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Music
Here And Now - The Steps Musical, Opera House, Blackpool
Graham Clark
Music Correspondent
Photo: Pamela Raith photography
Jukebox musicals are incredibly popular – throw in some big hits from a popular artist or group, and in most cases, include a flimsy storyline, and the fans will come. Take That and ABBA have both had their songs featured in musicals, the latter being more prominent with Mama Mia.
P.ublished 9th April 2026
Theatre
Priscilla : Big, Bold And Brave - With Showstopper Stand In
Sharon Cain
Lifestyle & Leisure Editor
The cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert Image by Johan Persson
Glitterballs abound as the much-vaunted Priscilla Queen of the Desert musical comedy had the audience totally under their spell. They would have forgiven anything - including the late start.
P.ublished 7th April 2026
Theatre
2:22 - A Ghost Story
Graham Clark
Music Correspondent
The cast of 2:22 - image supplied by York Grand
Jenny believes her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam isn’t having any of it. They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben. Can the dead really walk again? Belief and scepticism clash, but something strange and frightening feels close, so they’re going to stay up... until 2:22... and then they’ll know.
P.ublished 1st April 2026
Review
Full Service History: Matt Miller's Joyful Solo Show Gets Right Under The Bonnet
Andrew Palmer
Group Editor
There is a phrase that recurs in Fixing like a mechanic's mantra: 'holistic car care, going on a journey — together'. By the time Matt Miller's 75 minutes are up, you realise that sentence has done rather a lot of quiet, patient work. The Ripon Theatre Festival could hardly have wished for a more propitious launch event.
P.ublished 30th March 2026
Festivals
Ripon Theatre Festival 2026: Celebrating Five Years Of Culture, Colour And Community Spirit
Ripon Theatre Festival (RTF) launches its 2026 programme on 27 March, promising a summer to look forward to. Firmly established as a key date in the region’s cultural calendar, this year’s festival runs 5-12 July with 8 days and nights of performances and activities.
P.ublished 23rd March 2026
Theatre
Simply The Best - Tina Turner The Musical Leeds Grand
What a show this was! Opening night of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical had the sell-out audience hooked from the word go. The show is dedicated to the life of global superstar Tina Turner: her heartbreaking upbringing, her fight for survival in an abusive relationship, the rebuilding of her career from nothing and ultimately becoming one of the most renowned female artists in history.
P.ublished 20th March 2026
Theatre
From Fray Bentos To Grenfell: Sheffield's Ordinary Lives, Extraordinarily Told
Set in the living room of a house on Burngreave Road, Sheffield, young Kathy and Brian settle to make their forever home. With young love in the air and babies on the way the world is their oyster, but over the sixty years that the play spans, inevitably life gets in the way.
P.ublished 20th March 2026
Theatre
Bluey’s Big Play – A Q&A With Melanie Zanetti And Dave Mccormack (Mum & Dad)
Bluey’s Big Play, the theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® Award-winning animated television series, has captivated audiences of all ages, with Bluey and her family delighting fans with an unforgettable live theatrical experience and its back on tour in the UK and Ireland With brilliantly created puppets, Bluey’s Big Play features the original voices from the beloved TV series, including…
P.ublished 16th March 2026
Theatre
Ralph Davis Talks About Playing The Title Role In The RSC’s Touring Production Of Hamlet
The Royal Shakespeare Company returns to Blackpool Grand Theatre with a ‘must-see’ (Guardian) new production of Hamlet. Hamlet’s mother has married his uncle, and at a less than decent interval since the death of his father. As he pulls at the threads of his not-so-happy new family, Hamlet unravels a web of deceit and immorality that leads to the ultimate crisis of conscience.
P.ublished 14th March 2026
Theatre
Silver & Gold: Long John Silver Restores His Reputation?
Richard Trinder
Managing Editor
James Hyland as Long John Silver
James Hyland is the actor, adapter, director and producer of this spin-off from that much-loved hit called Treasure Island. In this one-hander called Silver & Gold, Hyland takes on the tricky task of reclaiming, or at least re-framing, Long John Silver's appalling reputation. Silver, we are told, was indeed a very bad man.
P.ublished 26th February 2026
Music
Grimes Of Passion
Richard Trinder
Managing Editor
James Creswell as Swallow and John Findon as Peter Grimes with members of the Chorus of Opera North
Benjamin Britten's opera Peter Grimes has been 'revived' by Opera North. It's an ironic choice of words for this much-loved Phyllida Lloyd production, as the opera includes the tragic deaths of two young apprentice fishermen and a suicide at sea - all of whom might have benefited from some revivification.
P.ublished 14th February 2026
Theatre
The Tower Circus Opens Early For School Holidays
Liz Coggins
Features Editor
Clowns Mookey and Mr Boo
Blackpool Tower Circus set for spectacular return so if you are having a break in Blackpool or live in the area, it's well worth a visit The world-famous Blackpool Tower Circus is gearing up for a spectacular return, with only a week to go before the 2026 season officially opens.
P.ublished 9th February 2026
Theatre
Moustache In Progress: Mark Hadfield Brings Fresh Melancholy To Poirot
Playing legendary detective Hercule Poirot in the European premiere of a new stage version of Death on the Nile, Mark Hadfield has the approval of none other than Sir Kenneth Branagh. The two actors are friends. "And he's been incredibly encouraging," Marks says about chats he's had with Branagh, who has played Poirot himself in three big-screen outings.
P.ublished 7th February 2026
Theatre
Murder Most Foul: Inspector Morse: House Of Ghosts
Newcastle Theatre Royal promises a diverse and dynamic line up to engage, thrill, and delight audiences over the next three months. Musicals taking centre stage are the feel-good Mama Mia (Wednesday 11- Saturday 28 February) and West End mega-hit TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, (Tuesday 3- Saturday 14 March).
P.ublished 3rd February 2026
Music
Opera North’s The Marriage Of Figaro: A Farce (The Good Kind)
Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro is a comic opera that first premiered on May 1, 1786, in Vienna, but is brought bang up to date in this witty, fizzing production directed by Louisa Miller. Performed in its original Italian, with highly amusing modern translations in the surtitles by Lydia French, Figaro is as accessible and entertaining as a Brian Rix bedroom farce.
P.ublished 31st January 2026
Theatre
The Dukes Announce A Vibrant Spring/summer Season And Start To Celebrate Turn 55 This Year!
Grab your ticket for a season of unforgettable nights of laughter, entertainment and applause as the Dukes announce a spring/summer season packed with the finest theatre, comedy and cinema. Audiences are invited to adventure into a world of thrills, comedy and excitement with the Dukes’ diverse selection of theatre shows.
P.ublished 29th January 2026
Theatre
In Conversation With Stephen Webb As The Rocky Horror Show Heads North
Graham Clark
Music Correspondent
(L-R)Stephen Webb (Frank-N-Furter), Laura Bird (Magenta), Daisy Steere (Columbia), James Bisp (Brad), Edward Bullingham (Dr. Scott). Photo: David Freeman
The Rocky Horror Show is coming back to the north to brighten up your winter with its fishnet-bedecked legs kicking high and feather boa swinging high as the Richard O’Brien risqué musical returns once again. Over 35 million theatregoers have witnessed The Rocky Horror Show, which tells the story of two impeccable college students, Brad and his fiancée, Janet.
P.ublished 26th January 2026
Theatre
Bluey’s Big Play
Jeremy Williams-Chalmers
Arts Correspondent
Bluey’s Big Play, the stage adaptation of the Emmy Award-winning animated television series, has already delighted audiences across the world—and now Bluey, Bingo and the rest of the Heeler family are back on tour across the UK and Ireland.
P.ublished 22nd January 2026
Theatre
The Elves And The Storyteller
John Kitching
Writer
Mr Dazzle (Luke Dickson) Photo: Fidget Theatre Company
Leeds-based Fidget Theatre’s latest production sees them moving out of a conventional theatre setting and into Leeds Central Library. But there are no librarians looking over their glasses here instructing us to be silent, and the shelves of books are left behind as we are greeted by Mr Dazzle (Luke Dickson) and invited to take a seat or sit on the floor.
