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Pantos on Strike – The Opera House, Manchester

Writer: Paddy McGuinness, Jonathan Wilkes & Eric Potts Director: Jonathan Wilkes Reviewer: Ruth Lovett The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★½☆ 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 his side kick Robbie Williams’ mate Johnny Wilkes [...]

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The Lord of The Dance – Manchester Opera House

Creator: Michael Flatley Composer: Ronan Hardiman Choreography: Marie Duffy Pask Reveiwer: Martyn Gallagher The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★½ 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 ‘Lord of The Dance’ has delighted audiences since [...]

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You Can’t Take It With You – Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

Writer: George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart Director: Paul Hunter Reviewer: Ruth Lovett The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★½ 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 1930’s Broadway classic is all about the family [...]

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Red Riding Hood – The Royal Exchange Studio, Manchester.

Adaptor: Alison Duddle Music: Loz Kaye Director: Alison Duddle Reviewer: Lizzie Kirkwood The Public Reviews Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 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 the problem. The individual elements of the show [...]

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Grotto – The Lass O’Gowrie, Manchester

Director: Jake Murray Writer: Chris Dance Music: Mike Seal Reviewer: Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★☆☆   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 friends who have very different outlooks on life. [...]

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Scrooge – The Lowry, Salford

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: ★★★★☆ When Tommy Steele opened in Scrooge at the London Palladium in 2005 he was about to turn 70. So the fact that he’s still gracing the stage in [...]

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Greg Davies: Firing Cheeseballs at a Dog – The Lowry, Salford

Reviewer: Tracey Lowe The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★★ 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 of the show is Greg Davies, who plays [...]

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The Adventure Principle – Contact Theatre, Manchester

Created by Coney, Contact and CYAC Directors: Dan Canham/Tassos Stevens Reviewer: Jo Beggs The Public Reviews Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 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 a small group of participants are led through [...]

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