Latest news with #Manrara

Rhyl Journal
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Janette Manrara dazzles as Roxie Hart in Chicago
On Tuesday, Chicago The Musical had it's opening night for its run at the Llandudno theatre. Headlining as Roxie Hart was Strictly star Janette Manrara. Her skills as a dancer were brought to the fore, elevating the routines and physical comedy the role demands - but can she sing? The answer, simply, is yes. (Image: Chicago The Musical/Venue Cymru) Manrara's vocals were on point, particularly in the dualling duets with Velma Kelly in an equally stunning performance from Djalenga Scott. When experiencing Chicago, you are suddenly struck with how many of the iconic musical numbers are ingrained in your memory. Show opener All that Jazz, Razzle Dazzle, Roxie, and my personal favourite Cell Block Tango (He Had it Coming) are delivered perfectly, carrying the sordid tale of crime and stardom along the most entertaining way. Members of the audience couldn't help but sing along to the well known hits such as All that Jazz, Cell Block Tango, We Both Reached for the Gun, and Razzle Dazzle. Set in the 1920s, we see Roxie Hart end up in Cook County Jail after murdering her lover on-the-side in a fit of rage, after he threatened to walk out on her. In attempts to avoid conviction, Roxie teams up with the slickest criminal lawyer in Chicago who turns her crime into fame, much to the horror of her cellmate and rival Velma. Scott and Manrara are excellent as Velma and Roxie, serving sass and emotion with breath-taking physicality and top-notch vocals. Alongside the jailbirds, the talented ensemble deliver an incredible display of Bob Fosse's iconic work. There was real love from the audience for Joshua Lloyd's portrayal of Amos Hart, and Jordan Lee Davies as Mary Sunshine, Dan Burton as Billy Flynn, and Victoria Anderson as Mama Morton, were equally excellent and note perfect. Fosse's choreography shines throughout, reaching perfection with Cell Block Tango, I Can't Do it Alone, and We Both Reached for the Gun. The stark black set and stark spotlights are used expertly to conjure the environments of the county jail, jazz clubs, and the courthouse. The show's themes are dark and serious, with a whole heap of cynicism, but due to the show's high energy and wit, the fun and excitement never let up for a second. The extremely talented live orchestra are also more than worthy of note, their belting performances setting pulses racing and transporting the audience to the seedy world of jazz clubs. It was so refreshing to witness the orchestra on stage throughout the whole show, adding that extra feeling that we were looking into a jazz club. Chicago The Musical razzles and dazzles from the opening note to the final curtain, and will be running at Llandudno's Venue Cymru until May 3.


North Wales Chronicle
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Janette Manrara dazzles as Roxie Hart in Chicago
On Tuesday, Chicago The Musical had it's opening night for its run at the Llandudno theatre. Headlining as Roxie Hart was Strictly star Janette Manrara. Her skills as a dancer were brought to the fore, elevating the routines and physical comedy the role demands - but can she sing? The answer, simply, is yes. (Image: Chicago The Musical/Venue Cymru) Manrara's vocals were on point, particularly in the dualling duets with Velma Kelly in an equally stunning performance from Djalenga Scott. When experiencing Chicago, you are suddenly struck with how many of the iconic musical numbers are ingrained in your memory. Show opener All that Jazz, Razzle Dazzle, Roxie, and my personal favourite Cell Block Tango (He Had it Coming) are delivered perfectly, carrying the sordid tale of crime and stardom along the most entertaining way. Members of the audience couldn't help but sing along to the well known hits such as All that Jazz, Cell Block Tango, We Both Reached for the Gun, and Razzle Dazzle. Set in the 1920s, we see Roxie Hart end up in Cook County Jail after murdering her lover on-the-side in a fit of rage, after he threatened to walk out on her. In attempts to avoid conviction, Roxie teams up with the slickest criminal lawyer in Chicago who turns her crime into fame, much to the horror of her cellmate and rival Velma. Scott and Manrara are excellent as Velma and Roxie, serving sass and emotion with breath-taking physicality and top-notch vocals. Alongside the jailbirds, the talented ensemble deliver an incredible display of Bob Fosse's iconic work. There was real love from the audience for Joshua Lloyd's portrayal of Amos Hart, and Jordan Lee Davies as Mary Sunshine, Dan Burton as Billy Flynn, and Victoria Anderson as Mama Morton, were equally excellent and note perfect. Fosse's choreography shines throughout, reaching perfection with Cell Block Tango, I Can't Do it Alone, and We Both Reached for the Gun. The stark black set and stark spotlights are used expertly to conjure the environments of the county jail, jazz clubs, and the courthouse. The show's themes are dark and serious, with a whole heap of cynicism, but due to the show's high energy and wit, the fun and excitement never let up for a second. The extremely talented live orchestra are also more than worthy of note, their belting performances setting pulses racing and transporting the audience to the seedy world of jazz clubs. It was so refreshing to witness the orchestra on stage throughout the whole show, adding that extra feeling that we were looking into a jazz club. Chicago The Musical razzles and dazzles from the opening note to the final curtain, and will be running at Llandudno's Venue Cymru until May 3.

