The Mirror Crack'd - Altrincham Garrick


FEW of us can resist the temptation to play detective, safe in the knowledge that whatever we decide won’t impact the real world.

And so it is in The Mirror Crack’d, originally from the pen of the queen of suspense, Agatha Christie and adapted for the stage so effectively by Rachel Wagstaff.

When a suspicious death graduates to becoming a murder, Chief Inspector Dermot Craddock travels to St Mary Mead, a sleepy village where his aunt, who just happens to be the iconic amateur sleuth Miss Jane Marple, lives.

He does this in a bid to tap into her powers of deduction as the investigation he’s leading has ground to a halt.

Jonathan Black and Sarah Kirk are perfect for both roles and make a convincing sort of double act its good fun to see Craddock become increasingly irritated as she upstages him as he tries to solve the crime.

For me, this is Kirk’s best performance at this theatre and she plays Miss M with just the right amount of prim and properness.

While The Mirror Crack’d takes us back in time, the story touches on one or two seropus issues and the characters also feel very real and represent a refreshing antidote to the cardboard cut outs who clutter this particular genre.

Steph Niland exudes quite a presence as the movie star Marina Gregg, shooting a movie in a place that’s every inch middle England and Ros Greenwood is equally good as the epitomy of old school English snobbery, Dolly Bantry. She is horrendous.

Mike Shaw has been running the wardrobe team here for nearly 40 years. However, he’s also a fine and confident director who has ensured the Garrick has a sure fire hit on its hands.

Enjoy.

Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or www.altrincham garrick.co.uk.

Star rating - 4.5 out of 5.

Photo - Martin Ogden.

Road - Royal Exchange Theatre


Johnny Vegas as Scullery - photo by Ros Kavanagh.

CAN comedian Johnny Vegas act?

That question was well and truly on my mind as I made my way to the RET, on a chilly night in February.

After only ever seen Vegas making people laugh I can say a resounding yes to that particular question, for the role of Scullery, the narrator in Jim Cartwright’s northern masterpiece could have been written just for him.

Even if Scullery, our unofficial tour guide along a grim northern street, is, thanks to an angry, affecting and at times uncompromising script, isn’t always a barrel of laughs.

The inhabitants of the Road in question live in a dystopian world in which drink, drugs and meaningless sexual flings are their only means of escape, their flirting with pleasure giving them nothing more than a temporary reprievre.

Sir Tom Courtenay puts in a memorable performance through a short film in which his Jerry, looking jaded and fed up with life, laments the passing of the ability for his generation to flit from one job to the next and also mourns the passing of chivalry.

The performance of Lucy Beaumont and Lesley Joseph, who, like the rest of the cast play a variety of different roles are also very watchable. Birds of a Feather star Joseph is just as much t home in this northern dystopia as she is in the cossetted world of sitcom.

For me, the most moving part of the play comes courtesy of Jake Dunn as Joey, who has taken to his bed Lennon like.

But rest assured, this isn’t an unrelenting evening of doom and gloom and one of the funniest scenes comes courtesy of the attempted seduction of a soldier so sozzled he can’t stand up unaided.

Director Selina Cartmell, designer Leslie Travers and the rest of the creatives have combined to create one of the most immersive theatrical experiences I’ve ever seen.

I’ve never been a spoiler of surprises and have no intention of starting now.

Now here’s the bad news. this production is sold out and tickets are by returns only. Anyone lucky enough to have them are certain to enjoy this Road trip.

Until March 14. Tickets, returns only, are available from 0161 833 9833 or online at www.royalexchange.co.uk.

Star rating - 4.5 out of 5.

Quiz - Altrincham Garrick


AH yes, good old audience participation.

The good news is fans of it don’t have to attend a panto or an evening of stand up comedy to take part in it.

Quiz is inspired by the true story of Major Charles Ingram, convicted of duping Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, aling with his accomplices, of the jackpot prize of a million pounds.

