What If Only.

TWENTY fours on I am still racking my brains as to the reason or reasons behind Mrs Jarrett’s obsession with a dystopian world in Caryl Churchill’s play, Escaped Alone.

Her vision of gloom and hopelessness and inhumanity was, to put it mildly, the stuff of nightmares, and then some.

Maybe Churchill wanted her rantings an antidote to the refined and stereotypically English setting, as a group if friends sit in a sun lit back garden in suburbia somewhere, drinking tea and sharing their views on life and other things.

The setting made me feel like I was watching a sitcom - of sorts. Mrs Jarett, on the other hand, reminded me of the stereotypical mad woman.

But a far more disturbing revelation comes courtesy of one of the play’s other protagonists and the suspicious death of her husband.

Performances under Sarah Frankom’s direction are natural, unforced and authentic, giving the audience the feeling we’re sharing a sun kissed afternoon with Vi, Mrs Jarrett, Lena and Sally, with Annette Badland, Maureen Beattie, Souad Farress and Margot Leicester bringing their respective characters so engagingly and believably to life.

While I’m not the sort of reviewer who likes to be spoon fed information about characters in plays I left the RET feeling I had more questions than answers.

What If Only, which formed part two of the Churchill double bill, is just plain bizarre. A character called Someone struggles to find answers as she tries to live with all consuming grief.

The play gets off to a moving start with Someone, so well acted by Danielle Henry, rants at an empty chair in a bomb site of a living room, seeking answers to reasons behind her loss.

Henry is terrific is terrific and in a strong Manchester accent gives the second best performance of the evening, with Maureen Beattie winning first prize as the menacing Mrs Jarett in Escaped Alone.

Then What If Only becomes obsessed with a recurrent theme, the theme of futures and the futures Someone craves in a life tainted by grief she just can’t escape.

When it comes to the work of Caryl Churchill I count myself as one of the unconverted even if she uses dialogue to paint some deeply arresting images.

But there’s no getting away from the quality of the acting here which is without doubt first rate.

That’s especially so in Escaped Alone the actresses sounding like real friends.

Until March 8. Tickets are available from 0161 833 9833 or www.royalexchange.co.uk.

Star rating - 2.5 out of 5.

Photo by Johan Persson

The Shark is Broken - The Lowry


The Shark is Broken

THE theme of this iconic movie still sends a shiver down my spine more than half a century after it was made.

In terms of its central characters they are a perfect blend of different personalities and by far the most interesting is the shark hunter Quint, played by British actor Robert Shaw.

Before seeing this play I had no idea Shaw was in fact a Brit and had appeared on stage at Stratford in plays by one William Shakespeare.

The film may be branded a classic these days, but its making was severely delayed for several months by a host of technical problems, stemming from the fact the fake shark used wouldn’t work properly. Apparently a real one would have been out of the question due to the volatile temperament of these sinister, creepy creatures.

Co-written by Shaw’s son Ian, The Shark is Broken gives us as an illuminating and at times hilarious insight into what have been like for Shaw senior and the flick’s other co-stars, Roy Schneider and Richard Dreyfuss as they struggle to cope with months of relentless boredom as the film crew work tirelessly to make the shark work properly.

Robert Shaw is by far the most interesting character who delights in putting down Dreyfuss who he evidently regards as the irritating itch he would love to scratch. While the conversations that took place on the good ship/prison ship Orca exist only in the imagination of Shaw and co-writer Joseph Nixon, the script also makes references to real events, like Robert Shaw’s battle with alcoholism and his father’s suicide which took place when he was just 12 years old.

Ian Shaw, Dan Fredenburgh and Ashley Margolis bearing an uncanny resemblance to the original three stars and there’s an aura of the big screen which is sure to make you feel like you’re watching a film about people struggling to make a film. In fact I guarantee you’ll be doing a double take when they first appear on stage, at least when Shaw and Fredenburgh, wearing Chief Brody’s sensible specs.

While it helps if you’ve seen Jaws its not essential. One reason why enjoyed The Shark is Broken is it whisks us back to an age when celebrities had a certain mystique about them. Imagine, if you can, a world with social media.

Until February 8. Tickets are available from 0343 208 6000 and you can also book online at www.thelowry.com.

Star rating - ****

Photo by Manuel Harlan.

The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night Time - Altrincham Garrick


JUST imagine what it must feel like to live in a world that seems scary and confusing, everyday situations are an ordeal, including managing your emotions and understanding the actions of others around you.

