Pride and Prejudice - Altrincham Garrick


WHILE many of the audience know this captivating and gently humorous story backwards, its impossible not to find yourselves aching for a happy ending, especially if it means Elizabeth Bennet escaping the clutches of the horrendous and newly ordained clergyman, Mr Collins.

We, the audience, find ourselves back in the 1800s, when men of a certain social class employed a reverence usually observed for royalty as they tried to impress women they liked were drawn to.

Formality was also rife, with many people referring to each other as ‘Mr’, ‘Miss’ or ‘Mrs’.

There’s a natural and effortless chemistry between Lizzie and Mr D’arcy, thanks to the performances of Faye Alexandra and Tom Broughton as the romantic leads.

Equally enjoyable is Nick Sample as Mr Bennet, struggling to understand what is for him the perplexing behaviour of his predominantly female family, led by a mother whose made it her mission to get her daughters married and their futures secured.

Its equally impossible not to like Megan Collier as Lizzie’s youngest sibling, Lydia, who brings a brattish appeal to a role she evidently has great fun playing. As does Ben Walsh as Collins, a character who stands to inherit the Bennet estate as Mr B’s nearest male relative. Collins makes Lizzie cringe, as he brings a whole new meaning to the phrase over the top.

And its hard to believe Jane Austen was only 20 or 21 when she wrote this masterpiece.

Carole Carr’s production is perfectly pitched at a theatre that has struck the perfect balance between new stuff and the classics. Highly recommended.

Until October.4. Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk

Star rating - 4.

Photo by Martin Ogden.

The Son - Studio Theatre at Altrincham Garrick


WHAT do Altrincham Garrick and Manchester City FC have in common?

They’ve both made a perfect start to the new season.

And in Charlie Gallagher, as Nicolas, a troubled and tormented teem struggling and failing to understand his parents divorce, we have an actor so good, so convincing he’s certain to give the audience an insight into what battling mental illness feels like.

This is, for me, Gallagher’s best Garrick performance to date in a play that’s a very, very tough watch at times. But that’s a key role of live theatre, thrusting audience into world’s that are unknown to them and worlds they’re very uncomfortable in.

The Son doesn’t entertain it educates and captivates and the intimate studio theatre and a very fine and believable cast ensure its a lesson those who see it will never forget.

But this isn’t just the Charlie Gallagher Show. Richard Ross and Kathryn Worthington as Pierre and Anne, are very sympathetic parents, perplexed by the behaviour of their enigmatic son and Ruth Moore, strangely sympathetic as the woman Pierre ran off with, Sofia, whose the middle woman in the middle of all this domestic turmoil.

My only hope is that this powerful piece attracts the houses it deserves, with just a couple of seats free on opening night.

Director Jonathan Barker must have thought all his birthdays had come at once on the first day of rehearsals.

On the evidence of this, I can’t wait to see more of his work. Uncompromising, unmissable.

Until September 27. Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Start rating - 4.5 out of 5.

Photo by Martin Ogden.

Come From Away = Altrincham Garrick


Life affirming - Come From Away.

MUCH is made today about the death of ‘the community’ and how looking after one another has long gone out of fashion in this hi-tech world.

Which enables us to take comfort from Come From Away, a musical inspired by the remarkable true story of the residents of Gander in Newfoundland and the 7,000 air travellers left stranded there after the 9/11 terrorist attack.

The warm hearted people of Gander fed, clothed and had fun with their unexpected guests as a warm bond of friendship begins.

While the show has much hilarity courtesy of a cast who all serve up energetic and exhilirating performances, it also embraces serious issues like the need for tolerance between the races and religions.

The Garrick’s decision tto open its new season with this fabulous, feel good show couldn’t have been any more timely, with the opening night taking place just a day before the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 outrage.

Cynics may say Come From Away plays upon the audience’s emotions in places. But it is impossible not to get emotional about something as affecting, around the world, as 9/11 is.

The production is directed by Joe Meighan, with Mark Goggins as musical director which ensures an evening that is flawless and unforgettable.

It was also richly deserving of the standing ovation it got on opening night. The applause and cheering that engulfed the auditorium was deafening.

How could I possibly forget the choreography of Lauren Brown, which culminated in a rousing finale after the curtain call. Audience members must have felt there was a party on and they had been invited.

Life affirming theatre, this. If you only visit the Garrick one this season, make sure it’s to see this.

Until September 19. Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star rating - *****

Photo by Martin Ogden.

Happy 50th to the Royal Exchange Theatre


The Royal Exchange Theatre.

HAPPY Birthday to the Royal Exchange Theatre.

It was purely by chance I got to see my first ever production, Larry Shue’s The Nerd back in 1982.

From then on I became hooked on all things produced at this unique theatre-in-the-round having watched actors who were masters of their craft.

