Category: North West Reviews

ROMEO & JULIET – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE

26th October 2023

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

14% – REVIEW – CONTACT MANCHESTER

20th October 2023

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

GREAT EXPECTATIONS – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE MANCHESTER

16th September 2023

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

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR – REVIEW – THE PALACE THEATRE

14th September 2023

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 – REVIEW – THE OPERA HOUSE, MANCHESTER

11th September 2023

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 – REVIEW – GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE

29th July 2023

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 – REVIEW – GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE

27th July 2023

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

DEAR ELIZA – REVIEW – GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE

27th July 2023

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? – REVIEW – GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE

27th July 2023

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

TIGERS IN WISTERIA – REVIEW – ONLINE GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE

17th July 2023

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

BUZZING – REVIEW – GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE

14th July 2023

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

NOAH’S FLOOD – REVIEW – MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

11th July 2023

Noah’s Flood is a co-production by Slung Low and Manchester Collective for Leeds 2023 and Manchester International Festival (MIF). It is directed by Slung Low’s Artistic Director Alan Lane and conducted by Nicholas Chalmers, with the Animal Chorus directed in rehearsals by Ellie Slorach and Charlie Perry. Featuring performances from the Hallé Youth Ensembles and Ingram … More NOAH’S FLOOD – REVIEW – MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

GOOD GIRL – REVIEW – GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE

10th July 2023

Good Girl by Rhiannon Jenkins is a sixty-minute one-woman show presented by Thunderbolt Comedy. Starring Jenkins herself and with direction from Chris Griswold, Good Girl is some of the most fun I’ve had in a theatre.  Jenkins greeted me personally as I entered, complimenting me on my dress. Jenkins’ own dress, a satin red number, was very quickly … More GOOD GIRL – REVIEW – GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE

THEY – REVIEW – MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

7th July 2023

Manchester International Festival brings artists from all over the world to use the city as their inspiration and canvas. The programme includes live music, art installations, comedy, and theatre. They: A Sequence Of Unease was written and published by Kay Dick in 1977 and has been adapted for MIF by Sarah Frankcom, Imogen Knight, and … More THEY – REVIEW – MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

ALL RIGHT. GOOD NIGHT. – REVIEW – MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

7th July 2023

A haunting meditation on loss that combines forms to probe collective and personal tragedies. Rimini Protokoll is known for daring and immersive theatre. According to the programme, they: “like to transpose rooms or social structures into theatrical formats. Many of their works feature interactivity and a playful use of technology”. In contrast, All Right. Good Night. is … More ALL RIGHT. GOOD NIGHT. – REVIEW – MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

KAGAMI – REVIEW – MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

3rd July 2023

Kagami is presented at Versa Manchester Studios for Manchester International Festival 2023; an augmented reality concert directed by Todd Eckert, featuring the late Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. I had no idea what to expect from Kagami when I walked into the warehouse-like Versa Manchester Studios. I previously saw a show with virtual reality headsets which was a … More KAGAMI – REVIEW – MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

UNTITLED F*CK M*SS S**GON PLAY – REVIEW – MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

2nd July 2023

Untitled F*ck M*ss S**gon Play is a brilliantly devised and humorous play that is weakened by its non-committal ending. Untitled F*ck M*ss S**gon Play is under immense pressure to deliver. It won the International Award for the Bruntwood Prize for playwriting in 2019, and the title is a direct challenge to a giant of the … More UNTITLED F*CK M*SS S**GON PLAY – REVIEW – MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

THE FAGGOTS AND THEIR FRIENDS BETWEEN REVOLUTIONS – REVIEW – MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

30th June 2023

The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions is presented at the HOME Theatre, Manchester as part of Manchester International Festival 2023. The reclamation of the F slur is intended not to be provocative, but deliberate, loving, and joyful – this review will use it in the same way.  Based on the 1977 book of the same … More THE FAGGOTS AND THEIR FRIENDS BETWEEN REVOLUTIONS – REVIEW – MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

GREATEST DAYS – REVIEW – PALACE THEATRE, MANCHESTER

21st May 2023

On tour ahead of its film adaptation this summer, Greatest Days doesn’t quite deliver on its titular promise. Billed as ‘The Official Take That Musical’, Greatest Days is a rebrand of The Band which premiered in Manchester in 2017. It’s not to be confused with Never Forget, another Take That jukebox musical, which is about the forming of a Take That tribute band. Greatest Days follows a group of … More GREATEST DAYS – REVIEW – PALACE THEATRE, MANCHESTER

NO PAY? NO WAY! – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE, MANCHESTER

19th May 2023

Co-Artistic Director Bryony Shanahan’s last hurrah at the Royal Exchange is a political farce that feels as though it was written directly from today’s news. No Pay? No Way! is a translation of a 1974 Italian play Non Si Paga! Non Si Paga! by Dario Fo and Franca Rame. The English translation by Marieke Hardy debuted in Sydney, … More NO PAY? NO WAY! – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE, MANCHESTER