http://www.thepublicreviews.com Theatre reviews for you, by you. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:25:39 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/competition-the-daughter-in-law-library-theatre-co-at-the-lowry-salford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/competition-the-daughter-in-law-library-theatre-co-at-the-lowry-salford/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:03:57 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=27587 The Daughter-in-Law, a rarely seen play by DH Lawrence, one of the giants of 20th century English literature, continues the Library Theatre Company’s highly successful residency at The Lowry in Salford. The production, which will be directed by Chris Honer, the company’s Artistic Director, opens on Thursday 23 February and runs until Saturday 10 March [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/competition-the-daughter-in-law-library-theatre-co-at-the-lowry-salford/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/oliver-%e2%80%93-palace-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/oliver-%e2%80%93-palace-theatre-manchester/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:13:08 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=27433 Book, Music & Lyrics: Lionel Bart Director: Laurence Connor Reviewer: John Roberts The Public Reviews Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars Producer Cameron Mackintosh alongside director Laurence Connor wowed us two years ago with their spectacular 25th Anniversary production of Les Miserables. They teamed up once again to offer us the sensational Royal Albert Hall [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/oliver-%e2%80%93-palace-theatre-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/two-the-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/two-the-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:14:47 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=26961 Writer: Jim Cartwright Director: Greg Hersov Reviewer: Laura Maley The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Justin Moorhouse and Victoria Elliott play the landlord and landlady of a northern pub in Jim Cartwright’s play Two at the Royal Exchange theatre in Manchester. Over the course of one evening they embody the characters of [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/two-the-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/feed/ 3 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-23rd-january-2012/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-23rd-january-2012/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:01:05 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=26908 Love, in all its many varieties, is a form of timeless theatrical inspiration that never strays far from our stages. From bohemian love triangles to tender romances to incestuous liaisons, this week’s top picks have everything you could wish for in the passion department. Picks by Catherine Love   1) CONSTELLATIONS – ROYAL COURT THEATRE, [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-23rd-january-2012/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/competition-georges-marvellous-medicine-opera-house-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/competition-georges-marvellous-medicine-opera-house-manchester/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:11:02 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=26683 George’s Marvellous Medicine, by Roald Dahl and adapted by George Wood brings to life on stage Dahl’s amazing story about a young boy who makes a marvellous new medicine to cure his grandmother of her terrifying temper. But when his grandmother drinks his special new potion, the most incredible things story to happen. And George’s [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/competition-georges-marvellous-medicine-opera-house-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/pantos-on-strike-%e2%80%93-the-opera-house-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/pantos-on-strike-%e2%80%93-the-opera-house-manchester/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:24:13 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=26596 Writer: Paddy McGuinness, Jonathan Wilkes & Eric Potts Director: Jonathan Wilkes Reviewer: Ruth Lovett The Public Reviews Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars To round off the Christmas season it’s the turn of the adults to be entertained with some grown up panto if there is such a thing. Local favourite Paddy McGuinness returns with [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/pantos-on-strike-%e2%80%93-the-opera-house-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-lord-of-the-dance-manchester-opera-house/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-lord-of-the-dance-manchester-opera-house/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:36:01 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=26398 Creator: Michael Flatley Composer: Ronan Hardiman Choreography: Marie Duffy Pask Reveiwer: Martyn Gallagher The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars One always warmly anticipates the return of the international dance phenomenon known globally as ‘Lord of The Dance’ created by Michael Flatley a genius in his craft of mesmerising Irish dance. Michael Flatleys [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-lord-of-the-dance-manchester-opera-house/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/you-can%e2%80%99t-take-it-with-you-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/you-can%e2%80%99t-take-it-with-you-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:27:50 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=26027 Writer: George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart Director: Paul Hunter Reviewer: Ruth Lovett The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars The Royal Exchange have done it again; a wonderful show over the Christmas period which is a quality alternative to the traditional pantomime. It is suitable for adults and children alike and the [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/you-can%e2%80%99t-take-it-with-you-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/red-riding-hood-%e2%80%93-the-royal-exchange-studio-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/red-riding-hood-%e2%80%93-the-royal-exchange-studio-manchester/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:16:04 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=25967 Adaptor: Alison Duddle Music: Loz Kaye Director: Alison Duddle Reviewer: Lizzie Kirkwood The Public Reviews Rating: 2 out of 5 stars Horse and Bamboo have retold the story of Red Riding Hood, using many mediums. These include several kinds of puppetry, masks, physical theatre, original music, mime, slapstick… I could go on, and therein lies [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/red-riding-hood-%e2%80%93-the-royal-exchange-studio-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/grotto-%e2%80%93-the-lass-o%e2%80%99gowrie-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/grotto-%e2%80%93-the-lass-o%e2%80%99gowrie-manchester/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:50:40 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=25943 Director: Jake Murray Writer: Chris Dance Music: Mike Seal Reviewer: Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: 3 out of 5 stars   Timing is everything in comedy and it is hard to imagine a better time to launch a new comedy set in the Festive period. Laura (Hazel Earle) and Julie (Emma Laidlaw) are close [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/grotto-%e2%80%93-the-lass-o%e2%80%99gowrie-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/scrooge-the-lowry-salford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/scrooge-the-lowry-salford/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:54:15 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=25918 Book, Music and Lyrics: Leslie Bricusse Director: Bob Tomson Designer: Paul Farnsworth Musical Director: Stuart Pedlar Choreographer: Lisa Kent Illusions: Paul Kieve Reviewer: Jo Beggs The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars When Tommy Steele opened in Scrooge at the London Palladium in 2005 he was about to turn 70. So the fact [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/scrooge-the-lowry-salford/feed/ 3 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/greg-davies-firing-cheeseballs-at-a-dog-%e2%80%93-the-lowry-salford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/greg-davies-firing-cheeseballs-at-a-dog-%e2%80%93-the-lowry-salford/#comments Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:10:02 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=25851 Reviewer: Tracey Lowe The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars One cannot deny the runaway success that is The Inbetweeners. Three successful series, a box office smashing movie and a possibly dubious US version, it seems everyone wants a piece of this home-grown comedy sensation. One of the best things to come out [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/greg-davies-firing-cheeseballs-at-a-dog-%e2%80%93-the-lowry-salford/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-adventure-principle-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-adventure-principle-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:54:47 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=25775 Created by Coney, Contact and CYAC Directors: Dan Canham/Tassos Stevens Reviewer: Jo Beggs The Public Reviews Rating: 2 out of 5 stars Are you afraid of the dark? Are you afraid of heights? Just two of the questions we’re asked as we arrive at Contact for The Adventure Principle. There’s an air of anticipation as [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-adventure-principle-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/cinderella-%e2%80%93-opera-house-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/cinderella-%e2%80%93-opera-house-manchester/#comments Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:03:07 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=25635 Writer: Eric Potts Director: George Wood Reviewer: Tracey Lowe The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars It’s been over ten years since I’ve been to a pantomime, but I remember them well; when women were men and men were women. It’s reassuring to see that not much has changed, as Louie Spence brings [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/cinderella-%e2%80%93-opera-house-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/steptoe-and-son-the-bird-%e2%80%93-the-lass-o%e2%80%99gowrie-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/steptoe-and-son-the-bird-%e2%80%93-the-lass-o%e2%80%99gowrie-manchester/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:54:18 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=25609 Writer: Ray Galton and Alan Simpson Director: Mark Babych Reviewer: Tracey Lowe The Public Reviews Rating: 3 out of 5 stars In the tiny upstairs space of the Lass O’Gowrie, the audience are greeted by a strange collection of threadbare, mismatched furniture and slightly disturbing taxidermy. We are entering the familiar world of Albert Steptoe [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/steptoe-and-son-the-bird-%e2%80%93-the-lass-o%e2%80%99gowrie-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/whats-hot-pantomimes-part-two/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/whats-hot-pantomimes-part-two/#comments Sun, 04 Dec 2011 23:59:04 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=25362 He’s behind you! Yes, pantomime is on the menu again as it’s time for the second helping of top tips for all the best pantos to be found around the UK this Christmas. Picks by Catherine Love 1) DICK WHITTINGTON – NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE Who better as a panto dame than Dame Edna Everage? The [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/whats-hot-pantomimes-part-two/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/playbacki-love-manchester-contact-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/playbacki-love-manchester-contact-theatre-manchester/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:40:48 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=25484 Hosted by Baba Israel Reviewer: Jo Beggs The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Playback is a concept which Baba Israel brought to Contact, following the success of Playback NYC which he co-founded over ten years ago and which has become an established part of New York community performance, used in schools, prisons, [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/playbacki-love-manchester-contact-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/preview-american-idiot-tours-the-uk/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/preview-american-idiot-tours-the-uk/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:00:07 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=25327 The hit Tony Award winning musical American Idiot will be premiering at The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton next year (Oct—Dec 2012) with a full US cast before embarking on a national tour. Described by the New York Times as “the most adventurous musical to brave Broadway in the past decade,” American Idiot features the songs of [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/preview-american-idiot-tours-the-uk/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/not-my-cup-of-tea-%e2%80%93-john-thaw-studio-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/not-my-cup-of-tea-%e2%80%93-john-thaw-studio-manchester/#comments Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:16:49 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=24969 Writer: Polly Goss Director: Polly Goss Reviewer: Iain Sykes The Public Reviews Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars Not My Cup of Tea, presented as part of the University of Manchester Drama Society’s Autumn Showcase, is the tale of four university graduates rejecting their privileged lives to try and eke out a life of self [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/not-my-cup-of-tea-%e2%80%93-john-thaw-studio-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/pedestrian-%e2%80%93-the-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/pedestrian-%e2%80%93-the-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/#comments Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:51:52 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=25050 Writer: Tom Wainwright Reviewer: Sally Cinnamon The Public Reviews Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Tom Wainwright has done an interesting thing. He’s been pedestrian in his journey to hell and back, with a fish in tow and what a wickedly, wonderful journey it is – albeit a little sole-less. Laconic, superficial and underwhelming is [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/pedestrian-%e2%80%93-the-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/northern-ballet-the-nutcracker%e2%80%93-manchester-opera-house/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/northern-ballet-the-nutcracker%e2%80%93-manchester-opera-house/#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2011 06:29:02 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=24971 Music : P.I Tchaikovsky Director & Choreography : David Nixon Musical Director : John Pryce-Jones Reviewer: Iris Beaumont The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars You can always tell we are heading into the Christmas season in Manchester; The German Markets are up in Albert Square, posters for Pantomimes are popping up all [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/northern-ballet-the-nutcracker%e2%80%93-manchester-opera-house/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/hidden-%e2%80%93-joshua-brooks-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/hidden-%e2%80%93-joshua-brooks-manchester/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:17:03 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=24949 Writer/Director: Peter Carruthers and Laura Lindsay Reviewer: Tracey Lowe The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Rarely do I see a piece of new writing that gets me both laughing out loud and on the edge of tears within the first five minutes. It is immediately obvious that ‘Hidden’ is something to be [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/hidden-%e2%80%93-joshua-brooks-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-22nd-november-2011/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-22nd-november-2011/#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:59:31 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=24769 While it is vital for theatre to examine current political and social issues, drama has an equally powerful ability to dissect human relationships, be these friendships, marriages or family dynamics. In this week’s top picks, individuals are drawn together and pulled apart in a series of explorations of how we relate to one another. Picked [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-22nd-november-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/christmas-with-the-rat-pack-live-from-las-vagas-the-palace-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/christmas-with-the-rat-pack-live-from-las-vagas-the-palace-theatre-manchester/#comments Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:28:36 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=24704 Musical Director: Matthew Freeman Director: Mitch Sebastian Reviewer: Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars The idea behind the Rat Pack stage show is to give modern audiences the chance to sample concerts that Frank Sinatra , Sammy Davis Jnr and Dean Martin performed in the heyday of Las Vegas. The [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/christmas-with-the-rat-pack-live-from-las-vagas-the-palace-theatre-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/beautiful-thing-%e2%80%93-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/beautiful-thing-%e2%80%93-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/#comments Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:52:06 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=24414 