The cast of The Nerd featured Gary Walldhorn who went on to find sitcom fame in The Vicar of Dibley.

In the following summer me and my best friend were attending numerous productions, watching from the RET’s reduced banquette seats and, four years later, I was reviewing there for my local newspaper, the Sale and Altrincham Messenger.

The sum of money I received from the Messenger back then wasn’t exactly fit to retire on. However, the reviews became part of a cuttings book which ultimately led to a full-time job as a reporter with the Sale and Altrincham Messenger.

Next year will mark 40 years since I last paid for a ticket in Manchester’s vibrant theatre land.

Anyone toying with the idea of a trip to the Exchange should just do so. You’re sure to have an experience you’ll never forget.

  • Anyone interested in finding out more about the Royal Exchange’s 50th birthday season should visit www.royalexchange.co.uk.

Fun Home - Royal Exchange Theatre


IT goes without saying certain plays and shows are overdone, largely for the reason they’re hugely popular and box office friendly.

But I hope Fun Home, a musical that was totally new to me after nearly 40 years reviewing, gets the packed houses it deserves.

Manchester may be baking as a result of yet another heatwave. But Fun Home is the hottest ticket in town for me. Every pun intended.

The musical is totally devoid of vomit inducing cliches and is based on the frank and uncompromisingly honest memoir of the American lesbian cartoonist Alison Becdel.

As a literary name it was totally new to me. But after watching this I feel an overwhelming urge to buy the book and read, among other things, about Bechdel coming to terms with her sexuality and her struggle to initially make sense of her sexuality and her father Bruce, who is as devoted as he is difficult.

Jodie McNee and Nigel Harman shine in these respective roles and I was equally impressed by Alice Audrey O’Hanlon as Alison in her college days. We meet Bechdel at various stages in her life and I was particularly impressed by Harriet O’Shea as the small Alison who delivers a performance way beyond here years in a role she shares. As her siblings John and Christian, Reuben Shepherd and Theo Wake are equally talented. Like her, they share these roles with kids from other groups.

Bechdel’s first serious fling was as hilarious as it was touching, thanks to O’Hanlon and Natasha Cottriall as the engaging and confident Joan.

This particular scene had the aura of a child on Christmas morning. Quite brilliant.

While the score is something of a musical mixed bag it conveys the humour and heartache that are hallmarks of this piece in equal measure.

The RET’s 50th anniversary season continues with a number of future attractions, including King Lear, with one David Threlfall in the title role.

Until August 1. Tickets are available from www.royalexchange.co.uk.

Star rating - ****

Photo by Johan Persson.


The Good Life - Altrincham Garrick


I WAS still a kid when the original sitcom was on our TV screens, and it always struck me as a comedy for the grown ups, set in suburbia where people went to dinner parties and husbands made frequent visits to the golf course.

But at school many of us had a crush on Felicity Kendal, who played Barbara Good, who, urged by her fed up husband Tom, decide to leave the rat race and chose a life of self sufficiency instead.

This was pretty ground breaking for the mid 70’s.

I’m an adult now and can appreciate just how good The Good Life is, even if a certain amount of the humour in this stage version doesn’t appeal to me.

Director Daniel Ellis must have thought all his birthdays had come at once when the first rehearsal took place and I am sure needed little convincing the likes of Robert Crumpton and Helen Swain, who played Tom and Barbara, and Laura Aremia and Adam Green, as their next door neighbours Margot and Jerry, wouldn’t have to ttry at all to tickle the audience’s funny bone.

Aremia in particular made a huge impression on me as the bossy snob Margot, making sure her hen packed hubby Jerry is kept well and truly under the thumb. Not that I should have been too surprised, bearing in mind she’s the daughter of the late Terry Chandler, whose work at the Garrick gave me so much pleasure over the years.

A classic caase of talent in the genes for me.

The appearance of Geraldine the Goat very nearly brought the house down when she appeared for the first time on stage and made an equally large comedic impression when she appears later in the play.

All this begs the question as to why a production of this quality didn’t play to a packed house on Monday night, especially when you consider how dire the TV is.

You’re sure to enjoy this slice of suburban silliness.

Until June 7. Tickets are available on 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star raring - ***

Photo by Martin Ogden.

The Crucible - Altrincham Garrick


BEFORE every production at the Garrick the audience is subject to a brief recorded message via the venue’s speakers, which ends with theatregoers being told the venue’s bar is open before and after the show.

You may well be in need of a calm down drink after watching this truly memorable production of a play that has lost none of its shock value more than 70 years after it was first performed.

But what do you expect, as this piece came from the pen of one of the greatest playwrights of all time?

The Crucible is inspired by the notorious witch trials in Salem which began in 1692 after a group of hysterical young girls started exhibiting bizarre behaviours which were then regarded as signs of witchcraft.

