Tag: Theatre review

The Shawshank Redemption – The Grand Theatre Blackpool

Days Out, Theatre

Disclaimer: We received free tickets to the show for the purpose of this review but all thoughts  and opinions are our own. 

Based on a Stephen King short story, The Shawshank Redemption soon became a classic following the 1994 film which starred Tim Robbins as Andy and Morgan Freeman as Red. We went to Blackpool’s Grand Theatre last night to see the stage adaptation, cleverly adapted by Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns and directed by David Esbjornson and I’m pleased to say that it didn’t disappoint and was just as gripping and powerful as the original film was.

If you’re not familiar with the story it is about Andy Dufresne (Joe McFadden), a quiet banker convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. Despite protesting his innocence, he is sentenced to two life term sentences and sent to Shawshank State Penitentiary. There, he befriends long-term inmate Ellis “Red” Redding (Ben Onwukwe), the prison fixer who can get hold of almost anything. Red guides Andy through the harsh reality of prison life – beatings, corruption and violence,  brutally inflicted by both guards and inmates. When the corrupt Warden Stammas (Bill Ward) discovers Andy’s talent for numbers he exploits his accountancy skills for his own benefit.

Bringing such a tough story to the stage is no easy task – the story includes violence, a gang rape and murder but whilst alluded to on stage it is very much played down in this production and the notorious attack by “the Sisters,” is sensitively done but still carries a powerful punch.

We were really impressed with the set, shabby prison walls and clever lighting create a strong sense of claustrophobia, drawing the audience into Shawshank’s oppressive world. Scene changes are seamless, and music is used to mark the passage of nearly twenty years.

Performances across the twelve-strong, all-male cast are excellent with Joe McFadden capturing  Andy’s quiet resilience whilst portraying a man who refuses to give up hope despite impossible odds. Ward slips with ease into the skin of the vile Warden Stammas but it is Onwukwe who really stands out – also acting as narrator, pulling the story together with warmth and humour, despite the tough storyline.  

We really enjoyed the show and judging by the standing ovation at the end of the performance, the rest of the audience did too! The Shawshank Redemption runs at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool until Saturday 27 September, and it’s a production I’d highly recommend – whether you know the story already or are new to it.  

Tickets are available from £15 with concessions for 1894 Club members and Friends of The Grand. Group rates are also available.

Please call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk for full listings, bookings and further information.

Shirley Valentine, The Grand Theatre, Blackpool 

Days Out, Gifts for Her, Theatre

Disclaimer: We received free tickets for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Directed by Lotte Wakeham and re-set in Lancashire rather than its original Liverpool, Willy Russell’s popular play, Shirley Valentine, is currently captivating audiences at Blackpool Grand Theatre. We had the pleasure of watching it last night, and it is definitely a production not to be missed!

The story revolves around Shirley, a 42-year-old woman whose children have flown the nest, leaving her feeling stuck in a stagnant marriage and disillusioned with life. We first meet her in her 1980’s kitchen, typical of many a Lancashire home, where she communicates to the audience by talking to the kitchen wall. Through these reflections, she recalls encounters from her past, one minute she’s reminiscing about bumping into an old school friend who’s now a high-class escort, and the next, she’s got us howling with laughter at tales of her son’s school nativity play.

As Shirley shares her story, she’s calmly cooking up egg and chips for husband Joe’s tea, all the while enjoying a well-deserved glass of wine. The unpretentious set and the choice of a classic northern meal felt so comforting and familiar, and it really felt like the audience were being welcomed right into her kitchen. 

As Shirley shares her story, she confides in us about her secret plans for a holiday to Greece with her friend Jane, who’s kindly bought her the ticket. You can sense her inner turmoil as she wrestles with the idea of leaving – who’s going to cook Joe’s meals and keep the house in order while she’s away? But the tipping point comes when her daughter Millandra breezes back home, fully expecting Shirley to keep catering to her every whim. It’s the final straw! As The Clash’s Should I Stay or Should I Go? blasts out, Shirley makes her choice – she’s off! She leaves behind a freezer stocked with meals and a note for Joe. We both agreed it was an absolutely brilliant way to end the first half – full of drama, defiance, and a touch of rock ’n’ roll!