Writer: Jonathan Harvey Director: Sarah Frankcom Reviewer: Matthew Nichols The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars In the early 1990s, the mid-range tabloids took objection to the “plague of gay plays” that had descended upon London theatreland. Essentially this was thinly veiled homophobia, backed by the thundering whine of the right-wing hack-rags. Political [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/beautiful-thing-%e2%80%93-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/kathakbox-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/kathakbox-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/#comments Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:29:14 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=24327 Choreographer/Artistic Director: Sonia Sabri Musical Director: Sarvar Sabri Reviewer: Peter Jacobs The Public Reviews Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Sonia Sabri created her pioneering dance company in 2002 to present the North Indian classical dance of kathak in a fresh way, combining it with other sympathetic influences and contemporary styles without diluting the integrity [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/kathakbox-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/rock%e2%80%99n%e2%80%99roll-heaven-%e2%80%93-opera-house-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/rock%e2%80%99n%e2%80%99roll-heaven-%e2%80%93-opera-house-manchester/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:08:08 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=24162 Director: Keith Strachan Reviewer: Iain Sykes The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars It seems that you can’t open a theatre brochure these days without being bombarded by a plethora of tribute shows vying for your hard earned pound. Buddy this, Elvis that…so where does Rock’n’Roll Heaven (tagline “Where the Legends Never Die”) [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/rock%e2%80%99n%e2%80%99roll-heaven-%e2%80%93-opera-house-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/24094/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/24094/#comments Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:11:42 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=24094 Director – Lloyd Eyre-Morgan Assistant Director – Joe Gosling Reviewer – Julie Burrow The Public Reviews Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Celluloid is written and directed by Lloyd Eyre-Morgan, a founding member of Dream Avenue whose aim is to ‘produce original, high quality theatre and multimedia productions’. The play, as suggested by the title, [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/24094/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/annie-the-palace-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/annie-the-palace-theatre-manchester/#comments Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:04:45 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=24086 Book: Thomas Meehan Music:  Charles Strouse Lyrics:  Martin Charnin Director and Choreographer: Roger Hannah Reviewer:  Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Based upon a comic strip from the first great depression and featuring a chorus of orphans and beggars ‘Annie’ is a strange choice for a feel good musical. It [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/annie-the-palace-theatre-manchester/feed/ 4 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-enemy-within-rncm-studio-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-enemy-within-rncm-studio-manchester/#comments Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:52:52 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=24040 Writer: Janine Atkin Sound Design: Karen Lauke Director: Helen Parry Reviewer: Lizzie Kirkwood The Public Reviews Rating: 2 out of 5 stars The Enemy Within is an account of the impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (or PTSD) on the domestic life of a couple, Carl and Zoe Green. The play begins with Carl excitably telling [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-enemy-within-rncm-studio-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/play-pie-pint-juicy-fruits-%e2%80%93-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/play-pie-pint-juicy-fruits-%e2%80%93-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/#comments Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:52:27 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=23842 Writer: Leo Butler Director: George Perrin Reviewer: Nathan Shreeve The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Brilliantly witty, acerbic and dark, Juicy Fruits finishes the Paines Plough & Oran Mor’s Play, Pie, Pint initiative with style, going out with a bang. Butler’s script is superb, flashing from brilliant humour, to heart wrenching emotional [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/play-pie-pint-juicy-fruits-%e2%80%93-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/childs-eye-view-horrible-histories-ancient-egyptians-opera-house-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/childs-eye-view-horrible-histories-ancient-egyptians-opera-house-manchester/#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:03:59 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=23800 Writer: John-Paul Cherrington Music: Matthew Scott Director: Phil Clark Reviewer: Gabe Smith The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars I loved the show; it was so funny and very clever. My favourite bit was the actors they were really good, my favourite was Maisie (Lauryn Redding) who was pretending to be a kid, [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/childs-eye-view-horrible-histories-ancient-egyptians-opera-house-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/i-love-vinegar-vera-what-becomes-of-the-broken-hearted-joshua-brooks-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/i-love-vinegar-vera-what-becomes-of-the-broken-hearted-joshua-brooks-manchester/#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:16:31 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=23793 Writer: Nadia Drews Director and Dramaturg: Jen Heyes Costume Designer: Jessica Dowling Reviewer: Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: 3 out of 5 stars After the death of her husband Vera Blackstock (Laura Campbell) enters a downward spiral of alcohol abuse and anti social behaviour. Her spirited karaoke performances attract the interest of Joe Whiteside [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/i-love-vinegar-vera-what-becomes-of-the-broken-hearted-joshua-brooks-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/shakespeare-schools-festival-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/shakespeare-schools-festival-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:28:04 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=23713 Writer: William Shakespeare Director: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Mrs Helena Hart), Romeo and Juliet (Amy Wilan), Much Ado About Nothing (Miss Colette Marchington), Macbeth (Miss L Cordingley) Reviewer: Laura Maley The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars In its 11th year, the nationwide Shakespeare Schools Festival goes from strength to strength involving 600 [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/shakespeare-schools-festival-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/preview-casting-announced-for-oliver-uk-tour/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/preview-casting-announced-for-oliver-uk-tour/#comments Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:16:20 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=23636 Samantha Barks has finally landed the role of Nancy… three years after auditioning for it. The Les Misérables star, who finished third in the 2008 TV talent show, has been announced as the leading lady of this winter’s UK tour of Oliver! She will join The Bill’s Iain Fletcher (Three Musketeers, Mamma Mia!) as Bill [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/preview-casting-announced-for-oliver-uk-tour/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/tony-hawkes-random-fun-the-lowry-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/tony-hawkes-random-fun-the-lowry-manchester/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:02:43 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=23506 Writer: Tony Hawks Reviewed by Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: 3 out of 5 stars The stage set-up makes clear that Tony Hawks is not going to restrict himself to performing stand-up. Equipment includes a projection screen, keyboards, guitar, a frail music stand and a roped-off VIP area. The last item has no actual [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/tony-hawkes-random-fun-the-lowry-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/operation-greenfield-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/operation-greenfield-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:00:29 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=23478 Director: Alexander Scott Reviewer: Iain Sykes