TORCH is a brand new all-female work – the outcome of a two-year research project between ANU Productions and women from St Helens – which unravels the complex histories and narratives of St Helens based on the real-life experiences of women in the town around historical events, with the work spanning events including the 1984 Miners Strikes; Merseyside women’s experience of World War II, and the current day social care infrastructure surrounding welfare for women and children, as it unearths the untold and forgotten histories of people, time, and place.
Tonight was my first time at the lovely Brindley Theatre in Runcorn and what a pleasure it was, to be transported back in time to 1985 with the Centenary Theatre Company. An evening filled with crimped hair, cut off leggings, fishnets, Cyndi Lauper and big bridesmaid’s dresses.
For the first time in its fifty year history, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has been released for production by adult amateur groups rather than schools or churches. Alderley and Wilmslow Musical Theatre Company have taken this opportunity and thrown everything at it but watching it they could have eased back a little and produced something more streamlined as there were several times during the show that there were simply too many people on stage.
Usually I write my reviews immediately after a show, however Circus of Horrors: Psycho Asylum was a rare occasion where I needed to sleep on it to work out my thoughts. When a show involves a dwarf pulling a Henry Hoover around the stage by his penis, well, that’s not something that can be reviewed easily in 500 words.
It was a pleasure to be back reviewing the talented Pilkington’s Musical Theatre Company tonight as they debuted their latest production ‘9 to 5’. This musical is based on the hit movie of the same name which was released in 1980 and famously starred Dolly Parton and her much loved music.
Prince Hamlet (Laura Harris), with companion Horatio (Abey Bradbury) in tow, has been summoned home to Denmark to attend his father’s funeral. A ghost (David Harris) appears claiming to be the spirit of Hamlet’s father, the former king, and accuses Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius (Robbie James Williamson) – who has since married Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude (Anne Crowther) and assumed the throne – of his murder and tasks Hamlet with enacting his revenge.
Encore Productions present ‘Footloose’ at the Brindley Theatre Runcorn which is a fun, lively musical filled with love, country wholesomeness and of course rock and roll making it likeable and appealing in every way.
The story follows a young school boy, Ren McCormack (Jake Hankey) as he faces a culture shock following his move from Chicago city to the small farming town of Bomont. Ren is full of life and loves to dance which causes a stir in his new town where dancing is against the law ordered by the local preacher. Ren gets into lots of trouble as he struggles to fit in and begins to make a bad name for himself.
Based on the 1997 Fox Searchlight Pictures motion picture, Simon Beaufoy’s Award Winning ‘The Full Monty’ opened to a packed house at the Storyhouse, Chester.
The story follows a group of guys who are out of work since the local steel factory has shut down and are all struggling with their own issues. Unemployment, poverty, depression, body image and homosexuality. Six very different guys who are brought together out of desperation for money or to feel they belong.
Prior to this evening I’m mildly embarrassed to say that my knowledge of Brian Blessed and his career was somewhat limited. I knew he was an actor and I knew he was ‘the one with the booming voice’ – but other than that I’d be hard pushed to speak in further detail about any of his achievements.
Have you ever been to a show and known absolutely nothing about it? Not what it was about, none of the songs, not even the name of the show? Well, that’s what an evening watching ‘Showstopper!’ is! Blind faith and a love of Musical Theatre!
Although I am familiar with the name ‘Little Women’ as being a famed piece of historic literature, tonight was the first time I have had the opportunity to see this well-known storyline come to life. Centenary Theatre Company have set themselves a challenge with this difficult piece of drama, only to prove, once again that their talent knows no limits when it comes to producing quality amateur theatre.
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