REVIEW: Hushabye Mountain at the Hope Mill Theatre (Online)

On paper, this looks like a very interesting, streamed play with a stellar cast including Jodie Prenger (A Taste of Honey, Calamity Jane) Matt Henry (wonderful as Lola in Kinky Boots) and Layton Williams (Billy Elliot and Jamie in Everybody’s talking about Jamie). They are genuine West End stars who can engage an audience and sell tickets. Written in 1999 by Jonathan Harvey who has gone on to write for Tracey Ullman, Beautiful People, Coronation Street and Gimme Gimme Gimme, it deals with pain and tension within families and friendships of dealing with HIV and AIDS as the height of the disease. It’s revival now, as newspaper reports suggest the elimination of deaths from AIDS by 2030, is perhaps a reminder during the COVID pandemic of how it feels dealing with fear and uncertainty of an unseen deadly enemy. It is restaged after the acclaimed series by Russel T Davies It’s a Sin became such a hit this year on Channel 4 dealing with the impact of HIV/AIDS on a group of gay men between 1981 and 1991.

Set around the time of the death of Princess Diana in 1997 it deals with the aftermath of the death of Danny (Nathan McMullen) from AIDS as he waits in limbo on a step ladder in some staging post on the way to Heaven and then through a series of flashbacks and forward views reveals the relationships and impact on those closest to him, his mother, his boyfriend Connor, Connor’s brother Lee, and his best mate Lana. The script includes what now feels like dated forgotten references to Harry Secombe and Highway TV Show, comedian Dave Allen, The Wombles and Carry on Screaming but is also peppered with bad language, drug-taking and adult themes that on TV and in Cinema would surely carry at preshow warning or certification.

REVIEW: RENT at the Hope Mill Theatre (Online)

Loosely based on Puccini’s 1896 opera La Bohème, RENT is a rock musical which tells the story of a group of young struggling artists in 80s New York during the time of the HIV/Aids crisis. 

RENT premiered on Broadway in 1996 and has since gone on to become a staple musical in the theatre world; having international productions and tours throughout the past 2 decades. This musical about hope, community and love is beloved by all and during a time of global uncertainty from COVID19, seeing this production was like an old candle had been lit again. 

With the most recent lockdown in the UK forcing Hope Mill to cut short the run of the show, they luckily were able to record the show before they had to close their doors, allowing their audiences a chance still to see this glorious production. With a link and a password, we could see “The magic of RENT, from the comfort of your own home…” and it did not disappoint. 

I was initially worried about watching a pre-recorded performance, as I thought that it could translate as a video of a school production. However, I was happily surprised as there were multiple camera angles which had been edited together to really help capture individual moments of the characters, along with the big picture moments that you would get from a live experience; to fully appreciate the big ensemble numbers. The big opening of the titular song ‘Rent’ was a powerhouse of sound, light and dance, which could be felt through the screen and really let the audience know how the rest of this show was going to be and that we were in safe hands with this amazing cast.

The Industry Minds Awards 2020 to take place on the 30th November at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester

The Industry Minds Awards 2020 will be held on Monday 30th November 2020 at The Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester.

The ceremony will be hosted by Industry Minds & The Hope Mill Theatre Patron Denise Welch, who is a leading advocate for mental health in the arts industry. For the second year, the ceremony will recognise those pioneering and furthering mental and physical health in the creative arts.

The ceremony will welcome a socially distanced audience into The Hope Mill Theatre to celebrate, support and raise awareness for mental health in the creative arts. The ceremony will further be live streamed to ensure everyone can access this years awards.

Joseph Houston, Artistic Director of Hope Mill Theatre said: “We are so thrilled to be hosting this years Industry Minds Awards at Hope Mill Theatre. We have long admired and supported the work that the Industry Minds teams have been doing within our currently fragile industry, supporting new graduates as well as offering mental health support. It has been the toughest year our Industry has faced in a lifetime and being able to offer something positive at this time, as well as something that celebrates the amazing work many in our industry have continued to do is so important. It is also very special to have our own Patron and industry minds advocate Denise Welch hosting.”

Casting announced for revival of RENT at the Hope Mill Theatre

The cast and full creative team has been announced for Hope Mill Theatre’s hotly-anticipated revival of the classic rock musical RENT, directed by Luke Sheppard.

RENT will play at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester from Friday 30th October to Sunday 6th December 2020.

The 12 company members, who were originally cast back in February are finally getting the opportunity to come together for this special revival of the much-loved musical. The cast will receive a Covid-19 test prior to being placed in one household (bubble) for the length of the run in Manchester.

Jocasta Almgill (& Juliet, Dreamgirls – West End) will play Joanne; Blake Patrick Anderson (Be More Chill – The Other Palace, Closer to Heaven – Off West End/Above the Stag) will play Mark; Tom Francis (Arts Ed 2020 graduate) will mark his professional debut as Roger; Ahmed Hamad (The Boy in the Dress – RSC, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – West End) will play Benny; Dom Hartley-Harris (George Washington in Hamilton – West End, Bat Out of Hell – Manchester & West End) will play Collins; Millie O’Connell (Olivier nominated as Anne Boleyn in SIX The Musical – West End & UK Tour, 42nd Street – West End) will play Maureen; Maiya Quansah-Breed (Olivier nominated as Catherine Parr in SIX The Musical – West End & UK Tour) will play Mimi; Alex Thomas-Smith (Dear Evan Hansen – West End, Bat Out of Hell – West End) will play Angel. 

