Madagascar the Musical has officially touched down in Manchester, running at the Opera House for a select few dates this month.
Based on the smash-hit 2005 animation, the family-friendly musical invites audiences along on a journey with ‘all of your favourite crack-a-lackin’ friends’ on their unexpected journey. And we went along to opening night to see what it’s all about.
Walking into the stunning Opera House always fills me with excitement from the off, but this was only heightened by the sea of smiling little faces in fluffy lion ears. Cute.
Just to give a small synopsis if you happened to miss the epic Dreamworks film released 19 years ago (wow that makes me feel old), the storyline is quite simple and easy to follow. Four high maintenance animals escape their zoo with the help of four fugitive penguins, and subsequently find themselves in Madagascar living with some vivacious lemurs.
The musical show follows the story perfectly from costumes to script – everything is recognisable and feels somewhat nostalgic.
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The lights go down and the stage is transformed into a New York City skyline, setting the scene of the Central Park Zoo as we patiently wait to see our stars.
The first up-beat number of the night introduces the four main characters, Alex the lion, Morty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo. From the get-go it’s clear this show is aimed at younger children, that’s not to say it can’t be enjoyed by all ages, but perfect for kids aged between four and ten.
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Madagascar the Musical in Manchester follows zoo creatures on the run. Credit: Publicity picture
The first half takes you quickly through the storyline and we meet four crafty Antarctic flightless birds who will ultimately be the driving force for the evening’s plot.
Marty, our zebra friend, then goes through what can only be described as an existential crisis and escapes the zoo for a better life in the wild. His animal companions of course go after him and subsequently end up being captured by animal control, at this point me and the adorable five year old sat next to me are on the edge of our seats.
Now would be a good time to give a mention to the set design, really outstanding and the attention to detail is meticulous. The crate scene, while the characters are being transported by boat, reflects the film perfectly and little details like ‘Transport to Kenya’ give nods to context to where we are in the plot.
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After an intense boat hijack from our penguin pals, the theatre plummets into darkness that marks the end of act one.
En route to the toilet I hear an interesting insight from a seven year old, ‘mummy, why would they be sending penguins to Kenya?’. A great question, one of life’s many unanswered questions, but we’ll scoot past that small plot hole because the opening of act one is the real nucellus of the evening.
The stage and set design of Madagascar the musical in Manchester is exceptionalThe stage and set design of Madagascar the musical in Manchester is exceptional
The set transforms into a beautiful tropical paradise and you can almost feel that warm breeze on your face and the white sand beneath your feet. We’ve made it to the main event – Madagascar.
Now while the news has been flooded with stories of King Charles over the last week, we’ve been sleeping on the fluffy royal legend that deserves every bit of fame and stardom we can offer. That’s right, he’s here, it’s King Julien.
The next five minutes are so full of energy and humour I have actual tears in my eyes. Watching a stage of lemur puppets and zoo animals performing a choreographed rendition of ‘I Like To Move It’ was not on my 2024 bingo card but I am thrilled to have experienced it.
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Act two, in general, carries all the energy, the upbeat catchy songs and the colourful staging filling the room with smiling faces.
I am not 100% clear what the climax of the plot is, and realise I can’t remember from the film either, but it really doesn’t matter. The film left kids with a very important message, ‘don’t eat your friends!’ and that’s something they will always remember.
After a remarkable solo from Alex the lion, which could rival the likes of ‘All that jazz!’, the story comes to a happy ending and the full audience are on their feet.
The full run time of the show is one of the shortest I’ve been to with just about 40 minutes for each half, but that’s ideal for kids you just can’t keep still. And grown-ups…
Tickets for Madagascar the Musical in Manchester are on sale here.
ENB’s Romeo & Juliet at Palace Theatre Manchester – the world’s most famous story expertly reimagined | Review
Emily Sergeant
Every now and then you experience a bit of a full circle moment… and for me, this was one of them.
Back in 2011, when I was a dance-obsessed 14-year-old, taking and assisting classes countless times a week, I became enamoured by a BBC documentary series called Agony & Ecstasy: A Year with English National Ballet. As one of the country’s premier ballet companies – celebrating its 60th anniversary at the time of the documentary – ENB allowed cameras behind the scenes, from the rehearsal room to backstage, giving audiences a previously unseen inside look on what it takes to stage some of the most spectacular productions your eyes will ever meet.
One of the ballets being staged in the year the BBC followed the company was Romeo & Juliet.