Leader Live
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Janette Manrara dazzles as Roxie Hart in Chicago
On Tuesday, Chicago The Musical had it's opening night for its run at the Llandudno theatre. Headlining as Roxie Hart was Strictly star Janette Manrara. Her skills as a dancer were brought to the fore, elevating the routines and physical comedy the role demands - but can she sing? The answer, simply, is yes. (Image: Chicago The Musical/Venue Cymru) Manrara's vocals were on point, particularly in the dualling duets with Velma Kelly in an equally stunning performance from Djalenga Scott. When experiencing Chicago, you are suddenly struck with how many of the iconic musical numbers are ingrained in your memory. Show opener All that Jazz, Razzle Dazzle, Roxie, and my personal favourite Cell Block Tango (He Had it Coming) are delivered perfectly, carrying the sordid tale of crime and stardom along the most entertaining way. Members of the audience couldn't help but sing along to the well known hits such as All that Jazz, Cell Block Tango, We Both Reached for the Gun, and Razzle Dazzle. Set in the 1920s, we see Roxie Hart end up in Cook County Jail after murdering her lover on-the-side in a fit of rage, after he threatened to walk out on her. In attempts to avoid conviction, Roxie teams up with the slickest criminal lawyer in Chicago who turns her crime into fame, much to the horror of her cellmate and rival Velma. Scott and Manrara are excellent as Velma and Roxie, serving sass and emotion with breath-taking physicality and top-notch vocals. Alongside the jailbirds, the talented ensemble deliver an incredible display of Bob Fosse's iconic work. There was real love from the audience for Joshua Lloyd's portrayal of Amos Hart, and Jordan Lee Davies as Mary Sunshine, Dan Burton as Billy Flynn, and Victoria Anderson as Mama Morton, were equally excellent and note perfect. Fosse's choreography shines throughout, reaching perfection with Cell Block Tango, I Can't Do it Alone, and We Both Reached for the Gun. The stark black set and stark spotlights are used expertly to conjure the environments of the county jail, jazz clubs, and the courthouse. The show's themes are dark and serious, with a whole heap of cynicism, but due to the show's high energy and wit, the fun and excitement never let up for a second. The extremely talented live orchestra are also more than worthy of note, their belting performances setting pulses racing and transporting the audience to the seedy world of jazz clubs. It was so refreshing to witness the orchestra on stage throughout the whole show, adding that extra feeling that we were looking into a jazz club. Chicago The Musical razzles and dazzles from the opening note to the final curtain, and will be running at Llandudno's Venue Cymru until May 3.


Telegraph
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Wynne Evans ‘taking time off' BBC radio show after making crude sexual remark
Wynne Evans has stepped away from his BBC radio programme after making an 'inappropriate and unacceptable' remark towards a Evans, the opera singer and star of the Go Compare adverts, was caught on camera appearing to use the term 'spit roast' in reference to The incident happened during a photocall for the tour in Birmingham, as Ms Manrara stood between Evans and Evans hosts a daily mid-morning programme on BBC Radio Wales, but has been replaced by Robin Morgan, another presenter. A BBC spokesman said: 'Wynne is taking some time off from his show on Radio Wales.' The corporation refused to give a date for Evans' return or to say if he had been formally suspended. In an apology, issued after the Mail on Sunday published the video last week, Evans said: 'My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise.' A spokesperson for the tour, which is 'We have made it very clear to Wynne that we do not tolerate such behaviour on the tour.' 'Ankle injury' Evans was due to host the show last Friday but was replaced and has not appeared since. He pulled out of Saturday's tour date in Glasgow, citing an ankle injury. This is not the first time that the 53-year-old has found himself in the spotlight over alleged inappropriate behaviour. During the BBC One series last year, viewers noticed his dance partner, Katya Jones, The pair laughed off the incident, with Jones insisting that it was a 'silly joke'. Ms Manrara is married to Aljaz Skorjanec, one of Strictly's professional dancers. He is also on the tour and was standing close to Ms Manrara and Evans when the remark was made at the photocall. Despite Evans stepping away from his radio show, viewers will see him on BBC One on Monday night in the launch episode of his new series, Wynne & Joanna: All at Sea, in which he explores the Welsh coast with Joanna Page, the Gavin and Stacey actress.