Avenue Q

by University of Manchester Musical Theatre Society (UMMTS)

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall November 2017

The University of Manchester Musical Theatre Society (UMMTS) have done it again, and managed to produce an astounding piece of Musical Theatre out of very little. Their young ages (they are all students at Manchester University), their lack of budget, the confines and restrictions of their performance space, and possibly also the amount of quality rehearsal time, all conspire against them, and yet have, to date, always produced a Musical of raw energy and talent, and it has always been thrilling and exciting, and I have always thoroughly enjoyed my evenings in their company. Tonight was no exception.

Jason Manford - A Different Stage

at Lowry Theatre

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall November 2017

Salfordian comedian and actor Jason Manford (actually born in Irlam O'Th' Heights), brought most of his family along with him this evening to support his latest venture, and a sideways departure from his more well-known persona as a stand-up comedian or Musical Theatre actor.

This was a solo concert of a very different nature as he has recorded an album and is now on the road singing songs from it, trying to promote it and showing fans, both old and new, that he has something more to offer.

Dick Whittington at Oldham Coliseum

By Fine Time Fontayne and Kevin Shaw

Reviewed by John Waterhouse November 2017

Panto-season is traditionally the time many theatres clean up financially after what may have been an otherwise lean year and it is not hard to see why. Just as weddings and funerals are often the only time many people step inside a church these days, so too that pantomimes are when many walk into a theatre, largely because children still want to see them. That’s all well and good and the Oldham Coliseum panto retains a reputation as one of the most popular in the region, boasting a stunning three-month run.

J B Shorts 18

at 53two, Manchester

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall October 2017

Manchester's theatrical institution, J B Shorts, a collaboration and collection of 6 15-minute plays written, directed and performed by resident theatre and TV talent, has made its way once again to a venue ideal for this type of event, 53Two.

Spamalot

at Palace Theatre, Manchester

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall November 2017

Monty Python's shamelessly camp Mickey Take of itself rolled into Manchester for a 5 night run this evening, and proved to be a highly entertaining newer rewritten version from the one I remember with great fondness on the West End when Spamalot first burst onto the stage in 2006. None of the irreverence in this Arthurian parody has been lost - in fact, it has probably gained some along the way!

Collision Course by Front Row Theatre

at The Kings Arms, Salford

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall November 2017

Front Row Theatre are from Preston and were established in 2014 by graduates of UCLAN, and their latest production is a dark and moody suspense drama written by Craig Baxter, Collision Course. The collision in question here being the impending apocalypse which Earth will suffer colliding with another planet.

The Haunting of Blaine Manor

Written and performed by Joe O’Byrne

at The Kings Arms, Salford

Reviewed by John Waterhouse October 2017

Joe O’Byrne is best known for ‘Tales from Paradise Heights’, a series of plays set in a present day, tough, inner city estate, so there was some intrigue not to say surprise when news broke he had a written a ghost story, set in the 1950’s within the realm of a country house.

Slava's Snow Show at Lowry Theatre

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall October 2017

It is quite incredible to think that a devised piece of physical theatre based clowning can have achieved such popularity and longevity. Slava Polunin first created this piece and showed it to audiences way back in 1993, and although it must have been through certain metamorphoses during this time, the basic premise of the show remains constant and continues to delight audiences around the world seemingly with no plans to stop.

Oliver! - Sale Nomads

at The Waterside Arts Centre, Sale.

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall October 2017

Of all Lionel Bart's Musicals, Oliver! is the only one to have survived, and continues to be popular with both amateur and professional companies. It's full of good tunes, it has a worthy storyline, it's based on a classic novel, it has children in it, it's family friendly, it has great characters, a great balance between tragedy and comedy - basically it has everything for an entertaining evening out at the theatre.

No wonder then that this Musical is the one I have, I think, seen more times than any other. And so I must take my hat off to Sale Nomads and say a huge congratulations - it is the first time I have ever seen both boys and girls in the workhouse scene at the beginning. Yes, I know historically that boys and girls had separate lodgings but somehow I have never bought into girls pretending to be boys here and so having the girls in the ensemble actually being girls and not boys was a first for me, and an absolute delight. Well done.