Donald Trump’s presidential candidacy. It is revived in Manchester by director Jade Lewis for the Royal Exchange Theatre. Spanning 2000 and 2008, SWEAT follows a group of friends and their families in Reading, … More SWEAT – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE
Still Got It is the culmination of David Hoyle’s three weekresidency at Aviva Studios, where friends old and new are brought together for a celebration of avant-garde performance art and old school drag. With guest performances from dance troupe the Glitterbomb Dancers and drag queen Veda Lady, Still Got It is a celebration of David Hoyle’s life, his work, and us … More DAVID HOYLE: STILL GOT IT…? – REVIEW – AVIVA STUDIOS
Is This Thing On? is a devised two-hander play from newcomers MissMatch, collaborating with So La Productions for their debut show at the Contact Theatre before touring the North West. Mary (Ellie Campbell) and Liz (Megan Keaveny) are flatmates and best friends grappling with the complexities of artistic expression and personal integrity. Mary, a poet, … More IS THIS THING ON? – REVIEW – CONTACT THEATRE MANCHESTER
Re-imagining a classic children’s story as experimental theatre would always be a tall order, but Factory International’s Jungle Book manages to miss the mark for all of its intended audience. Running over Easter weekend, Théâtres de la Ville-Paris’ production of Jungle Book is directed by Robert Wilson, who also provides set and lighting design. The music and lyrics are … More JUNGLE BOOK – REVIEW – FACTORY INTERNATIONAL
A brilliantly authentic revival, which allows Delaney’s dialogue to shine, with enough alterations to make the restaging worthwhile and optimistic. A Taste of Honey is a giant in British theatre history and therefore is an especially difficult text to stage well. Initially workshopped by Joan Littlewood and premiering in 1958, A Taste of Honey has enjoyed a long … More A TASTE OF HONEY – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE MANCHESTER
Shed: Exploded View has powerful language, but the pared-back production fails to communicate the central message. Phoebe Éclair-Powell’s Shed: Exploded View is a character study inspired by Cornelia Parker’s installation Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View. Parker’s piece celebrates the human desire to rebuild, but Powell’s shed symbolises an unattainable ideal of marriage. The language … More SHED: EXPLODED VIEW – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE
Red Brick Theatre first staged Sour Milk for the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival in 2021. In this version, Aaron Shaw joins original cast members Abbey Hayes and playwright Jonathan Mitchell in a beautifully composed hour of theatre about unyielding friendship under dire circumstances. In a one-bedroom flat above a chippy, Mark (Mitchell) and his best … More SOUR MILK – REVIEW – KING’S ARMS SALFORD
A near-perfect production that is electrifying, fun, and modern. Romeo & Juliet is director Nicholai La Barrie’s Royal Exchange debut, and it is a daunting venture. With Shakespeare, the difficulty is freshening the text and its themes; any Shakespearean production must justify its revival. While many people cite universal themes, exemplary dramatic narratives, and heritage … More ROMEO & JULIET – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE
A seemingly simple audio-visual experience which proffers a stunningly complex meditation on ideas of heritage and identity. Created by Keisha Thompson and directed by Nathan Powell, 14% is an immersive new play which explores football culture, identity, heritage, and modern England. For Thompson, football culture is a launchpad for discussions of identity and belonging. Thompson … More 14% – REVIEW – CONTACT MANCHESTER
Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations has been adapted by Tanika Gupta and is directed by Pooja Ghai, in this co-production between the Royal Exchange Theatre and Tamasha. Dickens’s classic story of a working-class boy becoming a gentleman still resonates today. Pip’s longing to move beyond his station, Miss Havisham’s desire for revenge against the men who have wronged … More GREAT EXPECTATIONS – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE MANCHESTER
This is a visually spectacular show which is defeated by a weak first act and the cast’s poor diction. Jesus Christ Superstar is a global commercial success and an important reference point in musical theatre history. This re-imaging of the Easter story as a sung-through rock opera premiered in 1970 and has been revived semi-regularly … More JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR – REVIEW – THE PALACE THEATRE
Rachel Fairburn: Showgirl is a fun piece of theatre which ticks all the stand-up comedy boxes, but the show’s impact is limited by cohesion and commitment issues. Showgirl is written and performed by Rachel Fairburn, with Tom Lawrinson as the supporting act. Fairburn has six critically acclaimed solo shows and is a regular on the UK stand-up circuit. … More RACHEL FAIRBURN: SHOWGIRL – REVIEW – THE OPERA HOUSE, MANCHESTER
Ahoy! The Ballad of the Time Kraken is a Starkid-esque production with some rollicking songs, but its narrative and pacing issues hamper it. Ahoy! is a meta-musical produced by Rocket Whip, a queer, female-led theatre company. The company aims to: “create accessible and fun theatre productions…focusing on small scale original musicals… outside of work hours … More AHOY! THE BALLAD OF THE TIME KRAKEN – REVIEW – GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE
Outside In is a 50-minute one-woman show by Ilaria Passeri. It is presented at Gullivers, Manchester for the Greater Manchester Fringe 2023. Ilaria is a storyteller. Outside In is a selection of stories for adults chronicling times in Passeri’s life where she has felt as if she’s looking outside in, from her time as a Brownie to ill-fated … More OUTSIDE IN – REVIEW – GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE
A hidden gem of Greater Manchester Fringe that tackles difficult subject matter with playfulness and defiance. Dear Eliza is written and performed by Barbara Diesel and premieres as part of Greater Manchester Fringe. Dear Eliza is a compilation of monologues and letters, exploring a friendship strained by mental illness. As an early career artist debuting … More DEAR ELIZA – REVIEW – GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE
What Happened to Connie Converse? is presented by Idol Complex Productions for the Greater Manchester Fringe. Co-written by Róis Doherty and Xenia Lily, directed by Rosa Graham and Róis Doherty, the show performed at the King’s Arms in Salford. The play is based on the ‘true-ish’ story of one of the first American singer-songwriters, Connie Converse, … More WHAT HAPPENED TO CONNIE CONVERSE? – REVIEW – GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE
This whimsical and beautifully written monologue unfortunately shows little understanding of its own identity. Tigers in Wisteria is the story of the historical figure Ottoline Morrell. Morrell was an English aristocrat, literary, and political hostess, artist, pacifist, and wife in an open marriage. Written and performed by Lita Doolan, this monologue focuses on a real relationship … More TIGERS IN WISTERIA – REVIEW – ONLINE GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE
Debbie Bird’s Buzzing is a raw, honest account of sexuality in middle age. It is directed by Mark Farrelly and has been touring since its debut at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019. Fresh from an Ann Summers party, Julie downs a glass of white wine and lists all the men she’s been fantasising about. Her favourite barista, … More BUZZING – REVIEW – GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE
