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Archive for July, 2010

Be Rain for Me – Salford Arts Theatre, Salford

Writer: Susi Wrenshaw Director: Matthew Ganley Reviewer: John Roberts The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★☆☆ I am a strong believer in supporting new writing and seeing new theatre companies thrive and blossom and nothing pleases me more than seeing a new theatre company fledge it’s wings, especially in areas where theatre can become a hub of activity in certain areas. [...]

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Much Ado About Nothing- Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, Chester

Writer: William Shakespeare Composer: Alex Silverman Director: Edward Dick Reviewer: Jane Dawson The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★☆ Much Ado About Nothing is a brave choice as a first (open air) theatre production for Chester Performs. Possibly Shakespeare’s least performed comedy, it’s not particularly well known (despite the Kenneth Branagh film) and because it’s mainly in prose, the language is [...]

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Raving Beauties – The Dancehouse Theatre, Manchester

Writer: Dave Simpson Director: Helen Parry Reviewer: Rebecca Mickler The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★★ In front of a red curtain and lonely spotlight; on walks Jack Bailey. He is accompanied by his almost faithful Pianist whilst singing a pub singer version of ‘She’ by Elvis Costello and sports a Mullet Pat Sharp would have been proud of, a gold [...]

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Interview: The Producers of Lady Boys of Bangkok

THE Lady Boys of Bangkok return to the North East of England in spectacular style with a flamboyant extravaganza combining the glamorous showgirl appeal of Las Vegas, the wow-factor of West End musicals and the heady spice of Bangkok’s exotic nightlife. STEVE BURBRIDGE caught up with Phillip and Carol Gandey to find out more. GET [...]

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Anne Boleyn – The Globe Theatre, London

Writer: Howard Brenton Music: William Lyons Director: John Dove Reviewer: Leon Paul The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★☆ Michael Taylor’s white backdrop emblazoned with – amongst other things – the monogram of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, a tree-like pillar, and seating as well as the addition of thrust staging out into the pit adorn Shakespeare’s Globe’s stage. Upon [...]

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A Midsummer Night’s Dream – The Globe @ Bodleian Quad, Oxford

Writer: William Shakespeare Director: Raz Shaw Reviewer: Joshua Ray The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★★ Shakespeare’s most fun play… the Globe company on tour… the Bodleian quadrangle on a July evening… interval drinks in the Divinity School… what’s not to like? Lord knows I tried to find something. I really did. Reviewers shouldn’t be supine, shouldn’t be carried away by [...]

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Bedroom Farce – Theatre Royal, Brighton

Writer: Alan Ayckbourn Director: Sir Peter Hall Reviewer:David Griffiths The Public Reviews Rating: ★★☆☆☆ So, what do I know? The credits are littered with some of the most recognised names in entertainment over the last few decades. They have reproduced a tried and trusted play, first staged over 30 years ago from the great Alan Ayckbourn whose work I’ve [...]

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Shakespeare: The Man from Stratford – Richmond Theatre

Writer: Jonathan Bate Director: Tom Cains Reviewer: Jemma Bicknell and Rick Grant The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★☆ In this show we are given Simon Callow, alone on a simple black stage, adorned with only a scattering of recognisable items, most notably books. As narrow sections of the background slide open to reveal smoky lighting evocative of whichever part of [...]

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