Cat On A Hot Tin Roof - Royal Exchange Theatre

Family strife - Cat On A Hot Tin Roof at the Royal Exchange

TO say certain members of the Pollitt clan are going through challenging times would probably rank as understatement of the year.

Brick is married to Maggie who tries and tries and tries some more to re-ignite the passion in their marriage, despite the ageing sports star insisting he can no longer stand the sight of her and seeking solace in the booze bottle.

Add to the mix his very well heeled father Big Daddy, a man so tactless it’s a miracle his wife has endured him for so many years as he delivers a string of barbs and insults to anyone who happens to rile him. But Big Daddy is nursing a secret and beneath his bluster lies a certain and expected vulnerability.

Then we have Gooper, Brick’s brother who might be about to take advantage of Brick’s alcohol addled brain and - well, no spoilers here.

Tennessee Williams’ classic is given a modern setting by director Roy Alexander Weise and it generally worked extremely well when it comes to holding my attention for three and a quarter hours including an interval.

My only moan is Weise’s use of music, which, without want to sound like an old fogey, which sounded out of place.

It may be useful to read the director’s programme notes before the play starts in which he gives a revealing and thoughtful insight into his mindset surrounding a play which Williams finished in the mid 50s and its major themes, many of which are relevant today.

Patrick Robinson gives the performance of the evening as Big Daddy - when he simply looked in my direction I flinched. But I enjoyed enjoyed Boyo Gbdadamosi and Ntombizodwa Ndllovu as Maggie, as they very convincingly picked over the bones of their relationship.

Three and a quarter hours may sound like a slog. But in the hands of a gifted director and a cast teeming with talent it’s a theatrical journey that’s well worth taking.

Highly recommended.

Tickets are available from 0161 833 9833 or royalexchange.co.uk.

Photo - Helen Murray.

Calendar Girls - Sale and Altrincham Musical Theatre

THERE’S something quintessentially British after a group of Yorkshire ladies shedding their inhibitions and their clothes to raise thousands for cancer research.

All are members of their local WI and are persuaded to pose for a nude calendar after the husband of one of their members dies as a result of the wicked disease.

If you thought the WI was all about jam and Jerusalem, this play is surely to make you think again. Warmly funny and poignant, this captivating tale, based on true events more than 20 years ago, is certainly a timeless and uplifting one.

Sale and Altrincham Musical Theatre serves up a theatrical treat here thanks to the expert direction of Martyn Preston and a strong cast that makes you forget you’re actually watching actors, so convincing are they in their portrayal of this remarkable group of women.

I particularly enjoyed Jenny Hollinshead and Stuart Sephton as Annie and John, a loving couple torn apart by tragedy and the role of Lawrence, the photographer, is the perfect vehicle for Phil Callaghan to show off his considerable comic talents. Some of Callaghan’s facial expressions are priceless and the same can also be said of Rosarie Walsh as the initially reluctant Ruth.

However, it seems wrong to single out individual performances for the simple reason there aren’t any bad ones in these engaging, watchable and at times touching telling of a remarkable true story. But as the women gain international recognition for their fundraising, there’s also the inevitable falling out.

The closing of the curtain at Altrincham Little Theatre was greeted by a standing ovation on opening night which was richly deserved because feel good theatre doesn’t get any better than this. Hugely enjoyable.

Until April 1. Tickets and performances details are available from samtheatre.co.uk.

Star rating - ****

The Laramie Project - Lauriston Studio at Altrincham Garrick

Outstanding - The Laramie Project

MATTHEW Shephard, a 21 year old student at Wyoming University was beaten and tortured and left for dead after a brutal attack in October 1998.

A few days later he died as a result of his injuries, the victim of a notorious hate crime. Matthew was murdered because he was gay.

Moises Kaufman’s remarkable play was inspired by the incident and you’re certain to experience the whole gamut of human emotions at the Lauriston this week.

But ultimately this piece, born out of interviews conducted with residents by Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theatre Project, is ultimately a play about forgiveness, of the deeply humbling kind.

When the interviews begin Laramie seems like another Stepford, a small town paradise where residents leave their back doors open and kids can play out until the light fades, without parents fearing for their safety.

But scratch the surface and we soon discover the people who live there are deluded and intolerant, their intolerance fuelled by a bigoted and blinkered church.

