Venue: The Lowry
Date reviewed: 29th August, 2008

“Yarragh!” Practice this phrase in a suitable pirate accent before you see this wickedly funny production. As, from the moment you sit down and the cast is wandering around the auditorium handing out play balls, to the rousing end song, audience involvement with this show is mandatory. (more…)

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With TV talent shows still proving to be as popular as ever, The eXtra Factor could not be better timed. This comedy musical which takes an ironic and hilarious look at reality shows, arrives at the Opera House, Manchester from Thurs 25 - Sat 27 September. We have three pairs of tickets up for grabs, for opening night!

THE SHOW:
The eXtra Factor features 6 extremely talented performers, locked away in a house, with a hunger for fame, fortune and stardom. Kevin Kennedy (Coronation Street) teams up with Antony Costa (Blue, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here), Kelle Bryan (Eternal), Anthony Kavanagh (chart topper & ITV1’s Grease is the Word); Russ Spencer (pop group Scooch & West End’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) Jennifer Biddall (Hollyoaks) and Suzanne Carley (Blood Brothers & Grease).

Apart from the comedy antics in the living quarters, the live-singing action takes place in a TV studio, with the wannabe pop-stars fighting for their 15 minutes of fame; and we see there is no limit to what some people will do to get it.
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Venue: The Lowry
Date reviewed: 28th August, 2008

Cirque Du Soleil is a hugely successful franchise with shows playing all over the world, but if you have seen any of these productions, you may have found your patience tested with their stock Euro-pop soundtracks and the irritating clowns.

Thankfully, Le Grand Cirque has all of the breathtaking elements of the genre and none of the filler, and as the title suggests everything is done on a grand scale.

From the opening scenes, you are dazzled into submission by a variety of human spinning wheels, acrobats and contortionists, all displaying extraordinary talent.

The pre-recorded music gives the show a strong whiff of gorgonzola as it is so old school, reminding you of Siegfried and Roy but this is all part of the fun, alongside the pearly white teeth, perma-grins and over-the-top costumes. Visually, there is so much going on, that you can hardly pause to take note of any flaws. (more…)

The Lowry are celebrating some of the best new and emerging performance companies from the North West and beyond, with a whole season of studio shows this Autumn. Beginning on Thu 11 September when Theatre North return with their new show, Lord Arthur’s Bed, the season ends with Tim Crouch’s England, a unique production that takes place in The Lowry Galleries on Thu 27 - Fri 28 November.

The Lowry has invited a truly diverse selection of innovative and daring theatre companies to perform over two months, as a way of introducing and supporting new writing. South Manchester-based Monkeywood Theatre Company have previously performed at fringe venues in the city and are delighted to bring a new adaptation of their 24:7 Theatre Festival hit, A Song for the Lovers, (pictured) to The Lowry’s studio from Thu 9 – Sat 11 October.

Co-founder and writer Sarah McDonald-Hughes said, “We are thrilled to be performing in such an amazing venue and fantastic theatre space. It is an unbelievable opportunity for us to present our rewritten play to different audiences and we’re really grateful to The Lowry for opening their doors. For smaller-scale theatre companies there are still limited fringe spaces or festivals available in the North West, so this new season is really exciting.” (more…)

Francesca Jackson (pictured) is the latest Nancy finalist from TV’s I’d Do Anything to land a starring stage role. She joins pop singer Chesney Hawkes and another reality TV contestant, Siobhan Dillon from How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, in Barry Manilow’s Can’t Smile Without You. The new compilation musical premieres on 1 September 2008 (previews from 28 August) at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre ahead of a three-month regional tour and planned West End transfer next year.

Prior to I’d Do Anything, Jackson, who plays Lucy, was already a professional actress, with West End credits including Tonight’s the Night and Rent: Remixed (in which she appeared with I’d Do Anything judge Denise Van Outen).

Can’t Smile Without You revolves around an aspiring young band who, on a visit to New York, come across an opportunity not to be missed - auditions for the latest reality TV show to find the next pop sensation. When the TV company offers lead singer Tony (Hawkes) a chance to appear on the show, the other band members give him their blessing. (more…)