Date Reviewed: 29th October, 2008
Venue: Oldham Coliseum

Struggling playwrights must really hate Charlotte Jones. Jones is a former actress and her new career landed in her lap virtually overnight. Talent will out but judging from her first stage play - the glutinously sentimental Martha, Josie & the Chinese Elvis - this early success was unwarranted: look up the word ‘twee’ in the Oxford English Dictionary, and you’ll find a cast photo. Jones also collaborated with Lord Webber on mediocre musical The Woman in White. In a more enlightened society, such activities would guarantee her a seat on the village ducking stool. (more…)

This competition is now closed.

The winners are: Mike Lloyd, Anne Wylie, Juliet Dean, John Forde, and Hayley Batha.

A truly great classic musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel broke the mould with its gritty, courageous and emotional look at relationships.

This new production features Soprano, Lesley Garrett and we have five pairs of tickets to give away

THE SHOW:
Before it heads off to the West End, the brilliant Carousel arrives at the Opera House from Mon 10- Sat 15th November.

The story of the love affair between Billy Bigelow, a smooth-talking carousel barker, and Julie Jordan, a naive young mill worker, is set to one of the most ravishing and celebrated scores of all time including The Carousel Waltz, If I Loved You, June is Bustin’ Out All Over and You’ll Never Walk Alone. (more…)

Date Reviewed: 29th October, 2008
Venue: The Library Theatre

At a time of downturns and endless mentions of the Credit Crunch, Stanley Houghton’s hundred-year old play, Independent Means, feels surprisingly relevant.

Throw into the mix a storyline concerning the suffragettes, some romance, and a light sprinkling of comedy, and it is yet another enjoyable production from the Library Theatre Company. (more…)

Date Reviewed: 29th October, 2008
Venue: The Lowry

When I first saw Slava’s Snowshow two years ago I enjoyed it, but I found some sections irritating and overlong. On second viewing, with pockets full of snow and a big smile on my face, I have completely succumbed to the delightful clown and his friends.

Unlike many family productions, this one is far from patronising. It is quirky, touching and at times scary for little ones. But it allows you and your children to think for yourselves. Slava Polunin conveys the poetry and insanity of the clown act, instead of relying on slapstick only.

The clowns here are almost alien; moving slowly but surely across the stage; looking as nervous as you are. Gone are the water filled flower-badges and the buckets of water, you remember from childhood. In their place, are cautious characters, keen to be liked, but with darker traits than you expect. (more…)

Following last year’s A Christmas Carol, The Octagon are returning to the work of Roald Dahl with their new adaptation of Danny the Champion of the World. Transformed from best-selling book to entrancing stage show, this production uses all the theatrical tricks of the trade to magical effect. Designer Helen Goddard, the winner of the Linbury Prize award 2007, has created an enchanting set on which the story unfolds.

The Octagon’s artistic director, Mark Babych, comments: “I’m really excited about directing this year’s festive production. It’s a story told with great love and good humour and is the perfect antidote to dark winter nights. Guaranteed to warm the cockles of the heart, Roald Dahl’s tale will delight girls and boys of any age.”

A great favourite with children and adults alike; can one nine-year old child win the day and triumph against the odds?

(more…)