“Welcome to Hollywood. What’s your dream?” goes one of the most iconic lines in Pretty Woman, the musical version of which has just landed in Manchester.
And after the opening night of the theatre production of this beloved film, mine is to relive the experience over and over again.
There are tears, incredible voices, amazing outfits, and just generally the perfect remake of my favourite film.
After a record-breaking run on Broadway, Pretty Woman: The Musical opened at The Palace Theatre in Manchester last night, and my god it was brilliant.
If you don’t know the story line by now… then come on? Set in the 1980s, it begins with Edward (in the film, a suave Richard Gere) asking for directions in Hollywood Boulevard, and finding all the answers from Vivian (played by Julia Roberts in the film). And so the romance begins.
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On stage, we kick off in the Blue Banana, and exactly like the film, we meet Vivian, Kit and the homeless man (or Paige Fenlon, Natalie Paris, and Ore Oduba, plus Ben Darcy as Edward). Their CVs include stints on SIX The Musical, Les Miserables, and Strictly Come Dancing.
Their voices will all blow you away, but my favourite on stage has to be Ore, transforming from the homeless man shouting ‘what’s your dream!’ to Mr Thompson in the hotel teaching Vivian to dance, to the conductor at the opera, a shop owner on Rodeo Drive and loads more roles.
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He delivers brilliant transitions into every scene.
Ore Oduba in Pretty Woman The Musical, which is at the Manchester Palace Theatre until 16 March.
The theatre show has all the major moments from the film, like the iconic shopping scene, the day trip to a polo match, when he finally ‘sleeps’, and down to the most perfect costume of the red dress and the necklace for the opera. The voices of the opera singers are staggering, too.
With its own soundtrack compared to the film, there’s enough to lure in even those of us who have re-watched the film 100 times and can quote it line-for-line.
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But Pretty Woman The Musical does wrap up with the titular song from the classic hit, and there’s something about the finale – the standing ovation, huge cheers and applause – that brings me to tears.
If you don’t have tickets yet, big mistake… HUGE!
Pretty Woman The Musical is on at the Palace Theatre in Manchester until Saturday 16 March, and it’s definitely not one to miss.
A comedy night packed with raunch and hilarious storytelling is heading to Manchester and its fronted by one of comedy’s leading queer comedians.
Titled ‘Queer as F*ck’ (we love a good pun), this night is devoted especially to queer comedy and sees Welsh comedian Morgan Rees taking the wheel with a wonderful roster of acts set to play too.
Taking inspiration from the cult-favourite queer comedy, this leading comedian is no stranger to seeing his work in the limelight as he has written for some of the funniest flagship shows like Mock The Week and The Great American Joke-Off.
Rees also doubles as the co-writer for smash internet hit The Uncle Roger Show, starring fellow comic Nigel Ng, and will definitely be bringing some of his razor-sharp one-liners on the night.
Ben Hodge, the MC for the queer comedy night in Manchester.Morgan Rees, the comedian headlining ‘Queer as F*ck’.Jenny Hart, one of the acts lined up for the queer comedy night in Manchester.Credit: Press Images (supplied)
The event, which has the full title of ‘brew. haha: Queer as F*ck comedy night’ will be MC’d by trans-male stand-up Ben Hodge and lesbian comedian Louise Young.
The latter may be a familiar name as she is currently supporting Alan Carr and Tom Allen on their latest tour while also stopping off in Manchester for this very special occasion.
Along with Rees and co., finishing the line-up are two impressive performers ready to raise the roof at this comedy night in Manchester: gay author Martin Dixon and trans comedian Jenny Hart.
Obviously, Rees doesn’t want to give everything away, but he has revealed an insight into what guests can expect to be chuckling away at in their seats.
Morgan Rees is excited to talk about “bad one night stands, growing up queer in a Welsh working class town, coming out late, and starting my first relationship in my 30s – it’s all in there.”
Taking place at Contact Theatre, this much-loved arts space is tucked away just behind the University of Manchester and another impressive city centre venue, Manchester Academy.
And if all this comedy talk wasn’t enough to get you down there, brew will be serving up Detroit-style pizzas with a range of draft beers and ciders – what a night you’re in for.
‘brew. haha: Queer as F*ck’ is coming to the Contact in Manchester on Wednesday, 9 April and ttickets are already on sale.
There’s no shortage of movie to musical adaptations, but this one is a cut above the rest.
Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical is a show that truly lives up to its name, a jukebox musical ready to take you on a whistle stop of catchy 90s pop hits.
And yes I’m taking about all the big ones, throughout the production the audience are treated to absolute bangers from Britney Spears and The Verve to Christina Aguilera and NSYNC (seriously, there’s some proper tunes in this).
Based on the 1999 movie, Cruel Intentions tells the tale of step-siblings Kathryn and Sebastian as they engage in a cruel bet on whether Sebastian can take the virginity of the headmaster’s innocent daughter.
Image: Supplied
The script doesn’t vary much from the film, but whilst the plot stays strong the constant flow of songs is stronger.
From effortlessly belting Wannabe by the Spice Girls to slowly transitioning into Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn, the show takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to the somewhat absurd action of breaking out into song mid-conversation.
And that’s how this production is best enjoyed, it’s a show of pure entertainment that’ll have you giggling in your seat with a glass of vino (or two) in hand.
Image: Supplied
But that’s not to undermine the absolutely stellar performances from the small but mighty cast.
The first thing that stands out are the impeccable vocals, both Will Callan and Nic Myers who played Sebastian and Kathryn had voices that rivalled any of the pop sensation’s who’s hits they were covering.
Myers specifically had a belt which required the full attention from the audience, she also perfectly captured the cruel and bitchy persona of the role which gives the word ‘cruel’ to the show’s title.
Image: Supplied
The real standout performance of the evening, though, was Lucy Carter who played the geeky, funny, cheeky but completely hilarious role of Cecile Caldwell.
Her incredible comic timing paired with her jaw-dropping voice completely stole the show, and her interpretation of I’ll Make Love To You had audience members cackling throughout. A real star in the making.
Overall if you’re looking for a night of fun at the theatre, then you absolutely cannot go wrong with getting a ticket for Cruel Intentions. It’s on at the Palace Theatre until Saturday 29 March, and you can grab your tickets here.
Amy Williams -
28th February 2024 
