Romeo and Juliet - The Lowry


THE words ‘traditional’ and ‘convention’ are simply not a part of Matthew Bourne’s DNA and the trend continues with this memorable and captivating interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic love story.

As far as settings go, it’s the most inappropriate of locations for a romance to thrive, a stark and austere looking backdrop which feels, looks and sounds like some sort of institution.

In the programme notes, the always brilliant and forever ground breaking Bourne says it’s up to the audience to decide where we are.

For me, we’re in some sort of psychiatric hospital presided over by a despotic regime which tries to drug its exclusively young inmates into submission.

After all, it tends to be the young who tend to be at the forefront of social change and the fictional Verona Institute exists to silence them.

We critics have our tried and tested stock of superlatives when it comes to conveying just how good an evening of theatre actually is.

But when it comes to the choreography of Matthew Bourne and his aptly christened company New Adventures you simply have to experience it.

This ballet visionary has also made it his mission to bring a new audience to the genre and judging by the considerable number of young people at The Lowry he’s succedding.

When you add Prokofiev’s iconic score you have a truly magical theatrical mix and I guarantee you’ll fall in love with this touching and tender tale all over again.

Until July 15.

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

Star rating - *****

Untitled F**** M*ss S**gon Play - Royal Exchange Theatre


KIMBER Lee’s prize winning piece, currently receiving its world premiere at Manchester’s Royal Exchange, is one of the most breathtakingly original plaays I’ve seen for a very long time.

For the first 20 minutes or so I felt it was nothing more than a light-hearted send up of musicals like Miss Saigon and shows of their ilk.

But Lee intelligently uses these shows as the starting point to rail against Asian stereotypes, both on stage and in real life via a rather wonderful actress called Mei Mac.

Mac plays the heroine of the piece, Kim, and expends so much energy you’d be forgiven for thinking spontaneous combustion is a distinct possibility.

Her sense of timing is exemplary, as is that of the rest of the cast. But there’s nothing preachy or entitled about the remarkable writing of Kimber Lee and I guarantee at no point in the evening will members of the audience feel excluded even if they can’t instantly identify with Kim.

All you need to enjoy this is a sense of fairness and justice. But the writer handles her themes in a hugely entertaining way.

I also really enjoyed Tom Weston-Jones as Clark, the archetypal romantic hero when we first meet him.

This play is sure to live long in the memory and not just for the first and rather naughty word in its title.

I hope director Roy Alexander Weise have a huge hit on their hands especially in an age where too many theatres are too content to play it safe in terms of their programming.

Until July 22.

Highly recommended.

For tickets call 0161 933 9833 or visit royalexchange.co,uk.

Star rating - ****

Photo - Richard Davenport from The Other Richard

Into The Woods - Altrincham Garrick


THERE’S a misconception in some circles, that the musicals of Stephen Sondheim are difficult to “get into.”

While his scores pose certain vocal challenges for the actors not found in other shows, they are there to be enjoyed by everybody, rather like the plays of a certain William Shakespeare.

Lesser composers spoon feed audiences emotion but this American great is far more subtle with lyrics often characterised by a sublime turn of phrase.

You might have got the impression that I’m a fan.

The Garrick’s decision to appoint Joe Meighan as its artistic director was a stroke of genius and he’s consistently proving there’s no such thing as forbidden theatrical territory for the company based on Barrington Road.

Together with musical director Steven Mercer-Murray he’s created a memorable musical journey that’s sure to live long in the memory of all who see it.

Who better to make it with than a colourful and vibrant menagerie of fairytale characters from a dutiful and downtrodden Cinderella, complete with her hideous, bullying sisters to Rapunzel, pining away in her tower.

Now comes the hardest part - the part where I’ve supposed to single out the best performances. I’m not going to do that, for the simple reason that entire cast is equally adept when it comes to the afore mentioned vocal challenges and display a flawless comic timing during the lighter parts of the show. Of which there are many.

Absolutely outstanding - a major musical triumph for all concerned.

Until June 24. Star rating - *****

For tickets, call 0161 928 1677 or visit www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Photo - Martin Ogden.

Love is in the air at Manchester's Royal Exchange

AS the country swelters, Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre has just announced its autumn/winter season.

All the plays have a romantic theme, starting with an adaptation of the Dickens classic Great Expectations from September 8 to October 7.

This will be followed by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet from October 20 November 18.

For tickets call 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk.

Last Summer at Blue Fish Cove - Lauriston Studio at Altrincham Garrick


Outstanding - Last Summer at Bluefish Cove

ALTRINCNHAM Garrick has saved the best until last to bring down the curtain on its LGBTQ+ season at its studio theatre.

As far as plays are concerned, its remarkable to think this masterpiece from Jane Chambers is 40 years old, for it feels so fresh, so invigorating.

While progress has undoubtedly been made as regards gay rights, many of the themes Chambers raises are sadly still relevant today, such as the fear of being ostracised by family and friends when members of this community take the decision to “come out.”

The piece is set in a holiday retreat popular lesbians and contains characters that are bright, fun, funny and free from the shackles of the stereotype. The two hours I spent in their company positively flew by.

The acting is so good, so flawless I actually forgot I was watching actors which was doubtlessly a tribute to director Helen Horridge and a cast who deliver performances of a professional standard.

