Showing posts with label Theatre Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Theatre Review. Show all posts

Wednesday 14 December 2022

Regal Entertainments presents Cinderella at St Helens Theatre Royal - A Review

On Sunday evening, my family and I had the pleasure of visiting St Helens Theatre Royal to watch their dazzling Christmas pantomime of Cinderella. We've watched plenty of their productions over the years and just when you think they can't possibly get any better, this wonderful theatre pulls out all the stops and puts together an incredible show, that provides the audience with non stop entertainment from start to finish.

The title role of Cinderella is played by Kimberley Hart-Simpson who recently starred in Coronation Street as Nicky Wheatley. Prior to walking the cobbles, Kimberley actually worked backstage in the costume department of both St Helens Theatre Royal and The Epstein Theatre, so it must be a wonderful experience to now be playing a title role on the stage. Her portrayal of Cinderella is fantastic and she looked absolutely stunning throughout the show. Her vocals were great and we absolutely loved her scenes with Buttons and the Prince. 

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

Our favourite panto performer Lewis Devine stars as Buttons and brings plenty of comedy value to the show. My youngest son has seen so many pantomimes over the years, but he never tires of watching Lewis on the stage and finds him absolutely hilarious. He is so entertaining and we love how well he always interacts with the audience. He never fails to put a smile on our face and you can guarantee plenty of laughter whenever he performs.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

The Ugly Sisters - Borisina Hardup and Trussiana Hardup are played by Richard Aucott and Kristopher Bosch, who both supplied lots of giggles for the audience with their funny comments and innuendos. They played the perfect baddies and encouraged plenty of audience participation each time they asked "Aren't we gorgeous?" which my son found really amusing.

Joe Sleight plays the dashing Prince Charming and is really well suited to the role. With his combination of handsome good looks and lovely vocals, he is the perfect Prince to be paired with Cinderella.

Dandini is played by Jon Courtenay who won Britain's Got Talent back in 2020. I was particularly looking forward to seeing Jon play the piano and I was definitely not disappointed, as part way through the show we were treated to a wonderful Panto song that was thoroughly enjoyable. My family and I also really liked his scenes with Buttons (Lewis Devine), with the highlight being the 12 Days of Christmas Song that also featured The Fairy Godmother and provided laughter in abundance.

The Fairy Godmother is played by Rachael Wood who was fantastic throughout the show and she delivered a breathtaking performance of 'One Moment in Time' during the Cinderella transformation scene which was my personal favourite.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

Jamie Leahey and Chuck also provide plenty of entertainment with their wonderful ventriloquism act. This young man is so talented and my son was in awe of him on the stage. His confidence and stage presence were superb and you can tell that he definitely has a marvellous career ahead of him. However, it's important to note that due to Jamie's age and licensing laws, he will only be appearing in a limited number of performances. If you would therefore like to make sure that you see a show he is performing in, then be sure to check the dates on the website for full details. 

Overall we had an absolutely wonderful time at St Helens Theatre Royal and were so impressed with their production of Cinderella. The show was filled with a wonderful selection of music choices, with some well known favourites that had the audience singing along. The stage setting, scenery and props were all superb and the closing scene of the first half was absolutely incredible with the stunning carriage and real Shetland Ponies. 

The costume department worked wonders with the outfits, some of which were absolutely incredible. Ranging from stunningly beautiful to the extremely outrageous, there was definitely no shortage of glitz and glamour, with all the garments being very impressive

We would happily recommend this pantomime to everyone, so don't miss out on your chance to purchase tickets, which are on sale now.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

To find out more about Cinderella or other upcoming productions at St Helens Theatre Royal, you can visit their website here: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

You can also follow St Helens Theatre Royal on the following social media pages:

Facebook - facebook.com/St-Helens-Theatre-Royal

Twitter - @TheatreRoyalStH

Instagram - @StHelensTheatreRoyal

Listing Details

Show - Regal Entertainments presents Cinderella

Venue - St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1LQ

Dates - Saturday 3rd December 2022 to Sunday 8th January 2023

Performance Times - Times vary so please see the St Helens Theatre Royal website for the most up to date information.