So it is with Christopher, the central character in a play that is as moving as it is funny and as heart rending as it is heart warming.

Christopher is autistic and stands accused of killing his neighbour’s pet dog. If this 15 year old doesn’t have enough to contend with, his parents marriage has broken up and he’s being brought up by an ultimately loving dad trying hard to raise a son with a challenging condition.

This production is being staged by the Garrick Ensemble, a group of hugely talented 18-30 year old actors who left me feeling without doubt this theatre’s future is very bright indeed.

Charlie Gallagher as Christopher gives his best performance to date for me, delivering a performance that is of a professional standard.

He ensures we ache for a happy ending for his character without seeming to play on the audience’s emotions and there’s an authentic and engaging bond between him and Loui Quelcutti and Rachel Jacquest as his estranged mum and dad, Ed and Judy.

Christopher also just happens to be a Maths genius and his dream is to sit the A level exam despite his tender teenage years.

I am sure director Joe Meighan - or is it Joseph these days? - never wanted the rehearsals to end because of the rich vein of talent at his disposal which he uses to treat theatregoers to a production that’s far better and far more uplifting than the one I saw a few years ago in Manchester.

The partial standing ovation was richly deserved as was the storm of applause that swept through the auditorium and came seriously close to lifting the theatre’s roof off at the end.

A high water mark this, for Altrincham Garrick and amateur theatre in general.

Until February 9. Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star rating - *****

Photo - Martin Ogden,

Jack and the Beanstalk - Altrincham Garrick


WHEN actor Martin Deighton-Brown was suddenly taken ill, director Joe Meighan stepped in at the last minute to give a show stealing performance as the Dame in the Garrick’s always popular panto.

He enjoyed an instant rapport with the audience, with the children needing little coaxing to shout and scream in all the right bits.

Meighan’s rapport was also evident in the rest of the cast, with Daniel Ellis great fun from the start as the daft as a brush Silly Simon and Bev Stuart Cole a suitably heroic Mother Nature.

The one thing I took away from this production is the comforting feeling you don’t need a screen to entertain the kids with all of them, with one or two exceptions, captivated by this larger than life tale.

Or to put it another way, kids can still be kids.

The script combines child friendly jokes about things like breaking wind and a sprinkling of innuendo that is sure to go above the heads of the little ones while keeping the adults entertained..

Personally, as someone with a sense of humour that has an immature streak, I enjoyed both.

Now I’ve going to break with tradition and praise the production’s lighting designer who has created effects of a professional standard. The lighting was spectacular on occasions and of a professional standard on more than one occasion. Take a bow, James Merrington.

If I have a criticism, Jack and the Beanstalk is a few minutes too long. But hey, it’s Christmas and when as a child can you not stay up late once or twice?

The only exception being Christmas Eve, when Father Christmas comes calling.

Until January 5.

Tickets are selling fast and anyone interested in booking them should call 0161 928 1677 or you can book online at www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star rating - ***

Photo - Martin Ogden.


Come From Away - The Lowry


Fabulous - Come From Away at The Lowry.

GANDER, a small and sleepy town in Newfoundland, was swamped when 7,000 air passengers were stranded there in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attack.

But the new arrivals were warmly welcomed by its inhabitants and were able to overcome the anxiety and uncertainty that ultimately enabled them to get through a traumatic, uncertain five days.

The end result is a musical telling of this remarkable true story and it certain is one of the most inspiring and affecting shows I’ve seen for a very long time. It is certainly the best of 2024 for me and its easy to see why Come From Away is a multi award winner.

The performances feel very natural, the songs are stirring without resorting to cliches and the choreography is sure to take your breath away. Don’t be fooled there isn’t much of a story here, with all the characters lifting the lid on their lives and loves,

It offers the audience a microcosm of what the world could be, a celebration of community and a call to care for each other. We were also greeted by a guest appearance by several of the real people who figure in the show on press night including the town’s Mayor who gave us a moving speech about the importance of caring for others.

Singling out individual performances feels wrong here as there simply aren’t any weak ones under the direction of Christopher Ashley who has created along with others a piece of theatre that’s sure to live long in the memories of those who see it.

The end of press night was greeted by a spontaneous standing ovation which was so richly deserved. It was pleasing to see and I for one could easily see this twice.

Come From Away is life affirming and then some, with a perfect finale. Even if you never set foot in a theatre for the whole of 2025 make sure you see this unforgettable and uplifting and brilliant show.

