Use the noun shrew — at your own risk — to refer to a woman who is argumentative, nagging, and ill tempered. Vocabulary.com Now then, eh? Shakespeare you scallywag with your seemingly misogynistic titles for your plays, you. And your themes of gender hierarchy and ideas that the woman should always be submissive to the man. WhoContinue reading “The Taming of the Shrew – Hope Mill Theatre”
Category Archives: review
The Importance of Being Earnest – Royal Exchange, Manchester
As I sat in a beautiful space, having taken my place ‘in the round’, easing into the latest production to grace the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, I was privy to an unexpected and potentially earth-shattering statement. Reader, it threatened to swipe the metaphorical rug from beneath my very feet as I heard the lineContinue reading “The Importance of Being Earnest – Royal Exchange, Manchester”
Long Story Short – The Kings Arms, Salford
Three weeks since my last trip into theatre land. I’ve been gadding in foreign climes, being all la-di-dah and that. And I’m back. And I’m back at the ultimate cat pub, The Kings Arms. Coming in a close second is the Blind Beggar in the East End, synonymous not only with me going on twoContinue reading “Long Story Short – The Kings Arms, Salford”
Jesus Christ Superstar – at The Lowry
Jesus Christ Superstar indeed. I loved it. Absolutely loved it. Hoping for a more sophisticated, somewhat less basic lead in to a blog post review of my theatrical experience of a production in the Greater Manchester area? I choose childlike exuberance on this occasion. My regular reader will be more than au fait with theContinue reading “Jesus Christ Superstar – at The Lowry”
Frankie goes to Bollywood
Frankie never wanted to be a star, and after a chance encounter with a director, she finds herself transported to the ruthless world of Bollywood. As she climbs the sparkling staircase of stardom, Frankie must confront what she is willing to do for fame and fortune. Can she stay in the Bollywood family and stillContinue reading “Frankie goes to Bollywood”
Tender – HOME MCR
Tis a strange thing. Strange but true. I get a frisson of excitement, a soupçon of a thrill, when I enter a theatre space and the set is sparse. There’s no particular science here but it usually equates to good, honest theatre. A statement as broad and sweeping as they come. But there’s nowhere toContinue reading “Tender – HOME MCR”
Sweat – Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
A sweeping state-of-the-nation play that embraces huge political and economic ideas in a magnificent gritty social drama. Nottage’s stunning writing pits friend against friend as social and racial tensions, once buried by a sense of solidarity, soon rise to the surface in this breathtaking drama. Divide and conquer. If it wasn’t for the accents, IContinue reading “Sweat – Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester”
Silence – HOME Mcr
The 1947 partition of India saw millions uprooted and resulted in unspeakable violence. The partition resulted in the formation of three countries: India, West Pakistan and East Pakistan – now Pakistan and Bangladesh. It would also shape modern Britain. Witnesses to this brutal moment in history live among us, yet the stories of that timeContinue reading “Silence – HOME Mcr”
The Mousetrap at The Lowry
Years, I’ve been in a state of tension. For many reasons, granted. But akin to a reality TV show fan, nervously scrolling through online forums, terrified to uncover some spoiler from the latest episode before they’ve had chance to catch up (I say all that like that’s also not me), I’ve spent years, years, avoidingContinue reading “The Mousetrap at The Lowry”
Bloody Mary: LIVE! – HOME Mcr
One of my favourite names for a mocktail (like I ever have one…) is the Bloody Shame at Con Club, Altrincham – the gag being that it’s a Bloody Mary without alcohol… Deviating for a second, my favourite ever name for a tribute band is R We Them…give it a second. Bloody Mary’s (aka MaryContinue reading “Bloody Mary: LIVE! – HOME Mcr”
Cluedo 2 at The Lowry
The boardgame Cluedo had a special place in my family’s hearts growing up. Once I’d got everything I could from Rings on your Fingers, Matching Pairs and Ludo, it was time to graduate to the heady heights of Monopoly and Cluedo. And given my maiden name is Peacock, we of course found it oh soContinue reading “Cluedo 2 at The Lowry”
A Taste of Honey – Royal Exchange Theatre
I’m sat writing this looking out on Salford Docks. Well strictly speaking Salford Quays. Well strictly speaking, one of the Basins, with all its accoutrements; bridge(s), birds, runners, dog-walkers, lanyard bedecked workers, high-rises… But not the high-rises that one would have come to expect from Salford. A whole different shinier, floor-to-ceiling windowier animal. And yetContinue reading “A Taste of Honey – Royal Exchange Theatre”
Frankenstein at The Lowry
An Imitating the Dog and Leeds Playhouse co-production, directed by Andrew Quick, Pete Brooks and Simon Wainwright, and performed by Georgia-Mae Myers and Nedum Okonyia. A storm gathers outside. In an ordinary home, the lights flicker, a radio crackles, and an extraordinary tale begins. As a couple confront their own fears about impending parenthood, theContinue reading “Frankenstein at The Lowry”
Work It Out – HOME Mcr
What are you watching at the moment, any recommendations? Television has always been the mainstay of what was known as the ‘watercooler moment’. With the amount of content at our literal fingertips, there’s more to discuss than ever before. It’s the ultimate topic to fill a silence, share a bond and a viewing tip orContinue reading “Work It Out – HOME Mcr”
Shed: Exploded View – The Royal Exchange
I’m often drawn to starting my blog with a pithy or whimsical anecdote. Not so, this time. I feel inclined to do away with the preamble, the “how does this relate to me”s, the “int Manchester/theatre/art/food/drink (delete as appropriate) great”s of it all. Three couples. Thirty years. Mothers and daughters. Lovers, partners, husbands and wives.Continue reading “Shed: Exploded View – The Royal Exchange”
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