Tickets - From £18* (*All prices are inclusive of a £1 per seat booking fee. Online bookings are subject to an additional 50p per seat online processing fee.)

Tickets can be booked in person at St Helens Theatre Royal Box Office, Corporation Street, St. Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1LQ (Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm). Alternatively, call 01744 756000 or visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

*Disclaimer - We were provided with complimentary tickets for the purpose of writing an honest review of the production. All thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. Any show details provided such as ticket prices/dates/booking information are believed to be correct at the time of writing, but can be subject to change. I would therefore always recommend visiting the venue's own website in order to obtain the most up to date information.

Sunday 7 April 2019

Zog Live on Stage at Storyhouse Chester - A Review

My youngest child Riley absolutely loves a trip to the theatre and since introducing him gradually to various kinds of shows over the past couple of years, it has become one of his favourite activities to do as a family.

We are very fortunate to have the beautiful Storyhouse venue only ten minutes away from our home and it has been great to see Chester welcome some wonderful productions since it's opening. Their calendar this year has everything from musicals to comedy performances, but this weekend we were very excited to attend a family friendly theatre production of Zog, based on the bestselling book by Julia Donaldson, with illustrations by Axel Scheffler. The show has been produced by Freckle Productions and Rose Theatre Kingston and features puppets that have been designed and created by Little Angel Theatre co-founder Lyndie Wright.



On our arrival to Storyhouse in Chester, we found it bustling with families, all ready to enjoy the show. There were children everywhere excitedly waiting for the performance to begin, some of whom had brought their own copies of the book or cuddly toys with them. It was a lovely relaxed atmosphere and I was aware of the fact that for some of the children, it could be their very first time at the theatre.

As we entered the auditorium, my children were provided with a Zog sticker each, which Riley was particularly happy with. So much so, that he also asked his brother and sister for theirs too! We found our seats in the middle of Row P which offered a fantastic view, so we had no issues at all with Riley not being able to see and we also did not require a booster seat.


The stage adaptation of the book is suitable for children and families of all ages. It tells the story of Zog, who is large in size and very keen in nature. He is eager to win a golden star at Madam Dragon's school, where dragons learn all the things that dragons need to know. Zog tries so very hard, perhaps too hard, and he bumps, burns and roars his way through years one, two and three. Luckily the plucky Princess Pearl patches him up, ready to face his biggest challenge yet.......a duel with a knight, Sir Gadabout the Great.

Zog has been produced by Freckle Productions and Rose Theatre Kingston, featuring puppets that have been designed and created by Little Angel Theatre co-founder Lyndie Wright. It has been adapted and directed by Mike Shepherd and features an original folk score by Johnny Flynn and designs by Katie Sykes.

Riley found the stage show to be a magical adaptation and from the moment the show began, he was mesmerised as both actors and creative puppets came to life with a lovely musical accompaniment. The puppetry was imaginative and the musicians both comical and skilled, as we were gradually introduced to Zog's world and his quest for the golden star. My son Riley hadn't expected to hear singing throughout the show and when Princess Pearl (Emily Benjamin) began to sing, he quietly whispered in my ear "Well that was a lovely surprise!"

Photo credit: Helen Maybanks

The cast featured Elliot Mackenzie in his professional debut as Zog; Emily Benjamin (Bat Out of Hell) as Princess Pearl; Robert Ginty (Salome and Coriolanus, Royal Shakespeare Company) as Sir Gadabout the Great; Euan Wilson (Stick Man, UK Tour) as Madame Dragon; and Dixie McDevitt (National Youth Theatre alumni) as Ensemble.

All of them were funny and engaging, as well as being highly talented, as they provided an entertaining performance consisting of drama, music, dance and puppetry. Children amongst the audience were giggling right from the opening scene, which soon turned into loud laughter later in the show, once we were introduced to Sir Gadabout the Great. He delivered an hilarious act along with a memorable song, that my son Riley has been singing at home ever since.