Can Laramie change?

Kaufman’s script is so painfully evocative, so emotional without the writer playing on our emotions. Even Matthew Shephard himself would have applauded this.

This production is a high water mark for the Garrick and for amateur theatre in general. It’s ambitious, engrossing and sure to leave a lasting impression on those who see it thanks to a multi-talented cast who played a multitude of different roles, flitting from one to another with an effortless ease.

Director Joe Meighan has made it all possible and while The Laramie Project is a difficult watch, it’s well worth watching.

Quite outstanding.

Until March 26. The box office is on 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk - returns only.

Star rating - *****

Photo - Martin Ogden

Touching tale courtesy of SAMT

It was a tale that touched a nation.

A group of middle aged WI women from Yorkshire shed their clothes and their inhibitions to raise funds for cancer research by producing a nude calendar.

They were motivated to do so after the death of one of their members husbands who died from leukaemia.

Calendar Girls The Play is the latest offering from Sale and Altrincham Musical Theatre and director Martyn Preston is sure this remarkable story will capture the imagination of audiences when it opens later this month.

Martyn said:

“Calendar Girls is a heart warming and poignant play that tells the story of a group of women who come together to create a calendar to raise money for charity.

“Rehearsals have been fun and the cast and crew have been working hard to bring this beautiful piece to the stage.

“The play has been well received by audiences around the world and the themes of friendship, courage and resilience are universal.”

SAMT presents Calendar Girls The Play at Altrincham Little Theatre from March 28 to April 1. For tickets and performance details visit samtheatre.co.uk.

Peaky Blinders The Redemption of Thomas Shelby - The Lowry

IT helps, however you don’t need to be a fan of the TV series, for me one of the best dramas to hit our screens in the 21st century.

Nor do you need to be a devotee of dance, for the internationally renowned company Rambert have made it their mission to convert you with this spellbinding, stunning and spectacular production.

Rest assured, it’s mission accomplished, thanks to a combination of world class dance, a super cool soundtrack featuring the likes of Nick Cave and Radiohead. The sets are visually stunning in what is essentially a prequel to this TV classic.

The version was written by Beniot Swan Pouffer, Rambert’s artistic director and the wonderful Steven Knight, the writer responsible for bringing Peaky to the small screen in the first place.

For the unconverted, Peaky Blinders was the story of a gangster family for terrorised the streets of Victorian and Edwardian Birmingham. But the real peaky blinders weren’t a family at all, they were a group of men from a variety of backgrounds who became notorious for the way they dispatched those brave enough - or stupid enough - to cross them.

Pouffer’s choreography is exciting as it exhilarating, with the dancers achieving a grace and poise and agility us lesser mortals can only dream about.

While Knight has been involved in its co-creation, this is more of a prequel to the TV programme that gave birth to it, beginning in the muddy Flanders fields of the First World War to the mean streets of Birmingham to the love affair between Thomas Shelby and the woman he falls for, the captivating and alluring Grace.

We see Shelby sink into despair and this is brilliantly and evocatively portrayed by Guillaume Queau who played the role of Tommy at the Lowry on Tuesday night. Queau is a very tough act to follow for Joseph Kudra, the dancer with whom he shares the part.

Naya Lovell is quite remarkable as Grace, a dancer who was simply born to dance, a natural and a very gifted one at that. Together they are quite the combination.

Dance simply doesn’t get any better than this. Unmissable.

Until March 18. The box office is on 0343 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

Star rating - *****

Beginning - Royal Exchange Theatre

Perfect combination - Gerard Kearns as Danny and Erin Shanagher as Laura

I CAN’T remember the last time I laughed so loud in a theatre.

But behind the laughter lies more serious themes in Beginning, from a fear of loneliness to the pain of being estranged from your own flesh and blood to a burning desire for marital bliss.

However, David Eldridge’s beautifully crafted piece is anything but a whine fest, thanks to a superb script that contains just the right amount of the serious stuff.

There must be something in the water in Oldham, a town that’s produced a number of fine and very watchable actors over the years, including Sarah Lancashire. You can add Gerard Kearns to that list.

Kearns plays Danny, the last guest to leave a party held by Laura at her flat in trendy Didsbury. He and Erin Shanagher treat us to a masterclass in comic timing as Laura flirts with her socially awkward guest, with Kearns looking like a rabbit caught in headlights as things start getting a little too serious in his wary eyes.

