Something Rotten!

 

Review by Paul Towers, 15/7/26

Something Rotten! by Karey & John Kirkpatrick, music & lyrics by Karey & Wayne Kirkpatrick

Directed by Tim Jackson

Produced by Jas Theatricals

At Manchester Opera House til Saturday 19th July 2026

I originally booked to see this show back in 2020 but, of course, Covid put paid to that. So I was thrilled to hear that Manchester Opera House was debuting it, at last.

The script is a delicious mash up of Shakespearean song and dance in a far from accurate depiction of Renaissance England in 1595 London.

The premise is that wannabe playwright Nick Bottom (Jason Manford) along with his brother Nigel (Cassius Hackforth) are trying to emulate the accomplishments of local hero Will Shakespeare (Richard Fleeshman). Nick’s wife Bea (Marisha Wallace) is his rock but aspires to be his equal.

Desperate to write something popular Nick consults with Nostradamus (Cory English) who predicts that the next big thing will be a musical. Cue a fabulous number, A Musical, which spoofs so many musical numbers, old and new, sometimes only a single line but the audience recognised about 90% of the cues.

Will Shakespeare bursts onto the stage as a leather clad pop star, very much channelling Frank N Furter in The Rocky Horror Show and the assembled peasants fall at his feet, much to the chagrin of Nick Bottom.

The set by Colin Richmond is a skewed medieval street giving choreographer Tim Jackson plenty of scope for big dance numbers.

It is a shame it is only in Manchester for a month but there is hope it will eventually transfer to the West End. The soundtrack of the original Broadway production is well worth finding.

https://ptheatre.blogspot.com/ 

A Vicar of Dibley Christmas

 

Review by Paul Towers, 13/7/26

A Vicar of Dibley Christmas – the second coming adapted by Ian Gower & Paul Carpenter
Based on the original TV series by Richard Curtis & Paul Mayhew-Archer

Directed by Nikki Favell

Produced by Leicester Drama Society

At The Little Theatre til Saturday 18^th July 2026

It may seem strange to be talking about Christmas while we are enduring yet another heat wave but, here in the air conditioned Little Theatre, The Vicar of Dibley Christmas is exactly what we need to lift our spirits.

Following on from last year’s visit to Dibley we find Alice Tinker (Kathryn Lenthall) back from her honeymoon with new husband Hugo (Keir Watson) and pregnant. As she is showing Geraldine (Kat Seddon) her holiday pictures the vicar’s mind is on other things, namely the planning of the annual Dibley Christmas Show.

As is to be expected the various members of the parish council all have different ideas about how to spice up the event. Owen Hewitt (Jordan Handford) has his usual inappropriate suggestions, Jim Trott (Ian Carr) makes little sense, Letitia Cropley (Elizabeth Spendlove) knits and Frank Pickle (Nic Adams) dithers. Trying desperately to maintain order David Horton (David Lovell) only serves to alienate everyone. Watch out for a surprise cameo from Tabitha Fogg

The first half lovingly combines snippets from many episodes of the beloved TV series to keep the audience laughing from the get go. The second half is when the chaos really kicks in as the night of the Christmas Show looms.

With the entire original cast from last year (plus Nic Adams) this is a wonderfully comfortable show to watch. It is obvious the team work well together and director Nikki Favell, back in charge again, has great fun with the script. Once again every cast member has the impersonations off pat.

A Vicar of Dibley Christmas is at The Little until Saturday 18^th July. Grab a ticket and enjoy the familiar warmth of this evening of laughter and love.

Pics: Poyner & Mee Photography

https://thelittletheatre.co.uk/

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Anything Goes

 

Review by Paul Towers, 1/7/26

Anything Goes by PG Wodehouse, Guy Bolton, Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse
Music & lyrics by Cole Porter

Directed and choregraphed by Lee Proud

Produced by Celia Mackay for Kilworth House Theatre

At Kilworth House Theatre til Sunday 2 August 2026

Anything Goes is just about the perfect American musical. It has a daft farcical plot, is jam packed with hummable Cole Porter songs and enough tap dancing to make your ankles swell in sympathy.

Set on a cruise liner sailing from New York to London (great Art Deco set design by Phil Witcomb), the SS American is home to a very mixed bag of passengers. Nightclub singer Reno Sweeney (Emily-Mae in fine voice and with a great sense of comedy) is onboard along with her backing singers, debutante Hope Harcourt (Megan Gardiner) is with her fiancé Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (Tom Hopcroft) and her mother Evangeline Harcourt (Penelope Woodman). Billy Crocker (Richard Carson) is assistant to Wall Street banker Elisha Whitney (Thomas Sutcliffe) but has stowed away onboard to try and win Hope’s heart. To this end he has to disguise himself. Moonface Martin (Dougie Carter) aka “Public Enemy No. 13” causes all sorts of trouble as he sneaks around while his ‘associate’ Erma (Sophie Naglik) turns all the sailors’ heads with a promise of fun and games below decks.

Trying to keep some sort of order on the liner is The Captain (Robert McNeilly).

As with all good musicals the first half is taken up with creating the chaos that is resolved in the second half. Along the way there is comedy, farce, great dancing and glittering costumes.

For those of us of a certain vintage and a keen interest in musical theatre/films the Cole Porter score is enough to turn us to jelly. But add into that the iconic show stopping first half finale of the Anything Goes tap routine and I am in musical theatre heaven.

The score for the second half is full of less well-known Porter songs but no less hummable for that.

Staged under the marquee of the Kilworth House Outdoor Theatre on a balmy July evening this is the perfect antidote to today’s troubles. Grab a ticket while you can.

The whole production is de-lovely and is a very welcome return for resident director/choreographer Lee Proud.

Pics: Fox Corporate Photography

Anything Goes

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