Travis Alabanza’s latest show, co-created with its director Debbie Hannan, has nothing to do with the District Line running next-door and or really with Girls Aloud’s debut number that shares its title; this is the underground of the queer clubs and basement alternative venues. Sound of the Underground is both a celebration of their cabaret… Continue reading Sound of the Underground
Month: January 2023
Welcome Home
Willy Hudson’s story is a familiar one for many gay people. In fact, I myself had a similar experience to a lesser degree as a younger man. Coming to terms with your own sexuality against the backdrop of a religious society that disagrees with everything you feel can leave some lasting damage. That feeling of… Continue reading Welcome Home
Star man and Carmen on Tyneside
Tyne Theatre and Opera House hosts An Evening with Richard E Grant May 25. Grant has starred in everything from Doctor Who to Downton Abbey via Game of Thrones, Star Wars and Spice World and was Oscar-nominated for his 2018 role in Can You Ever Forgive Me? Now he tells stories from his life, entwining tales from his time in showbiz with reflections on love and loss,… Continue reading Star man and Carmen on Tyneside
Royle Variety Show
Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre sees Ricky Tomlinson host Ricky’s Royle Variety Show February 5. The afternoon of variety talent—including cabaret performers, comedians and musicians—is presented in collaboration with Asa Murphy Productions. The stage version of Andrea Dunbar’s cult classic Rita, Sue and Bob Too comes to the Epstein February 11–19 while RuPaul’s Drag Race ‘breakout’ stars Ginny Lemon & Sister Sister arrive… Continue reading Royle Variety Show
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage
Summer of 1963, the optimistic year of John F Kennedy as president, Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement, of the Peace Corps, a time of hope. Hope was dashed with Kennedy assassinated in November and King in 1968. And so it goes. But here we have a musical to chase away the blues.… Continue reading Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage
The Good Women
The Good Woman takes us back to 1967 Switzerland where women still don’t have the right to vote in elections and husbands can refuse to allow wives to have a bank account or get a job. Since women are expected to concentrate on their home duties, television broadcasts regular cooking programmes fronted by Bette (Faith McCune),… Continue reading The Good Women
Bodyguard for Blackpool
The Bodyguard will arrive at Winter Gardens Blackpool November 6–11 as part of the UK and Ireland tour. Casting to be announced soon. Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard Frank Farmer is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. The romantic thriller features a host of classics including “Queen of the Night”, “So… Continue reading Bodyguard for Blackpool
Preston’s graduate showcase
Third Year graduate productions at Preston’s Uclan campus are Dying for It by Moira Buffini, February 8–11, and Romeo & Juliet, February 22–25. Buffini’s text is a free adaptation of Nikolai Erdman’s subversive Soviet classic The Suicide, while Shakespeare’s tragedy remains one of the greatest love stories ever told, but here rebooted and reimagined for 2023. St. Peter’s Arts Centre boasts… Continue reading Preston’s graduate showcase
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
The Ocean at the End of the Lane is an adaptation of what anyone would describe as an unstageable book. Packed with fantasy, magic and leaps of imagination, it would challenge any production team, yet the National Theatre Team inventively bring this world to life. National Theatre’s popular production of The Ocean at the End of the… Continue reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
A bit of Gothic drama seems especially fitting on a cold, wintery night and Mark Stratford obligingly delivers with The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde which visits the Brockley Jack Studio Theatre as part of a tour running until mid-year. Stratford’s is a neat adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic 1886 novella… Continue reading The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde