Category Archives: Theatre

Pool (No Water), Theatre Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Dominic Davies, Jacob Lowman, Iona Campbell, Madeline Smart, Charlotte Parson, Bryony Holloway.

It can be argued that it takes immense courage or character of spirit to take on the writing of Mark Ravenhill, especially his play Pool (No Water) which speaks volumes of how art and artists are a breed that need constant nurturing. The work though  leaves so much to the interpretation of the brave director who has made it their life’s mission to try and go through the entangled genius and come up with something that tears at the mind and catches the emotions of the audience at their peak.

Pool (No Water), Theatre Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool. full post

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

The Hitchhikers Guide To Fazakerley, Theatre Review. Royal Court, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Lynne Francis, Lindzi Germain, Jack Rigby, Angela Simms, Michael Starke, Charlotte Dalton, Stephanie Miles, Emily Trebicki.

Every science fiction story needs a hero, a man willing to put his life on the line in order to save the world and by doing so redeem his soul, a man who handles himself with courage, moral fortitude, bravery in the face of oppression…and a Tardis inspired wheelie Bin.  It’s the festive season but not as we know it.

The Hitchhikers Guide To Fazakerley, Theatre Review. Royal Court, Liverpool. full post

(440 words, estimated 1:46 mins reading time)

Alice In Wonderland, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10

Cast: Jenny Runacre, Reaya Sealey, Ashleigh Pacham, Holly Rivers, Mairi Phillips.

There have been so many theories and speculated conjectures surrounding the many possible veiled references to Alice In Wonderland that it enough to make the poor girl’s head spin. Never mind falling down the rabbit hole, occasionally being shoved with the full force of a 1970s Welsh Rugby Union side with no sight anywhere of a very wide cat and it’s cheesy grin leaping forward to break your fall is more akin to anyone who takes on the utterly charming but completely surreal book by Lewis Carroll.

Alice In Wonderland, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(360 words, estimated 1:26 mins reading time)

Of Mice And Men, Theatre Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10

Cast: Christian Darnell, Greg Vicary, Michael Cook, George Parsons, Katie Overbury, Liam Middleton, Jonny Campbell, Alex Webber-Date, Patrick D’Arcy, Devan Pankhania.

The number of people who do not know the story Of Mice and Men is becoming less each generation as schools adopt Steinbeck’s classic into their curriculum early on. Therefore, Liverpool University Drama Society (LUDS) decision to produce this as their first play of the academic year was, if nothing else, a signal of intent from a society that, at amateur level, is building a reputation of producing captivating and quality theatre.

Of Mice And Men, Theatre Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool. full post

(381 words, estimated 1:31 mins reading time)

Le Gateau Chocolat, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Acclaimed opera singer and cabaret star Le Gateau Chocolat brought a brilliantly intimate new solo show to the Unity Theatre as part of Liverpool’s ongoing homotopia festival occuring throughout the city as he charted his personal difficulties and triumphs with depression, identity and music.

Le Gateau Chocolat, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(333 words, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)

Mis Les. Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Gillian Hardie, Keddy Sutton.

With a song in their hearts…well, more of a set of tunes and harmonies that has been lovingly taken from one of the much adored musical of all time and which has had a treatment most befitting of satire and the huge comic embrace that only Keddy Sutton, Gillian Hardie and Homotopia could wonderfully provide.

Mis Les. Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(436 words, estimated 1:45 mins reading time)

The Grand Gesture, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool.

Cast: Michael Hugo, Samantha Robinson, Angela Bain, Howard Chadwick, Claire Storey, Paul Barnhill, Alan McMahon, Robert Pickavance, Dyfig Morris, Sophie Hatfield, Hester Arden.

Whilst the overall central theme of The Grand Gesture may be worrying to some and have others wondering how you can have a comedy set around the premise of a man wanting to end his life, it shouldn’t though detract from the very superb way that Northern Broadsides, perhaps one of the keenly anticipated companies that makes its way on regular basis to the Liverpool Playhouse Theatre, took on Nikolai Erdman’s brilliant work The Suicide.

The Grand Gesture, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(467 words, estimated 1:52 mins reading time)

All’s Well That Ends Well, Theatre Review. Theatre Royal, Newcastle.

 

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Charlotte Cornwell, Alex Waldman, Joanna Horton, Jonathan Slinger, Nicolas Tennant, Cliff Burnett, Kiza Deen, Greg Hicks, David Fielder, Mark Holgate, Chris Jared, John Stahl, David Fishley, Karen Archer, Natalie Klamar, Rosie Hilal, Michael Grady-Hall.

All’s Well That Ends Well, Theatre Review. Theatre Royal, Newcastle. full post

(442 words, estimated 1:46 mins reading time)

1984, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Mark Arends, Tim Dutton, Stephen Fewell, Christopher Patrick Nolan, Matthew Spencer, Gavin Spokes, Mandi Symonds, Hara Yannas, Richard Bremmer, Joshua Higgott.

To do justice to arguably one of the finest pieces of English Literature of the 20th Century on stage takes a team so immersed into what they are trying to achieve, that all else is secondary. To bring to life the horror that awaits Winston Smith from the spectre of Big Brother that is stamped like an impregnable tattoo all over the face of decency in 1984 takes a fantastic director, an adaptor of work who can make the simmering tension boil over again and again and two men you can believe in from start to finish to capture the spirit of a nation, of a world that has become the stuff of nightmares.

1984, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(480 words, estimated 1:55 mins reading time)

Scrappers, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: David Judge, John McGrellis, Ged McKenna, Molly Taylor.

The world is forever changing, no sooner have you got to grips with one situation than another comes along to take yet another swipe at you and push you to the brink. Such is the world of Scrappers and those living in a world in which is always under threat by new methods.

Scrappers, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(478 words, estimated 1:55 mins reading time)