Superb performances and intimate staging make Shakespeare’s tragedy feel thrillingly alive. Ian Cheeseman reviews How lucky am I? I got…
A mesmerising Macbeth at the Bolton Octagon
Author: Ian Cheeseman
Ian Cheeseman reviews Operation Mincemeat: A riotous Wartime caper that redefines the modern musical
From its Fringe beginnings to a sold-out run at The Lowry, Operation Mincemeat proves itself less a traditional musical and…
Ian Cheeseman reviews Operation Mincemeat: A riotous Wartime caper that redefines the modern musical
Legally Blonde bursts with energy in Congress Players’ standout show
A spirited cast, thoughtful direction and standout vocals make this Mossley staging of Legally Blonde a feel‑good triumph from start…
Legally Blonde bursts with energy in Congress Players’ standout show
Operation Mincemeat brings its award-winning wit to The Lowry
The hit musical opens its UK tour in Salford, promising sharp comedy, big heart and a story stranger than fiction.…
Operation Mincemeat brings its award-winning wit to The Lowry
NK Theatre Arts bring bold ambition to teen edition of Hadestown
A bold teen edition of Hadestown at Romiley Forum showcases NK Theatre Arts’ ambition, musical strength and standout young performers,…
NK Theatre Arts bring bold ambition to teen edition of Hadestown
A compelling and inventive A Christmas Carol at Bolton’s Octagon
Ian Cheeseman is thoroughly won over by the Octagon Theatre’s musical, in-the-round retelling of Dickens’ festive classic. Just when I…
A compelling and inventive A Christmas Carol at Bolton’s Octagon
A tale of two Pantos: Saddleworth and Stockport dazzle local audiences
Two very different festive productions — Hansel & Gretel in Delph and Aladdin in Stockport — prove just how magical…
A tale of two Pantos: Saddleworth and Stockport dazzle local audiences
Singing in the Rain dazzles at Manchester’s Royal Exchange
The Royal Exchange in Manchester is a wonderful place to watch theatre, but as I ventured out into the damp…
Singing in the Rain dazzles at Manchester’s Royal Exchange
MAODS deliver a confident and captivating Calendar Girls in Mossley
Ian Cheeseman reports on Mossley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society’s accomplished and warmly received staging of Calendar Girls. Calendar Girls,…
MAODS deliver a confident and captivating Calendar Girls in Mossley
Manchester’s Merry Men: Robin Hood Rides Into the Opera House
Ian Cheeseman celebrates the thrill of theatre in his home city and talks to West End star Adam Strong about…
Manchester’s Merry Men: Robin Hood Rides Into the Opera House
Footloose – TADAA’s Energetic and Immersive triumph
Theatre Arts of Dukinfield and Ashton (TADAA) bring explosive energy and heartfelt storytelling to Mossley’s George Lawton Hall with their…
Footloose – TADAA’s Energetic and Immersive triumph
Mischief Theatre’s Jonathan Sayer on bringing West End comedy back to his Tameside roots
TAMESIDE has a bona fide theatrical genius in its midst. Jonathan Sayer, born in Ashton-under-Lyne, co-founded Mischief Theatre — a…
Mischief Theatre’s Jonathan Sayer on bringing West End comedy back to his Tameside roots
Stockport Operatic’s ‘Anything Goes’ shines at the Plaza
Ian Cheeseman enjoys a dazzling evening of toe-tapping spectacle, sparkling humour and standout performances as Stockport Operatic Society delivers a…
Stockport Operatic’s ‘Anything Goes’ shines at the Plaza
Intimate performances shine in the round
Ian Cheeseman experiences two powerful nights of theatre at Manchester’s Royal Exchange and Bolton’s Octagon, where performances in the round…
Intimate performances shine in the round
Guys and Dolls shines in Moston as NMAODS hits all the right notes
Ian Cheeseman finds energy, warmth and West End-worthy talent in North Manchester Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society’s superb production of…
Guys and Dolls shines in Moston as NMAODS hits all the right notes
Shining a Light on Theatre’s unsung heroes
From the dazzling spectacle of Moulin Rouge at Manchester Palace to the heartfelt passion of NK Theatre Arts’ Little Shop…
Shining a Light on Theatre’s unsung heroes
Stockport drama dept’s We Will Rock You is a West End–worthy triumph