The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars Operation Greenfield, Little Bulb Theatre’s hit show from last year’s Edinburgh Fringe is enjoying a well deserved national tour. This energy packed tour-de-force of physical theatre, wit and song, stars a cast of five (four humans, all graduates from the [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/operation-greenfield-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/play-pie-pint-you-cannot-go-forward-from-where-you-are-now-%e2%80%93-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/play-pie-pint-you-cannot-go-forward-from-where-you-are-now-%e2%80%93-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/#comments Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:08:54 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=23374 Writer: David Watson Director: James Grieve Reviewer: Nathan Shreeve The Public Reviews Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars This play was perhaps one of the most unusual theatrical experiences I have encountered in my time as a theatregoer in Manchester. Fragmented and often confusing, David Watson’s intriguing script takes us on a journey encountering ignorant [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/play-pie-pint-you-cannot-go-forward-from-where-you-are-now-%e2%80%93-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/south-pacific-palace-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/south-pacific-palace-theatre-manchester/#comments Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:33:51 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=23291 Music: Richard Rogers Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein Book : Oscar Hammerstein and Joshua Logan Director : Bartlett Sher Reviewer: Helen Jones The Public Reviews Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars Having recently been wowing London audiences, Rodger and Hammerstein’s 1949 musical is now out to wow the regions. Unfortunately it didn’t wow me. Running at three [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/south-pacific-palace-theatre-manchester/feed/ 2 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/a-night-with-the-phantom-ramin-karimloo-the-bridgewater-hall-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/a-night-with-the-phantom-ramin-karimloo-the-bridgewater-hall-manchester/#comments Sun, 23 Oct 2011 12:33:38 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=23169 Reviewer: Ruth Lovett The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars At last, a chance to see the man without the mask as Ramin Karimloo, one of the most popular wearers of the famous white mask comes to Manchester in his first solo tour. The Bridgewater Hall provides the perfect setting as any bum [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/a-night-with-the-phantom-ramin-karimloo-the-bridgewater-hall-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/godspell-40th-anniversary-concert-the-palace-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/godspell-40th-anniversary-concert-the-palace-theatre-manchester/#comments Sat, 22 Oct 2011 07:48:29 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=23121 Book: John-Michael Tebelak Music/Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz Director: Daniel Wood Reviewer: Ruth Lovett The Public Reviews Rating: 3 out of 5 stars The Palace Theatre hosts JP Productions’ Godspell 40th Anniversary Concert celebrating the Broadway and West End smash as it reaches a landmark age. Showcasing the fantastic songs that do not seem to have aged [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/godspell-40th-anniversary-concert-the-palace-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/play-pie-pint-dig-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/play-pie-pint-dig-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/#comments Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:05:51 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=22996 Writer: Katie Douglas Director: George Perrin Reviewer: Nathan Shreeve The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Only 45 minutes long, this short play gave Paines Plough & Galsgow’s Oran Mor ‘Play, Pie, Pint’ season at the Royal Exchange a real kickstart. Filled with Glaswegian humour and grit, Katie Douglas’ ‘Dig’ is a brilliant [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/play-pie-pint-dig-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-haunted-bride-the-lowry-salford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-haunted-bride-the-lowry-salford/#comments Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:06:40 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=22950 Writers: Charles Dickens and John Goodrum Director: John Goodrum Reviewer: Tracey Lowe The Public Reviews Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars Charles Dickens arguably wrote the most famous ghost story in the world, A Christmas Carol. But he didn’t stop there. Although he may be more famous for his epic works of fiction, he could [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-haunted-bride-the-lowry-salford/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/romeo-and-juliet-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/romeo-and-juliet-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/#comments Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:51:22 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=22855 Writer: William Shakespeare Director: Rich Rusk Reviewer: Iain Sykes The Public Reviews Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars Night Light Theatre’s vision of Verona is, to be frank, a weird one. It’s a place inhabited not only by Montagues and Capulets but also by a series of puppet characters, each one intricately made and superbly [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/romeo-and-juliet-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/good-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/good-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:39:12 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=22783 Writer: C P Taylor Director: Polly Findlay Reviewer: Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Professor Halder (Adrian Rawlins) sees himself as a good man but his life is hard. In 1930s Germany he struggles with a scatterbrained wife and an ailing and fractious mother. As the pressure increases Halder begins [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/good-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-17th-october-2011/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-17th-october-2011/#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:54:46 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=22737 In an atmosphere of recession, there might not be much to be cheerful about at the moment, but a night at the theatre can be the perfect remedy for all the doom and gloom. Put a smile on your face with this week’s funny, uplifting and in some cases downright silly top picks. Chosen by [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-17th-october-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/jb-shorts-6-joshua-brooks-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/jb-shorts-6-joshua-brooks-manchester/#comments Sun, 16 Oct 2011 20:00:15 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=22731 Director: Various Reviewer: Rebecca Mickler The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars JB Shorts is a collection of six fifteen minute plays all written, directed, produced, and acted by industry professionals and performed in the cellar of Joshua Brooks – itself reminiscent of a cellar in a dank pub at the Edinburgh Fringe. [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/jb-shorts-6-joshua-brooks-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/strictly-gershwin-the-palace-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/strictly-gershwin-the-palace-theatre-manchester/#comments Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:31:02 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=22550 Words and Music: George and Ira Gershwin Adaptor: Gareth Valentine Choreographer and Director: Derek Deane Conductor: Gareth Valentine Reviewer: Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars The title is terrible but, for once, the tagline is spot-on. ‘Strictly Gershwin’ really is a glamorous, fabulous song and dance extravaganza. Conductor Gareth Valentine [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/strictly-gershwin-the-palace-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/crystal-kisses-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester-2/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/crystal-kisses-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester-2/#comments Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:27:13 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=22195 Writer: Avaes Mohammed & Sabrina Mahfouz Director: Benji Reid Reviewer: Laura Maley The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Crystal Kisses presents the stories of three unconnected young people. It is by turns shocking, challenging, brave and bold, even more so when you consider the