For opera audiences, Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro is a much loved classic, perhaps equivalent to a good version of Shakespeare's Hamlet to the regular theatre-goer. It is an opera that is well known and cherished by many. But, as a recent opera convert, I had never watched it before Opera North brought it to... Continue Reading →
Danny and the Deep Blue Sea – King’s Arms, Salford
It's not very often that a piece of theatre has had such an impact on me that I end up watching it three times*. Danny and the Deep Blue Sea is one of these. It was one of the best shows I watched in 2019. Its characters moved me so much that they became seared into... Continue Reading →
Skank – King’s Arms, Salford
Meet Kate. She’s a skank. Stuck in a job she hates, Kate dreams of being a writer. Anything to get away from her irritating co-workers; Anal Annie, Linda (who has the world’s most awful laugh), and her woefully dull manager, Chris. As relief from her mind-numbingly boring job, she investigates which of her colleagues have... Continue Reading →
Six – Lowry Theatre
"Divorced, Beheaded, Died. Divorced, Beheaded, Survived." Everybody is taught the rhyme in school. The fate of Henry VIII's wives is drilled into us at a young age. "Remember us from your GCSEs?". History teaches us about the tyrant king's six notorious marriages. We all know how they ended, but how much do we actually know... Continue Reading →
What’s On in Manchester – January 2020
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2020! Despite the world seeming stuck in a perpetual purgatory of Brexit, Donald Trump and global warming, there is still cause to celebrate. Manchester's theatre scene continues to thrive. Whether you go regularly, or have made a resolution to see more theatre, there is always plenty to watch. Here are... Continue Reading →
Top 10 Theatre Shows in 2019
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 →
Emergence 2020 (Preview) – New Adelphi Theatre, Salford
Emergence is the postgraduate dance company formed in collaboration between Joss Arnott Dance and the University of Salford. It is a professionally focused course aimed at students studying MA Dance Performance and Professional Practices at the university. Each year, a new group of dancers work with Artistic Director, Joss Arnott, to co-produce an exciting programme... Continue Reading →
Opera North: La Bohème – Lowry Theatre
Puccini's La Bohème is one of the most popular operas performed. For someone who is unfamiliar with opera, it is easily accessible and the story is understandable. Its tragic tale of star-crossed lovers is one that has captivated audiences for over a century. As winter hits Paris, Rodolfo falls in love with Mimì, who is... Continue Reading →
Playland – The Empty Space, Footlights Theatre
Over the past few years, Elysium Theatre Company have become a force to be reckoned with. They are on the forefront of making high quality theatre for northern audiences. Having previously staged critically acclaimed productions of Jesus Hopped on the 'A' Train and Miss Julie, Elysium have built a reputation for producing complex plays that... Continue Reading →
Trollope – King’s Arms, Salford
If you could travel back in time, who would you meet? Rosa Parks, Oscar Wilde, Nikola Tesla, Shakespeare, Che Guevara, and Aphra Behn would definitely be on my list. Ronnie Leek's original comedy sees its hero meet H.G Wells and discover a time-travelling wheelchair. Born a fully grown man, Percy Trollope propels himself into the... Continue Reading →