Critically-Acclaimed “Disability Taskmaster” For Kids Comes To Sheffield

The critically-acclaimed kids game show Blue Badge Bunch is coming to Theatre Deli Sheffield on Saturday 7th October as part of its 2023 UK tour, fresh off the back of a hit Edinburgh Fringe run at The Pleasance.

And Then There Were None

Pick Me Up Theatre’s current production of And Then There Were None, is based on the world’s best –selling mystery novel by 'Queen Of Crime' Agatha Christie.

50 Years Old But Rocky Horror Still Going Down A Storm

I find it difficult to believe that The Rocky Horror Show is 50 years old, where did the time go? Things have changed over those years, but one thing hasn’t, the audience reaction, we were laughing from the first scene and all on our feet dancing by the fourth song with very little encouragement, and it just continued from there.

ADHD – The Musical: Can I Have Your Attention Please

It is difficult enough when confronted with a stage show that has a worthy cause as one of its themes, far more recondite when a cause is the raison d'être of the whole production. It is stating the obvious that, under these conditions, the action has designs on the audience and its opinions that are clearly didactic.

Beware The Bewitching Hour! 2:22 – A Ghost Story

Staying up late might not have the same appeal after a performance of 2:22 – A Ghost Story, an acclaimed West End thriller now passing through the UK. The countdown is underway as time hurtles relentlessly to the bewitching hour in a plot imbued with diverse themes and powerful social dynamics.

The Constant Companions Alan Ayckbourn

With a writing career in the theatre that stretches back to 1957, it is unsurprising that Alan Ayckbourn has built up a substantial body of work, but I ask you, eighty-nine plays? And yes, he can still pack ‘em in. The creativity and stamina are phenomenal. His new play, to some extent, covers ground already explored in the 1987 production Henceforward.

Noises Off - A Ridiculous, Riotous, Romp

True farce is defined by ludicrous situations, stereotyped characters, extravagant exaggeration - not to mention hilarious horseplay. Author Michael’s Frayn’s 40th anniversary of the multi award-winning farce, Noises Off ticks all the boxes as ‘the play within a play’ deteriorates from the ridiculous to the utterly shambolic.

ADHD The Musical

Dora Colqhoun whot wrote ADHD The Musical tells us about what she hoped to achieve with the play.

Is It A Bird? Is It A Superhero? It's Jordan Gray

There's an adage: Most rock stars want to be comedians, and most comedians want to be rock stars. It's certainly a feeling that stand-up comedian Jordan Gray felt when she was performing as a musician, acknowledging that without an instrument, a musician can't do anything else, whereas comedians can just step up on stage with a microphone and command a crowd, and that’s why she swapped careers, as she tells Group Editor Andrew Palmer.

Chatting With Sophie Anderson On The House With Chicken Legs Adapted For Stage

When you first started writing The House with Chicken Legs, did you have any idea of how far it would travel (so to speak)? When I first sat down to write it, I didn’t even have an agent, so I had no notion of it having any audience whatsoever.

Alan Ayckbourn Heads Cast In Rehearsed Reading Of His Pandemic-Cancelled Show Truth Will Out

Globally renowned playwright Alan Ayckbourn will make a rare outing as an actor at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre in September. The author will be on stage playing the role of Jim in a rehearsed reading of his own play, Truth Will Out, which was due to be produced at the SJT in 2020, but was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Blonde Bombshells of 1943

Having seen the trailers for the SJT, the Octagon Bolton and Theatre by the Lake’s latest production, Alan Plater’s Blonde Bombshells of 1943, I knew I was in for a treat on Press Night. Oh, what a delight this all female ( including a male drummer, Patrick, in disguise ) wartime swing band story was to experience.

Sovereign An Apt Choice For York

CJ Sansom’s Sovereign is a most apt choice for York Theatre Royal’s Community Play following the nation’s celebrations of the King’s Coronation earlier this year. We in the audience at Press Night were treated royally too, and we were most grateful to be under cover while watching the play—British summers are so unpredictable.

Ocean Fantasy Plummeting Darkest Depths

Death permeates the National Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Throughout its duration I was terrified, challenged, and confounded about reality versus imagination. The provocative portrayal of childhood loneliness based on Neil Gaiman’s best-selling novel is equally exhilarating and emotionally exhausting.

