Theatre through the eyes of a Manc
I didn't want to end the year without shining a spotlight on the theatre companies that I discovered in 2019 who have really excited me. They have all produced outstanding, innovative work, which has pushed boundaries and showcased incredible talent. It has been a pleasure to discover these theatre companies, so I wanted to write... Continue Reading →
2019 has been quite an eventful year for theatre in Manchester. It has been a year of new beginnings, with Sarah Frankcom stepping down as the Artistic Director of the Royal Exchange, paving the way for Roy Alexander Weise and Bryony Shanahan to put their own stamp on the theatre. This year also saw 53two... Continue Reading →
This is Manchester. We do things differently here. The Mancunian spirit is almost as famous as its two football teams (come on you reds!), and the indie music that was born here. But what does it mean to be Mancunian? Monkeywood Theatre respond to this by creating fourteen bite-sized, micro plays that are penned by... Continue Reading →
Earlier this year, 1927 Productions thrilled HOME's audiences with The Animals and Children Took to the Streets, which is one of the best shows I have seen this year. Their unique way of storytelling inventively combines traditional theatre with animations and live music. In Roots, 1927 use these techniques to tell a series of folk-tales... Continue Reading →
*Puts on best Noddy Holder voice*... IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!! I wish it could be Christmas every day because December really is the most wonderful time of year. Although the weather outside is frightful, there is nothing better than sitting in the warmth watching some wonderfully festive theatre. Manchester never fails to deliver theatrical Christmas crackers and... Continue Reading →
In 2015, Bryony Kimmings' life burnt to the ground when she experienced a post natal breakdown after giving birth to her son, Frank. At only four months old, he was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy, causing clusters of infantile seizures. As Frank's health deteriorated, Kimmings was at her lowest point. She lost her... Continue Reading →
John Webster's The Duchess of Malfi is a highly underrated play that is rarely performed today. This Jacobean play is not an easy one to stage. It is horrifically, brutally violent, and incredibly uncomfortable to watch. As Shakespeare's contemporary, Webster's language can seem complex and quite outdated (there is a strange metaphor about tennis balls).... Continue Reading →
In the words of house Stark, "Winter is coming". The dark evenings are closing in, and it's time to dig out the winter woolies again. The annual Christmas market stalls are springing up around Manchester and the mood is turning festive. What better way to escape the cold winter weather than watching some theatre? With... Continue Reading →
We have all been there: sat in the theatre enjoying a play and someone decides to get their phone out to check social media, take a picture, or record the performance. The bright glare of the screen lights up like a Christmas tree and causes a distraction, not only to those sat behind them, but... Continue Reading →
With Brexit stagnating British politics, all our politicians seem to care about is delivering "the will of the people", based on the results from a divisive advisory referendum result in 2016. We hear repeated sound bites that 17 million people voted for Brexit. However, what you don't hear mentioned is that 14 million people currently... Continue Reading →