Some of Kearns’ facial expressions are priceless.

Both actors bring their characters so engagingly to life you’ll find yourself aching for a happy ending. This is a romantic comedy withoutt slushy stuff. Danny and Laura are both vulnerable in different ways even if Laura hides behind a vivacious veneer when we first meet her.

Director Bryony Shanahan and the two strong cast serve up a production that’s a treat from beginning to end and while it’s obvious Danny and Laura are living proof of that old saying opposites attract, Eldridge keeps the audience guessing as to whether their post party relationship will evolve into something more.

I loved this. Make sure you don’t miss the best production at the RET this season so far.

Until March 11. The box office is on 0161 833 9833 or www.royalexchange.co.uk.

Star rating - ****

Photo - Helen Murray

Sensational trial comes to the Lowry stage

IT was a trial that captivated a nation and following its run in the West End, Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial is sure to set tongues wagging all over again in Salford this summer.

The production is at The Lowry from June 9-11 and for tickets and performance details call 0343 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

Little Women with a difference at the Waterside

ACTRESS Hannah Churchill - pictured - is to play all the parts in a stage adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel Little Women at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale.

The production is being performed by Jenny Wren Productions and founder and director Jenny Wicks said:

“The idea came about during lockdown. Hannah had been in another of my shows and we both needed a creative project to keep us going and Little Women was on my list of shows I wanted to do at some point and I started considering how it could work with one performer and Hannah rose to the challenge.”

This original play includes live music performed by actor/musician Reece Webster

Little Women is at the Waterside Arts Centre on March 16 at 7.30pm. For tickets, call 0161 912 5616 or watersidearts.org.

Waterside Arts Centre prepares for visit by great detective

SHERLOCK Holmes will bring his powers of deduction to Sale’s Waterside Arts Centre next month when the venue stages The Valley of Fear.

This is the final novel by the great man’s creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the production promises an evening of thrills and adventure for audience members aged 11 and over.

The Valley of Fear is at the WAC from March 3-4 at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

For tickets, call 0161 912 5616 or visit watersidearts.org.

Enjoy an adventure with Tango the penguin

HIVE North presents Tango’s Big Adventure at the Waterside Arts Centre on February 17 and 18 at 11am and 2pm.

The 55 minute show is suitable for those aged 3 and over and it follows Tango the penguin as she goes on a trip through Central Park Zoo meeting a variety of fascinating animal families.

For tickets, call 0161 912 5616 or visit www.watersidearts.org.

Criminally good dance bound for The Lowry

IT was a TV show that gripped, shocked and captivated a nation and now BAFTA award winning Peaky Blinders is coming to the stage, courtesy of its creator, Steven Knight.

Peaky Blinders - The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is coming to The Lowry from March 14-18 and it will be performed by the critically acclaimed dance company, Rambert.

Knight said he hopes the production will bring a new audience to dance and he added:

“Peaky Blinders has always had music and movement at its heart and now the beating heart of the show will be transferred to the stage.

“An interpretation of Tommy’s story, performed by Rambert, one of the leading dance companies in the world. This is for people who don’t usually watch dance and what I’ve written has been transformed into something startling by consumate dancers and choreographers.

“If the concept of Peaky Blinders as a dance seems strange, reserve judgement and reserve a ticket.”

For tickets and performance times, call 0343 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

Shakespeare in Love - Altrincham Garrick

I HAVE been reviewing Garrick productions for nearly 40 years - I really am THAT old - and Shakespeare in Love gave me one of the best evenings I’ve ever had at this theatre.

Under the direction of Joseph Meighan, it captures perfectly the bawdy lawlessness of Elizabethan London, with the entire cast enjoying every minute of their time on stage.

We have two engaging, charismatic and likeable leads in Loui Quelcutti and Clara Alexandra-Booker who play out a purely fictional romance between Shakespeare and Viola de Lesseps, who capture the magic of the movie of the same name quite brilliantly.

The play begins with the Bard struggling for inspiration for Romeo and Juliet and we see him slaving over a hot quill, only to be bowled over by the lovely Viola, who becomes his muse. The love scenes have a tenderness to them that is certainly touching.

