REVIEW ROUND-UP: Head Over Heels at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester

In Features, Manchester, Musicals, Native, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Regional theatre, Reviews by Emma ClarendonLeave a Comment

We take a look at what is being said about the European premiere of the musical, playing at the Manchester based theatre until 4 March.

I Love Manchester.com: “With great songs, jokes, representation of LGBTQ+ values and uplifting message of finding your own identity, there is something on show for everyone, and it all comes to life in the intimate setting of Hope Mill Theatre.”

West End Best Friend: ★★★★ “With many of the stars of RENT returning to the Hope Mill Theatre for the production, the cast of Head Over Heels are all excellent and with support from the band (led by musical director Arlene McNaught) all give powerful vocal performances to bring the music of The Go-Go’s to life, specifically Jenny O’Leary’s performance as Pamela. Other standout performances come from Iz Hesketh as the mystical oracle Pythio and Daniel Page as the loyal yet humorous Dametas.”

The Guardian: ★★★ “Although a variety of intersecting love interests lead to satisfying resolutions, in terms of partnerings, realisations of sexualities and acceptance of gender fluidity, we are never in any real doubt that all will end well. Characters, while delivered with tremendous oomph by the all-singing, all-dancing cast of eight plus four-strong chorus, never face any real jeopardy – physical, psychological or emotional.”

The Telegraph: ★★★★ “This ‘queer jukebox musical’ from 2015 turns a trouble-in-Arcadia scenario into a fabulously engaging romcom.”

Number 9 Reviews: “A hugely talented company, no less a talented team of creatives behind the production, and a truly feel-good and thoroughly modern LGBTQ musical for our contemporary milieu. Guaranteed to blow away the wintry blues and leave you with a huge grin on your face.”

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Emma Clarendon
Emma Clarendon studied drama through A-Level before deciding she was much better suited to writing about theatre than appearing onstage. She’s written for a number of online publications ever since, including The News Hub and Art Info. Emma set up her own blog, Love London Love Culture, in April 2015 and tweets at LoveLDNLoveCul.
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Emma Clarendon on FacebookEmma Clarendon on InstagramEmma Clarendon on RssEmma Clarendon on Twitter
Emma Clarendon
Emma Clarendon studied drama through A-Level before deciding she was much better suited to writing about theatre than appearing onstage. She’s written for a number of online publications ever since, including The News Hub and Art Info. Emma set up her own blog, Love London Love Culture, in April 2015 and tweets at LoveLDNLoveCul.

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