P.ublished 10th December 2025
Theatre
Stunning Revival Soars In Leeds
Emilie Moon Claire Haddleton
Theatre Correspondents
The company Photo Danny Kaan
The new UK tour of Miss Saigon opened at the Leeds Grand Theatre this week, filling the beautiful venue, and deservedly so. What unfolded on stage was a breathtaking, emotionally charged production that earned its packed audience a lengthy standing ovation. Right from the start, the show dazzles with its extraordinary set design.
P.ublished 5th December 2025
Anything Goes Christmas Steamer Sails Into York
Ditch the December chills in York and climb aboard the S.S. American as it sets sail in Pick Me Up Theatre’s all-singing all-dancing Christmas production of Anything Goes! This Cole Porter classic follows the madcap antics of a motley crew as they sail from New York to London – on a Christmas-themed steamer.
P.ublished 4th December 2025
Theatre
Arts Council England Launches £2 Million Theatre Breakthrough Fund
Arts Council England is launching the Theatre Breakthrough Fund today - a new £2 million fund that redistributes investment previously allocated to Eclipse Theatre Company and released upon its closure.
P.ublished 2nd December 2025
Theatre
Cinderella The Pantomime Pleasure Beach Resort
If you are looking for a spectacular but highly traditional pantomime that dispenses pure fairytale magic, then Cinderella in The Dome Theatre at the Pleasure Beach Resort is for you. Once again, Stageworks Worldwide Productions has created what must surely be one of the most spectacular pantomimes around.
P.ublished 29th November 2025
Theatre
Harrogate Theatre's 125th Birthday: A Celebration Tinged With Challenge
When Natalie Rawel took up her role as Head of Marketing and Development at Harrogate Theatre in November 2021, the venue was still finding its feet after the pandemic. But what she discovered surprised her: Harrogate audiences were ready to come back. "I was surprised how Harrogate was still very much attending," she recalls.
P.ublished 29th November 2025
Pantomime
Aladdin : Raucous And Ridiculously Good - Oh Yes It Is!
Sharon Cain
Lifestyle & Leisure Editor
The cast of Aladdin Image by Paul Coultas
Bonkers and dazzlingly brilliant does not shine a light on describing the impact of Aladdin at Newcastle Theatre Royal. I can’t remember when I laughed so much for so long that my ribs ached. Turning convention on its head, there is just a cursory nod to the rags-to-riches traditional theme in this extravaganza brimming with creative, comedic genius.
P.ublished 28th November 2025
Theatre
A Ghostly Count Magnus In Person On The Coast
Andrew Liddle
Guest Writer
Robert Lloyd Parry as M R James Photo: Shelagh Bidwel
‘Count Magnus’ is coming to Scarborough in the SJT’s busy run up to Christmas! It will be the fourth successive year Robert Lloyd Parry has brought his thrilling one-man show to town - and there is every reason to suppose a seasonal tradition may be in the making.
P.ublished 22nd November 2025
Theatre
Childhood Wonder Returns In Slava's Magical Winter Spectacle
Julia Pattison
Theatre Correspondent
Slava Snowshow Snowing on Crow Photo: Veronique Vial
As my grandson and I headed out to the Grand Opera House to see the multi award-winning international sensation Slava’s Snow Show, it started to snow, adding a wonderfully festive touch to our evening – marketing must have had a word with Mother Nature!
P.ublished 20th November 2025
Theatre
Yorkshire Students Take Centre Stage In National Theatre’s Dear England Schools Project
Students from Temple Moor High School 'team picture' during Dear England workshops Photo: Aaron Cawood
Inspired by James Graham’s Dear England, Leeds-based students recently participated in workshops with Leeds Heritage Theatres (LHT) and the National Theatre, exploring themes of identity, legacy, and aspiration.
P.ublished 19th November 2025
Pantomime
West End Stars Arrive At Blackpool Pleasure Beach For Pantomime Rehearsals
Three West End actors have arrived at Pleasure Beach Resort’s theatre ahead of the launch of its Christmas pantomime, Cinderella. Ian Oswald, Chris O’Mara and James Colebrook arrived last week at the resort, and have already begun rehearsing with the rest of the cast and crew.
