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Archive for the 'Family' Category

Laura Veirs – The Lowry, Salford

Band: Alex Guy (keyboards and violin/viola) and Tim Young (guitars) Reviewer: Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★☆ This is the first time that Laura Veirs has played a gig in Salford and the accent is something of a barrier. ‘Don’t be fooled’ a local calls out in response to her observation about the cleanliness of the area. ‘ [...]

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Peter Pan On Ice – Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

Music: Silvio Amato Artistic Director & Choreographer: Cavaliere Giuseppe Arena Reviewer: Victoria Bawtree The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★☆☆   Coming hot on the heels of the pantomime season, and following such a well-known and loved children’s story, The Russian Ice Stars production of Peter Pan falls interestingly between two genres. The story allows elements of panto: he’s behind you [...]

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Swallows and Amazons – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Writer:Helen Edmundson Music:Neil Hannon Lyrics:Neil Hannon Director:Tom Morris Reviewer:Samantha Currie The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★½ Swallows and Amazons is currently at the beginning of a UK tour after playing at the Bristol Old Vic and the West End. Directed by Tom Morris, the co-director of War Horse, with music and lyrics by Neil Hannon. The book is, of course [...]

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Beowulf The Dragon Slayer – The Lowry, Salford

Reviewer: Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: ★★☆☆☆ Although ‘Beowulf the Dragon Slayer’ is promoted as suitable for ages from seven few concessions are made for the attention span of such an audience. The tale of Beowulf is enacted by a single performer using wooden puppets carved in the style of engravings from the period. No effort is [...]

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Fireman Sam – Pontypandy Rocks! – Milton Keynes Theatre

Written by: Nia Ceidiog, Rob Lee Created by: Dave Gingell, Dave Jones Rob Lee Reviewer: Maggie Constable The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★½☆ The Hero next door was back at lunchtime, due to popular demand, with his live stage show Pontypandy Rocks! at Milton Keynes Theatre. We joined Fireman Sam with all his friends and colleagues as Pontypandy held its [...]

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The Moscow State Circus – Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton

Directors: Anthony Anderson, Paul Archer & John Haze Reviewer: Sue Dixon The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★☆☆ The first thing to say about this is – at least circuses have improved since the sinister, baggy-trousered clowns that used to give children nightmares. The Moscow State Circus, which is based on 200 years of tradition, has had to adapt its routine [...]

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Totem – Royal Albert Hall, London

Writer/Director: Robert Lepage Reviewer: John Roberts The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★☆ Totem – Robert Le Page’s second production for the worlds biggest circus outfit Cirque du Soliel, returns for another month long residency following last years sell out season. As with all Cirque du Soliel productions, Totem has a loose frame work or story in which all its acts [...]

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The Firework Makers Daughter – Bloomsbury Theatre, London

Writer: Philip Pullman Adaptor: Stephen Russell Director: Phill Clark Reviewer: Robin Winters The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★☆☆ The Birmingham Stage Company have created a name for themselves in producing high quality stage adaptations of well loved children’s novels, after many successes with the likes of Bagpuss, George’s Marvellous Medicine, Skellig and more recently The Horrible Histories it would seem [...]

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