Sinatra
March 27, 2008
Sinatra
Venue: Sunderland Empire
Date Reviewed: 27th March 2008
On the face of it this show cannot work as it is really over two hours of watching a video of a singer who has been dead for several years. But the production values are so high that Sinatra is one of the must see touring shows of the year.
The great man himself is seen singing and talking about his life, from his humble beginnings, when his mother nearly died giving birth to him and his grandmother saved his life, through to the Kennedy assassination and beyond. But he is ably assisted by a group of first class dancers and a magnificent live band that take centre stage.
Images appear on screens of all shapes and sizes that cross the stage, or descend from the fly-tower. The singer is even brilliantly projected on to the dancers’ umbrellas and large white balloons. At one point as Frank sings on one screen, four white drapes cascade, one by one, across the stage, showing images of Ava Gardener. Read more
Equus
March 25, 2008
Equus
Venue: Theatre Royal
Date Reviewed: 24th March
Equus by Peter Shaffer received a well publicised revival last year when Harry Potter stars Richard Griffiths, and the young wizard himself, Daniel Radcliffe played the leads.
Playing Alan Strang meant that Radcliffe had to spend the last ten minutes of the play naked, which again caused much publicity. This year the same two leads set off for a Broadway production while a national tour of Equus is launched.
On tour we have Simon Callow (last seen at the Theatre Royal in Present Laughter) as Dysart and Alfie Allen(Atonement and The Other Boleyn Girl) as Strang.
Shaffer (Amadeus, Royal Hunt of the Sun and Lettice and Loveage) had heard of a terrible act that had happened at stables purely by chance. It was so terrible that the local magistrate had been deeply shocked and there could be no reasonable justification for the crime. Shaffer was never able to verify the details, but it had made such an impression on him that the idea for Equus was born. Read more
Chitty Car is an eggcellent draw this Easter
March 23, 2008
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang made an early visit to Sunderland over Easter.
Although the hit musical does not arrive back at the Sunderland Empire for a few weeks yet the car made a stop at the Bridges Shopping Centre over the holiday period.
The car is the original from the hit film and caused quite a stir with shoppers of all ages stopping to have a look at the iconic vehicle.
The Sunderland Empire provided facilities to book tickets for the show while children could colour-in and make windmills (the Potts family in the musical live in a windmill). Facepainting by local company Fun for Faces also proved to be a popular attraction at the exhibition area.
WOS Northeast get access to Qdos MD
March 19, 2008
We are delighted that Michael Harrison, Managing Director of Qdos Pantomimes has agreed to give us a monthly interview on the progress of the pantomime Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates, which opens at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, in December.
Micheal will once again be writing and directing the panto, with Clive Webb and Danny Adams starring (other casting to be announced).
This will be the forth show they have worked together on at the venue, each breaking the previous years box office record.
Cinderella, with Jill Halfpenny, Clive and Danny started the run, the following year they returned with Jack and the Beanstalk. The 07/08 smash hit Aladdin followed this time with Faye Tozer as the female. Read more
Ice Queen visits Newcastle
March 19, 2008
Next month ITVs hit show arrives at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle from April 11th.
As we have already reported Dancing on Ice will play the Arean for a limited engagement. There will be a host of stars at each perfromance including Gareth Gates, Bonnie Langford and this years winner Suzanne Shaw.
The format is very similar to the TV show with a winning celebrity picked every night.
Some celebrities do not skate on certain days due to other commitments so please check with the box office if you want to confirm your favourite will be appearing.
We will be reviewing the show on April 11th.
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