P.ublished 18th November 2025
Theatre
In Conversation: Kym Marsh Talking About Psychological Thriller, Single White Female
“This is my villain era,” says Kym Marsh, with a laugh so warm it is hard to imagine the multi-talented actress with her friendly, likeable persona, being remotely villainous.
P.ublished 8th November 2025
Theatre
Elf The Musical Comes To Blackpool
Back by popular demand after six sell-out tours, World’s Biggest Productions bring their thrilling staging of Elf The Musical, starring dare-devil comedian Jordan Conway, to The Winter Gardens, Blackpool, from 9 to 14 December 2025.
P.ublished 8th November 2025
Theatre
Dear England: Brilliant Design and Performances Can't Overcome Overlong Second Half
James Graham’s play Dear England should carry a warning that unless you are a dedicated football fan of a certain age or know a thing or two about the recent history of the ‘beautiful game’, this production is not for you! Dear England tells the story of Gareth Southgate’s eight-year stint as England manager.
P.ublished 5th November 2025
Opinion
Create Opportunities For Young People In The Arts
Tyler Pickles Photo: Ruth Crafer
If we want to see young people thriving in the arts then we need to create more opportunities for themTyler Pickles I think I was always destined to have a career in the performing arts. As the son of a dance teacher who runs her own dance school I often ended up in her classes.
P.ublished 5th November 2025
Theatre
In Conversation With Jim Jefferies
Jeremy Williams-Chalmers
Arts Correspondent
Jim Jefferies Reproduced with permission
One of the most influential and provocative voices in global comedy is heading back to the UK. Acclaimed comedian, actor, and writer Jim Jefferies has announced the long-awaited UK leg of his brand-new stand-up tour, Son of a Carpenter, coming in November 2025.
P.ublished 1st November 2025
Theatre
In Conversation With Omid Djalili
Omid Djalili has never been more serious about his stand-up. As he takes to the road with his new show Namaste, he talks to Mark Wareham about putting a funny spin on the state of the world and how being cancelled post-9/11 makes him the perfect comedy ambassador for these tumultuous times
P.ublished 25th October 2025
Music
Opera North’s La bohème
Richard Trinder
Managing Editor
Olivia Boen as Mimì and Anthony Ciaramitaro as Rodolfo. All photos by Richard H Smith
The much-loved Phyllida Lloyd production of Puccini's La bohème returns to the stage with Opera North under Revival Director James Hurley. In freezing Paris we meet penniless poet Rodolfo. One night, his neighbour, the seamstress Mimì, knocks on the door of his garret, looking to relight her extinguished candle.
P.ublished 18th October 2025
Interview
Cleese on Fawlty's triumph: "The English do love farce"
John Cleese is talking about the runaway success of Fawlty Towers – The Play, having had two sold out West End seasons and a 10 month UK tour which began in September. “To be honest, I was more confident about it than almost anything I’ve ever done. I remember reading the finished script and thinking it was really funny. And the English do love farce. Think Ben Travers.
P.ublished 11th October 2025
Theatre
Have A Hauntingly Good Halloween
The screamingly funny supernatural farce Blithe Spirit at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Tuesday 28 October to Saturday 1 November This exciting new Blackpool Grand Theatre co-production with Wiltshire Creative and renowned theatre producer Lee Dean is the perfect Hallowe’en treat and will star TV, film and theatre favourite Susan Woolridge (Hope and Glory, Jewel in The Crown) as t…
P.ublished 10th October 2025
Theatre
Lost Atoms: A Breathless Whirlwind Of Love And Loss
With the title Lost Atoms, we could have been forgiven for assuming this play was about science. It is, however, a story of the complexities of love and the ups and downs of a relationship between Jess and Robbie, expertly and energetically played by Joe Layton and Hannah Sinclair Robinson.