Betty Parris, lying flat out on a bed when we first see her, is the catalyst for a string of tragic events in a town ruled with an iron fist by its Puritan leaders.

Joe Meighan’s production succeeds in making the audience feel trapped in a place where rationality and reason has totally disappeared.

Then again, Meighan has an exceptional cast to work with and he must have thought all his birthdays had come at once when his actors initially auditioned for the parts. What is even more remarkable is the way they make you care about the fate of a community caught up in a deeply disturbing and unsettling situations.

In terms of the best performances they come from Loui Quelcutti as a very northern John Proctor, Antonia Whitehead as his wife Elizabeth and Chloe Arrowsmith as Abigail Williams. Even when ensconced on the back row of the theatre I felt genuinely spooked by Charlie Tomlinson as Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth.

Then there’s the script of course, peppered as it is with literary gems from a playwright whose works never fail in the deeply affecting department.

As for the girls’ bizarre behaviours that could have been the result of food poisoning, according to my research on the Internet.

All this begs the question - why wasn’t the play performed to a full house on Monday night?

This is Altrincham Garrick’s production of the season for me. Three compelling hours in the presence of a cast dripping with talent.

Totally unmissable.

Star rating - *****

Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Photo by Martin Ogden.

Bank of Dave The Musical - The Lowry


Uplifting and inspirational entertainment - Bank of Dave at The Lowry.

ITS impossible to resist the inspirational northern charm of this classic David v Goliath story, brought to the stage for a show that’s sure to leave audiences at The Lowry smiling from ear to ear as they leave the theatre.

The score, written by Rob Madge and Pippa Cleary, offers audiences a positive musical treat, even if the best songs are to be heard in the second act of a show that’s sure to sell out fast when theatregoers hear just how watchable and uplifting it is.

Dave Fishwick, a gregarious, self made businessman from Burnley left school without a qualification to his name and worked to become a multi millionaire with a profound social conscience.

This prompted him to defy the banking industry’s powers that be to set up Burnley Savings and Loans Ltd, which had a specific remit to provide financial support to people in his beloved home town, people who had been refused such help by banks on the high street.

Any profits made are re-invested and the organisation has helped numerous good causes.

Like many, many legions of others, I’ve always loved such stories like this one. They’re grist to the mill for me and I think Dave would make a great Prime Minister, while accepting that particular dream is destined to remain always unfulfilled.

As for the scote, the best songs can be heard in the second half.

Sam Lupton’s Dave is ultra engaging and highly watchable and without little effort on his part any effort to warm to this character is an effortless task.

Hayley Tamadon’s as Nicky and Lucia Chadwick-Patel as Hugh run Lupton a very close second with performances that are equally appealing.

Lauryn Redding’s Alex, a dedicated doctor at a local hospital struggling in a working environment in which resources are stretched to the limit is equally impressive and its impossible not to be impressed by the character’s unwavering dedication to duty.

Its fair to say The Lowry has a very palpable hit on its hands, the script is totally devoid of cliches and the score is totally devoid of cliches. There’s a realism about all the characters regardless of their status in a plot that’s sure to capture the imagination of anyone who sees it.

While there’s been a good natured toying with the facts around Dave Fishwick’s remarkable story, this show gives us more than the essence of a man who had the courage and determination to stand up to the financial powers that be and turn his dream into reality.

Enjoy.

Until May 16. Tickets are available from 0343 208 6000 or www.thelowry.com.

Star rating - ****

Hobson's Choice - Altrincham Garrick


Still a right good laugh - Hobson’s Choice.

SPENDING a large part of the play looking like the proverbial rabbit caught in headlights, Tim Cooper as the downtrodden Willie Mossop is a natural when it comes to playing comedy roles.

A character who is scared of life in general, he’s particularly hilarious after marrying the heroine of the piece, Maggie Hobson, and faces what for him is the daunting prospect of a night of passion on his wedding night.

Casanova he most definitely is not.

But Ros Greenwood’s perfectly pitched production is not just the Tim Cooper Show. Laura Crow makes a formidable but likeable Maggie, a woman who dares to stand up to her father, Henry Hobson.

As the grumpy old boozer Hobson, Richard Sails gives what is for me, his best performance as the skinflint of a boot maker, struggling to come to terms with the fact that he’s about to be dethroned as the family’s patriarch.

The Garrick’s intimate studio theatre turns out to be the perfect setting for a play that still sounds remarkably fresh when you consider it was first performed more than 100 years ago, even though its setting, the Salford of the 1880s, is very, very firmly consigned to the history books.

Not a word of the dialogue is lost and all the cast deserve plaudits for the way they bring their respective roles to life and it seems so unfair to single out individual actors for the simple reason there aren’t any poor ones.

I hope I see some of this cast working together again. A much needed, feel good antidote to these very serious times. Have a right good laugh and enjoy.

Until May 3. Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star rating - ****

Photo by Martin Ogden.