stories of sexual exploitation are based on real [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/crystal-kisses-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester-2/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-golden-dragon-%e2%80%93-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-golden-dragon-%e2%80%93-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/#comments Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:06:08 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=22121 Writer: Roland Schimmelpfennig Translator: David Tushingham Director : Ramin Gray Reviewer : Julie Burrow The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ‘The Golden Dragon’, directed by the Actors Touring Company’s Ramin Gray, opens on a set of draped rolls of paper hanging from the back wall, which the performers pull out over the [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-golden-dragon-%e2%80%93-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/sister-act-the-opera-house-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/sister-act-the-opera-house-manchester/#comments Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:56:30 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=22117 Writer: Cheri and Bill Steinkellner Music: Alan Menken Lyrics: Glenn Slater Director: Jerry Zaks Reviewer Ruth Lovett The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Set in 1970’s Philadelphia, Whoopi Goldberg and Stage Entertainment’s production of Sister Act is fabulous baby. Having previously played in London’s West End Sister Act has been revisited and [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/sister-act-the-opera-house-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/emergency-accommodation-%e2%80%93-blankspace-and-international-anthony-burgess-foundation-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/emergency-accommodation-%e2%80%93-blankspace-and-international-anthony-burgess-foundation-manchester/#comments Sun, 02 Oct 2011 21:27:55 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=21927 Reviewer: Laura Maley The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars One day to dip in and out of a series of interactive artistic and theatrical experiences. That’s some challenge! It’s October and the sun is beating down mercilessly in Manchester; it’s an unusual day in more ways than one, but Emergency Accommodation had [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/emergency-accommodation-%e2%80%93-blankspace-and-international-anthony-burgess-foundation-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/thrasher-royal-exchange-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/thrasher-royal-exchange-manchester/#comments Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:02:33 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=21826 Writer: Conor McKee Director: Wyllie Longmore Reviewer: Tracey Lowe The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars Following the success of Burnt, which debuted at the Contact last year, Conor McKee returns to Manchester with his new play, Thrasher. A complete sell-out at the Royal Exchange Studio, hopes are clearly high. Thrasher revolves around [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/thrasher-royal-exchange-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-ten-minutes-with-anja-djordjevic/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-ten-minutes-with-anja-djordjevic/#comments Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:27:50 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=21765 A freelance composer from Belgrade, Anja Djordjevic has collaborated with international musicians including Goran Bregović, both as singer and musical arranger. In 2003 she won the prestigious Stevan Mokranjac Prize for Narcissus & Echo, the first contemporary opera staged by a female composer in Serbia. It is now being transferred to the UK with a new English translation. [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-ten-minutes-with-anja-djordjevic/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/grease-%e2%80%93-palace-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/grease-%e2%80%93-palace-theatre-manchester/#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:15:38 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=21710 Writer: Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey Director: David Gilmore Reviewer: Nathan Shreeve The Public Reviews Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars This production of Grease ought to be advertised on a big brown road sign as you come into Manchester. This is theatre as a attraction, made evident from the hordes of audience members in [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/grease-%e2%80%93-palace-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/look-back-in-anger-%e2%80%93-the-martin-harris-centre-for-music-and-drama/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/look-back-in-anger-%e2%80%93-the-martin-harris-centre-for-music-and-drama/#comments Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:20:22 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=21118 Writer: John Osborne Director: Helen Parry Reviewer: Laura Maley The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Although 55 years old, John Osborne’s stunning play has lost none of its power. It is still capable of shocking audiences, perhaps less because of the drudgery of the realistic domestic setting which was new to contemporary [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/look-back-in-anger-%e2%80%93-the-martin-harris-centre-for-music-and-drama/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/edward-ii-the-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/edward-ii-the-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/#comments Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:29:13 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=20986 Writer: Christopher Marlowe Director: Toby Frow Reviewer: Lucia Cox The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Picking apart the complex plot of a Marlowe play, exploring its relevance to today’s audiences and piecing it back together as a 1950’s themed epic was never going to be an easy task but, for the most, [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/edward-ii-the-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/dolly-parton-better-day-world-tour-%e2%80%93-men-arena-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/dolly-parton-better-day-world-tour-%e2%80%93-men-arena-manchester/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:36:28 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=20917 Reviewer: Matthew Nichols The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars I live near Manchester city centre, and sometimes, when I am stuck in pre/post-gig traffic around the MEN Arena, I like to play a game, where I guess who the live act is based on their audience. When there’s a platoon of kids, [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/dolly-parton-better-day-world-tour-%e2%80%93-men-arena-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-12th-september-2011/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-12th-september-2011/#comments Sun, 11 Sep 2011 23:31:32 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=20908 The disappointing summer is over, the leaves are falling, and the theatre world is gearing up for a whole new season of programming. The last of the flyers have been cleared off the streets of Edinburgh, marking the end of festival fever and the beginning of the autumn season. In line with this autumnal mood, [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-12th-september-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-10-minutes-with-kerry-ellis/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-10-minutes-with-kerry-ellis/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2011 06:09:40 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=20313 Kerry Ellis has had a whirlwind decade since making her West End debut in My Fair Lady. She’s gone from understudying Martine McCutcheon to being the first British Elphaba (in the West End and on Broadway), via a part in the the original cast of We Will Rock You and the creation of a rock-musical sound with Queen’s Brian [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-10-minutes-with-kerry-ellis/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/childs-eye-view-joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat-at-opera-house-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/childs-eye-view-joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat-at-opera-house-manchester/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:09:45 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=19857 Music : Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics: Tim Rice Director: Bill Kenwright Reviewer: Jacquie Jones (aged 10) The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars Joseph has returned to Manchester, this time with Keith Jack – runner up from Any Dream Will Do the search for a new Joseph. He has now been given the [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/childs-eye-view-joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat-at-opera-house-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/death-row-diva-%e2%80%93-the-final-account-of-crimson-skye-lowry-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/death-row-diva-%e2%80%93-the-final-account-of-crimson-skye-lowry-manchester/#comments Sun, 14 Aug 2011 11:15:07 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=19658 Written and Performed by Crimson Skye Reviewed by Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars In an effort to persuade serial killer Crimson Skye to contemplate her crimes a prison psychiatrist suggests that she retain a memento. So she keeps the severed head of her lover, Ed (severed Ed- geddit ?). [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/death-row-diva-%e2%80%93-the-final-account-of-crimson-skye-lowry-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/fame-the-musical-%e2%80%93-the-opera-house-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/fame-the-musical-%e2%80%93-the-opera-house-manchester/#comments Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:57:42 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=19577 Music : Steven Margoshes Book: Jose Fernandez Artistic Director/Choreographer: Geoff Steers Musical Director: Simon Hanson Reviewer: Helen Jones The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Stage Experience have done their annual auditions and once more come up with a company of talented young performers for this year’s production: Fame – The Musical. With [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/fame-the-musical-%e2%80%93-the-opera-house-manchester/feed/ 3 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-1st-august-2011/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-1st-august-2011/#comments Mon, 01 Aug 2011 07:17:41 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18895 With phone-hacking, famine and shootings making the headlines, it can sometimes feel like the world is filled with nothing but doom and gloom. But as grim as things may seem, a night of fun at the theatre can provide a brief respite from the harsh light of reality and act as a reminder of all [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-1st-august-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-telling-lives-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-telling-lives-manchester/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 21:23:40 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18695 Writer: Eric Northey Music: Christopher Cotton Director: Sue Womersley Reviewer: Tracey Lowe The Public Reviews Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars There is a lot of local interest in Telling Lives, as it is based on real events that took place in Prestwich Asylum 100 years ago. The characters are based on real people, and [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-telling-lives-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-flag-%e2%80%93-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-flag-%e2%80%93-manchester/#comments Sun, 24 Jul 2011 20:36:48 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18612 Writer: Brian Marchbank Director: Rebecca Taylor Reviewer: Tracey Lowe The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars At a time when freedom of both expression and the press are under close scrutiny, Flag seems especially poignant. It is like a modern day Pygmalion, only instead of Eliza Doolittle we have Jimmy Earl (played by [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-flag-%e2%80%93-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-peggy-and-the-spaceman-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-peggy-and-the-spaceman-manchester/#comments Sun, 24 Jul 2011 19:56:13 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18607 Writer and Director: Joyce Branagh Reviewers: Richard and Ben Hall The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars A welcome addition to this year’s 24:7 Theatre Festival is the programming of a play especially for children and their families. With PEGGY AND THE SPACEMAN written and directed by Joyce Branagh, 24:7 have chosen the [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-peggy-and-the-spaceman-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-keep-it-simple-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-keep-it-simple-manchester/#comments Sun, 24 Jul 2011 11:00:04 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18583 Writer: Dick Curran Director: Emma Roxburgh Reviewer: Katherine Kirwin The Public Reviews Rating: 2 out of 5 stars As with all new writing and fringe festivals, at the Manchester 24/7 festival there are works in progress as well as diamonds in the rough.  Dick Curran’s latest offering falls into the former category. Keep it Simple [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-keep-it-simple-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-steerage-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-steerage-manchester/#comments Sun, 24 Jul 2011 10:32:43 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18578 Writer: Georgina Perry Director: Sue McGeorge Reviewer: Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars ‘Steerage’ is an atmospheric but fatally confused play that does not live up to its considerable potential. Illegal immigrants Zead (Assad Zaman Choudhury ) and his sister Immy ( Catherine Dowling) stowaway in a container bound for [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-steerage-manchester/feed/ 5 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-true-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-true-manchester/#comments Sun, 24 Jul 2011 10:26:05 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18567 Writer: Emma Rydal Music: Issi Noho Director: David MacCreedy Reviewer: Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ‘True’ written by and starring Emma Rydal is an absolute tearjerker. Told in a series of monologues the play examines the relationship between Charlotte (Rydal) and her mother Sheila (Roberta Kerr). Over a period [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-true-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-the-rainbow-connection-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-the-rainbow-connection-manchester/#comments Sun, 24 Jul 2011 00:09:21 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18557 Writer: Joanne Sherryden Director: Adam Zane Reviewer: Tracey Lowe The Public Reviews Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars The Rainbow Connection centres around the story of Joe, a single gay guy who, for some reason, is hesitant to leave his flat. His life is interupted by Shelly, a straight lady of similar age who lives [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-the-rainbow-connection-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-the-shadow-of-your-hand-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-the-shadow-of-your-hand-manchester/#comments Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:20:43 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18534 Writer: Michael Stewart Director: Sue Jenkins Reviewer: Ruth Lovett The Public Reviews Rating: 3 out of 5 stars This double hander is the story of Steve (Steven Pinder); a successful advertising executive who has a lovely city centre apartment but is painfully lonely. He bumps in to a homeless girl Maria (Rosie Fleeshman) who one [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-the-shadow-of-your-hand-manchester/feed/ 3 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-the-crimson-retribution-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-the-crimson-retribution-manchester/#comments Sat, 23 Jul 2011 09:36:39 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18521 Writer: Steve Pearce Director: Clare Howdon Reviewer: Iain Sykes The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars Have you ever wondered what would happen if you crossed Shameless with Batman? No, me neither. But it’s a thought that obviously occurred to Steve Pearce, writer and producer of The Crimson Retribution and the result, premiering [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-the-crimson-retribution-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-sherica-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-sherica-manchester/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:37:24 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18516 Writer: Ian Winterton Director: Trevor MacFarlane Reviewer: Ruth Lovett The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars What a tangled web we weave when we do at first deceive. Sherica is the story of Katie (Ruth Middleton) who is looking after her stoppy sister Natalie (Nicola Stebbings) and her way of earning money is [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-sherica-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-future-shock-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-future-shock-manchester/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:33:59 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18510 Writer: Richard Stockwell Director: Elisa Amesbury