Tag Archives: Michael Fletcher

Departure Lounge, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. February 3rd 2012.

L.S. Media Rating ****

Cast: Glenn Adamson, Jamie Barnard, Michael Fletcher, Joshua Meredith, Hayley Clarke.

Douglas Irvine’s 2008 tour de force Departure Lounge has to go down as one of the best musical comedies to have graced the Unity Theatre ever! Its premise of four lads embarking on a final fling of youth in Spain before heading off to University will resonate with those who went down the same wonderful and somewhat reckless path and greatly amuse those that didn’t.

The Sunshine Boys, Theatre Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Andrew Schofield, Alan Stocks, Helen Carter, Michael Fletcher, Stephen Fletcher, Liam Tobin.

Sometimes there are no words that can ever justify the praise or warmth you wish to impart to people or future audiences on how good a play or performance is.  You just have to watch the crowd’s reaction and listening to the cheering of those that had made their way Epstein Theatre to watch The Sunshine Boys too know that the production is just simply amazing.

The Scouse Snow White, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Samantha Arends, Emma Bispham, Jamie Clarke, Michael Fletcher, Stephen Fletcher, Lindzi Germain, Hayley Sheen, Andrew Schofield, Keddy Sutton.

Musicians: Howard Gray, Ben Gladwin, Mike Woodbine, Greg Joy.

Anarchy in the hands of the theatrical and the artistic arguably achieves more than a demonstration and the gnashing of teeth; the power of laughter bringing the pompous to their knees, the smallest prick of hilarity bursting the bubble of the forever vain and the insincere pretentious. Anarchy rules, and its rules are simple, make them laugh and you will have a show that is beautiful to the core and one with a polished sheen attached to it.

Cinderalla Scouse, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Paul Duckworth, Michael Fletcher, Stephen Fletcher, Lindzi Germain, Eva McKenna, Andrew Schofield, Hayley Sheen, Keddy Sutton.

Musicians: Howard Gray, Ben Gladwin, Greg Joy, Emily Linden.

Liverpool faces every threat thrown at it by Government with one of the deadliest weapons known to humanity, the ability to laugh and fight back with savage, beautiful humour. In an age when the way we live is under constant threat, it is the greatest of attributes that we possess theatres, artists and writers who are unafraid to deliver the joke that entertains the many, whilst the undercurrent gladly riles the backs of those who see the world only in terms of doctrine and political dogma.

Maggie May: The Musical, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Christina Tedders, Michael Fletcher, Cheryl Ferguson, Tom Connor, Paislie Reid, Katia Sartini, Sam Haywood, Oliver Hamilton, David Heywood, Barbara Hockaday, Matt Ganley.

Liverpool is more than just a city, a coming together of small villages under the umbrella of a larger conurbation, it is the collection of stories that have weaved its way through the psyche of anyone who’s feet have touched the ground in which by the running waters of the Mersey lay, that have been touched by the legends, the myths and the incredible personalities that have made the city of Liverpool the place in which Westminster fears and which secretly it wishes it could be.

Mam! I’m ‘Ere!, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool. (2018).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating  * * * * *

Cast: Jake Abrahams, Eithne Browne, Stephen Fletcher, Michael Fletcher, Lynn Francis, Lindzi Germain, Mia Molloy, Andrew Schofield, Hayley Sheen, Rachael Wood.

Musicians: Harry Burnett, Elliot Chapman, Amar Petur Stefansson, Danny Miller.

The hills of Wales are alive with the sound of music, not just any old tune, its heartbeat is quickened by the tunes that made the era of Disco one of infatuation for all who danced to its rhythm and overwhelming, upbeat musical personality. Like Disco though, Dave’s caravan site and Boogie Wonderland have become down at heel, the good times have come, partied, and left without even a last groove goodbye, times are hard, Disco only lives on in the memory of some; however, there is always time for one last turn on the dance floor, one last round of reminisces and disco kisses under the glitter ball.

The Scouse Nativity, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Paul Duckworth, Michael Fletcher, Stephen Fletcher, Hayley Hampson, Lindzi Germain, Andrew Schofield, Keddy Sutton.

Band: Ben Gladwin, Greg Joy, Emily Linden.

Choir: Jay McWinen, Elaine Collins, Dee Spencer, Teresa Loughlie, Joan Pinnington, Rob Liston, Linda Martin, Barbara Davenport, Gretta Southern, Julia Hayes, Paul Davenport, Melanie Robson, Molly Madigan.

 

Scouse Of The Rising Sun, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Jake Abraham, Michael Fletcher, Lindzi Germain, Hayley Hampson, Michael Ledwich, Andrew Schofield, Alan Stocks, Keddy Sutton.

Musicians: Ben Gladwin, Greg Joy, Emily Linden, Howard Gray.

There may be a house in New Orleans in which many a poor lad has lost his way, but they never quite lose their way, or regain the right path, as a Liverpool lad fighting the evil intentions of a maniac hell bent on destroying the city, not even a hero of a popular 60s song could match the heroics of the Scouse of the Rising Sun.

Pharaoh Cross The Mersey, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Michael Fletcher, Lindzi Germain, Hayley Hampson, Danny O’ Brien, Andrew Schofield, Michael Starke, Leah Whiteside, Amera Bjorkhaug, Ashlyn Baker, Natasha Riley.

Band: Elliot Chapman, Jack Hymers, Emily Linden, Alex Smith.

Boris and Daisy, a Russian submarine crew member and a student from Liverpool, having found love in a cold climate and an odd pair of talking bears with a passion for ballet in Scouse of The Antarctic continue their romance in the hot desert of Egypt and in amongst the camels, the fezs and flies and in Fred Lawless’ latest comedy smash, Pharaoh Cross The Mersey, the spirit of the Liver Bird lives on in wonderful Merseyside fashion.

Mam! I’m ‘Ere!, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Eithne Browne, Helen Carter, Paul Duckworth, Michael Fletcher, Rachael Rae, Andrew Schofield, Alan Stocks, Keddy Sutton, Jamie Hampson, Hayley Hampson.

Musicians: Emily Linden, Simeon Scheuber, Alex Smith, Lauren Williams.

 

One of the great musical comedies to have come out of Liverpool in the last few years has to be the outstanding Mam! I’m ‘Ere! Making its debut in the grand space of The Dome, it took audiences to a place where imagination and riotous laughter met, shook hands, frolicked in the winter cold and sent them home happier than a free weeks pass at a holiday camp with drink supplied.