Stan Graham's Leisure Guide for North and West Yorkshire
I still think of myself as a newcomer to opera, so, when I write about a work I have seen before, especially as it was four years ago, it comes as something of a shock. It is the same production, directed by Femi Elufowoju jr. using the original costumes and scenery, so it is taking…
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When I saw that this was a musical about someone with dementia I was a bit sceptical but, and here is a statement of transparency, as it featured a pal of mine, I just had to go see it. I won’t mention any names but they know who they are and that, if they were…
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When Tchaikovsky was pitched the idea of writing an opera of the ‘novel in verse’, Eugine Onegin, he was reluctant to do so as it was based more on relationships than action. Thankfully he had second thoughts and came up with this stunner. It was so brilliant that I am not going to whinge about…
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A couple of firsts here; my first tribute show and the first time I have visited Harrogate’s Royal Hall. I hope that I will get more opportunities to repeat the latter. I found the former most confusing as, rather than a bloke with glasses taking to the stage to sing Accidents Will Happen, Oliver’s Army…
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Only a week to go until this year’s edition of LIFI and the tickets, what is left of them, are selling like, well – hot tickets! It is hardly any wonder given the wide variety of subjects to be covered and the stellar names discussing them. The format has evolved over the years and settled…
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Another Harrogate Theatre Drama Season draws to a close with this piece by Michael Morpurgo, best known for writing War Horse, which I have enjoyed both on stage and as a film. This one-man play is also set at the beginning of the last century and covers action in England and on the First World…
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Leeds Playhouse are definitely hitting the ground running after the summer break. Following last week’s offering, Fences, I was back to see A Tale of Two Cities, the classic from Charles Dickens. It had been adapted for the stage by Terrance Rattigan and John Gielgud, so had good credentials. I have never read the book,…
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We are being spoilt by Northern Ballet, this is the second incarnation of Three Short Ballets this year. The first, in May, featured works by two of the choreographers who were again represented this evening; Tiler Peck and Hans van Manen (I won’t repeat my White Van Manen joke from last time – oops!) the…
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This is not a play about a handler of stolen goods, although it is set in Pittsburgh, whose NFL team is called the Steelers – stealers – never mind. No, this is a very powerful work highlighting the plight of an African American family in 1957 who are at the crossroads between old school upbringing…
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The subtitle of this piece is The Johnny Cash Musical, and, as such would have been great, covering the life and times of one of America’s most iconic and colourful – even though he always wore black – country music characters. As the main title suggests, however, the show concentrated on his relationship with his…
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