Reviewer: Tracey Lowe The Public Reviews Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Laura (Alice Brockway) is awoken from suspended animation in the year 2879, where she has been waiting to be reunited with her lover. There’s one major problem; she’s not due to be woken up for another hundred [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-future-shock-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-no-place-like-home-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-no-place-like-home-manchester/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:31:32 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18506 Writer: Rebekah Harrison Director: Janys Chambers Reviewer: Tracey Lowe The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars No Place Like Home is based in a women’s refuge, and revolves mainly around the life of Donna, who has escaped an abusive husband along with her son and daughter. The supporting characters are a variety of [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-no-place-like-home-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-i-know-where-the-dead-are-buried-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-i-know-where-the-dead-are-buried-manchester/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:10:23 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18486 Writer: Matthew Dunster Director: Laura Keefe Reviewer: Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Dissatisfaction with his neighbours draws the fastidious Dave (Guy Hargreaves) into the murky world of fringe politics and characters that may offer him redemption or damnation but also expose his own psychological weaknesses. Writer Matthew Dunster delivers [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/247-theatre-festival-i-know-where-the-dead-are-buried-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/bjork-biophilia-%e2%80%93-campfield-market-hall-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/bjork-biophilia-%e2%80%93-campfield-market-hall-manchester/#comments Thu, 14 Jul 2011 01:44:13 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18218 Reviewer: Ian Foster The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Ever the innovator, Björk’s latest project Biophilia has seen her take up a short residency at Campfield Market Hall as part of the Manchester International Festival to play a set of live shows which will be accompanied by educational workshops, documentaries, unprecedented internet [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/bjork-biophilia-%e2%80%93-campfield-market-hall-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/paul-heatons-the-8th-pavilion-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/paul-heatons-the-8th-pavilion-theatre-manchester/#comments Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:11:34 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18077 Music: Paul Heaton, David Rotheray, Jonny Lexus Lyrics: Paul Heaton Writer: Che Walker Director: George Perrin Reviewer: Tracey Lowe The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars The Manchester International Festival seems to be the place for musicians debuting their new theatrical work. Joining the likes of Bjork and Damon Albarn is Paul Heaton, [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/paul-heatons-the-8th-pavilion-theatre-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/that-day-we-sangmanchester-international-festival-the-opera-house-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/that-day-we-sangmanchester-international-festival-the-opera-house-manchester/#comments Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:29:12 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18065 Writer and Director: Victoria Wood Muiscal Director: Nigel Lilley Reviewer: Richard Hall The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars As with the recent award winning TV play about Morecambe and Wise, in which she starred, Victoria Wood’s latest project, That Day We Sang, especially commissioned for this year’s Manchester International Festival, has taken [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/that-day-we-sangmanchester-international-festival-the-opera-house-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/as-you-like-it-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/as-you-like-it-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/#comments Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:06:18 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18020 Writer: William Shakespeare Composer: James Dey Director: Greg Hersov Reviewer Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars The new production of ‘ As You Like It’ at the Royal Exchange takes some time to warm up. Director Greg Hersov takes a minimalist approach using only limited scenery – Ashely Martin –Davis’s [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/as-you-like-it-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-4th-july-2011/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-4th-july-2011/#comments Sun, 03 Jul 2011 22:02:41 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=17996 While Edinburgh is the theatrical jewel in the crown of Britain’s festival season, there are plenty more cultural festivities to look forward to ahead of August. Latitude is just around the corner and this week sees a whole raft of different events across the country competing for the attention of theatregoers. Offering diverse and often [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/what%e2%80%99s-hot-%e2%80%93-4th-july-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/dr-dee-an-english-opera-%e2%80%93-palace-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/dr-dee-an-english-opera-%e2%80%93-palace-theatre-manchester/#comments Sat, 02 Jul 2011 09:35:50 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=17953 Creators: Daman Albarn Compsoer: Daman Albarn Director: Rufus Norris Conductor: Andre de Ridder Reviewer: John Roberts The Public Reviews Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars After the runaway success of Alban’s last opera, Monkey, he has once again been commissioned by the Manchester International Festival in conjunction with the English National Opera and London’s 2012 [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/dr-dee-an-english-opera-%e2%80%93-palace-theatre-manchester/feed/ 2 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/glee-live-the-manchester-evening-news-arena-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/glee-live-the-manchester-evening-news-arena-manchester/#comments Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:41:33 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=17647 Reviewer: Ruth Lovett The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars It has finally happened. The cast of American TV phenomenon Glee have made it on to UK soil with concert Glee Live 2011 following the success of the TVF show about a glee club (school choir) in a small town in the USA. [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/glee-live-the-manchester-evening-news-arena-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/bunny-the-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/bunny-the-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/#comments Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:01:59 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=17594 Writer: Jack Thorne Director: Joe Murphy Reviewer: Ruth Lovett The Public Reviews Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars Set against a moving projected image of the city of Luton, Katie ( A somewhat erratic school girl played by Rosie Wyatt) guides us through what happened one afternoon on her way home from school with her [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/bunny-the-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/high-tease-the-lowry-salford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/high-tease-the-lowry-salford/#comments Sun, 19 Jun 2011 11:04:17 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=17529 Reviewer: Ruth Lovett The Public Reviews Rating: 3 out of 5 stars It’s Friday night in the Quays Theatre at the Lowry and I must say the theatre looks fabulous. Transformed in to a cabaret room with eager and helpful ushers to match, the lucky members of the audience seated in the stalls are invited [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/high-tease-the-lowry-salford/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-infant-the-lowry-salford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-infant-the-lowry-salford/#comments Wed, 15 Jun 2011 23:42:11 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=17457 Writer/Director: Oliver Lansley Reviewer: Poppy Helm The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars Les Enfants Terribles are no strangers to praise from the critics; the flyers advertising their latest tour, The Infant, are plastered with four and five star reviews. It’s a shame then that the word hasn’t spread to the people of [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-infant-the-lowry-salford/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/whats-hot-13th-june-2011/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/whats-hot-13th-june-2011/#comments