Christmas Cheer At York Theatre With Aladdin

Ooh, it’s that time of the year again—oh yes it is! York serves as the setting for this year's Theatre Royal production of Aladdin, a wonderful mashup of locations and cultures (some exotic, some not so exotic!) and a fabulous, fresh, and fizzing cast bursting to share their Christmas cheer with us all—a great start to the Christmas countdown.

Mr Snow A Brrr-Iliant Frostastic Show For Young And Old Alike

Would you believe that native Inuits (Eskimos) have over 40 words to describe snow. Mr Snow is a snowologist who can tell different snow types by smell, look and taste.

Blackpool's Aladdin One Of The Best Pantomimes Of The Season

If you are looking for a spectacular but highly traditional pantomime that dispenses pure magic, then Aladdin in The Globe at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort is for you. Once again, Stageworks World Wide Productions has created what must be one of the most spectacular pantomimes in the country.

Sleeping Beauty Announced For York Theatre Royal’s 2025-26 Festive Season

As Aladdin opens tonight, York Theatre Royal has announced that their fun-filled Christmas pantomime for 2025/26 will be Sleeping Beauty. An enchanting tale of adventure, fun and spellbinding magic for the whole family, tickets go on sale today.

Call-Out For Volunteers To Take Part In York Theatre Royal’s Summer Production His Last Report

What we have here are human stories - unforgettable stories of peoples’ lives… Summer 2025 will see the world premiere of a brand-new play His Last Report, which focuses on the life and legacy of one of York’s most influential figures: Seebohm Rowntree.

Tommy Carmichael In Conversation

Doncaster's Tommy Carmichael who trained at Bath School of Music and Performing Arts and who has a host of theatre credits is appearing in Aladdin at York Theatre Royal. Who do you play in Aladdin and how do they fit into the story? I play the role of Charlie, Aladdin’s younger brother, who’s always there to give his support with many laughs along the way.

Pantomime: Beauty And The Beast At Harrogate

They promised it would be “packed with sparkle and festive fun” and Harrogate’s Beauty and Beast did not disappoint. We were accompanied by over 100 very excited schoolchildren from Brackenfield for one of the first performances of the season. To say it was loud would be an understatement! There was booing and hissing and laughing and joking.

The Rocky Horror Show

Written by Richard O’Brien way back in 1973, encompassing gender norms and subjects that were then ‘off limits’, you may be forgiven for thinking that The Rocky Horror Show would be past its sell by date but judging by the packed theatre this evening, you would be wrong.

Remembering Leeds Playhouse

If you take a walk up Calverley Street, which starts between Leeds Town Hall and the Central Library, you will eventually come to a large white-painted building. Now signed as a ‘Conference Auditorium’, if you step inside you will discover a plaque which states: “Leeds Playhouse. This foundation stone was laid on 25 September 1969 by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Alderman A.R. Bretherick”.

CBBC And CBeebies Presenter Evie Pickerill In Conversation

CBBC and CBeebies presenter Evie Pickerill loves her job – and that can be a bit of a problem when people ask about her ambitions. Being a children’s television presenter was her bucket list job so where does she go from there? She would like to ‘have a go’ at radio and she loves music but she’s very happy where she is.

Ivo Graham In York

We are not seasoned comedy enthusiasts so we were intrigued to see this show at York Theatre Royal; could one man keep a near-capacity audience entertained for a whole evening (with a little 15 minutes of help from his old schoolmate Alex Kealy)? The answer is….we are undecided.

York Theatre To Host Production Of Alice In Wonderland By Successful Local Company

From 28th to the 30th November, Theatre@41 in York city centre will host a brand-new production of Alice in Wonderland, performed by local repertory company Pop Yer Clogs Theatre, who are returning to Theatre@41 after their successful production of The Importance of Being Earnest, earlier this year.

Ed Byrne: Tragedy Plus Time

Is there no end to the man’s talents?

Here And Now, Steps On Tour

Happiness is only a heartbeat away... So goes the opening line to attract the masses to the brand new Steps-inspired musical, Here and Now. Having just opened at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, the Shaun Kitchener-penned comedy musical takes audience members on a journey through the epic back catalogue of 90s pop boppers Steps.

The Little Mermaid Makes Newcastle Panto Splash

The Little Mermaid - a spectacular under-the-sea, panto adventure - is set to make waves at Newcastle Theatre Royal for a seven week run commencing Tuesday, November 26, 2024. Newcastle comedian Danny Adams and fellow comedian Clive Webb from Sunderland will return to the iconic venue - one of only nine Grade 1 listed theatres in the country - for their 19th season.

The Book Of Mormon Not For The Easily Offended?

