Hitting the highway until late 2022, after several staggering runs in Toronto, New York and London, Bat Out Of Hell returned to its proverbial Manchester home this weekend.
NEWS: Covid self isolation guidance forces West End opening night of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella to be postponed
Following the cancellation of weekend performances of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella at London’s Gillian Lynne Theatre, due to one member of the company testing positive for Covid-19, the composer has announced today that the opening night and gala evenings (19 and 20 July 2021) will also not go ahead.
NEWS: Government tier system announcement receives a mixed reaction
There has been a mixed response from theatres up and down the country to the Government’s announcement detailing which areas of England will fall into which Tier when the second lockdown comes to an end on 2 December 2020.
‘Wholly engaging’: PETRICHOR – ThickSkin (Online review) ★★★★
At a time when human connection feels more vital than ever, Petrichor offers an immersive, accessible and unique way to experience theatre.
NEWS: The Industry Minds Awards 2020 will be held at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre in November
The Industry Minds Awards 2020 will be held on 30 November 2020 at The Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester, hosted by Industry Minds and Hope Mill Theatre patron Denise Welch, a leading advocate for mental health in the arts industry.
‘Maureen Lipman gives a magnificent performance’: ROSE – Hope Mill Theatre (Online review)
Magnificently played and realised by Maureen Lipman, Martin Sherman and Scott Le Crass, Rose is well worth viewing.
NEWS: Designers launch #MissingLiveTheatre across the UK & Ireland
In collaboration with theatres across the UK, #scenechange – a community for stage designers taking action for theatre – has launched #MissingLiveTheatre, wrapping theatre buildings in a positive message of hope and visibility to the industry.
NEWS: Casting is announced for Wuthering Heights at Royal Exchange Manchester
Alex Austin has been cast as Heathcliff opposite Rakhee Sharma as Cathy in the new stage adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights by Bruntwood Prize winning writer Andrew Sheridan at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre.
‘An absolute triumph’: GYPSY – Manchester ★★★★★
The Royal Exchange has built a reputation for consistently delivering knockout versions of classic musicals as an alternative to the traditional pantomime. I’m pleased to be able to say that the standard remains just as high this year – Gypsy is an absolute triumph.
‘Powerful performances’: THE ASTONISHING TIMES OF TIMOTHY CRATCHIT – Manchester ★★★★★
With powerful performances and a vibrant cast, The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchit creates an entertaining musical filled with laughter which is perfectly complemented by the Christmas atmosphere.
‘Moving & beautifully crafted performance’: LIGHT FALLS – Manchester ★★★★★
Light Falls is Sarah Frankcom’s swan song as artistic director at the Royal Exchange. And what a moving and beautifully crafted performance to leave on. Light Falls is one of the best performances I have ever seen at the Royal Exchange and the most perfect work to bow out on.
‘Adeptly traverses the conflicting genres of the original problem play’: MEASURE FOR MEASURE – Touring ★★★★
Intertwining ribald comedy with a morality tale is no easy feat, yet an outstanding cast and creative team reinforce this thought-provoking and immersive experience of Measure for Measure for all to enjoy.
‘A creepy joy to experience’: MACBETH – Manchester ★★★★
This production of Macbeth receives stunning direction from Christopher Haydon and, crucially, Lucy Ellinson is magnificent as Macbeth.
NEWS: Nominations are announced for the UK Theatre Awards 2019
The list of nominees has been revealed for this year’s UK Theatre Awards, the only nationwide awards to honour and celebrate outstanding achievements in theatre throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Best New Play nominees are Laura Wade’s The Watsons, Ulster American by David Ireland and Life Of Pi, adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti from Yann Martel’s novel, while Best Musical …
NEWS: The 2019 winners of The Stage Debut Awards are announced
The 2019 winners of The Stage Debut Awards, in association with Access Entertainment, were announced in a ceremony which took place at The Brewery, London this weekend.
‘The whole spectacle is a joy to watch’: THE NICO PROJECT – Manchester ★★★★★
As part of MIF (Manchester International Festival), that aims to bring artists from different art forms to create forward thinking innovative work, Maxine Peake stars in the world premiere of The Nico Project as 60s icon of the same name.
NEWS: Bryony Shanahan & Roy Alexander Weise are announced as new Royal Exchange artistic directors
The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester has announced the appointment of Roy Alexander Weise and Bryony Shanahan as its new joint artistic directors. Both will join executive director Stephen Freeman to complete the leadership team for the award-winning theatre. Together they will assume the role of chief executive.
‘Digs convincingly into the psychology of the characters’: MISS JULIE – Manchester ★★★
This production of Miss Julie, by the Durham-based Elysium Theatre Company, keeps things simple and focused on the complex subtext of Strindberg’s work (here in a proficient translation by Michael Meyer).
‘A beautiful reinterpretation of the Shakespearean classic’: MATTHEW BOURNE’S ROMEO & JULIET – Touring ★★★★★
A beautiful reinterpretation of the Shakespearean classic, Matthew Bourne’s Romeo & Juliet at The Lowry modernises the tale of doomed love for a new audience.
‘Broadens the thematic reach of the play’: HOBSON’S CHOICE – Manchester ★★★
The Royal Exchange’s latest offering is an adaptation of Harold Brighouse’s 1916 play Hobson’s Choice, with the action updated from Victorian-era Salford to Ancoats in the 1980s.