MAME
HOPE MILL THEATRE, MANCHESTER UK & UK TOUR - 2019/2020
Nominated for 7 WhatsOnStage Awards Including…
★ BEST COSTUME DESIGN ★ BEST REGIONAL PRODUCTION ★ BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL
★ WINNER OF ‘BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL’ - ILOVEMANCHESTER.COM
DIRECTED BY NICK WINSTON
LIGHTING DESIGN BY TIM MITCHELL
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAMELA RAITH
★ ‘THE THEATRE SHOWS YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS IN 2019’ - BBC NEWS.
“Director Nick Winston’s production embraces the effervescent chaos of Mame’s life totally, marshalling a seemingly West End-sized cast on Philip Witcomb’s wooden-panelled, art deco-inspired set.“
“Frothily entertaining, confident musical revival supercharged by Tracie Bennett's magnetic performance.”
THE STAGE ★★★★
“Mame returns with lavish vigour, charged with the star-power of Tracie Bennett as Auntie Mame, which leaves you wondering how it could have disappeared for so long.”
It's a joyous evening and a treat to witness justifying a 50-year wait.”
WHATSONSTAGE ★★★★
“Mame oozes style and sass.”
“Philip Witcomb’s chic art-deco set, a jewellery box of gliding panels, makes the mayhem seamless.”
THE TIMES ★★★★
PICK OF ‘WHAT THE CRITICS WOULD PAY TO SEE’
“Philip Witcomb's design is perfectly pitched, setting the scene just brilliantly and transporting you back to the Twenties with monochrome flooring and just the right amount of pizzazz and style - a great reflection of the leading lady, Mame.”
“It's a heartwarming, must-see production that will stick with you - and we can just hope that it isn't another 50 years until its next revival.”
“A slice of Broadway magic.”
BROADWAYWORLD.COM ★★★★
“This long-awaited revival could barely feel more fresh.”
“After the overture and prologue the stage opens up in a magical transformation to reveal the full cast and band, as they launch into the first of many showstoppers, ‘It’s Today’.”
“Nick Winston’s production uses a very deep set in which designer Philip Witcomb employs layers of sliding screens to manipulate space. Winston fills the stage with movement, and it’s hard to believe that we’re in such an intimate theatre.”
“From thrilling production numbers to scenes of heartbreak, this Mame is quite literally breathtaking. It makes a compelling case for a long neglected work, filled with warmth, heart and great tunes. It’s absolutely joyous.”
MUSICAL THEATRE REVIEW ★★★★★
“Philip Witcomb's costumes and set look wonderful and the sometimes complex scene changes, especially difficult in this confined space, are very slick.”
“This is a show that oozes quality from every department, where no expense seems to have been spared on any aspect of the production. Hope Mill is not only presenting musicals commercially on a scale that we don't see in any of the producing theatre in the region—and few in the country—but it is able to attract some of the best performing and production talent to this tiny stage on the fringes of Manchester”
“This production is a stunning achievement and well worth seeing.”
BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE
“Nick Winston’s lovely production has everything just right, from Phillip Witcomb’s gorgeous costumes and expansive set design through to some crazily good choreography, never once feeling restricted by the intimacy of the Hope Mill.”
“With this perfect production of Mame they have hit another level.”
ILOVEMANCHESTER.COM
“Mame feels like a full-sized Broadway production crammed into this amazing little theatre.”
“Philip Witcomb’s costume design really creates the glitzy, glamorous feel of an old Hollywood musical.”
“Mame is a fabulous production, glamorous, classy and a masterclass in classic musical theatre.”
FRANKLYMYDEAR.CO.UK ★★★★★
“The combination of Philip Whitcomb’s art deco set and glitzy costumes firmly roots the show in the 20s and adds to the fun and glamour of the production as whole.”
“This production wouldn’t seem out of place on the west end.”
UPPERCIRCLE.COM ★★★★
“The seven piece band surrounded by an Art Deco influenced set (Philip Witcomb) complete with curved staircase, screams 1920’s New York.”
“Having a tight space to work in at Hope Mill, Director/Choreographer Nick Winston has worked with Witcomb to make some clever modifications to the set. By adding depth to the stage, the necessary space is created to allow the choreography to breath and the ensemble demonstrate great skill and grace in such a confined environment.”
“Hope Mill have their biggest success to date, a joyful spectacle guaranteed to leave you smiling.”
“Mame is a joyful answer to our troubled times.”
NORTHWESTEND.CO.UK ★★★★★
“Hope Mill has earned a reputation for producing high-quality shows. However, the theatre has exceeded its own high standards with a blissfully intoxicating Mame.”
“Just as it seems the tone of the musical is going to settle down as intimate and restrained Philip Witcomb’s superb set unfolds to reveal the full cast in raucous party mood and Tracie Bennett posing on a stylish spiral staircase blasting away on a trumpet. It is very much a case of starting with a climax before going even further.”
“Witcomb’s ravishing costumes – particularly the hunt scene – provide the glitz and glamour expected of musicals.”
“Mame is a non-stop party that leaves the audience breathless but delighted and is a perfect way of celebrating the fourth anniversary of Hope Mill. Audiences should rush to see the show- it might be 50 years before there is another chance.”
THEREVIEWSHUB.COM ★★★★★
“Collectively The Hope Mill have created quite simply their most impressive and jaw-droppingly brilliant production since opening their doors in 2014.”
“Hope Mill Theatre has been transformed for this enchanting revival. Philip Witcomb’s design ensures that the intimate space seems to open up before your eyes as the jaw-dropping first number begins. “
“Lavish, luxurious and deliciously decadent.”
“Mame is an absolute triumph, dazzling, daring and utterly delightful, world-class theatre right on our doorstep. A perfectly peachy slice of theatrical heaven. Mame feels like the start of something very, very special and I for one am here for the ride.”
OPENING NIGHT.ORG ★★★★★