Theatre

Mrs Brown’s Boys is coming back to Manchester with ‘classic play’

Mrs. Brown Rides Again is returning (contains affiliate links)

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 20th March 2023

Mrs Brown’s Boys is returning to theatres across the UK this autumn, taking Mrs Brown Rides Again back on tour.

For the first time in 10 years, the ‘much-loved classic play’ written by and starring Brendan O’Carroll will be hitting the live stage.

Mrs Brown Rides Again is based on the hit sitcom Mrs Brown’s Boys, which follows loud-mouthed Irish matriarch Agnes Brown (or ‘Mammy’) and her six children.

The play itself follows the dysfunctional family after Agnes learns that her children plan to have her put in a home.

While trying to prove that she has a new lease of life, she’s faced with a psychiatrist trying to put her in her place, a neighbour waiting for a heart bypass, and a family secret that everyone seems to know except her.

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A new mini-series of Mrs Brown’s Boys has also been announced, returning to BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

It will be the first mini-series in more than a decade following years of regular Christmas specials, which usually dominate viewing ratings.

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Over the years, the sitcom has been awarded five BAFTAs, four National Television Awards, three TV Choice Awards, four IFTA awards, three TV Times Awards as well as RTS, TRIC and National Comedy Awards.

On the new tour, Brendan O Carroll said: “The Pandemic is gone, and Mrs Brown is back. It doesn’t get any better.”

Mrs. Brown Rides Again will be at the Manchester Opera House between 30 August and 2 September this year.

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Tickets go on sale Friday 24 March at 10am from atgtickets.com.

Full tour dates for Mrs Brown’s Boys play, Mrs Brown Rides Again

Fri​ 25 Aug 23​ Glasgow OVO Hydro
Sat​ 26 Aug 23​ Glasgow OVO Hydro (Matinee and Evening show)
Wed ​30 Aug 23 ​Manchester Opera House​
Thu​ 31 Aug 23​ Manchester Opera House​​
Fri ​01 Sep 23 ​Manchester Opera House​​​
Sat​ 02 Sep 23​ Manchester Opera House (Matinee and Evening show)​
Thu ​07 Sep 23​ Edinburgh Playhouse​
Fri​ 08 Sep 23​ Edinburgh Playhouse​
Sat​ 09 Sep 23​ Edinburgh Playhouse (Matinee and Evening show)
Tue ​12 Sep 23 ​Wolverhampton The Halls
Wed​ 13 Sep 23​ Wolverhampton The Halls​​​
Fri​ 15 Sep 23​ Cardiff International Arena ​
Sat ​16 Sep 23​ Cardiff International Arena (Matinee and Evening show)
Wed ​20 Sep 23​ Liverpool Empire Theatre
Thu ​21 Sep 23​ Liverpool Empire Theatre
Fri​ 22 Sep 23​ Liverpool Empire Theatre
Sat ​23 Sep 23​ Liverpool Empire Theatre (Matinee and Evening show)
Wed​ 18 Oct 23​ Sunderland Empire
Thu ​19 Oct 23​ Sunderland Empire
Fri​ 20 Oct 23​ Sunderland Empire​
Sat​ 21 Oct 23 ​Sunderland Empire (Matinee and Evening show)
Fri ​27 Oct 23​ Hull Bonus Arena
Sat​ 28 Oct 23 ​Hull Bonus Arena (Matinee and Evening show)
Mon​ 30 Oct 23 ​Bournemouth International Centre​​
Tue​ 31 Oct 23​ Bournemouth International Centre
Thu​ 02 Nov 23 ​Blackpool Opera House
Fri​c 03 Nov 23 ​Blackpool Opera House ​
Sat​ 04 Nov 23 ​Blackpool Opera House (Matinee and Evening show)

Featured image: BBC

Theatre

Blood Brothers at Palace Theatre, Manchester – a timeless classic

Greg James Greg James 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
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
Sean Jones, Gemma Brodrick and Joe Slight in 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 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

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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.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press images (Supplied)

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