Legally Blonde

at Z-Arts Theatre, Manchester

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall Feb 2017

If you were brave enough to go out last night with the tail end of Storm Doris still very much in evidence, and you happened to have been one of the lucky ticket holders to see Manchester Musical Youth's production of Legally Blonde at The Z-Arts Theatre in Manchester, then your journey was absolutely necessary and indeed totally worth it.

GYMFUSION: What will your dream be?

at The Lowry Theatre, Salford

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall Feb 2017

British Gymnastics showcase young gymnastic talent from all over the UK each year with their famous and fabulous Gymfusion shows. The first of this year's shows was today at Salford's Lowry Theatre, and this year's theme was 'dreams'.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

at Lowry Theatre

Reviewed by Karl Barnsley January 2017

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time 2017 tour includes, amongst its technical facts;  that five tons of steel were used in the set transported by four lorries between venues, 234 sound cues are used, 2,136 data addresses, 699 pieces of chalk (for the whole tour), 892 pixel LEDs and eight projectors in the rig offering 11.6 million pixels of projection.

Looking at the lesser postcodes

by The Faces at the Window

Reviewed by John Waterhouse Jan 2017

The Faces at the Window are a new comedy ensemble, formed by three production companies, bringing together the talents of six writer/performers with two musicians. Regular Listeners to Radio 4 will be aware of the 6.30-7.00pm time slot which has seemingly forever been reserved for comedy, typically with a range of quick-fire sketches and jokes interspersed with the odd comedy song and this is to a large degree the format of this show.

An Evening With 007 - The Halle Orchestra POPS Concert

at Bridgewater Hall

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall December 2016

The final concert of this season of POPS Concerts also marks the last concert for the Halle Orchestra this year, and they finished in fine flourish and stupendous style with music from possibly the most famous and longest running film franchise. The films are where everything is shaken but not stirred, and although the plots and characters may be a little tired by now, the music, as was attested this evening, was fresh and alive and sounding as good if not better than ever.

Christmas At The Movies - Halle Orchestra

at Bridgewater Hall

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall December 2016

The last concert before Christmas day, and certainly one of the best concerts this Christmas season. The orchestra were resplendent in white dinner jackets for the men and black evening gowns for the ladies, and there was a definite air of decorum and professionalism. And let's face it, a Friday evening concert on the eve of Christmas Eve needs a certain je ne sais quoi to make it stand out a little.

The Halle Youth Orchestra Concert

at Bridgewater Hall

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall December 2016

The Halle Youth Orchestra is a concert orchestra of nearly 70 young musicians all aged between 13 and 19, and all come from within the boundary of Greater Manchester. There is some serious talent here, and I sincerely hope that all of these young students find work with their chosen instrument, maybe even with the Halle Orchestra itself - who knows.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Lowry Theatre

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall December 2016

With a book by James Bond author Ian Fleming, and music from the famous brother partnership of Sherman and Sherman, how could this Musical possibly prove to be anything other than a smash hit? For me however, I found this evening's production of the latest tour of this perennial favourite to be really rather Curate's Eggish.

Yama at Lowry Theatre

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall November 2016

Scottish Dance Theatre have again created a piece of stark and strong imagery, with imaginative, bold choreography in their latest piece, Yama. As with much of contemporary dance, as there is no narrative or programme notes to work from, the story and meaning of the piece are left for you to interpret through your own individual experience of watching the piece. Here we were presented with a circular dais out of which the dancers came and eventually all went too.