Charles and his wife Diana epitomise the phrase middle England and in real life they were given suspended sentences for their part in the fraud.

But in James Graham’s witty and at times poignant play - even I was initially taken in by their veneer of respectability - the audience via some sort of easy to work gadget ultimately get to decide whether they were innocent or guilty.

Tom Broughton and Melanie Beswick are very convincing as the Major and his wife and Ben Walsh makes for a very watchable Chris Tarrant, even managing to capture the TV presenter’s unmistakable laugh with uncanny authenticity.

Quiz is a play of two halves it has too be said, with an over sized chunk of act one remembering old game shows like Bullseye when the prizes were unbelievably naff compared to today’s programmes like Millionaire where its possible to win a life changing sum of money.

Forgive me, who could really get excited by the prospect of walking away with a new vacuum cleaner?

Daniel Ellis is great fun as the warm up man and he enjoys am instant rapport with the audience. Ellis is a natural and he teaches us when to express our emotions, how to whoop and gasp in all the right places.

Director Joe Meighan can add Quiz to a long list of theatrical triumphs at the Garrick, taking the company into new territory and so attracting a new amd younger audience.

Long make it continue.

Star rating - 3.5 our of 5.

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

Photo by Martin Ogden.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears - Altrincham Garrick


CHILDREN grow up so fast these days - that’s a phrase most of us are familiar with.

And its normally delivered by grim faced individuals who sound like they’re mourning a loss of innocence.

However, on the opening night of the Garrick’s ever popular panto they all knew exactly when to boo and hiss in all the right places after receiving hardly any motivation from a cast who made it their mission to ensure the kids, even the big ones, left the theatre with a smile on their faces.

They also new all the words to Nelly the Elephant, a song I can remember sing along to even though my own childhood is now a dim and distant memory.

A tribute, of course, to director Joseph Meighan and the cast including Daniel Ellis, great fun as Silly Billy and, at the scary end of the spectrum, Alexander Day as the panto’s baddie, Ringmaster Heinkel, a character whose name is routinely mispronounced all night by fellow cast members.

Personally, I would have loved to have seen Meighan play the role of the Dame, a part he’s sharing with Matt Spilsbury, if only to see if he’s shaven off his beard to play the part.

Beverley Stuart Cole - pictured - has a strong presence as Mystic Sharon. Peter and Meg Brassington, a couple in real life, play Daddy and Mummy Bear.

I was also very impressed by the performances of the younger members of the cast, in particular the dancers who didn’t put a foot wrong all night as they rose to the challenge of performing in front of several hundred people, a challenge that’s enough to fill many of us with a real sense of dread.

Until January 4. The box office is on 0161 928 1677 and you also can book online at www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star rating - 3.5 out of 5.

Photo by Martin Odgen.

Singin in The Rain - Royal Exchange Theatre


IF reincarnation actually existed, there would, for me, be a clamour to return as a pair of Louis Gaunt’s tap shoes as he treats festive audiences to a dancing masterclass and I urge people not to miss his amazing feat in this perfect production of Singin in Thee Rain.

Maybe I should use the phrase ‘amazing feet’ instead because simply watching him dance the film star Don Lockwood was absolutely absolutely breath taking, brilliant, awe inspiring, the list could easily go on and on.

Even when Gaunt appears clutching a brolly to sing the shoe’s iconic title song the audience couldn’t resist showing an audible sense of appreciation which was nothing compared to the applause and whoops of delight that greeted the end of it.

We’re in the 19200s when the stars of Hollywood still had a certain mystique and Lockwood harbours a desire to turn his latest film into a musical.

His shrill and incurably entitled co-star Lina Lamont, played by a hilarious Laura Baldwin, a diva with a deep seated love for Lockwood, is reluctance to accept this shift in genre as well as she refuses to accept who she initially sees as the other woman in his life, Kathy Seiden, played so well here by Carly Mercedes Dyer..

