Venue: Opera House, Manchester
Date Reviewed: 12th December 2007

The pantomime season is underway again and many big venues cast television stars, in order to sell tickets. You can see why, as on its opening night, Cinderella was packed with families, keen to see some old fashioned fun. This one stars Johnny Briggs and Tina O’Brien, both evacuees from the cobbles on Coronation Street in this lively and funny take on Cinders and The Ugly Sisters.

O’Brien does really well as the put upon heroine, looking beautiful and managing to a hold tune also. Briggs is also game as her father, with most of his gags linked to his alter ego; the deceased Mike Baldwin. Likewise, Bernie Nolan plays the Fairy Godmother with real grace and her excellent vocal delivery leave you longing to see her on stage again. (more…)

Two highly acclaimed plays, recently seen on the Manchester stage are currently slugging it out in the Whatsonstage Theatregoer’s Choice Awards. The Royal Exchange production of Henry V and The Lyric Theatre Hammersmith production – Angels In America (which played at the Lowry) have both been nominated for best regional production.

Henry V opened to positive reviews in September and has since garnered Elliot Cowan an M.E.N Theatre award for best actor. The Shakespeare classic was directed by Jonathan Mumby and drew plaudits for Mike Britton’s metallic set, as well as the parallels within the narrative to the current situation in Iraq. The Royal Exchange has a great reputation when it comes the Bard, staging many successful productions including Romeo and Juliet and The Tempest. (more…)

The votes are in and the trophies have been awarded, following the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards ceremony at the Midland Hotel in Manchester today.

Special guests, including John Henshall and comedian David Spikey added to the local flavour of the event, which has been running for 26 years now. Always a highlight of the theatrical calendar, this event celebrates the best in Manchester theatre.

It also puts this city on the map, as the sheer variety on offer in any one month is highlighted within the nominations. Did your favourites win? With many of the categories hotly contested, it was close. Have a look at the runners and riders in our previous news story. (more…)

Venue: Library Theatre
Date Reviewed: 5th December 2007

In 2002 this critically acclaimed in- house production thrilled both audiences and critics, alike. It is now back by popular demand to entertain theatregoers in search of something dark and original this Christmas.

The problem is, second time around, any sense of mystery is all but gone. It is not a complete failure though, as there is still some magic left in this old tale, given a twisted makeover by acclaimed adaptor, David Wood. (more…)