Another busy month for Mind's Eye as we take a look at events scheduled for July and August.
Direct from the West End with an extraordinary story and spine-tingling vocals, Dreamgirls is at Leeds Grand Theatre on Saturday 2 nd July at 2.30pm. Meet The Dreams – Effie, Lorrell and Deena – three talented young singers in the turbulent 1960s. They embark upon a musical rollercoaster ride through a world of fame, fortune and the ruthless realities of show business, testing their friendships to the very limit. Dreamgirls is described by Chris Berry.
Same day, same time Saturday 2 nd July at 2.30pm we describe Waitress at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton. Chelsea Halfpenny (9 to 5, BBC’s Casualty, ITV’s Emmerdale) stars as Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of some happiness in her life. When a hot new doctor arrives in town, life gets complicated. With the support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna overcomes the challenges she faces and finds that laughter, love and friendship can provide the perfect recipe for happiness. Treat yourself to a slice of five-star musical pie says The Times
Image: Waitress at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham
And on its UK tour, Waitress is also on Thursday 21 st July at 7.30pm at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham (Theo Hornsby-Walsh describes) at the Alhambra, Bradford on Saturday 30 th July at 2.30pm and at the Theatre Royal, Norwich on 17 th August at 2.30pm.
On Monday 4 th July at 2.30pm we touch the void with The Climbers at Theatre by the Lake, Keswick. Yasmin and Sherpa Tshering return from a perilous expedition to Everest but where is Yasmin’s husband Charlie? What happened on the mountain? Why do Yasmin and Tshering’s accounts differ so drastically? Private investigator Connie tries to distinguish hallucination from reality and delusion from fact; someone, somewhere, is not telling the truth. A mesmerising and thrilling exploration of the lure of the mountains, the drive to conquer and the price of staying alive.
On Wednesday 6 th July at 2.30pm at Liverpool Empire School of Rock is described by Theo Hornsby-Walsh. Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s global hit musical is based on the iconic movie starring Jack Black. Wannabe rock star Dewey Finn is cast out by his dive‐bar bandmates and finds himself in desperate need of cash. Posing as a substitute music teacher at an elite prep school, he exposes his students to the rock gods he idolises, transforming them into a mind‐blowing rock band. Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful but uptight headmistress, Miss Mullins, helping her rediscover the wild child within. But will they all find redemption at the battle of the bands?
Image: Sister Act at the Palace Theatre, Manchester
Thursday 7 th July 7.30pm we describe Sister Act at the Palace Theatre, Manchester. Don’t miss this eagerly anticipated brand new production of the Broadway and UK smash hit musical, ahead of a major London run. All your prayers have been answered with a stunning all-star cast, including comedy legend Jennifer Saunders as Mother Superior and The Greatest Showman’s incredible Keala Settle. They are joined by TV and West End legend Lesley Joseph, Olivier Award-winner and star of Tracy Beaker Clive Rowe, West End sensation and Hairspray favourite Lizzie Bea and Emmerdale and Waitress star Sandra Marvin as Deloris, everyone’s favourite nun on the run! Heavenly!
Join Anne Hornsby at 2pm on Saturday 9 th July for an Audio Descriptive tour of the Victorian Gallery at Salford Museum and Art Gallery. On a tour packed with paintings, sculpture and objects from the museum collection, there will be the opportunity to touch the statues in the gallery.
Image: Guests and audience try to work out whodunnit in Cluedo
On Wednesday 13 th July 2.30pm at Wolverhampton Grand it’s Cluedo. Both the guests and audience try to work out whodunnit, with what… and where. Was it Miss Scarlett, with the revolver in the dining room, or Professor Plum, with the lead pipe in the library…? Starring Michelle Collins at Miss Scarlett, Cluedo is an exciting, comedy thriller based on the hit 1985 film Clue and the classic board game loved by generations. Just like the game, this brand new play promises a nostalgic, fun and thrilling evening of entertainment. Who will be next!? Cluedo is described by Chris Berry.