INTERVIEW: Harriet Thorpe, currently starring in MAME at the Hope Mill Theatre

Harriet Thorpe is best known for her roles as Carole in the BBC’s The Brittas Empire and Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous. Harriet has performed extensively with French and Saunders, in Girls on Top, Mirrorball and The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle. Most recently, Harriet has appeared on television as guest lead Miranda Hill in Doctors (BBC One), Betty in Hollyoaks (Channel 4), Casualty, Our Friend Victoria, The Three Musketeers, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip alongside Gok Wan, The Secrets – The Conversation, Doctors, Material Girl and Midsomer Murders. She also worked with Victoria Wood in Victoria Wood’s Mid Life Christmas. Her extensive theatre credits include Mamma Mia, Wicked, Crazy for You, Ruthless!, Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables, Cabaret, The Girls, The Dresser, All my Sons, Richard II, Great Britain and many more. 

You’re starring in the first professional revival MAME at the Hope Mill Theatre, with a short tour following. How does it feel to be a part of this production?

It’s an honour and a joy. It has a wonderful cast and creative. It’s spellbinding and heartwarming. 

And for those who don’t know, tell us a bit about the show. 

It’s a classic 60’s musical about friends, love and purpose in life. 

You’re playing the role of Vera, could you tell us a bit about her? 

She’s a lovely lush with a lot of laughs.

FIRST LOOK: MAME at the Hope Mill Theatre

MAME, a classic 1960’s musical, with book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, has not been seen in the UK since the original West End production in 1969 starring Ginger Rogers. Set in New York City and spanning the Great Depression and World War II, the musical focuses on eccentric bohemian Mame Dennis. 

Tracie Bennett stars in the title role with Harriet Thorpe and Tim Flavin starring as Vera and Beauregard respectively. The cast also includes Chase Brown as Older Patrick, Grace Chapman as Gloria Upson, Lauren Chia as Pegeen Ryan, Soo Drouet as Mother Burnside/Madame Branislowski, Jessie May as Agnes Gooch, Hugh Osborne as Dwight Babcock, Lewis Rae as M Lindsay Woolsey, Pippa Winslow as Mrs Upson/Sally Cato, Benjamin Wong as Ito and Liam Wrate as Junior Babcock. Harry Cross, Isaac Lancel-Watkinson and Lachlan White will alternate the role of Young Patrick. Completing the cast are Jabari Braham, Aston Newman Hannington and India Thornton.

Harriet Thorpe & Tim Flavin join Tracie Bennett in MAME at Hope Mill Theatre, full casting announced

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, Hope Mill Theatre and Ray Rackham Theatrical are delighted to announce that Harriet Thorpe and Tim Flavin will star as Vera and Beauregard respectively in the first professional UK revival of Jerry Herman’s much loved musical MAME. They join the previously announced Tracie Bennett in the title role.

Following the run at Hope Mill Theatre, MAME will tour for 2 limited weeks at Royal & Derngate, Northampton from 7 to 11 January and Salisbury Playhouse from 21 to 25 January 2020. Tim Flavin will not be performing at these venues. 

Harriet Thorpe is best known for her roles as Carole in the BBC’s The Brittas Empire and Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous. Harriet has performed extensively with French and Saunders, in Girls on Top, Mirrorball and The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle. Most recently, Harriet has appeared on television as guest lead Miranda Hill in Doctors (BBC One), Betty in Hollyoaks (Channel 4), Casualty, Our Friend Victoria, The Three Musketeers, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip alongside Gok Wan, The Secrets – The Conversation, Doctors, Material Girl and Midsomer Murders. She also worked with Victoria Wood in Victoria Wood’s Mid Life Christmas. Her West End credits include Her Ladyship in The Dresser (Duke of York’s), Great Britain (Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Vagina Monologues, Madam Morrible in Wicked (Apollo Theatre), Fraulein Kost in Rufus Norris’ production of Cabaret (Lyric Theatre, UK tour and Savoy Theatre), Crazy for You (Regent’s Park and Novello Theatre), Tanya in Mamma Mia! and Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables. Films include: The Writers Group – Cannes 2018, The Lady in the Van, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the head of the WI in Calendar Girls, Suzie Gold, An Arm’s Length, The Calling, Wise Girl, Zeffirelli’s Young Toscanini, the Mother in The Nutcracker, SNUB!, Greystoke: the Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes and Merchant Ivory’s Maurice. Harriet will soon be seen on the new Series Mister Winner for BBC One playing the role of Sharon, Mr Winner’s mother!

REVIEW: All I See is You at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester

We’ve all felt the irresistible pull of love. The sensation that the world could melt away, but if that one person was left behind with you all would be ok. However, what happens when that love is between two men in a world where the law forbids it. That world is our world, 50 years ago when being who you were warranted a prison sentence. 

Bobby spots Ralph and immediately falls in love, but after they’re caught having an intimate encounter by Ralph’s father, Ralph calls it off and they’re forced to live apart leading polar opposite existences. Bobby chooses to follow who he is and ends up dominating the secreted Manchester gay scene, whilst a closeted Ralph pursues his ambition of becoming a school teacher and courting a woman in order to deny his true identity from himself and others. However, when the two men finally see each other again they’re love is instantly reignited and they embark on a passionate affair. But in a world where their love is illegal, it’s only a matter of time before they’re reported, forced into interrogation rooms, maltreated, and talk of jail sentences and aversion therapy arises.