Ian Cheeseman is blown away by Stockport Drama Dept’s electrifying production of the Queen jukebox musical at the Plaza, where…
Stockport drama dept’s We Will Rock You is a West End–worthy triumph
Bolton’s Octagon brings Coward’s Private Lives gloriously to life
Images kindly supplied by Bolton Octagon Theatre This 1930s comedy comes alive under Tanuja Amarasuriya’s direction, with a lively, talented…
Bolton’s Octagon brings Coward’s Private Lives gloriously to life
Steps bring sparkle to Manchester with feel-good jukebox musical
On gala night at the Opera House, Here and Now had fans on their feet with hit after hit –…
Steps bring sparkle to Manchester with feel-good jukebox musical
From Broadway bargains to big laughs: Ian Cheeseman on Death Becomes Her
While in New York for the Club World Cup Final, Ian Cheeseman swapped the pitch for the stage, discovering a…
From Broadway bargains to big laughs: Ian Cheeseman on Death Becomes Her
Trainspotting comes alive at Theatre Royal Ramsbottom
Ian Cheeseman shares his experience watching the Summerseat Players bring Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting to life in an intense, immersive show…
Trainspotting comes alive at Theatre Royal Ramsbottom
Immersive Theatre is the future – and it’s already here
From West End wonders to CGI concerts and drone-filled cruise ship spectacles, Ian Cheeseman explores how purpose-built venues and boundary-pushing…
Immersive Theatre is the future – and it’s already here
The UK Amateur Premiere of LES MISERABLES : Let the People Sing
In a landmark moment for amateur theatre, Les Misérables stormed the Liverpool Empire stage with a performance so polished and…
The UK Amateur Premiere of LES MISERABLES : Let the People Sing
Rosa Hesmondhalgh shines in joyous adaptation of Pride & Prejudice at Bolton Octagon
In a sparkling performance that hints at a family legacy of talent, Rosa Hesmondhalgh brings warmth and presence to the…
Rosa Hesmondhalgh shines in joyous adaptation of Pride & Prejudice at Bolton Octagon
NK Theatre Arts delivers spectacular performance of “Ghost: The Musical
Despite its amateur status and modest budget, NK Theatre Arts’ production of Ghost at the Romiley Forum Theatre soared with…
NK Theatre Arts delivers spectacular performance of “Ghost: The Musical
Kym Marsh shines in Abigail’s Party at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre
From pop sensation to soap star and now stage actress, Kym Marsh leads a stellar cast in Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s…
Kym Marsh shines in Abigail’s Party at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre
Mossley’s stars shine bright in uplifting production of Annie
Mossley’s Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society delivers another stellar production with young Sylvie Hoyle leading the cast in a memorable…
Mossley’s stars shine bright in uplifting production of Annie
Practically perfect: Rosie Ashe brings joy to Mary Poppins tour
Veteran stage star Rosie Ashe reflects on a glittering career – from Phantom of the Opera to Mary Poppins, as…
Practically perfect: Rosie Ashe brings joy to Mary Poppins tour
Extra! Extra! Young cast dazzles in Newsies Jr at Hyde Festival Theatre
Ian Cheeseman is swept away by an inventive production of Newsies Jr, praising everything from its newspaper-style programme to its…
Extra! Extra! Young cast dazzles in Newsies Jr at Hyde Festival Theatre
A knight to remember: Hilarious new musical debuts in Manchester
Ian Cheeseman reviews the premiere of ‘A Knight’s Tale’ at the Opera House, Manchester, praising its energetic rock vibes, standout…
A knight to remember: Hilarious new musical debuts in Manchester
One Man Two Guvnors delights audiences at Romiley Forum
NK Theatre Arts delivers a side-splitting performance of Richard Bean’s adaptation, transporting audiences to 1960s Brighton with impeccable timing, laughs…
One Man Two Guvnors delights audiences at Romiley Forum
A tale of two shows: Homegrown talent light up local stages
In a week bursting with local theatre magic, Ian Cheeseman reviews Hyde Musical Society’s emotional tribute to friendship and fandom…
A tale of two shows: Homegrown talent light up local stages