Northern Broadsides Announce New Chair, Joint Vice Chairs, And Trustees

Dynamic Halifax-based company Northern Broadsides has announced the appointment of Debbie Richards as their new Chair. Having begun her career in marketing for touring theatre companies and specialising in producing site-specific theatre, Richards has over twenty-five years of cumulative experience in the not-for-profit creative industries and is proud to be the Chair of Northern Broadsides.

The Verdict? Brilliant!

If seamless casting is the quintessential ingredient of theatrical perfection, then Michael Lunney and Richard Walsh deserve a double accolade for being part of one of the finest pieces of drama I have seen in many a year.

John Godber Company To Embark On Autumn Tour With New Play

From the writer of the legendary Bouncers comes a brand new show about keeping the faith.

Cultural Comedy Is A DoubleEdged Sword

The vagaries of culture meld together to deliver a boiling cauldron of emotions: love, laughter, jealousy and moments of tenderness in Leeds Playhouse’s latest offering, the wonderful Asian comedy Happy Birthday Sunita. At first I was slightly sidelined as the play unfolded: lots of in jokes spoken in Punjabi, clearly humorous, cultural reference points which the largely Asian audience l…

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again

Being in a theatre on one of the hottest nights of the year was a real challenge for the audience and we can only imagine how the actors must have felt in their costumes. But we are SO glad we were there! This was an opening night triumph for HOPS in their quite superb production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

A Force To Be Reckoned With

Having thoroughly enjoyed nest(ling ) down to watch Mikron’s production ‘Twitchers’ in April at Billingley Village Hall, I was looking forward this week to returning to Barnsley to see their latest arresting tale of 1950s law and order: A Force To Be Reckoned With; their first outdoor show this season, in the courtyard of the delightful Maurice Dobson Museum and Heritage Centre, Darfield…

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane

The Ocean at the End of Lane, a novel by Neil Gaiman, was first published in June 2013 and has been adapted for the theatre by Joel Horwood. The theatrical adaptation, directed by Katy Rudd, is truly a force of one vivid imagination which combines amazing sets, fantastic lighting and startling sound effects to create a piece of wonderful storytelling which is absolutely stunning.

Around The World In 80 Days Arrives In Hull

It was all aboard on press night for an adventure of global proportions!

Taking A Leap Of Faith - Mayflies

Michael Slavin, Interim Chief Executive, York Theatre Royal, explained in the theatre programme that in creating this new musical they all “took a leap of faith, trusted the brilliance of those involved, and decided to innovate, and make something truly new”.

Strictly Ballroom On Tour

The last time I saw Kevin Clifton, of Strictly Come Dancing fame was when he starred in his spectacular show, Burn The Floor back in 2019 at Grand Opera House, York; the place was smoking after Burn The Floor Company’s exhilarating, energetic extravaganza. Kevin stunned us all at the time, when he clearly demonstrated that he could sing as well as dance.

Blood Brothers

Premiering nearly forty years ago, the musical Blood Brothers is a relevant and tear-jerking tale of twin Liverpudlian brothers, Mickey and Eddie, who in tragic and heart wrenching circumstances, are separated shortly after birth. The story is as applicable today as when first written.

Next Door But One: New Chapter Blasts Off

From April, Next Door But One joins 984 arts organisations across the UK in Arts Council England's prestigious National Portfolio.

Wodehouse In Wonderland

As we took our seats in York Theatre Royal’s Main Auditorium, we already felt very much at ease seeing the delightfully comfortable and elegant set, (designed by Lee Newby ) lit up to make PG Wodehouse’s home look extra warm and inviting.

Twitchers

It’s charismatic Artistic Director Marianne McNamara’s 20th year with Mikron, and she’s a steady hand on the tiller of this innovative and ever enthusiastic Theatre Company. Mikron has ridden the storm of Lockdown, and have deservedly been successful in securing funds for the next three years, and are bursting with new, exciting ideas to bring quality theatre to our doorsteps.

Amazing Bubble Man

Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences around the world for nearly 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles, and judging from his confident, mesmerising early afternoon show, a master of his craft.

The King And I

Richard Horsman has been to Bradford's Alhambra Theatre to see The King and I which as part of its 2023 tour is visiting theatres in our region.