Mon, 13 Jun 2011 12:10:52 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=17318 While it is always important for theatre-makers to look forward, there is sometimes much to be gained from looking back to theatrical successes of the past. The previous century produced some of our best loved plays, works that have withstood the erosion of the intervening years and continue to be revived again and again up [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/whats-hot-13th-june-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/reykjavik-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/reykjavik-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/#comments Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:06:14 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=17156 Writer: Jonathan Young Reviewer: Jo Beggs The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars A decade ago, Jonathan went to Paris, met a girl, and moved halfway round the world for her. Well, not really halfway, but to a place so different from home that it might as well have been. Finding himself in [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/reykjavik-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/powder-monkey-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/powder-monkey-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/#comments Fri, 03 Jun 2011 09:54:38 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=17013 Writer: Amanda Dalton Director: Matt Peover Reviewer: Ruth Lovett The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Performed in the studio theatre at the Royal Exchange, Powder Monkey looks at how children experience war from three different view points. Aimed at audience members 9 years old and up, this piece truly has something for [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/powder-monkey-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/whats-hot-30th-may-2011/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/whats-hot-30th-may-2011/#comments Sun, 29 May 2011 20:53:46 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=16839 As we enter the May half-term holiday, why not keep the kids entertained at the theatre? There is theatrical fare on offer for teenagers and little ones alike, be it a fresh look at Shakespeare or an adaptation of a much-loved children’s book. It’s not all child’s play either, with many of the shows delivering [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/whats-hot-30th-may-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-newspaper-boy-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-newspaper-boy-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre/#comments Fri, 27 May 2011 10:40:41 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=16709 Playwright: Chris Hoyle Director: Matt Aston Reviewer: Peter Jacobs The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars The Newspaper Boy first appeared as a small-scale but acclaimed production at Manchester’s Deaf Institute in 2009. Author Chris Hoyle has decided to revisit his first play and, in association with Contact, who supported the first production, [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-newspaper-boy-%e2%80%93-contact-theatre/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/a-view-from-the-bridge-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/a-view-from-the-bridge-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 09:55:36 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=16615 Writer: Arthur Miller Director: Sarah Frankcom Reviewer: Rebecca Mickler The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars You must go and see this play. I repeat: You. Must. Go. And. See. This. Play. This is the kind of theatre that could change your life. If you want to be stunned and moved then this [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/a-view-from-the-bridge-royal-exchange-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/evita-%e2%80%93-opera-house-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/evita-%e2%80%93-opera-house-manchester/#comments Tue, 24 May 2011 10:08:20 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=16583 Music: Andrew Lloyd-Webber Book/Lyrics: Tim Rice Director: Bob Thomson & Bill Kenwright Reviewer: Matthew Nichols The Public Reviews Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Now that he’s a mainstay of Saturday night TV talent shows, and become an eccentric old uncle to the nation, it’s sometimes easy to overlook the brilliance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/evita-%e2%80%93-opera-house-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-end-%e2%80%93-greenroom-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-end-%e2%80%93-greenroom-manchester/#comments Fri, 20 May 2011 23:31:15 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=16541 Dramaturgs: Hetain Patel and Mole Wetherell Soundtrack: Chris Cousin Reviewer: Peter Jacobs The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars The End is purportedly Michael Pinchbeck’s last show for the theatre, and Ollie Smith’s first show. The End is also one of the last shows to be performed at Greenroom before it closes its [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-end-%e2%80%93-greenroom-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/dream-on-axm-bloom-street-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/dream-on-axm-bloom-street-manchester/#comments Fri, 20 May 2011 12:18:23 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=16495 Writer & Director: Lloyd Eyre-Morgan Reviewer: Clare Boswell The Public Reviews Rating: 3 out of 5 stars ‘Dream on’ is a coming of age play centred around the blossoming relationship of teenagers Paul (Bradley Cross) and George (Joe Gosling). Paul meets George whilst on a camping holiday in Trecco Bay, Wales in 1986. Instead of [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/dream-on-axm-bloom-street-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/will%e2%80%99s-midsummer-madness-%e2%80%93-lass-o%e2%80%99gowrie-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/will%e2%80%99s-midsummer-madness-%e2%80%93-lass-o%e2%80%99gowrie-manchester/#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 09:20:38 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=16254 Writer: William Shakespeare Director: Elisa Grace, Andy Rogers, Kim Pearce Reviewer: Iain Sykes The Public Reviews Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars The plain, some may even say scruffy, upstairs room of one of Manchester’s best known public houses, starkly lit and chairs laid out for a sell out audience of twenty six. This is [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/will%e2%80%99s-midsummer-madness-%e2%80%93-lass-o%e2%80%99gowrie-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/mamma-mia-%e2%80%93-palace-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/mamma-mia-%e2%80%93-palace-theatre-manchester/#comments Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:57:20 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=15841 Music:/Lyrics: Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus Book: Catherine Johnson Director: Phylidda Lloyd Reviewer: Helen Patrick The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars The mini spring heat wave may have disappeared from across the region, but summer has already arrived at The Palace Theatre with the welcome return of international smash hit and ‘Original’ [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/mamma-mia-%e2%80%93-palace-theatre-manchester/feed/ 6 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/ghost-the-musical-%e2%80%93-opera-house-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/ghost-the-musical-%e2%80%93-opera-house-manchester/#comments Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:39:40 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=15572 Book & Lyrics: Bruce Joel Rubin Music & Lyrics: Dave Stewart & Glen Ballard Director: Matthew Warchus Reviewer: John Roberts The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars In the 90’s we were treated to a heart-wrenching smash hit movie that proved that love could last forever if you only believed. That film has [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/ghost-the-musical-%e2%80%93-opera-house-manchester/feed/ 8 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/peacefully-at-home-%e2%80%93-taurus-bar-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/peacefully-at-home-%e2%80%93-taurus-bar-manchester/#comments Thu, 07 Apr 2011 09:21:31 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=15452 Writer: Nicola Schofield Director: Emma Hatcher Reviewer: Jo Beggs The Public Reviews Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars In a poky little room below Taurus Bar an uncomfortable family drama unfolds, so close to the audience that at times it’s like watching the telly. Every teary eye, every wisp of cigarette smoke, every family photo [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/peacefully-at-home-%e2%80%93-taurus-bar-manchester/feed/ 0