Category Archives: Theatre

After What Comes Before. Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10

Cast: David Cartwright, Sam Berrill, Alex Monk.

Not many evenings starts with three scientists arguing over the relative value of being able to extract the thought processes and the sometimes synaptic misfires in which hold the key to every person’s desires and ills. However Manic Chord Theatre, by intelligent word play and the same insane careful design attributed to the formation of random events that make life in the Universe possible, are able to show in 55 minutes just exactly what happens when you begin to think outside of the box in their play After What Comes Before.

After What Comes Before. Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(420 words, estimated 1:41 mins reading time)

A View From The Bridge, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Bruce Alexander, Andy Apollo, Jason Carragher, Callum Coates, Daniel Coonan, Julia Ford, Scott Hazell, Lloyd Hutchinson, Denise Kennedy, Tom Peters, Joe Ringwood, Shannon Tarbet, Liam Tobin, Daryl Wafer.

Arthur Miller’s plays are such that to miss out on a production of them is simply not good form. All you really need to know about life in the United States in the 20th Century can be found in the writings of one of the keenest minds of the time and his look at certain frailties of life, emasculation, deceit, dishonour and the destruction of a system that was corrupt and hopelessly out of touch with his thinking, are repeated over and again in the hope that someone, anyone might understand what is going wrong in the country.

A View From The Bridge, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(661 words, estimated 2:39 mins reading time)

Canterbury Tales, Theatre Review. L.U.D.S. Stanley Theatre, University Of Liverpool.

Mr. Geraint Williams as Geoffrey Chaucer. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Mr. Geraint Williams as Geoffrey Chaucer. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Geraint Williams, Dominic Davies, Daniel Murphy, Shamus Cooke, Alex Webber-Date, Liam Hale, Trixie Roddick, George Parsons, Angela Hehir, Faisel Yousif, Charles Adey, James Rooney, Lewis Smith, Imogen Wignall, Katie Overbury, Jacob Lowman, Madeline Smart, Johnny Campbell, Charlotte Wilson, George Trier, Darren Begley.

Minstrels: Darren Begley, Alex Cottrell, Sarah Peverley, Maeve Sullivan.

Canterbury Tales, Theatre Review. L.U.D.S. Stanley Theatre, University Of Liverpool. full post

(594 words, 1 image, estimated 2:23 mins reading time)

I’m Happy Here (Honest), Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

It is said that somewhere between joy and despair lies happiness; perhaps acceptance would be better because happiness is surely attained when you have watched someone almost take themselves the absolute limit, perform something astonishing and see them smile at the end, that surely is the meaning of happiness; the moment in which you have seen someone achieve something great and powerful.

I’m Happy Here (Honest), Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(368 words, estimated 1:28 mins reading time)

The Debt Collectors, Theatre Review. Liverpool Actors Studio, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound & Vision Rating: * * *

Cast: Michael Swift, John Doull.

If you have ever wondered what kind of jobs out of work actors will do, then John Godber’s play The Debt Collectors gives you a good insight into just how desperate some people can be when looking for work. When a vacancy opens up for debt recovery, actors Spud (John Doull) and Loz (Michael Swift) think that they are the perfect pair for the role, with no hint of any acting work and broke to boot they throw themselves into demanding money from the good citizens of Liverpool. Along the way, they discover some home truths and are reminded of just how lucky they actually are.

The Debt Collectors, Theatre Review. Liverpool Actors Studio, Liverpool. full post

(340 words, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)

North North North, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Martin Bonger, Margit Szlavik, Elisabet Topp.

There is nothing better feeling than coming out of the theatre knowing you haven’t just been entertained but also educated as well. It is like reading for example American Pastoral by Philip Roth and realising just how much you have learned about the art of making gloves or the inside knowledge of whales you find repeating when reading Moby Dick, theatre is another avenue in which to be cultivated and undeniably enlightened, especially when the play is North North North.

North North North, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(452 words, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

One Dream: The Beryl Marsden Story, Theatre Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8/10

Cast: Francesca Davies, Gillian Hardie, Hayley Davies, Nick Sheedy, James Ledsham, Katie King, Danny Woods, Sophie Tickle, Mike Howl, Rob Boyle.

The Cavern in Liverpool is a place of dreams. Even today, long since its golden age and the days in which the Beatles gave all who made their way to the venue a glimpse of the future. It has the power to bestow a certain magic on the thought of artists performing there and the memories of long since departed audiences, the thought of music history forever encased into the walls is one in which visitors clamber over themselves to see.

One Dream: The Beryl Marsden Story, Theatre Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(474 words, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)

Finding Joy, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre Liverpool (2014).

Liverpool Sound & Vision rating * * * * *

Cast: James Greaves, Richard J Fletcher, Nanou Harry, Sarah Hawkins

Finding Joy is a beautiful story about one woman’s decline into dementia and the people left behind to care for her. Created by Vamos Theatre, the story is inspired by true events and the show focuses on the relationship between Joy and her grandson. Vamos is unique as there is no script, rather all the drama is told through masks. For those who have never really seen this in a show before (it was a first time experience for me) it took only a few moments for the expressive masks and the physicality of the actors to work their magic and any doubt as to how this could work soon melted away.

Finding Joy, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre Liverpool (2014). full post

(337 words, estimated 1:21 mins reading time)

You’ll Never Walk Alone: The Official History Of Liverpool Football Club. Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision 9/10

Cast: Jake Abraham, Lindzi Germain, Howard Gray, Emily Linden, Mark Moraghan, Stephen Pallister, Rachael Rae, Daniel Ross, Francis Tucker, Lenny Wood.

The gentle voice of match day D.J. George Sephton greets the audience to the Royal Court as if he was welcoming all to a day on which Championships were being decided, trophies were being collected and the memory of a thousand greats were going to line up alongside the pitch and show the reason why Nicky Allt’s You’ll Never Walk Alone is one of the most important plays you will ever see performed in Liverpool.

You’ll Never Walk Alone: The Official History Of Liverpool Football Club. Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(648 words, estimated 2:36 mins reading time)

Twelfth Night, Theatre Review. Everyman Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Neil Caple, Pauline Daniels, Natalie Dew, Paul Duckworth, Luke Jerdy, Adam Keast, Matthew Kelly, Adam Levy, Jodie McNee, Robin Morrissey, David Rubin, Alan Stocks, Nicholas Woodeson.

If…The stage and greasepaint, the drama and the laughter, the sorrow and the exceptional mirth bring you joy then let the theatre forever live on.

Twelfth Night, Theatre Review. Everyman Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(559 words, estimated 2:14 mins reading time)