Dreamboats and Petticoats

at Palace Theatre, Manchester

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall February 2017

I have to admit from the off I did go and see this show with a certain amount of uncertainty or maybe even trepidation. However, after having watched the Musical, I can say that the story and performing were much stronger and more entertaining that I had imagined they'd be. I actually found myself being swept away by it all, and it was, by and large, a hugely enjoyable experience.

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.

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.

The Siege of Christmas at Contact Theatre

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall December 2016

The Siege of Christmas? You mean, someone is holding Christmas hostage? Well, sort of, yes. Not Christmas per se, but The Spirit of Christmas; the essence that makes everyone merry and puts us all in a good mood at this festive time, that has been stolen and is locked away in a secret location somewhere inside the Contact Theatre building, which has just as I am typing been taken over by an angry mob of Mince Pies! The mince pies have thrown us all out of the building and barricaded the door.

Sleeping Beauty at Oldham Coliseum

Directed by Kevin Shaw

Reviewed by David Waterhouse Nov 2016

Following on from last year’s production of Mother Goose, it was with keen anticipation that I sat down to watch this year’s pantomime offering of Sleeping Beauty at the Oldham Coliseum. The same high production values were in evidence, in addition to slick special effects such as the skeleton dance.