Theatre and performance in Greater Manchester & other places.
30 July 2019. Twenty Twenty Two, Manchester. “The home you were raised in is being concreted over, any parting words?” is the 13-word provocation that shaped the 8 mini-plays that make-up Bypass - a showcase for new writing from Manchester-based Hung Theatre. They have form with this format having previously delivered 6 new pieces under [...]
29 July 2019. Royal Exchange, Manchester. Sub-titled Scenes From The Luddite Rebellion, Lauren Mooney and James Yeatman's new production provides exactly that – a rousing collection of voices, sounds and stories from a time of great turmoil. Drawing on archive material, including letters, court reports and newspaper articles, Mooney and Yeatman trace the increasing radicalism [...]
5 & 27 June 2019. Royal Exchange, Manchester. Cobblers? Not this production of Hobson's Choice! The Boot Shop of Harold Brighouse's classic comedy is now a tailor's in Tanika Gupta's zippy new adaptation, and the original play's Salford-based family business has crossed the Irwell to become embedded within the hustle and bustle of 1980s Manchester. [...]
7 June 2019. Bolton Octagon, at Bolton Albert Halls. "Ladies with an attitude Fellows that were in the mood Don't just stand there, let's get to it Strike a pose, there's nothing to it". Anyone heading to Bolton for a bit of Bunburying is in for a surprise. In a prelude to the main action, [...]
31 May 2019. The Ambassador, Bradford. That Andrea Dunbar's life and work continue to fascinate is unsurprising. Even today, theatres aren't exactly awash with the words of working-class women writers, and the lives and places that Dunbar chronicled remain a rare sight on stage. In Adelle Stripe's excellent fictionalized account of her life, Dunbar refers [...]
1 June 2019. Oldham Coliseum. Kate and Adam were in a relationship. Now they're not. She's having a baby, and he's the father. Adam wants to be a parent to his son, but Kate just needs to move on with her life. She's refusing to allow him access to their child. Seeking contact with his [...]
16 May 2019. The Lowry, Salford. As the tram winds it way from town to Salford Quays, the view from the window is a rapidly evolving blur of construction sites and new buildings. As well as the seemingly never-ending apartment blocks, glass fronted office complexes and trendy business parks loom large. What goes on inside [...]
18 April 2019. Oldham Coliseum. Two comfortable armchairs in front of the fire. Shelves housing collections of plates, books and china. Prize-winning rosettes proudly pinned to the wall. Family photographs jostling for space on the mantlepiece. A lifetime of memories all out on display. This is Edie and Arthur's home, and it's quickly established that [...]
18 April 2019. Royal Exchange, Manchester. "You are invited to attend a Surprise Leaving Party for Amy Waters (Postwoman Extraordinaire) at Albion Close Community Centre". 'Guests' find themselves seated at big round tables. There's plenty of bunting and balloons, and the organisers make sure you've got your silly pointy hat on and party poppers at [...]
11 April 2019. Royal Exchange, Manchester. Sarah Frankcom's revival of Jerome Robbins' popular musical has undoubtedly captured the attention of Manchester audiences, with the show's entire run selling out before opening night. However, the production has also secured a unique place in the West Side Story 'hall of fame' by being the first major professional [...]
Circles & Stalls 