Image: Jac Yarrow as Joseph and Jason Donovan as Pharoah take to the stage
Thursday 14 th July at 7.30pm Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Jac Yarrow as Joseph and Jason Donovan as Pharoah. Book your dream ticket soon. Joseph is described by Theo Hornsby-Walsh.
Friday 15 th July at 7.30pm One Man, Two Guvnors at Liverpool Playhouse. It’s 1963 and Francis Henshall has just been fired from his skiffle band. In search of food and romance, he soon finds himself juggling not one but two new jobs. All Francis needs to do is keep his two guvnors apart. What follows is a hilarious mix of slapstick, farce and live music. This side-splittingly funny, brand new production is not to be missed. Riotously funny, says The Stage.
One Man, Two Guvnors is also described on Tuesday 16 th August at Theatre by the Lake, Keswick.
Image: Singin’ in the Rain at the Alhambra, Bradford
Singin’ in the Rain is back to make a splash at the Alhambra, Bradford! Based on the classic MGM movie, the production stars Sam Lips, Charlotte Gooch, Ross McLaren and Jenny Gayner. Don’t save it for a rainy day, book your tickets now for Saturday 16 th July at 2.30pm.
Image: South Pacific at the Opera House Manchester
On Thursday 21 st July at 7.30pm we describe South Pacific at the Opera House Manchester. This powerful love story, set on a tropical island during World War 2, is brought thrillingly to life in an epic new five-star production. With a sensational cast of over thirty and a full orchestra, this ravishing musical features songs such as Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and Bali Ha’i.
On Wednesday 27 th July at 7.30pm Les Miserables is at Bristol Hippodrome. Nearly a decade after the last sell-out UK tour, Cameron Mackintosh’s brilliant new staging has taken the world by storm and has been hailed "Les Mis for the 21st Century". With scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, the magnificent score of Les Miserables includes the songs; I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Bring Him Home, One Day More, Master Of The House and many more. Over 120 million people in 52 countries and in 22 languages can’t be wrong. Age guidance 8 plus. Les Miserables will also be described at Norwich Theatre Royal on 8th September.
Image: The Play That Goes Wrong at Milton Keynes Theatre
Thursday 28 th July at 7.30pm at Milton Keynes Theatre, The Play That Goes Wrong. Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse (they can’t, can they?) the Cornley Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery. But as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong does! As the accident prone thesps battle on against all the odds to reach their final curtain call, hilarious results ensue! The Play That Goes Wrong is described by Jonathan Nash.
Thursday 4 th August at 7.30pm Jersey Boys is working its way back to Leeds Grand Theatre. They were just four guys off the streets of New Jersey until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story — a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. The show features all their hits including Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Oh What A Night, Walk Like A Man, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and of course Working My Way Back To You.
At Milton Keynes Theatre on Friday 5 th August at 7.30pm we describe Mamma Mia. Sophie’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings her mother face to face with three men from her distant romantic past on the eve of a wedding they’ll never forget. With the music of Abba, whatever age you are you can’t help but have the time of your life at Mamma Mia!
Image: You’ll Never Walk Alone come to the Royal Court, Liverpool
On Wednesday 10 th August at 8pm the Royal Court, Liverpool presents You’ll Never Walk Alone, a journey through 125 years of footballing history, through the dark days of the second division and the glory round the fields of Anfield Road. We witness the triumphs, the tragedies, the heroes and legends. From JK Houlding to Jurgen Klopp, Rome to Madrid, this show will tell you an unrivalled football story. The Official History of Liverpool Football Club. Perfect, 10 out of 10, says Liverpool Echo.
Saturday 13 th August at 2.30pm at Liverpool Empire it’s The Book of Mormon, winner of 9 Tony awards, including Best Musical. Two young Mormon missionaries, Elder Price and Elder Cunningham, working to spread the word of the Latter Day Saints to the locals in a small town in Uganda. They realise how daunting their task is when they discover the villagers are more concerned with the AIDS epidemic, oppression, and starvation. Wickedly funny and recommended for 18 plus.
We look forward to welcoming you to an audio described show or exhibition soon.
All events described by Anne Hornsby unless otherwise mentioned.