There was an equal combination of the use of puppets and actors and I felt that this worked well. The actors ensured that there was a connection with the audience, as well as interaction in parts, whilst the puppets added a magical element that delighted the children, especially when the dragons began to fly. The puppets themselves were absolutely stunning and have clearly been created with care and attention to detail, with striking colours and friendly faces.

One thing that I particularly enjoyed about the show, was the way that it had been paced. It was fast moving and entertaining, which ensured that even the youngest of children could remain focused and interested in what was happening on stage. I have found in the past that Riley can become disengaged if there is too much dialogue, but this show provided the perfect mix of words and song, which meant that any potential for boredom, was kept firmly away.

Photo credit: Helen Maybanks

Overall, we found this show to be a wonderful adaptation of a book that we know and love. It is the perfect introduction to theatre for children and we saw plenty of babies and toddlers in attendance too. The running time is just short of an hour, which means that it is the perfect length of time to keep children interested and amused. The cast are an excellent example of skilled performers who ensure that the story is told in an entertaining and comical manner, as well as presenting themselves as very likeable characters. My six year old loved it and is looking forward to telling his friends all about it!

I would also like to add that from a venue persepective, I was very impressed by how attentive the Storyhouse staff were to the children in attendance. From welcoming smiles, friendly chats and the handing out of stickers, we found everyone to be extremely courteous and professional in providing a family-friendly theatre environment.

For more information on Zog Live and the upcoming tour locations, you can visit the Freckle Productions website or their social media pages on the following channels:

Website - https://www.freckleproductions.co.uk/
Facebook - facebook.com/FreckleProductions/
Twitter - @Freckle_Prods
Instagram - @freckle_productions

To find out more about Storyhouse then you can visit their website or social media on the following channels:

Website - www.storyhouse.com
Facebook - facebook.com/storyhouselive
Twitter - @storyhouselive
Instagram - @storyhouselive

Photo credit: Helen Maybanks

Disclaimer: We were provided with complimentary tickets for the purpose of writing an honest review of the show. All opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. 

Sunday 21 October 2018

Beauty and the Beast Pantomime at St Helens Theatre Royal - A Review

Why wait until Christmas to get your panto fix, when you can visit the St Helens Theatre Royal this October half term and watch Regal Entertainments pantomime version of Beauty and the Beast!

With a tremendous cast, telling a tale as old as time, this show delivers a constant stream of energy, comedy and drama which has the audience laughing from beginning to end. The show which was written by Liam Mellor and produced by Jane Joseph and Chantelle Nolan, offers absolutely everything that a great panto should, with a fun packed production for families of all ages to enjoy.


Kiera-Nicole Brennan stars as the stunning Belle and shines in the role with her delightful singing and dancing. Her performance skills were apparent from the very start and she is clearly a very talented individual. Although I had not heard of her previously, she is currently a presenter on Channel 5's Milkshake! which at the age of only 19 is an amazing achievement. 

Maddie Hope Coelho stars as Fairy Rose, who was always on hand to wave her magic wand and ensure that happiness would prevail. We have seen Maddie Hope Coelho on stage before and she has an incredible singing voice, which we would have loved to have heard more of during this production. Her solo performance was wonderful, with a hint of charm and magic that made it a beautiful scene to watch. My youngest son Riley was captivated as Fairy Rose cast her magic upon the Beast whilst performing a rendition of 'When You Believe' and this was definitely one of the stand out scenes of the show.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography
The Prince and The Beast is played by Andrew Geater, who we have watched in panto previously. I remember commenting in my review of 'Cinderella' that he had a commanding stage presence, which was evident again this evening and it makes him perfectly suited for this role. His charm and kindness shone through as the Prince, but he was also able to make a believable Beast with his booming authoritive tone.