Until January 5. The box office is on 0343 208 6000 or you can book online at www.thelowry.com.

Star rating - *****

A Vicar of Dibley Christmas - The Second Coming


WHEN I was growing up in the 70s and early 80s, any vicar I came across in sitcoms were dull and forgettable.

Then alone came Geraldine Granger, a breath of fresh air, prone to some harmless flirting with her male parishioners,, a gregarious character with at times, a sometimes naughty sense of humour.

This was a great vehicle for Dawn French and its creators, as they took great pleasure in driving over our expectations.

While Meg Brassington gives us a flavour of French, this isn’t an impersonation and she manages to bring her own interpretation to the much loved role and there are some memorable exchanges and a natural rapport between her and her verger Alice, a character whose train of thought defies description while acting as a major source of laughs.

As Alice, Helen Swain is fun from the very start and its impossible not to warm to her and her husband Hugo, played with a perfect degree of silliness by Dan Ellis. Both are adult children, full of disarming innocence that’s the main source of their appeal.

Another aspect of the TV show which made it so appealing was the strength of all those in it, including Owen the farmer, a man totally devoid of social skills and the boringly meticulous Frank Pickle, both a gift for Andrew Higson and Bill Platt.

Director Pete Brassington’s production is sure to get audiences in a festive mood. Even Victor Meldrew would raise a smile or two watching this.

At the time of writing there were just a few tickets left.

Until November 23. Anyone interested in booking them should call 0161 928 1677 or they are available online at www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star rating - ****

Photo - Martin Ogden.

The Wizard of Oz - Altrincham Garrick


DESIGNER Barry Purves certainly wasn’t kidding when he told me his latest set is colourful.

But it provides the perfect backdrop for a tale that has lost none of its power to engage and entertain even though the movie of the same name is 85 years old.

Anyone who follows Barrington Road to the Garrick this week can expect an evening of theatre magic that’s destined to be a huge hit, as it was with big kids in the audience like me.

A pity then that Barrington Road isn’t paved with yellow bricks. But you can’t have everything.

While I know this story backwards it has lost none of its power to capture the imagination and if you’re looking for an antidote to these dark and dank early autumn nights this is most definitely it.

Ciara-Alexandra Booker is a perfect Dorothy, the heroine of the piece, treating us to a show stealing performance as early as the musical’s first number, the immortal classic Over The Rainbow.

After being whisked away to the magical land of Oz, which can be summed up in the phrase expect the unexpected, she makes friends with a group of characters as colourful as the show’s set.

There’s a natural bond between Booker and Ronan Pilkington, Connor J Ryan and Matt Spilsbury as they bring The Scarecrow, The Tin Man and The Cowardly Lion so effectively to life, each character with their own dreams.

Director Joseph Meighan has taken this talented company to the next theatrical level and, at the time of writing, very few tickets remained.

Meighan even found time to co-design the set.

Until November 3. Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star rating - *****

Photo - Martin Ogden.

Peaky Blinders The Redemption of Thomas Shelby - The Lowry


EVERY so often there’s a TV show that makes a lasting impression on me and so it was with Peaky Blinders, inspired by the unsavoury antics of a bunch of Birmingham gangsters who brought fear and violence to the city’s streets for more than 40 years.

But never for the life of me did I imagine this compelling story could be told using the medium of dance.

How wrong I was.

Steven Knight, its creator, and choreographer/director Benoit Swan Pouffer have created an evening of theatre that saw me experience the whole gamut of emotions.

This production from Rambert Dance begins with a trip to the hell on earth that were battlefields of Flanders in the First World War before taking us to the university of hard graft, a factory in a city that was once a hot bed of heavy industry..

This is also a story of love and loss and we follow Thomas Shelby - Conor Kerrigan - as he sinks to the depths of despair. While I wouldn’t go as far to say we empathise with the afore mentioned character - obviously - those feelings felt very real.

Particularly memorable for me was Shelby’s wedding scene. All the scenes are performed against a live and uplifting musical backdrop that includes the super cool theme of the TV show.

It’s surely a result of Pouffer’s choreography and a group of dancers who take exciting agility, grace and energy to a whole new level and make it all look so, so easy.

While it probably helps a little to know something of the Peaky Blinders it’s not essential and this production is so good it's sure to win over plenty of converts to dance, of the world class variety here, thanks to Rambert Dance.

Astounding and unmissable.

Until October 26. The box office is on 0843 208 6000 or you can buy tickets at www.thelowry.com.

Star rating - *****

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