Tag Archives: Liverpool

Under The Umbrella, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Mei Mac, Laura Tipper, Charlotte Chiew, Minhee Yeo.

It is in the exploration of another’s history that we find that we have more in common than we may believe at first sight. By listening to a story that we might find fantastical, unbelievable, uncompromising in its detail and one that isn’t afraid to show emotion, we might find the empathy and understanding in which to not only accept a different culture, but praise those who bring out the very best of its ideals and philosophy.

Under The Umbrella, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

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

Stones In His Pockets, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Owen Sharpe, Kevin Trainor.

People don’t just change when they appear in front of the cameras, they alter their own perception of who they are, what their purpose is in life, for some it can be the glare of the lights that brings out the worst in them, for others, it is the removal of the make up that takes the gloss and the shine of what they once thought was glamour and all that could be desired.

Stones In His Pockets, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(392 words, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)

Kitty: Queen Of The Washhouse, Theatre Review. St George’s Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast Samantha Alton.

We raise the idea of heroism up to the point where we often forget the story that inspired such feelings of gratitude in the first place, we see the plinth with their name attached, the statue put up by a grateful populace, and in time the only ones who pay attention to the image, the figure on the pedestal, is the day tripper and the pigeons who survey humanity with the bird-like contempt we deserve.

Kitty: Queen Of The Washhouse, Theatre Review. St George’s Hall, Liverpool. full post

(504 words, estimated 2:01 mins reading time)

Joanne Shaw Taylor, Gig Review. O2 Academy, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

There is nothing reckless about Joanne Shaw Taylor, wild and as full of tempestuous cosmic storms that erupt from the Sun as it gives into its cycle of moods but never reckless, never irresponsible with the hearts of those who seek to spend their time in her company. She is attentive to the soul with a smile beguilingly appearing as the notes hang in the air and the manner of expression is savoured, it is the dedication to her craft that has created such an explosive sound and one that is cared for on both sides of the stage.

Joanne Shaw Taylor, Gig Review. O2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

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

Brick Up 2: The Wrath Of Ann Twacky, Theatre Review. Royal Court, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Jake Abraham, Roy Brandon, Eithne Browne, Danny Burns, Suzanne Collins, Paul Duckworth, Andrew Schofield, Francis Tucker.

Band: Howard Gray, Danny Burns, Adam Keast, Francis Tucker.

Revenge is a pudding best served piping hot and with all the flavour, texture and fruit mixed together to be delivered with precision, timing and a smile so wide that once served it is the talk of the town, and with the score settled and the laughter bellowing all around.

Brick Up 2: The Wrath Of Ann Twacky, Theatre Review. Royal Court, Liverpool. full post

(495 words, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)

The Girl On The Train, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Cast: Samantha Womack, Oliver Farnworth, John Dougall, Naeem Hayat, Adam Jackson-Smith, Lowenna Melrose, Kirsty Oswald, Matt Concannon, Phillipa Flynn.

Physical human manipulation and ease in which we can find ourselves drowning in a sea of guided abuse never makes for an easy bedfellow in which to immerse yourself in. From the outside looking in you can see all the traits, the subtle digs at the way someone controls another person, influences others to see the worst in that person, and yet when you are the one being expertly handled, all you see is the relief that addiction of any type can bring, that it is no longer your fault.

The Girl On The Train, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool. full post

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

Macbeth, Theatre Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Cast: Sean Jones, Warwick Evans, Kaitlin Howard, Tim Lucas, Tracy Spencer-Jones, Lenny Wood, Gillian Hardie, Mary Fogg, Michael Hawkins, Lisle Des Landes, Ethan Holmes, Gareth Llewelyn, Harvey Jameson, Elinor Jones.

There is almost no comparison for many fans and scholars of Shakespeare’s volume of work, aside perhaps the essential Hamlet and arguably the scale of Julius Caesar, nothing can touch the suspense and drama of Macbeth. Perhaps because of its close relationship to the darkness in the soul of the ambitious, the craving of being proclaimed the finest, the best and knowing your fate before it is time, that marks it as a play in which to be immersed within.

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

(521 words, estimated 2:05 mins reading time)

Steve Harley, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Steve Harley at the Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. March 2019. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

There are moments when you recognise just what the simple act of singing as an audience to the performer who has had you gripped in their words and music for a couple of hours can do to them, the acknowledgement that love is mutual, that this simple act can reduce them to a stunned state of happiness and perhaps sees them leave the stage with their emotional state of self-criticism reduced to the point of non-existence, lost for words but thanking all who can see their face as they move to the wings with the symbolic gesture of the nod of the head, the motion of reciprocated appreciation.

Steve Harley, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(515 words, 1 image, estimated 2:04 mins reading time)

Mackenzie James Cregan, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Give someone the chance to surprise you and they will undoubtedly take the opportunity provided and then credit it you when it matters, in their performance, in the way they stand up on any stage the world will provide, and then act with absolute decorum and pleasure.

Mackenzie James Cregan, Gig Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(400 words, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

The Crowd, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision rating 9/10

Cast: Ross Almond, Natalie Barton, Ruby Bains, Leo Bertamini, Ellen Boyland, Erin Clarke, Stuey Dagnall, John Dixon, Olivia Dougherty, Joe Edwards, Georgie Evans, Spike Fairclough, Will Flush, Grace Fordham Bibby, Alisha Foriyire, Helena Harvey, Amber Higgins, Jake Holmes, Chloe Hughes, Esther Johnson, Connor Kelly, Neve Kelman, Luke Logan, Niamh McCarthy, Callum McCourt, John McGuick, Jack Malloy, Aimee Marnell, Chloe Nall-Smith, Joe Owens, Jamie Pye, Phil Rayner, Jess Reilly, Adam Rohan, Nathan Russell, Harry Sergeant, Kaila Sharples, Hannah Thornton, Ellie Turner, Laura Tryer, Natalie Vaughn, Tommy Williams.

The Crowd, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(555 words, estimated 2:13 mins reading time)