Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games

at Palace Theatre, Manchester

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall April 2017

It was way back in 1994 when Michael Flatley and Irish dancing took the world by storm in a specially commissioned piece for the interval at the Eurovision Song Contest. The show has morphed and changed somewhat since then growing in both size and popularity.

There was even a well publicised and acrimonious split between Flatley and the producers who both went their separate ways, forming two first class companies touring the world, both gaining acclaim and recognition with full houses wherever they went. I haven't seen any of the previous Flatley incarnations prior to this evening, and so was highly curious and extremely expectant.

Spring and Port Wine at Oldham Coliseum

By Bill Naughton

Reviewed by John Waterhouse April 2017

This is a play in the tradition of Lancashire comedies, centred around family issues in close-knit surroundings but rather than the austere background of say Hobson’s choice. Set around the turn of the last century, Spring and Port Wine puts the same familiar issues into a more modern setting, at the dawn of the swinging sixties.

Evita at Lowry Theatre

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall March 2017

On this night of a thousand stars, let me take you to Evita's door. If proof is needed that Andrew LLoyd-Webber and Tom Rice made one of the world's greatest Musical Theatre writing partnerships, then look no further than Bill Kenwright's production of Evita, currently on a Rainbow Tour, and at The Lowry in Salford until the end of this week.

This was a masterclass in Musical Theatre.

Grease

at Palace Theatre, Manchester

Reviewed by Matthew Dougall March 2017

Sadly for me this evening, Grease was not the word. One of the most well-known and adored shows by both young and old alike, and with every song a 'hit', this is truly an iconic Musical which has been with us for almost 50 years.

Meat Pie, Sausage Roll at Oldham Coliseum

By Cathy Crabb and Lindsay Williams

Reviewed by John Waterhouse March 2017

First and foremost, this is a play about football; the setting for the most part is a football stadium and when the action moves elsewhere, there is almost always a radio on hand (or even several radios) ensuring that the cast have live commentary of football matches, even if there happens to be a wedding taking place. Even the songs, or at least most of them, are about football (and the love of it).

It is true that a certain romance develops during the play but even here, the love of football eventually surpasses everything; a telling example being when Mandi, the bride- to-be (played with feeling and gusto by Jenny Platt) after admonishing friends and family not to talk about football during the ceremony, eventually feels compelled to lift up her wedding dress to reveal a small radio attached to one of her garters.

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.