music
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Reviewed – Tommy at the Birmingham Rep
The musical Tommy arrived at the Birmingham Rep last night, in a new production by the inclusive theatre project Ramps on the Moon. This version of the iconic rock opera from The Who featured the epoymous lead, the ‘deaf, dumb and blind kid who sure plays a mean pinball’ being played by an actor who also happens to be deaf, the excellent William Grint, and the use of Grint, and other actors who have disabilities, added a new power and poignancy to what is a classic piece of musical theatre. A new opening scene, featuring news footage, showing how people with disabilities are facing additional cuts to benefits and support…
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A Red Carpet night for ‘All or Nothing’ at The New Alex Theatre
Friday night saw a red carpet event and aftershow party for ‘All or Nothing’. the Mod musical which tells the story of the rise and fall of 1960s band ‘The Small Faces’. Held at the New Alex Theatre, where it was coming to the end of a very successful run. the red carpet event included Vespas, lots of wine, and an eclectic audience made up of Mods, celebrities and music fans. They were all in for a treat with a musical that is, by turns, laugh out loud funny, and a sombre reflection of the nature of the music industry in the 1960s, where thugs/businessmen like Don Arden chewed up…
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Billy Elliot – Just Brilliant!
Growing up in Durham during 1984/85, as the Miners strike was at its height was difficult for anyone. But for a motherless 12 year old boy who longs to be a ballet dancer, despite being pushed towards a boxing ring, life is damn near unbearable. Dad and brother are on strike, caught up in the terrible times they are living in, but not too caught up to not react with anger and horror when they discover the boy’s secret. This is the story of Billy Elliot, which left me open mouthed with awe at the Birmingham Hippodrome last night. It is, quite frankly, the best musical I have ever seen…
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Alexandra Burke shines in Sister Act
It is a beloved movie, and with Whoopi Goldberg as the lead, there are some serious shoes to fill. But Alexandra Burke last night proved that not only does she have an incredible voice, but she is also a comic natural as she took on the role of Dolores Von Cartier in ‘Sister Act’ at the Wolverhampton Grand. Directed by Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood, the show was an absolute hoot, a real crowd pleaser with brilliant performances from the whole cast, and non more brilliant that the pocket diva in the lead. Alexandra is Dolores, and Dolores is a total star. ‘Sister Act’ follows the same story as the film.…
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Thriller Live Reviewed at the Wolverhampton Grand
Thriller Live opened at the Wolverhampton Grand this week and last night I went along to review it. This celebration of the music and life of Michael Jackson is a glitzy, energetic affair performed with aplomb by the company, but I have to say I think you really need to be a massive fan of all things Michael Jackson to get the very best enjoyment from it. My own feelings on Michael are a little bit mixed. He was an incredible performer, and with ‘Off the Wall’ and ‘Thriller’ he created two of the greatest albums of all time. I also love the Motown and Epic years of the 1970s,…
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