It would also be impossible not to warm to Danny Collins as Don’s friend and confidante, Cosmo Brown.

Initially I wondered how this musical would work on the RET’s compact little stage but my misgivings lasted a mere matter of moments when I attended on press night.

For me, this is the musical of the year and what a better city to stage a show with such a title, We’ve been known to have a shower or two here in Manchester.

You simply must not miss this.

Until January 25. Tickets are available from 0161 833 9833 and you may also book online at www.royalexchange.co.uk.

Star rating - *****

Photo by Johan Persson.

Chicago - Sale and Altrincham Musical Theatre Youth


IF I could act, sing or dance I would have an endless amount of fun playing the role of Billy Flynn, who takes the term dodgy to a whole new level. There’s something of so alluring and appealing to Flynn, a lawyer who would sell his own grandmother without batting an eyelid.

Lucky then, we have performers as talented as Marcus Florin who delivers a show stealing performance as the man entrusted with freeing Roxie Hart, the fame chasing heroine of the piece, from a murder charge.

Flynn’s big number for me remains Razzle Dazzle, a no holds barred celebration of sleaze and his own ability, silver tongued as he is, to convince gullible juries that black is white.

I also liked Thomas Birch as Roxie’s husband Amos, whose lack of self esteem is captured to perfection in one of my favourite numbers, Mr Cellophane.

Tabitha Valentine has quite a presence as Roxie, commanding the audience’s attention every time she sings a song from Kander and Ebb’s fabulous, dream of a score and both she and Freya Gow, who plays Velma Kelly, a character so resentful of the attention Roxie’s story is getting from the scandal hungry press.

What also strikes me about this production is how slick and professional the dance routines are, especially when you take into account just how small the stage of Altrincham Little Theatre actually is. The cast don’t put a foot wrong, a testament to their talent and the skills of director Kathleen Valentine and Kay and fellow choreographers Lauren Cowle and James Goodwin.

Sale and Altrincham Musical Theatre celebrates the big nine zero next year and on the evidence of this engaging and uplifting production the group’s future looks very bright indeed.

And I challenge anyone who sees and enjoys this show not to be humming at least one of the songs as they make their way home.

Youth theatre is far more than Bugsy Malone and Guys and Dolls and in SAMT’s case its definitely a case of if you’ve got it, flaunt it.

Until December 6. Tickets are available from samtheatre.co.uk.

Star rating - ****

Photo - Derek Stuart Cole.

The Red Shoes - The Lowry


Enchanting - Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes.

BALLET fans are getting an early Christmas present this week, in the shape of Matthew Bourne’s magical and uplifting production of The Red Shoes.

It was an evening of world class ballet which made it a total mystery as to why the majority of the audience stayed seated when it was time for the final curtain.

Even as a relative newcomer to the genre I think its fair for me to say I know a good thing when I see it, including on a stage.

Based on a fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderssen, The Red Shoes is the story of Victoria Page, a young and gifted ballet dance forced to choose between true love and an insatiable urge to dance.

I don’t want to spoil the ending but rest assured, its sure to have a lasting impression on audiences in Salford.

While I wouldn’t count myself as a ballet fan the conversion process is rapidly taking more and more conversion steps the more Bourne production I get too see as he is without doubt one of our country’s most exciting and innovative choreographers and The Red Shoes is sure win him and his company New Adventures many more admirers.

It was freezing cold when I went to The Lowry on Tuesday night on a dark, dank winter’s evening. What a better antidote to this dreadful time of year - nearly two hours of ballet performed against a backdrop of a sumptuos score.

Enjoy.

Until November 29. The box office is on 0343 208 6000 and you can also book online at www.thelowry.com.

Star rating - 4.5 out of 5..

It's A Wonderful Life - Altrincham Garrick


IT’S hard to believe the original movie wasn’t a huge box office hit because for me at least, Its A Wonderful Life, along with White Christmas, are two of the greatest festive flicks ever made.

