Category Archives: Theatre

Jack And The Beanstalk, These Shoots Are Made For Walking! Theatre Review. The Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool

Carla Freeman and Toby Lord as Pat and Jack.
Photograph by Robert Day.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Aretha Ayeh, Marianne Benedict, Carla Freeman, Matthew Ganley, Adam Keast, Toby Lord, Rhona McGregor, Griffin Stevens, Francis Tucker.

There are just times when you know the planets are aligned in the solar journeys correctly, that the world outside the window can take a break from the unceasingly bad news and that in the face of any adversity that the city may face, that the Rock ‘N’ Roll panto will just always be a shining beacon of good times and good music.

Jack And The Beanstalk, These Shoots Are Made For Walking! Theatre Review. The Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool full post

(423 words, 1 image, estimated 1:42 mins reading time)

A Nightmare On Lime Street, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Lynn Francis, Lindzi Germain, Jamie Hampson, Mark Moraghan, Michael Starke, Anthony Watson, Lenny Wood, Alicia Forrest, Niamh Fitzgerald, Olivia Galvin, Joe Slater.

An ancient evil is stirring beneath the bowels of Lime Street and it is up to Tommy and his daughter Julie to root it out. Fred Lawless’ latest Festive extravaganza, the brilliant A Nightmare on Lime Street, pays homage to the comedy horrors of the past and brings together a superb cast, a script of monster proportions and music to adore and smile throughout at.

A Nightmare On Lime Street, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre. full post

(470 words, 1 image, estimated 1:53 mins reading time)

The Hairy Bikers Larger Than Life Tour, Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The Hairy Bikers, David Myers and Simon King, have become television cooking icons with their easy banter, superb knowledge of their craft and their towering personalities. These two men have made a contribution to the idea of combining cooking with the noble idea of the original B.B.C. mantra of Inform, educate and entertain.

In their case by travelling round the country and to far flung corners and blending the food of those places with a soft approach to laddish humour. It appeals to both genders and provides relief from the cooking shows that in some quarters can look down on their audience.

The Hairy Bikers Larger Than Life Tour, Empire Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(346 words, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

Next!, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Written and performed by Graham Hicks.

Just over a year ago Graham Hicks walked on stage at the Unity Theatre and gave an inspired, mesmerizing and enthralling performance of his play Next!

Since that time, the play has been re-worked slightly, a few changes added and improved upon, if that were at all possible and the end result is that Graham Hicks deserves to be considered a hero of local theatre. It is not everyone that can carry of an entire performance by themselves. Not every entertainer or actor is capable is just using the littered insanity that makes up a life in order to make the audience feel a kinship, a special type of longing to befriend someone in dire need of comradeship or even just to pick up the phone as they await that one call that could change their life.

Next!, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(417 words, 1 image, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)

Fanny And Faggot, Theatre Review. University Of Liverpool.

Jessica Beare and Abi Carter in Fanny and Faggot. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Jessica Beare, Abi Carter, Heather Madden, Harry Parker, Alex Webber-Date.

As director of the production, Rio Matchett should receive a lot of commendation for having the incredible fortitude and sheer will in putting herself and the superb cast through their paces for the play Fanny and Faggot. Not only is Jack Thorne’s play a minefield of emotions that the theatre goer may feel in parts uncomfortable with, it also forces that same theatre goer to understand the social depravity that Mary Bell was put through and what perhaps turned her head and her reasoning into one of unremitting violence.

Fanny And Faggot, Theatre Review. University Of Liverpool. full post

(450 words, 1 image, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

Epstein, Theatre Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Andrew Lancel, Will Finlason.

The newly refurbished Epstein Theatre has come of age in such a relatively short time and there was probably no better way to see the theatre enjoying the first big run of its new lease of life than by celebrating the man who shares the iconic name. For a lot of people Brian Epstein is the man that a city thanks for making sure that Liverpool once more was a name to be proud of, to be distinguished once more.

Epstein, Theatre Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(432 words, 1 image, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)

A Government Inspector, Theatre Review. Liverpool Playhouse.

Photograph by Nobby Clarke.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Howard Chadwick, Andrew Price, Clara Darcy, Andy Cresswell, Anthony Hunt, Susie Emmett, Jill Cardo, Kraig Thornber, Andy Cryer, Richard Colvin, Jon Trenchard, Tim Frances.

Whenever Northern Broadsides comes to the Liverpool Playhouse or its fantastic times up at the Everyman Theatre, the city’s audiences fall over themselves in their droves to make sure they are one of the fortunate ones to witness a night of exceptional theatre. In the latest classic that gets a welcome Northern representation, the brilliant ensemble; under the excellent tutelage of the director and composer Conrad Nelson, wrapped themselves in the cosy and biting satirical humour of Gogol’s inspired comedy A Government Inspector.  This guidance extended to the actors doubling up and performing as a bass band during the performance. An exceptional feat to include into a show!

A Government Inspector, Theatre Review. Liverpool Playhouse. full post

(497 words, 1 image, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)

Held, Theatre Review. Playhouse Studio Theatre, Liverpool.

Pauline Daniels, Ged McKenna in Held. Photograph by Christian Smith.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Pauline Daniels, Ged McKenna, Alan Stocks.

The idea of losing someone piece by piece, memory by bittersweet memory is one that no human being ever wants to contemplate, its implications and devastating results can break apart families whilst the person who slowly moves further and further away cannot help in anyway. Such was the authoritative writing of Joe Ward Munrow and the directing of the creatively astute Lorne Campbell in Held, that the heart was pulled in many different directions as the audience empathised and felt sympathy for each character.

Held, Theatre Review. Playhouse Studio Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(412 words, 1 image, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)

Lavender Girls, Cabaret Night Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The cabaret night is not one that gets much of a mention in today’s modern world. It can be, unfairly labelled as a relic to a by-gone age by some hard-hearted critics but sometimes the one size fits all approach to an evening’s entertainment is just as good a night out as one dominated by just comedy or an evening of music.

Lavender Girls, Cabaret Night Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(326 words, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)

Still Life, Theatre Review. University Of Liverpool.

Mark Raynor, Iona Campbell, Georgina Rose in Noel Coward’s Stll Life. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast:  Iona Campbell, Jonny Campbell, Jack Conway, Mary Cooper, Barney Eliot, Reuben Green, Mark Raynor, Georgina Rose, Elena Spiegl, Katherine Wright.

With the strains of Noel Coward’s I Went to a Marvellous Party greeting the audience at the University of Liverpool’s intimate theatre space, the stage was set for a renaissance of the great actor and playwrights work performed by L.U.D.S, one of the two amateur dramatic societies that give young budding actors their first real taste of life in front of an audience. Their chosen piece to start their 2012-13 season off was the sublime affair of several hearts, Still Life.

Still Life, Theatre Review. University Of Liverpool. full post

(439 words, 1 image, estimated 1:45 mins reading time)