There are many other acting performances to enjoy including Connor J Ryan as the scandalously under performed Christopher Marlowe, Tom Broughton as Wessex and a show stealing performance from a four legged and furry thespian called Ness as Spot the dog.

It would be wrong not to hand out the plaudits to set designer Trevor McKie or Mike Shaw and his wardrobe team, for really giving us as flavour of the Eliizabethan era with their respective creations or musical director Mark Goggins for the musical element of the evening.

One thing I liked about Shakespeare in Love is the way it humanised the Bard, who lived, loved and even got drunk.

I hope some people don’t stay away because they’re fearful you need to know your Shakespeare to fully appreciate a feel good tale that offers a temporary reprieve from the grim times in which we live today.

A production you’re sure to full in love with and a high water mark for Altrincham Garrick.

Unmissable.

Until February 11. The box office is on 0161 928 1677. Star rating - *****

Photo - Nick Ogden.

Edith - The Lowry

Ivy Corbin as Edith Thompson

THIS is an intriguing story, the deeply thought provoking and engrossing tale of Edith Thompson, one of the last women in this country to be hanged.

Thompson was sent to the gallows for inciting the murder of her husband, Percy. She didn’t carry out what proved to be the fatal stabbing of her controlling and staid spouse.

It was her lover Freddie Bywaters, a decade her junior, who wielded the fatal blow, stabbing Percy in the street after the Thompsons had been for a night at the theatre.

Bywaters claimed it was her love letters to him that spurred him on to do the deed.

The judge allowed the letters to be used in court and the rest, as they say, is history.

Ever since I spent a day as a trainee reporter at court in Sheffield I’ve always been fascinated by the judicial process so this play was grist to the mill for me.

Crowded Room tells the Thompson story in a non sensationalist way that gives the audience the illusion of being part of a real trial. We’re even told to all rise when the judge enters to begin the proceedings.

A largely female cast do a great deal of gender swapping with a mixed amount of success. Ivy Corbin has quite a presence as Edith, looking stunning in an elegant red dress. The decision to place this story in modern times also works, with a set that gives a futuristic feel to proceedings.

When it comes to Edith’s lovelorn missives to Bywaters I don’t think they were really a motivation to murder, just a woman aching for a more exciting existence.

It’s exactly 100 years since the hanging of Edith Thompson and this play is sure to set tongues wagging, as audience drift off into the night or to the car park for their journey home.

Until February 4. Tickets are available from 0343 208 6000 or www.thelowry.com.

Star rating - 3.5 out of 5.

Photo by John Chester Fildes.

Love Valour Compassion - Lauriston Studio

DON’T be fooled by the first half of this multi-award winning play, which largely seems preoccupied with the trivial, as we spend three landmark American holidays in a lakeside holiday home with a group of gay friends.

This idyllic place is owned by Gregory, a New York choreographer hopelessly devoted to his partner Bobby, vulnerable but not held back as a result of his blindness.

While Terrence Mc Nally’s expertly crafted play, set in the States in the mid 90s, takes a more serious turn after the interval, there are some moments of comedy gold to enjoy with one of the pals, Buzz, treating us to some classic one liners and a personal philosophy that is to put it mildly, unique.

Then there’s the spectre of AIDS, the wicked and cruel disease that dulls the characters pursuit of unbridled hedonism.

Buzz may be the most entertaining of Mc Nally’s characters - all of human life is here - but by far the most fascinating is Ramon who epitomises that well worn old saying about still waters running deep. I found the way he toys with Bobby quietly cruel and deeply unsettling.

A tight knit cast create a convincing cameraderie thanks to the expert and astute direction of Barry Purves, a leading creative who never puts a foot wrong when it comes to making top class theatre.

Mike Jenkinson-Deakin, Paul Cudby, Patrick O’Brien, Glenn Jenkinson-Deakin, Rhys Nuttall, Mackauley Reece and Jay Hollows invest so much into their roles emotionally you couldn’t begrudge them a post performance drink or two. For me, it’s Hollows who gives the performance of the night as Ramon as I found this character intriguing.

The Garrick is staging this piece as part of its LGBTQ+ season and it was pleasing to see a different kind of audience at the Garrick’s wonderful Lauriston Studio.

But I do hope this play is seen by as many theatregoers as possible. A fabulous script, fabulous performances. A must see.