While I knew exactly what was coming in act two, when George Bailey’s world starts to fall about his ears, I felt as moved as always.

This is a tribute in no small part to director Barry Purves and Jonathan Higgs who shines as George, a character who is just as angelic as the wonderfully named Clarissa Oddbody, played to perfection by Jacque Hamilton.

Poor George doesn’t have a bad bone in his body and of you’re coming to this story for the first time, you’re sure to find yourself willing her to succeed in her mission to succeed as his supernatural saviour.

I also really enjoyed it when Clarissa takes George for a whistle stop tour of the life he could have had with a whistle stop tour of his home town, renamed Pottersville when in reality its Bedford Falls. This was both haunting and unsettling, shrouded in unrelenting gloom and bleakness.

I also liked Sarah Roberts as Mary, our hero’s devoted and loving wife an Beverley Stuart Cole as Violet, a character who has been there, done it and bought several truck loads of t-shirt.

Pete Grimshaw’s atmospheric music for a production that will move all who see it, unless they’re incurably heartless.

Not content with producing yet another directorial triumph, Purves has also designed a set that’s sure to capture the imagination.

Not to be missed.

Until Nov 23. The box office is on 0161 928 1677 and you can also book online at www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star rating - 4.5 out of 5.

Photo by Martin Ogden.

Happy birthday SAMT - youth group set to launch landmark celebrations


Their kinda town - some of the cast of Chicago in rehearsal.

SALE and Altrincham Musical Theatre has been entertaining the people of Trafford since 1936, the year which saw the abdication of King Edward VIII and one of my all time favourite events, when Hitler is forced to shake the hand of black athlete Jesse Owens, after his medal success at the Berlin Olympics.

The company started life as Sale Operatic and Dramatic Society and next year sees it celebrate is about to its 90th birthday.

Its youth group will mark its landmark year with the teen edition of the iconic musical Chicago next month. The show is teeming with classic numbers like All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle and director Kay Valentine said she’s loving every minute working with her very talented charges.

Kay said: “I am very proud to be directing these amazingly talented young people in this special 90th birthday year for Sale and Altrincham Musical Theatre. Its a satirical take on corrupt justice and the media obsessed pursuit of fame.

“Its got it all and includes celebrated Bob Fosse dance choreography. Our wonderful award winning cast has been rehearsing solidly in preparation for its show week at Altrincham Little Theatre.”

Chicago will be performed at Altrincham Little Theatre from December 2-6 at 7.30pm and anyone interested in booking tickets should visit samtheatre.co.uk.

Barrier(s) - HOME


THEATRE is at its best when it transports the audience to a world they don’t know or understand and gives audience a flavour of that world and an empathy with the characters who live and breathe in it.

Barrier(s) by Eloise Pennycott is one of those plays. It focuses on a lesbian couple Alana and Katie, who move in together.

One of them, Katie, is deaf. She works at a primary school for children who are also deaf and while we never see the youngsters in her charge, her devotion to duty is arrestingly apparent.

Like every other couple, Alana and Katie have their ups and downs, their arguments and romantic moments.

While Katie frequently vents her frustrations using British sign language, Pennycott doesn’t paint her as a figure of pity thanks to a script full of humour and anger with the writer resisting the temptation to preach or lazily reach for tired old cliches.

Both characters feel very real, thanks in no small part to a natural chemistry nurtured by director Paula Garfield and the performances of Em Prendergast and Zoe McWhinney, whose performances as Alana and Katie left a lasting impression on me.

The ending of this fabulous piece is one of the most original I’ve ever seen. But I have no intention of giving it away here.

This is contemporary theatre at its best for me and I left HOME in Manchester wondering why the run there was so short.

Not to be missed and I have just two more words to say to Eloise Pennycott - more please.

Until Nov 8. Tickets are available from 0161 200 1500. Star rating - 4.5 out of 5.

Photo by Becky Bailey.