Grease

Image Source: The Guide Liverpool

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Format: Musical
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Date: April 3 2017
Location: Liverpool Empire Theatre, Liverpool, England

Grease is one of the most famous films of all-time. The story is easy to follow, the characters are memorable, the performances are excellent, and the songs are timeless. Nearly 40 years on, it remains a true favourite, garnering high viewing figures whenever it's shown on television. Therefore, the prospect of seeing Grease on stage was pretty enticing. However, those who know their stuff about Grease will know that the film is actually based on the musical, not vice versa. Nevertheless, the movie itself is what most people think of, and so a high bar was raised for the 2017 incarnation.

Set at Rydell High School, Grease tells the story of two groups: the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies, consisting of guys and girls respectively. Within those two cliques, we're introduced to Danny Zuko (played here by Tom Parker of The Wanted) and Sandy Olsson (Danielle Hope), who previously met during a vacation and have been reunited here in Rydell. Initially unaware that the other is present, but telling their various friends about the summer romance, Danny and Sandy soon realise that they are both in Rydell, and the crux of the story then centres around whether they can take their previous romance any further, not least because of several bumps in the road along the way. We're also privy to other relationships involving members of the T-Birds and Pink Ladies, such as the blossoming romance between Kenickie (Tom Senior) and Rizzo (Louisa Lytton), who have setbacks of their own. Different scenes are introduced by Teen Angel/Vince (Darren Day), who adds some comic relief at times whilst also acting as a buffer between developments at time through his announcements on the local Wixx Radio.

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The Sound Of Music

Image Source: Bill Kenwright Ltd

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Format: Musical
Genre: Drama
Date: September 14 2015
Location: Liverpool Empire Theatre

"The hills are alive with The Sound Of Music ..." Well, last night it was the Liverpool Empire that was very much alive as The Sound Of Music began its current run at the theatre, and it's safe to say that the audience approved of what was a superb musical.

As many will know, The Sound Of Music was one of the most famous films of the 20th century. Contrary to popular belief, the movie is actually an adaptation of the stage show; the original musical hit Broadway in 1959, and the big-screen version was released in 1965. Regardless, The Sound Of Music has become one of the most memorable productions ever produced, and several songs have become timeless classics over the last 50 years. Based on a true story of Maria Von Trapp (The Story Of The Von Trapp Singers), whether it is the show or the film, its strength has always been its soundtrack, and so achieving strong performances in that area is the goal of any Sound Of Music production. Fortunately, those expectations were met in Liverpool, as The Sound Of Music quite literally hit all the high notes.

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Danielle bringing Hope to The Sound Of Music

Image Source:
Manchester Evening News

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

The Sound Of Music, one of the most legendary musicals of all-time, is returning to the Liverpool Empire next month. Playing the role of Maria Von Trapp will be Danielle Hope, who over the last five years has had a range of unforgettable experiences on the theatre stage, having been propelled to stardom by a television show which landed her a role as Dorothy in The Wizard Of Oz and a place in future big-budget theatre productions. I recently spoke to Danielle about The Sound Of Music, her experiences so far in theatre, and whether she could handle a family as big as that of the Von Trapps in real life …

To begin with, explain the story of The Sound Of Music, and of your role as Maria Von Trapp.

The Sound Of Music, as many, many people will know, is a very famous story based on a family that were fleeing Austria at a very dangerous time. I think the reason a lot of people feel this strongly connected to The Sound Of Music is because they were real people, and this was a very real time in the world. Now, a young girl who is training to be a nun is sent away because of, let’s say, her behaviour, and her choice of life and singing. Then, she meets this very disconnected family where the father is going through a lot, and the children have almost been army drilled because he's a naval officer. And she introduces them to music, and then they find a connection, which ends up inspiring the captain and saving them at the end of the day while they flee.

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Just one month until the brand new production of The Sound Of Music opens at the Empire

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

From Oz to Austria, a Palladium star brings the hills alive in The Sound Of Music

One of the greatest musicals of all-time returns to the stage in a magnificent new production which plays at the Liverpool Empire from Monday September 14-Saturday September 19 as part of a major national tour.

Playing the iconic role of Maria von Trapp is Danielle Hope, who captured the hearts of the country when she won BBC Television’s Over the Rainbow and made her professional debut as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium. Danielle has since played Eponine in Les Misérables in London’s West End and Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Joining the company as Captain von Trapp is much-loved stage and television star Steven Houghton. Well-known for his longstanding television role in London’s Burning, Olivier-Award nominated actor Steven has taken on leading roles in Spend Spend Spend, Blood Brothers, White Christmas, Martin Guerre and Grease and had a Top Ten hit with ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’.

Produced by Bill Kenwright, directed by Martin Connor, choreographed by Olivier Award winner Bill Deamer, and with musical direction by David Steadman, this wonderfully lavish new staging of the classic musical coincides with the 50th anniversary of the film version, the most successful movie musical in history.

It all began with the story of the Trapp Family Singers and Baroness Maria von Trapp’s 1949 autobiography, which inspired Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse to create a Broadway musical in 1959. The Sound of Music tells the true story of the world-famous singing family, from their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom as their beloved Austria becomes part of the Third Reich at the start of WWII.

The unforgettable score features some of the most memorable songs ever performed on stage, including Edelweiss, My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, So Long, Farewell and, of course, the title song The Sound Of Music.

Joining Danielle and Steven are West End stars Jan Hartley (The Phantom of the Opera and West Side Story) as Mother Abbess, and Emma Clifford as Baroness Elsa Schrader, with Howard Samuels as Max, Grace Chapman as Liesl and Luke George as Rolf.

Completing the cast are Lynden Edwards, Philip Day, Zoe Ann Bown, Kate Milner Evans, Martin Dickinson, Lewis Barnshaw, Colin Burnicle, Jessica Daley, Grace Gardner and Katie Shearman.