Based on a story known around the world and with an unmistakable score by Prokofiev, it’s a ballet I was already fond of prior to the documentary, but seeing the work that went into making the show a reality, up close like never before, it turned into one of my favourites.
Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to see several different dance stagings of Romeo & Juliet – but last night, at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, was the first time I got to sit in the audience and see English National Ballet’s production live with my own eyes.
And it was just as magical as I was hoping it would be.
ENB’s Romeo & Juliet is now on stage at Manchester Palace Theatre / Credit: Laurent Liotardo
Right off the bat, I’m just going to presume you already have somewhat of a grasp on the story of Romeo & Juliet, right? Given the fact it’s arguably Shakespeare’s most famous work and one of the most iconic plays of all time.
And you’ll be pleased to know, even if you’re not seasoned in watching ballet, that the story we all know and love remains largely intact for this production, therefore making it easy for audiences of all ages and interests to follow along and admire.
The two title characters, the star-crossed lovers themselves, were embodied expertly by Rentaro Nakaaki and Julia Conway as Romeo and Juliet, who had the audience captivated from the second they entered the stage – with undeniable chemistry and enviable technique.
Fabian Reimair took on the role of Tybalt with ease, Noam Durand was Mercutio, and Rodrigo Pinto was Benvolio, all while Elvis Nudo and Minju Kang stepped into the shoes of Paris and Rosaline.
But the lead roles are nothing without the wider cast of supporting dancers and character actors, who really help transport you to 14th century Verona and help bring the authenticity a production as epic as this requires.
The world’s most famous story has been expertly reimagined / Credit: Bill Cooper | Laurent Liotardo
Aside from the dancing, it would be remiss not to praise the expert sets and costuming here from Ezio Frigero and Franca Squarciapino.
And I suppose I should also give a shoutout to little-known name, Rudolf Nureyev, who choreographed this version of Romeo & Juliet all the way back in 1977. Something tells me he would’ve had a great career… I could be wrong, though.
Romeo & Juliet really is one of the most tragic love stories of all time, and the power of that is not lost through dance. It’s still as raw and heartbreaking in this production as it always is.
And that is truly a credit to every single person forming part of it – both on the stage and off.
ENB’s Romeo & Juliet is now on stage at Manchester Palace Theatre until Sunday 25 October, and you can book your last-minute tickets here.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Theatre
Blue Planet III live in concert is coming to Manchester next year
Daisy Jackson
The spectacular Blue Planet III will come to Manchester live in concert next year, bringing the hit BBC nature documentary to life with a live orchestra.
The new arena tour will pull together the most breathtaking footage beneath the waves from across the series, curated for a giant Ultra HD LED screen.
Blue Planet III will hit screens later this year, narrated once again by the legendary Sir David Attenborough.
Filmed across four years, it will take audiences everywhere from tropical coral reefs to the darkest depths of the ocean.
When the Blue Planet III Live In Concert show arrives in Manchester, it will be hosted by series executive producer Elizabeth White, who’ll share incredible stories and behind-the-scenes insights from the making of the series.
The score once again comes from Academy Award-winner Hans Zimmer, with Thom Lukas and Laurentia Editha for Bleeding Fingers Music, performed live by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
The companion live concert is preparing to take audiences even deeper into the underwater world on an epic audio-visual scale.
Specially curated footage from Blue Planet III will be shown on a state-of-the-art 200 sq metre Ultra HD LED screen – one of the largest of its kind used for an orchestral touring screen show and approximately the size of a tennis court.
Blue Planet III live in concert is coming to Manchester next year. Credit: BBC Studios
The brand-new Blue Planet III Live in Concert will kick off here in Manchester before heading to Birmingham, Glasgow, and London.
Executive Producer Elizabeth White says: “Making Blue Planet III has taken us to places we never imagined we’d film. But there’s something about bringing that footage into a concert arena full of people, with the score performed live all around you, that will be truly special.
“This tour is our chance to share the series on a completely different scale, and I can’t wait to be there live, revealing the extraordinary stories behind what audiences are seeing on screen.”
Hans Zimmer says: “There’s nothing like experiencing this score live with an orchestra, especially when it’s paired with the extraordinary visuals of the life underwater. Thom, Laurentia and I are ecstatic that audiences will be able to enjoy our score in this way.”
Blue Planet III Live in Concert will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on Friday 21 May 2027 – general release tickets start from £40 and go on sale from 11am on Friday 16 October HERE.
Abbie Bartlett -
9th February 2024 