They certainly behave and sound like real friends and have a camaraderie that’s as effortless as it is engaging. They also have a story to tell, most notably Lil, played so powerfully by Philippa Shellard.

A beautifully observed piece, it also lifts the lid on the lives of the other characters in a way that’s sure to keep you rapt and entertained.

But it feels unjust to single out individuals for adulation because Melanie Beswick, Meg Brassington, Ros Greenwood, Madeleine Healey, Brigid Hemmingway, Patti Linnett and Laura Patterson all play their part in a production richly deserving of its standing ovation on opening night.

Go and make sure this landmark play sells out. This is, most definitely, a must see.

Until June 11. Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star rating - *****

Photo - Martin Ogden.


Witness for the Prosecution - Altrincham Garrick


MOST of us can’t resist a good courtroom drama, the chance to play detective, safe in the knowledge that any decision we make won’t impact at all in real life.

It’s remarkable just how fresh Witness for the Prosecution sounds, when you take into consideration this Agatha Christie masterpiece premiered in London some 70 years ago. Even if some of the social attitudes on display here deserve no place in a modern and supposedly civilised society.

Mike Shaw’s production is so utterly engrossing the audience’s attention is held in a vice like grip throughout and the first act, which is 90 minutes long, positively flies by.

The man in the dock is Leonard Vole, a genteel character who comes across like an old school clergyman rather than a killer. But he stands accused of murdering a wealthy woman and seems to have all the motivation he needed to carry out the dirty deed.

Tom Broughton’s performance as Vole is of a professional standard and you can’t help feel sorry for him as his horrendous wife Romaine destroys his alibi much to his disgust and disbelief as he faces the possibility of the death penalty if he’s found guilty.

Antonia Whitehead is perfect as the spouse from hell.

Defending Vole is Sir Wilfred Robarts, an old school, charismatic QC brought to life so engagingly by the ever watchable Jonathan Black.

Shaw and Barry Purves have pooled their creative talents to create an authentic courtroom set and Garrick stalwart Geoff Holman provides some much needed light relief as the Judge, with some humorous interruptions to some very serious proceedings.

And then there’s the twist at the end, a twist you’re certain not to see coming unless you’ve seen the film or the play itself.

Highly recommended.

Until May 27. Star rating - ****

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

Photo by Martin Ogden.

No Pay No Way - Royal Exchange Theatre


FARCES had never appealed to me in the past, with their formulaic humour and shrill silliness, people getting caught in compromising positions, usually minus important items of clothing.

But No Pay No Way, the latest production from the Royal Exchange, is different. This is a farce with social bite. The characters inhabit a world of high inflation, where people are choosing between eating or heating.

Does that sound in any way familiar?

Life is still a perennial struggle for the so-called ordinary Joe in Marieke Hardy’s oh so apt new version of Fo and Rame’s comedy classic. But in this production us audience members never felt like we were being preached at.

It simply reminds us that it is possible to laugh and think at the same time thanks to Hardy’s engaging and laugh out loud funny script and a cast who treat us to a masterclass in comedy timing.

Anwar Russell, who plays a number of ridiculous and cartoonish policemen is a classic case in point and there’s also a kooky chemistry between Samantha Power and Katherine Pearce as best pals Antonia and Margheritta, two good friends who find themselves thrust into a situation that becomes increasingly bizarre as the on stage chaos unfolds.

Equally impressive is Roger Morlidge as Antonia’s hubby Giovanni and Gurjeet Singh as Margaheritta’s other half Luigi, doing a very convincing impression of a rabbit caught in headlights when Giovanni confronts him with what he thinks is a life changing revelation.

A well scripted, superbly acted farce that was richly deserving of the standing ovation that greeted its end.

Strongly recommended. A hoot with a heart.

Star rating - ****

Until June 10. Tickets are available from 0161 833 9833 or www.royalexchange.co.uk.

Photo - Johan Persson.

The Jungle Book - Altrincham Garrick


ROS Greenwood, take a bow.

Not only has she directed what is sure to be an Easter hit for all the family at the Garrick, she’s designed an appealing set, complete with overhanging flora and fauna, that provides the perfect backdrop for Kipling’s timeless and heart warming children’s classic.

I needed little persuading to swap soggy south Trafford for a jungle setting, warm enough for Mowgli the man cub to scamper around the stage minus his top as I sat in the auditorium, next to my overcoat.

Myles Ryan is an instantly likeable, wholesome and heroic Mowgli and the actor makes us care that he doesn’t end up being gobbled up by Shere Khan, the tyrant tiger, played by Peter Birch.

All your favourite characters are here in a two hour fun filled show that is a great way to introduce kids to the wonders of the theatre and reminds both them and their parents that entertainment doesn’t have to be screen shaped.

Mathew Spilsbury is very watchable as Baloo the bear and I laughed when he scooped up Mowgli in one of his huge bear hugs.

Ellidh Pollard fascinated the little ones in the audience as Kaa the snake and there were many volunteers when Kaa threatened to have them for dinner. “Eat me, eat me,” shouted one girl near the front of the stage.

While there’s a smattering of audience participation in this Garrick show it is kept to a minimum and unlike in panto there aren’t the jokes that make you cringe. Or maybe, that’s just me.

Until April 16. The box office is on 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk. When booking please note there are no performances on certain nights of the week.

Star rating - 3.5 out of 5.

Photo by Martin Ogden