Category: Plays
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Sleep Can Wait! | Unity Theatre, Liverpool
“Sleep Can Wait!” at Liverpool’s Unity Theatre is a whimsical, family-friendly production directed by Elinor Randle. It features engaging performances by young actors and a vibrant backdrop of innovative design. The play encourages creativity without screens, highlighting the magic of the holiday season. Running until December 23rd, it promises joy…
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Stocking Fillers | Royal Court, Liverpool
Christmas at the Royal Court Studio features the annual Stocking Fillers showcase, presenting seven short plays by emerging writers. The performances blend humor and melancholy, showcasing a talented cast that handles diverse characters and genres. While some pieces lack impact and transitions feel awkward, the overall experience remains heartwarming and…
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The Talented Mr. Ripley | Lowry, Salford
Patricia Highsmith’s Tom Ripley franchise, notably adapted into the 1999 film and the 2024 Netflix series, celebrates its 70th anniversary with Mark Leipacher’s new stage production. The Talented Mr. Ripley explores the complex character of Tom Ripley, portrayed compellingly by Ed McVey, who oscillates between charming and sinister. The production’s…
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It’s a Wonderful Life | Royal Court, Liverpool
Old Fruit Jar Productions has revived its successful adaptation of “It’s a Wonderful Life” at Liverpool’s Royal Court, featuring a fresh cast. Directed by Alex King and written by Mary Elliott Nelson, this rendition captures the film’s sentimentality and whimsy. It centers on George Bailey, portrayed by Sean Radford, who…
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Fawlty Towers – The Play | Opera House, Manchester
Fawlty Towers has been adapted for the stage with John Cleese’s approval, combining three classic episodes into a two-hour farce under Caroline Jay Ranger’s direction. Following a successful West End run, the production is now touring the UK, featuring Danny Bayne as Basil and Joanne Clifton as Polly. While it…
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Lost Atoms | Playhouse, Liverpool
For its 30th anniversary, Frantic Assembly partners with acclaimed playwright Anna Jordan to present “Lost Atoms,” a memory play exploring the complex relationship of Robbie and Jess. Directed by Scott Graham, the production features Frantic Assembly’s hallmark physicality and inventive staging, highlighting Jordan’s unique storytelling ability. The non-linear narrative mirrors…
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Snake in the Grass | Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Alan Ayckbourn’s “Snake in the Grass” captivates audiences at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton with its blend of psychological tension and dark humor. Directed by Francesca Goodridge, the play delves into family trauma, revealed through the unsettling reunion of two estranged sisters after their father’s death. The performances, especially by…
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The Anfield Apocalypse | Royal Court, Liverpool
The Anfield Apocalypse, currently playing at The Studio in The Royal Court Liverpool, is a zombie comedy that promises The Court’s classic Scouse wit and undead chaos- and while it doesn’t always hit the mark, it offers a lively, if uneven, night out. From the outset, the show wrestles with…
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The Woman in Black | Storyhouse, Chester
Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt, has captivated audiences for years. At Chester’s Storyhouse, the production, directed by Robin Herford, features strong performances from John Mackay and Daniel Burke, who effectively navigate its play-within-a-play format. However, the adaptation may detract from the novel’s intensity, failing to…
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Stags & Hens – The Remix | Theatre Royal, Ramsbottom
At the Theatre Royal, Ramsbottom, The Summerseat Players take on Willy Russell’s Stags & Hens this week- but remixed. The play follows two groups of friends on a big night out- the stags in the gents and the hens in the ladies. Here, though, the action is moved from its…
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