I came to see this show in having been told to expect to be shocked and offended, but who could be offended by the ten clean cut American boys who opened the show ringing all our bells and proceeded to try to sell us into their religion of Mormonism in a slickly choreographed musical number. They set the seal for the show as they are paired off to spread the word worldwide.

How To Be Brave: Compelling

Writer Louise Beech’s debut novel was How To Be Brave, published in 2015, a heartfelt tribute to her grandfather Colin Armitage, telling his sea survival story during WW2, while at the same time weaving in another storyline where Natalie and her nine-year-old daughter Rose struggle to come to terms with a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis that changed both their lives forever.  The book was a G…

Colin Hoult On His First Ever Stand Up Show As Himself

The highly critically acclaimed comedian and actor Colin Hoult will be taking his brand new stand up show Colin on tour this autumn, and is coming to the North.

Shirley Valentine Starring Mina Anwar Comes To The Dukes, Lancaster

Mina Anwar reprises title role in Willy Russell’s iconic one-woman show

Picasso At The Lapin Agile

Oh what a delightful sight greeted us all as we took our seats. Richard Hampton's cozy set,  transported us to the Lapin Agile, Paris 1904, Montmartre's iconic cabaret bar.  The atmosphere was wonderfully relaxed as Freddy (Darren Barrott), Germaine (Kate Leckey), and Gaston (Glyn Morrow) all exchanged good-natured banter.

A Stunning And Enticing Hairspray

The UK Tour of the musicalHairspray bounced into York this week; the first night was filled with an air of excitement and anticipation as the audience of all ages made their way to their seats in the beautiful Grand Opera House auditorium.  Stunning, technicolour lights (designed by Philip Gladwell) revolved enticingly around as Musical Director Richard Atkinson struck up the brilliant b…

Chicago A Warming Night Of Razzle Dazzle On A Cold Autumn Night

The stark black stage surrounded by an orange proscenium arch met us as we entered the theatre, with the band on-stage and part of the action I was immediately transported to 1920s America and a smoky jazz club. From the opening number All That Jazz with wonderful Bob Fosse style dancing I knew I was in for an unforgettable evening.

Acclaimed Liverpool Theatre Show Sealskin Announces UK Tour

Following it's smash premiere in The Everyman, Liverpool at last year's Physical Fest, Tmesis Theatre are very proud to announce the first UK Tour of Sealskin - their enchanting, emotive interpretation of an ancient Celtic tale, told through their trademark blend of physical theatre, puppetry, sumptuous design and an original live score. Sealskin is an old selkie tale of the sea.

Lancaster’s Biggest Horror Festival, Dark Dukes Returns This October

From the depths of darkness emerges an unforgettable week of films and events focused around all things horror. From the 23rd - 31st October, this unmissable event promises to captivate audiences with a diverse selection of horror films, live events, talks, crafts, and more.

Fright Night At Lawrence Batley Theatre

As part of its thirtieth birthday celebrations, Lawrence Batley Theatre is offering a spine-chilling night at theatre - for all those brave enough to last! The only professional theatre in Kirklees, Lawrence Batley Theatre is the creative heart of Huddersfield. A 200-year-old building that was once a church, at the time of building in 1819 it was the largest Methodist chapel in the world.

Now That’s What I Call Irony!

Anyone with the temerity to call their theatre show, Now That’s What I Call A Musical, has an excess of confidence or a highly inflated ego but, then again, the production in question was directed and choreographed by no other than ‘Strictly’s’ Craig Revel Horwood. Nuff said!

Artistic Director & CEO James Brining To Leave Leeds Playhouse In April 2025

After 12 highly successful years as Artistic Director, James Brining is leaving Leeds Playhouse in April 2025 to become Artistic Director and Joint CEO of The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh. Leeds Playhouse Executive Director Shawab Iqbal has been appointed Joint CEO, co-leading the theatre through its next chapter.

Why Rebus Won’t Die

Ian Rankin is talking about killing someone. Not surprising perhaps as his business is crime in general and murder in particular. What does come as a shock is the identity of the person he’d like to bump off – his bestselling creation detective John Rebus. With a new Rebus play, TV series and book in the works the Scottish detective, John Rebus is very much alive and kicking.

Freida And The Art Of Burlesque

She was a sociology and politics student whose career choice might have been very different had it not been for the chance sighting of a poster advertising a burlesque show. It was the day before her 20th birthday when the woman now known in the burlesque world as internationally-acclaimed performer Freida Nipples – and who chooses not to reveal her real name - spied the poster.

Intelligent, Witty And Very Funny: Dizzy

Qamar is desperate for answers following her brother’s death, and whilst visiting the place where he died to pay her respects and leave some flowers, she meets Stax, an infamous graffiti artist who also wished to pay his respects, but in his own way, ie with a spray can of paint. Qamar is initially unaware that Stax was her brother’s mentor and friend. Stax and Qamar are complete opposites.