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.
Originally published by L.S. Media. January 30th 2012.
Parr Street Studios has Liverpool iconic status stamped heavily all over it. Its reputation as a place of musical birth is legendary. Bands, rocks groups and the odd solo star have recorded albums there, albums that have gone on to be best sellers. Even in the last few weeks Liverpool legends Space have recorded their long awaited new album there. Parr Street studios may not be instantly recognisable say as the waterfront skyline that visitors from across the globe see as they travel up the Mersey and dock underneath the three graces. Not as the much visited homes of the four Beatles or even as Penny Lane.
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.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
Cast: Paul Hunter, Edward Petherbridge.
To have a giant of stage appear in Liverpool is not uncommon, it is almost taken for granted that at some point during the year the audiences will flock to one of the city’s great theatres and be bowled over by what they witness. Only London, for logical reasons, can surely make the same claim. Yet it still is very special when it happens and when it is in a production that wouldn’t have been dreamed or even conceived without the giant becoming very ill then the play takes on a special resonance, it becomes something greater than words. Such is My Perfect Mind and such was Edward Petherbridge’s performance.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Combine Robert Farquhar’s original and incredible ability to make a play of side-splitting genius from even the smallest of things and Francis Tucker’s seemingly unnatural and comic god like precision to go from the humour to semi tragedy in the spilt of second and the result is the fantastic Di Is Dead.
Originally published by L.S. Media
Cast: Ryan O’Donnell, George Maguire, Jack Roth, Rob Kendrick, Sean Croke, Daniel Curtis, Lillie Flynn, Ryan Gage, Kirsty Malone, Brennan Reece, Iris Roberts, Tom Robertson, John Schumacher, Sydney Rae White.
In some critics’ eyes Quadrophenia is the definition of the era of the mod, cool clothes, good music and the spirit of rebellion that had been sadly lost. To others it was time when you saw the rise of the disaffected youth that blighted a generation and the odd sea-side town. From out of this small period came The Who’s Pete Townsend who turned his imagination and past experiences into one of the critically acclaimed albums of the last forty years.
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 26th 2012.
Cast: Harriet Barrow, Jamie Hampson, Richard Hand, Zoe Lister, Jack Lord, Shaun Mason, Jack Rigby, Michael Ryan, Adam Search.
L.S. Media Rating *****
Arguably Macbeth is one of the finest plays by William Shakespeare, it has been performed nearly all over the world and many times in the city of Liverpool. However, it has to be said, never, ever, like this and for that it became one of the most spellbinding and startling productions of any of the bards works to have ever been devised.
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 27th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating * * * *
Cast: Celia Adams, Akiya Henry, Richard Holt, Katie Moore, Sophie Waller, Stewart Wright, Greg Barnett, Francesca Bradley, Neal Craig, Adrian Garratt, Alison George, Hilary Tones, Jon Trenchard.
Every so often a production comes along that when all is said and done is nothing short of charming and brilliantly executed. Nothing more, nothing less! Arthur Ransome’s classic children’s adventure Swallows and Amazons is one such play.
Originally published by L.S. Media. December 30th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating * * * * *
Cast: Aled Jones, Adam Cooper, Kerry Washington, Ken Farrington, Amy Ellen Richardson, Louise Bowden, Mark Dickinson, David Lucas.
Liverpool may not have had a White Christmas to end 2011; however there can be no doubt in anybody’s minds on how sumptuous and grand the performance at the Empire Theatre this year of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. The amount of joy it visibly put on people’s faces and even more so than the sight of a foot of snow outside your door on the big day.
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 14th 2011.
L.S. Media Rating * * * * *
Cast: Hiran Abeysekera, Joseph Alessi, Eithne Browne, Simon Coates, Annabelle Dowler, Ilan Goodman, Rebecca Lacey, Emily Pithon, Alan Stocks, Colin Tierney.
There is nothing like welcoming an old friend back into your life and in the modern stand out poetry of Roger McGough and the timeless humour of Moliere, the Liverpool Playhouse opened its new season to a play that was first viewed by local audiences as the city celebrated being the Capital of Culture in 2008.