Gaston was played by Phillip McGuinness and I absolutely loved his character. With an emphasised accent, bulging biceps and comedy lunges, what's not to like! He had plenty of the adult audience in laughter often and although technically starring as a 'baddie', he definitely had the likeability factor with his super confident and humorous appearances. 

Gaston would often appear alongside his 'mummy' Madame Botox (played by Hannah Potts). She was excellent as the pantomime villain, but not too scary for the younger guests in the audience. We particularly enjoyed her performance of 'Human', which was terrific when combined with the lighting and stage effects.

As ever, the lovable Lewis Devine had both children and adults laughing out loud, with his slapstick comedy and sometimes risque jokes. Offering the perfect mix of humour for all ages, he definitely knows how to keep a crowd entertained! Starring as French Frank, his wit and cheekiness make him a firm family favourite and he is someone that we will definitely look forward to seeing again in the future. I was quite literally crying with laughter in some parts and I am sure that I was not alone.

Resident Dame Si Foster brought smiles to our faces, with his comical contributions as Potty Polly. We have seen him perform in several pantomimes now and he never disappoints. Whether delivering well rehearsed jokes or an unplanned ad lib, you can be sure that he will have you laughing throughout. His appearances alongside Lewis Devine, make them the perfect duo who work together extremely well on stage. Potty Polly's costumes were also superb and dazzled with extravagance and amusement.

A special mention has to be given to the supporting dancers who were definitely stars in their own right. The production featured some fast paced choreography, yet even the youngest performers presented this perfectly alongside the leading cast. I am often amazed by how talented some young children are and this was definitely the case tonight, with not only wonderful dance routines but some acrobatic displays too!

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography
The sets for each scene worked well and we have always been impressed with how much Regal Entertainments can create and display, in what is quite an intimate stage setting. The inside of the Prince's castle was magnificent and majestic, with the village, Belle's home and woodland scenery also looking splendid. 

Overall we had a fantastic time at Beauty and the Beast and no sooner had it ended, my five year old asked if we could go and watch it all over again. It was evident that a lot of effort has gone into making this show a great family production, which both the cast and crew should be very proud of. Everything was perfect from the lighting to the sound, the costumes to the scenery and the music to the choreography. Ultimately Beauty and the Beast is a fun-filled family pantomime that is certain to entertain! 

Listing Details

Show: Regal Entertainments Ltd present: Beauty and the Beast
Venue: St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1LQ
Dates: 20th October to 28th October
Times: Daily 1pm / Fri - Sun 1pm & 5pm
Tickets: From £12* (*All prices are inclusive of a £1 per seat booking fee. On-line bookings are subject to an additional 50p per seat on-line processing fee.)
Website: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/St-Helens-Theatre-Royal
Twitter: @TheatreRoyalStH

Bookings can be made in person at the Theatre Royal Box Office, Corporation Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1LQ (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm). Alternatively, call 01744 756000 or log on to www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography
Disclaimer: We were invited to the press night as guests, for the purpose of writing an honest review of the show. Thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated.

Tuesday 10 April 2018

Legally Blonde The Musical at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool - Review

Last night my daughter and I attended the opening night of Legally Blonde The Musical at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool. The show is based on the 2001 hit film and apart from a few slight changes to the original story, it is very similar to the popular on-screen version. It is packed full of high energy dancing, singing, drama and lots of pink!

Directed and Choreographed by Anthony Williams, the show tells the story of Elle Woods who is a popular and fun loving girl, that sadly suffers heartbreak when her boyfriend Warner decides to end their relationship for someone more serious. Elle becomes determined to win Warner back and therefore studies hard to become a student at Harvard Law School. Facing many challenges along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself, never goes out of style.

