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Theatre

Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds is coming to Manchester – with a Liam Neeson hologram

The virtual Neeson takes the role of The Journalist, who recounts his story of survival from the Martian invasion of 1898.

Daisy Jackson - 5th December 2023

Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds will be coming to Manchester as part of a monumental new arena tour.

The much-loved musical spectacular, based on the dark Victorian tale by H. G. Wells, will feature a 3D hologram of Liam Neeson.

The virtual Neeson takes the role of The Journalist, who recounts his story of survival from the Martian invasion of 1898.

The Spirit of Man Tour will also see the stage filled with a 35-foot fire-breathing Fighting Machine, alongside the eight-piece Black Smoke Band and 36-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings.

The rest of the new cast and further details will be announced in the coming months.

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The War Of The Worlds will be at the new Co-op Live arena in 2025, as part of the 17-date, 19-show tour of the UK and Ireland.

Its arrival in Manchester will coincide with the 130th anniversary of the world-famous production.

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And after 19 years of live touring, the enormous musical experience has grown to mind-blowing proportions.

It was already considered a cutting-edge production in 2006 with six trucks filled to the brim – these days, it will be up to 12 trucks to bring the phenomenal special effects to life.

Tickets for The War of the Worlds in Manchester will go on sale at 10am on Friday 8 December via myticket.co.uk/artists/jeff-wayne-s-the-war-of-the-worlds.

Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds tour dates

Fri 28 March Hull Connexin Live
Sun 30March 3Arena Dublin, Ireland
Tue 1 April Aberdeen P&J Live
Wed 02 April Glasgow OVO Hydro
Thu 03 April Leeds First Direct Arena
Sat 05 April Newcastle Utilita Arena
Sun 06 April Manchester Co-op Live
Tue 08 April Sheffield Utilita Arena
Wed 09 April Liverpook M&S Bank Arena
Thu 10 April Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
Sat 12 April Brighton Centre – matinee & evening
Sun 13 April Bournemouth Int Centre
Mon 14 April Bournemouth Int Centre
Wed 16 April Cardiff Utilitia Arena
Thu 17 April Cardiff Utilita Arena
Fri 18 April Birmingham Resorts World Arena
Sun 20 April London The O2 – matinee & evening

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Theatre

Blood Brothers at Palace Theatre, Manchester – a timeless classic

Greg James Sean Jones and Joe Slight in Blood Brothers in Manchester. Credit: Jack Merriman

Sean Jones and Joe Slight in Blood Brothers in Manchester. Credit: Jack Merriman

Bill Kenwright’s production of Blood Brothers surpassed 10,000 performances in London’s West End making it one of only three musicals ever to achieve that monumental milestone – and now it’s visiting us here in Manchester.

“Oh Bright New Day”, Blood Brothers has just landed back at the Palace Theatre. This musical written by Willy Russell is a British piece of theatre that is a staple in the musical theatre tapestry of our country.

For anyone who is unfamiliar with this iconic story, it is an emotional tale of two twins who are separated at birth and grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with the most fateful of consequences.

The story’s central character, Mrs Johnston is the linchpin in this whole story and carries us through the show.

This role has been played by many superb women over the years including Mel C, Kiki Dee, Barbara Dickson and nearly all of the Nolan Sisters. This time, Mrs Johnston is performed by Vivienne Carlyle who provides a lovely maternal performance.

The other two lead roles are Mickey and Eddie, played by Sean Jones and Joe Sleight respectively.

These are really complex roles to play as the actors have to portray the characters from early school years to grown adults.

The cast of Blood Brothers in Manchester. Credit: Jack Merriman

Sean Jones, Gemma Brodrick and Joe Slight in Blood Brothers in Manchester. Credit: Jack Merriman — The cast of Blood Brothers in Manchester. Credit: Jack Merriman

Sean Jones has been playing the role of Mickey now for nearly 25 years and so he is no stranger to this character. And I must say, he still fantastically plays the part, even when playing young Mickey, and the show really takes off when he enters the stage.

Joe Sleight is someone who I had not seen in the role of Eddie before and he gave just as strong a performance as Jones. He offered a real contrast to his counterpart with a really beautiful, touching performance.

The whole ensemble did a gorgeous job of helping to carry these characters throughout the musical, showing a real flair for multi-roling and beautiful musicality in the group numbers too.

Something which elevates this already gripping story though is the music. There are many recurring musical motifs throughout the show that on the surface may come off as repetitive but they offer perspective on how things can evolve and change over time.

Of course the song though that everybody is perhaps familiar with is the power ballad, ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’. This is the climax of the show and what a climax it is. There’s not a dry eye in the house when we reach this point of the story, I can assure you!

So, whether you are returning to watch this show again, perhaps know the story from studying it in English GCSE or seeing it for the first time, it will always be an absolutely timeless classic.

Blood Brothers is on at the Palace Theatre in Manchester until Saturday 30 November. Tickets are available HERE.

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Featured image: Jack Merriman

Theatre

Chicago the Musical razzles (and dazzles) at the Palace Theatre in Manchester

Clementine Hall

A story of murder, greed and corruption was performed with style, ease and flair; Chicago is the longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history, and it’s easy to see why now that it’s arrived in Manchester.

The jazz-fuelled fiasco is filled with catchy songs that you can’t help but click along to, funny one-liners, and likeable characters such as Miss Roxy Hart herself.

Best-known for appearing as Kate Connor in Coronation Street, the opening night in Manchester on Chicago‘s UK tour may have been a daunting prospect, but it’s one Faye Brookes pulled off seamlessly.

Here’s our full review…

Image: Press Images (Supplied)

Brookes is fantastically expressive and brings new energy to a classic, complemented throughout by a sultry cast dressed in buckles and mesh that really bring the ‘Razzle Dazzle’ to the stage.

Her co-star, Strictly Come Dancing‘s Kevin Clifton, struts through the show transformed into Billy Flynn – a flamboyant 1920s American lawyer who has the desperate inmates in the palm of his hand.

The opening number, ‘All That Jazz’, is spearheaded by Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly and she does it brilliantly.

Image: Supplied

The cast slink their way across the stage with Scott at the forefront, who undoubtedly delivers a faultless performance and complements Brookes as Roxie Hart perfectly.

A highlight of course included the hilarious ‘Cell Block Tango’, the audience were laughing along as the women sang the stories of their murderous deeds whilst performing sharp and sultry choreography.

Not even a toe out of place.

Image: Supplied

The set is minimalist, dark and simple, but is simply brought to life by the wonderful expression and lively musical numbers performed on stage by the live band.

The live band sits on a staircase centre stage and their playful use of instruments throughout is truly impressive.

Neil MacDonald, the show’s musical director, even got involved with a few on-stage conversations which was a fabulous touch that made the show feel bespoke to us.

Images: Supplied

Images: Supplied

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Other notable performances included Brenda Edwards as Mamma Morton, whose powerhouse voice left the audience in absolute awe, and Joshua Lloyd as ‘Mister Cellophane’ caused a couple of pitiful “awws” from the auditorium.

Overall, this was a fantastic production of the Broadway classic – the standing ovation at the end proves I wasn’t the only one who thought that too.

Chicago the Musical is playing at the Palace Theatre Manchester until Saturday, 9 November and you can grab your last-minute tickets HERE.

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Featured Images — Press images (Supplied)