P.ublished 9th October 2025
Interview
Polish-Born Performer Margot Przymierska In Conversation
Margot Przymierska is a Polish-born performer, writer and creative producer now living in the UK. She brings Monument, a powerful theatrical piece that explores the cyclical nature of power, ideology, and human displacement, to West Yorkshire. Can you tell us about Monument? The show consists of two separate stories.
P.ublished 8th October 2025
Theatre
Miss Saigon Set To Wow Audiences On UK Tour
Miss Saigon rehearsals: Kim (Julianne Pundan) and Chris (Jack Kane), Danny Kaan Photography
Miss Saigon rehearsals: Kim (Julianne Pundan) and Chris (Jack Kane), Danny Kaan Photography The countdown is underway to the legendaryMiss Saigon musical - which sees Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical reborn - and opens at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal on Saturday, October 4, 2025.
P.ublished 29th September 2025
Interview
Tom Chambers In Conversation
Steve Pratt
Theatre Correspondent
Tom Chambers as Inspector Morse Photo: Johan Persson
When Tom Chambers was cast as one of television’s most iconic detectives in a stage play, he knew that his toughest critics would be fans of Inspector Morse and actor John Thaw who portrayed the character on TV. “The first thing that comes to mind is how wonderfully relaxed John Thaw was as Morse.
P.ublished 23rd September 2025
Theatre
Our Performances Change The Way People See Dating Forever.
Soundproof Box founder Lise Kay-Bell
Educational theatre education company Soundproof Box will deliver an eye-opening interactive performance during Freshers Week in Headingley next month. The award-winning Red Flags show explores social issues affecting communities and workplaces, mixing theatre and real stories. Its work has now reached over 17,500 people and 13,000 are under 18.
P.ublished 22nd September 2025
Theatre
Kynren’s Volunteer Cast And Crew Receive Standing Ovation After 2025 Season Finale
Kynren Fireworks Final 2025 show
Kynren’s 2025 season came to an end on Saturday evening, with the show’s 1,000-strong volunteer cast and crew receiving a standing ovation from the audience. The award-winning live action night show’s finale concluded Kynren’s nine-show run, with its 2025 season welcoming the highest number of visitors since 2019.
P.ublished 22nd September 2025
Theatre
Heartbeat Reunion: Jason Durr Teams Up With Co-Star For Murder Mystery Tour
Heartbeat actor Jason Durr is reunited with one of his co-stars from the Yorkshire set ITV series in a new stage play. The director of the Original Theatre production Murder at Midnight – which comes to York Theatre Royal from 21-25 October – is Philip Franks.
P.ublished 20th September 2025
Theatre
Opera North Scoops Top Award
Leeds-based Opera North is celebrating beating off stiff competition to win the Opera category at this week’s 2025 Sky Arts Awards with its recent concert staging of Verdi’s rarely-performed opera, Simon Boccanegra.
P.ublished 19th September 2025
Theatre
To Kill a Mockingbird As Relevant Today As It Ever Was
Harper Lee’s 1960 story of racism and prejudice in America’s Deep South was brought to the cinema so vividly in the classic 1962 film starring Gregory Peck, that bringing it to the stage 40 years later was always going to be fraught with danger.
P.ublished 19th September 2025
Theatre
Stars Behind Bars
A talented trio of TV favourites are swapping prime time for prison time to star in the captivating new stage production of The Shawshank Redemption at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Tuesday 23 September to Saturday 27 September.
P.ublished 18th September 2025
Theatre
From Personal Pain To Political Performance: How Section 28 Shaped A Dance Trilogy
DETENTION is a bold and moving new work that explores Section 28, which 'prohibited the promotion of homosexuality’.  In 1988, this piece of legislation from Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Government devastated lives.
P.ublished 17th September 2025
Theatre
A Musical Tribute To A British Comic Genius Comes To Scarborough
Andrew Liddle
Guest Writer
Hal Cazalet
Hal Cazalet, opera singer, international cabaret artist and raconteur, has performed his one-man musical tribute to one of this country’s best-loved humourists, in places as far apart as The National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai and The Crazy Coqs in London's West End. In October, Play On Words, A Musical Celebration of P.G.
P.ublished 13th September 2025
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