The second half is set in Greece and when Shirley’s friend quickly becomes occupied with a man she met on the plane, Shirley is left to her own devices. Yet, far from feeling abandoned, Shirley embraces the solitude and the opportunity for self-discovery and enjoys it so much she decides to stay in Greece despite Joe wanting her to return home!

Mina Anwar’s performance as Shirley Valentine was absolutely brilliant. In a one-woman show, the challenge of carrying the entire script is no small feat, yet she delivered it flawlessly. She brings such warmth, humour, and depth to the character, effortlessly shifting from heartfelt moments of reflection to laugh-out-loud comedy. It’s no wonder her performance earned a thoroughly deserved standing ovation, her portrayal was so genuine and relatable.

Even though Willy Russell wrote Shirley Valentine over 30 years ago, it still speaks to us today. I know of lots of women who at times wish they could escape and leave everyday life behind – although most of them never would, but it’s nice to dream! This production is uplifting, empowering, and it’s such a wonderful reminder to grab life by the olives and make the most of every moment!

Shirley Valentine is at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Tuesday 1st April to Saturday 5th April. Tickets cost from £15 with concessions for 1894 Club members and Friends of The Grand. Group rates are also available. There is also an Audio Described/BSL performance on Saturday 5th April at 2.30pm

Please call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit the Blackpool Grand website for full listings, bookings and further information.

Photo credits – The Other Richard

My Beautiful Laundrette

Days Out, LGBTQ+ and Pride, Theatre

Disclaimer: We received free tickets to see the show for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

If you were around in the 80’s then you may remember Hanif Kureshi’s Oscar-nominated film  “My Beautiful Laundrette” an unlikely love story featuring Omar, a young Pakistani and Johnny, a white skin-head and fascist gang leader. The popular film has now been adapted for the stage and we went to see it last night on the final leg of the tour at The Grand Theatre in Blackpool.  

In 1985, Omar was played by Gordon Warnecke and it is great to see he is now part of the stage version – this time playing Omar’s father, Papa. Once a noted journalist he is now a shadow of his former self having turned to alcohol following his wife’s suicide. He asks his brother Nasser (Kammy Darweish) to find work for his son before he goes off to college and before long Omar (Lucca Chadwick-Patel) finds himself working at his uncle’s rundown laundrette. Whilst out with family friend Salim, they are set upon by a fascist gang but when the gang leader Johnny (Sam Mitchell) recognises Omar – his old school friend – he stops the altercation and the pair rekindle their friendship and Omar persuades him to help  transform the laundrette into a thriving business. 

Set in Margaret Thatcher’s 80’s Britain the ground-breaking film explored violence, racism, homosexuality as well as the friction between the new generation of young British Pakistanis and their parents, who were struggling with the different views on gender equality. 

Whilst Nasser reflects the age of prosperity and the Thatcherite reforms, the 80’s was also a decade of violence and unrest and we felt Paddy Daly was brilliant as the racist thug Ghengis, his costume and attitude bringing back memories of news reports of the time.

Despite the gritty subject matter there is plenty of humour in the play with some excellent one liners and double entendres dotted throughout the performance. The whole cast were excellent with all of the actors portraying the characters so well, especially Lucca and Sam who had a great on stage chemistry.  

The play had a real 80’s feel, the Pet Shop Boys music and fantastic costumes – especially the sharp pink suit of Salim transporting us straight back to our youth! We really enjoyed the show and were pleased that the stage version hasn’t lost any of the impact of the original film.  

The current tour is at its end, with a final performance Blackpool on 6th April so be sure to grab a ticket now before it is too late!

Tickets from £19.50 with concessions and group rates available, plus extra special offers for Grand Theatre 1894 Club Members.

Tickets are also available at £15.50 for 18 to 26-year-olds as part of the national ticket scheme to encourage young adults to experience all forms of live theatre.

To book tickets call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit www.BlackpoolGrand.co.uk for full listings, bookings and further information.