Love Valour Compassion is suitable for over 16s only and contains brief nudity and racially offensive language.

Until February 5. The box office is on 0161 928 1677 or altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star rating - ****

Photo - Martin Ogden.

Edith recounts sensational trial at The Lowry

CROWDED Room presents the world premiere of Edith, a play telling the story of Edith Thompson, one of the last women to be hanged in this country, at The Lowry from February 1-4.

Using manuscripts from the trial and dramatic scenes, it recalls how Edith was executed for inciting the murder of her husband after a trial that divided the nation.

This sounds completely captivating and is being staged by Crowded Room to mark the 100th anniversary of Thompson’s death.

For tickets and performance times call 0343 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

The Importance of Being Earnest - Altrincham Garrick

WITH a pre performance soundtrack that includes songs by Kylie and ABC and a silver chrome table and chairs, you’re in no doubt you’re about to experience a very different version of this masterpiece of a play.

Director Nick Sample’s decision to transport this exquisitely crafted comedy to the Internet age works. And it works spectacularly well.

Previous productions have irritated me and while there were obviously Wilde’s witticisms to enjoy, I always found it hard to like this menagerie of irritating, entitled upper class twits.

But, thanks to Sample’s skill and ingenuity he manages to make me like them and actually enjoy spending time in the company of the scheming Algernon Moncrieff and Jack Worthing.

It would be unjust to let Sample take all the credit though as the entire company displays a sense of timing that would sit very well on a professional stage.

Chris Shoop-Worall and Jamie Sloan are an engaging and natural double act as Moncrieff and Worthing, as they deftly try to catch the objects of their affections.

Antonia Whitehead is a formidable Gwendolen Fairfax, who has her sights well and truly set on Jack, for a reason I refuse to divulge to those who may be unfamiliar with the play and there’s a memorable spat between her and Cecily Cardew, played by Lauren Robinson, after a classic misunderstanding.

There are some social references that obviously date the play. Cecily, for instance has a governess played by Sarat Broughton who gives her best performance at this theatre to date for me as the awkward, uptight Miss Prism and there’s a memorable scene with her and Adrian Grace as the lovable, old school cleric the Rev Frederick Chasuble.

Wilde also uses his genius to send up the class system and the way it gives the upper classes carte blanche to behave as they like.

If the cast serves us up a treat, so does Barry Purves with a clever, eye catching set.

A production to really go Wilde about - this is the Garrick’s best comedy of the season for me.

Until January 21. The box office is on 0161 928 1677 or you can book online at www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star rating - *****

All the right moves - Swan Lake is Lowry bound

BIRMINGHAM Royal Ballet is coming to the Lowry with its production of Swan Lake from March 2-4.

Performed to the sumptuous score by Tchaikovsky, this classic ballet is sure to enchant audience members of all ages.

Evening performances are at 7.30pm and the run also includes a Saturday matinee.

Anyone interested in booking tickets should call 0343 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com

Photo by Bill Cooper.

Love across the social divide at The Lowry

PILOT Theatre is to bring is multi-award winning production of Noughts and Crosses to The Lowry from January 17-21.

Based on Malorie Blackman’s novel for young adults, it’s the fascinating and absorbing tale of love against the odds in a dark and disturbing dystopian world.

Unfortunately I only watched the first episode of the recent TV adaptation which was a pity as what I watched I found totally enthralling, drawn as I am to drama on stage and screen that are different. Rest assured, Noughts and Crosses definitely falls into that category.

The production is classed as suitable for the over 12s and anyone interested booking tickets should calll 0343 208 1850 or visit www.thelowry.com.

Photo by Robert Day.

Have a Wilde night at the Garrick

ALTRINCHAM Garrick hopes to banish those post Christmas blues with Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest from January 16-21 at 7.30pm.

The play has been re-imagined by the Garrick’s Nick Sample and brings Wilde’s gentle romantic comedy to a modern setting.

Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or visit www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

The Lowry announces Christmas production - for 2023

THIS year’s decorations may still be on display and the credit card bills are yet to land on doormats.

But tickets are now on sale at The Lowry for this year’s seasonal offering - the multi-award winning Life of Pi.

The production comes to Salford in a blaze of critical glory and is based on Yan Mantel’s book which has sold a staggering 15 million copies worldwide.

Anyone interested in booking tickets should call 0343 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.