On arrival we were informed that the lead role of Elle Woods would actually be played by the understudy Rebecca Stenhouse, instead of the advertised star Lucie Jones. I was a little disappointed on hearing this news initially, as I had heard so many great things about Lucie's performance in the show. However it soon became apparent that Rebecca Stenhouse was absolutely amazing as Elle with the most beautiful, yet powerful voice. She stepped up to the role perfectly and my earlier dismay was immediately forgotten as soon as she took to the stage. Her comedic timing, flawless dance moves and superb vocals allowed Rebecca to excel in the role of Elle and both my daughter and I were extremely impressed with her performance abilities throughout the whole show.

Photo Credit: UK Productions Ltd
Rita Simons, who is best known for playing Roxy Mitchell in BBC's Eastenders, stars as Paulette Bonafonte. I always think that it must be hard to take on a new role when viewers are so used to seeing you perform as another character, so I was keen to see Rita's portrayal of Paulette.

Her first salon scene with Elle gave Rita the chance to show off her amazing singing voice with her performance of Ireland. This was a fabulous song that was not only funny and entertaining, but also showed a range of emotions too. There was a slight problem during the song where one part of the Irish flag failed to drop onto the stage, but this only provided Rita with the perfect opportunity to show her professionalism as she continued undistracted with the song.

Displaying a strong sassy attitude and a bold american accent, Rita made the character of Paulette her own, which had the audience laughing on plenty of occasions. The Bend & Snap scene with the UPS Guy was certainly one of my favourites and I just loved the positive energy and enthusiasm.

Photo Credit: UK Productions Ltd
Starring as Professor Callahan is Bill Ward, who had a great stage presence. His opening number of Blood in the Water, gave the ideal introduction to his character which showed Callahan to be a formidable and successful lawyer who knows exactly what he wants. He also provided plenty of entertaining moments too with his dancing and facial expressions during the show.

David Barrett stars as Emmett and he delivers some lovely moments with Elle, where their on-stage chemistry comes across as very believeable. I loved the scenes that just featured the two of them, as these also displayed some important messages, such as believing in yourself, working hard to achieve your dreams and how you can also find love when you least expect it. It is great to watch a show that has so much positivity and happiness throughout.

Warner Huntington III is played by Liam Doyle and both my daughter and I really enjoyed his first scene with Elle where they sang Serious together. Their comedic timing was perfect during this performance making what was a 'Serious' matter, actually appear rather amusing.

Photo Credit: UK Productions Ltd
My daughters favourite part of the show was the Gay or European court room performance which, like the rest of the show, was packed full of energy, drama and comedy. It has a really catchy tune and we both found it to be absolutely hilarious, as well as being extremely well choreographed.

Credit also has to go to Helen Petrovna as Brooke Wyndham for the incredible opening scene of Act 2. Her rendition of Whipped into Shape, involved the creative use of skipping ropes that was extremely impressive. Helen somehow managed to make this look effortless and the fact that she was also able to continue acting after such a routine, without even looking short of breath, was incredible.

The remainder of the cast also worked extremely hard and were well supported by two very special canine performers in the form of Bruiser and Rufus who gained immediate popularity the moment they stepped out onto the stage.

Photo Credit: UK Productions Ltd
Overall Legally Blonde The Musical is a really uplifting & feel-good show that can't help but put a smile on your face. The finale saw the audience get up from their seats to clap, sing and dance along to the musical medley and the cast rightly deserved their standing ovation. Packed full of fast paced dancing, catchy songs and positivity, it is a must see musical that offers something for everyone.

Legally Blonde The Musical, will be performing at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool until Saturday 14th April. Tickets can be bought online on their website here: Grand Theatre

Alternatively, you can ring the box office on 01253 290190

Listing Details

Show - Legally Blonde The Musical
Dates - Monday 9th to Saturday 14th April 2018
Times - Evenings at 7:30pm, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2pm
Venue - Blackpool Grand Theatre, 33 Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 1HT
Ticket prices - Prices vary, so please visit the Grand Theatre website to obtain the most up to date information.
Box Office - 01253 290190
Website - www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/legally-blonde-musical


Disclaimer: We were provided with press tickets for the purpose of writing an honest review of the production. Opinions are my own unless otherwise stated.