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Get a Taste of the West End in the North West

Tourists arrive into London and often head to Buckingham Palace, the West End, Hyde Park and a variety of museums. You can see why, as London is a vibrant and interesting city to visit. Recently, I was in Salford Quays and I heard a variety of American accents, as groups of tourists were headed for a tour of the BBC and then to a performance of Hairspray at the Lowry.

It dawned on me five - 5* reviews later - that we have got West End magic here in the North West on a weekly basis. The aforementioned Hairspray opened its tour here recently, Priscilla was showing at the same time, as was The Lion King. Wicked is on the way, One Man Two Guvnors opened its latest tour in Blackpool and The Ladykillers and Soul Sister are both coming soon.

It's not just these big hitters though, packing people in. To Kill a Mockingbird is currently a huge hit at the Royal Exchange with people queuing up for the popular banquette seats and many matinees are sold out, Mother Courage and Her Children has got people raving about Brecht by the Library Theatre and in Bolton, audiences are discovering and applauding the tale of a little known footballer - name of Tull.

Five different Whatsonstage Northwest reviewers awarded 5* reviews to five different productions. So, at the moment - I'm arguing - who needs the West End? With Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Sheila Hancock, The Book of Mormon all drawing crowds, I can see the appeal. I'm going myself a few times within the nest few months.

But right now, let's get back to celebrating theatre in the regions. Because, some of the finest productions are gracing local stages, right on your doorstep. So, if you haven't been for a while - nip to your local theatre as you will be surprised at the quality.

Bravo!

- by Glenn Meads

Any opinions expressed above do not represent the view of Whatsonstage.com nor any of its staff or contributors beyond the bylined author.

Glenn has covered the Manchester theatre scene for Whatsonstage.com since 2001. Since then he has edited whatsonstage.com/manchester and he currently edits the North West site, as well as providing news, reviews, features and competitions.

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Other Posts By Glenn Meads
	Glenn Meads: Oliviers 2013 Blog - View from the armchair - 29th Apr 2013 blog
	Delicate & Perfect - Octagon's Glass Menagerie - 7th Apr 2013 blog
	The Timeless Tennessee Williams - 27th Mar 2013 blog
	Has the Jukebox musical found its niche with Soul Sister? - 3rd Mar 2013 blog
	Why I Cannot Wait for Book of Mormon - 26th Feb 2013 blog
	Does Smash Need to Change? - 31st Jan 2013 blog
	Bring on the Broadway Performers: Welcome Kristin Chenoweth - 27th Jan 2013 blog
	Why Sheffield's My Fair Lady Should transfer to the West End - 22nd Jan 2013 blog
	Les Miserables - Is the film any good? - 10th Jan 2013 blog
	My Year of Theatre - 4th Jan 2013 blog
	More...
Internal Links
	Wicked Set to make many green with envy of Manchester - 26th Mar 2013 Blog
	Graham Linehan's Ladykillers Tours to Lowry, 25 March - 22nd Feb 2013 News
	One Man, Two Guvnors (Tour - Salford) - 9th Jan 2013 Reviews
	Soul Sister Tours to Salford, 3 June - 26th Feb 2013 News
	Phantom of the Opera (Tour - Liverpool) - 27th Feb 2013 Reviews
	Mother Courage and Her Children (Salford) - 27th Feb 2013 Reviews
	Tull (Bolton) - 24th Feb 2013 Reviews
	To Kill a Mockingbird (Manchester) - 26th Feb 2013 Reviews
	Brief Encounter with ... Hairspray's Mark Benton - 13th Feb 2013 Interviews
	Hairspray (Tour - Salford) - 14th Feb 2013 Reviews