“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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
Five places to watch The Traitors finale live on the big screen in and around Manchester
Danny Jones
With this year’s The Traitors finale just around the corner, Greater Manchester and the rest of the UK are preparing for one very big United Kingdom watchalong, including live viewing parties on the big screen.
Some places showed the grand finale last time around, and with the conclusion of series four fast approaching, even more have organised their own Traitors screenings in central Manchester and further afield, too.
We know plenty of you will be more than happy watching it at home, but there’s something about the idea of watching it in a room with a load of excited people over a few pints that just gets us buzzing.
All that being said, here are some places in town and beyond that are hosting screenings of The Traitors’ grand final this coming Friday, 23 January.
Live screening of The Traitors finale in Greater Manchester
1. Nell’s – Northern Quarter
First up on our list is the pizza palace that is Nell’s, specifically the one located inside beloved neighbourhood bar Common in NQ.
The place will be filling up from 8pm, ahead of the show starting half an hour later, and the full food and drinks menu will be available as normal. It’s selling out fast, so book your spot at ‘the roundtable’ now, whilst you still can.
Heading across the city centre to Gay Village, just a road over from the main throughfare of Canal Street, Richmond St’s Cockatoo Club is also holding a Traitors watch party.
Not only being played on the large projector, but also being hosted by cult favourite drag queen, Annabelle Hecter, this one should be a hoot and a half.
3. Fairfield Social Club – Greengate
Next up is one of the first ones not only to announce this year, but hop on the bandwagon of The Traitors watchalongs to begin with.
Fairfield Social Club (also the home of GRUB) are one of the experts when it comes to events like these, and it’s no surprise tickets are also disappearing rapidly. Find out more down below.
There are freebies for quiz winners, as well as the best fancy dress and Claudia Winkleman doubles.
4. Cultplex – Cheetham Hill
Our penultimate spot on the list is fellow royalty when it comes to grassroots events and championing alternative entertainment – they also happen to be the toast of Red Bank.
The Cultplex cinema team are used to smaller screenings, and if anything, this might pull in one of the most mainstream crowds all year, but they always deliver no matter what’s on the box. You can reserve your seats HERE.
5. The Light – Stockport
Last but not least, if you want to see how this season’s drama ends on a REALLY big telly, then you can always book yourself in for a trip to your nearest Light cinema location.
The Stockport branch has great food and drink, comfy recliner seats, plus plenty more – and if you’ve never done one of these live screening events before, this is a great place to start.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied)/BBC
Theatre
An interactive jury experience is happening in Manchester – and it’s selling out FAST
Danny Jones
Yes, you might have heard about different bits of ‘immersive theatre’ here in Manchester before, you may have even tried some of them before, but have you ever been part of an interactive jury experienceinspired by true events?
Didn’t think so.
We’ve come across some pretty unorthodox performance art in our time – the soon-to-arrive Star Wars burlesque show being just one recent example; having said that, this might be one of the coolest concepts around right now.
Calling the next case into court, we have ‘The Jury Experience: Diamonds, Lies, and a Dead Man’, which combines a live crime thriller with the classic jewel heist format, whodunnit tropes and more.
Organised by Fever Events and scripted and staged with help from award-winning creative directors, Les Enfants Terribles, this latest edition of The Jury Experience is one of just many in a long line of intriguing courtroom dramas that YOU get to take part in.
We don’t want to give too much away and spoil the magic, but let’s just say you get to play a key role in seeing who goes down for the theft or a multi-million dollar family treasure.
Using your phone and/or paddles to cast your votes and sway decisions, there aren’t just key moments – the audience themselves are the final verdict.
Think you handle the responsibility, or better still, will you relish the sense of power?
As for ‘Diamonds, Lies, and a Dead Man’, here’s your teaser: “You’ve been called for jury duty. Scandal brews as a disgraced ex-driver stands trial for stealing global superstar Lana Tonneti’s $20m necklace.
“But is Lana telling the truth? Throughout the show, analyse witness testimonies, examine the evidence, answer complex questions, and try to uncover what really happened.
“Every word matters. Every detail counts. And at the end, you must cast the vote that determines the fate of the accused.”
Taking place at the stunning Stoller Hall and lasting just over an hour, this strictly 12+ event (kids under 19 must be accompanied by an adult)
While tickets to the first two productions this month have already sold out, tickets for the March and April nights are still available. You can find out more about dates, timings, and other cases, as well as grab your tickets right HERE.
Amy Williams -
28th February 2024 
