North West Theatre

Our Day Out

Willy Russell
27 Aug 10 to 09 Oct 10
Royal Court Theatre

The acclaimed new production based on an updated script of Willy Russell's tale about a school trip to the zoo and the country with a group of kids written off by the school returns to the Royal Court.

...a confident, through-composed musical with street-dancing, rapping, live penguins and a llama... this show has acquired its sleek new look without sacrificing any of its soul, although it may be susceptible to what could be called the Glee conundrum – whereby the supposedly ostracised kids turn out to be the most staggeringly talented... a beatific performance from Pauline Daniels...
The Guardian (Rating: 5/5)
The teenage cast of singers and dancers were superb and delivered the songs and dance routines flawlessly. All the songs are belted out with a passion throughout and none more so than Mark Moraghan... a darker undercurrent highlighting the harsh realities of life that will face this class of underachievers... one of the best shows you'll see this year, I swear on our baby's life!
Liverpool Live
Russell has the ability to inject, into what is superficially a jolly knees-up, social comment and human understanding... The cast of youngsters dance and sing with a verve and skill that is quite breath-taking, greatly helped by the imaginative choreography of Beverley Norris-Edmunds... Pauline Daniels fits neatly into the role of the sympathetic Mrs Kay while Mark Moraghan is perfect as the bellowing martinet Mr Briggs... Abby Mavers makes her mark again... Mia Molloy is poignant... tells a good story, offers some great songs, features lively characters and delivers a powerful message without ever preaching.
Liverpool Confidential (Rating: 9/10)
Bigger, brighter and ultimately better, Willy Russell and Bob Eaton have taken a show that was always very, very good and turned it into something utterly glorious... Fine performances from Mark Moraghan... and Pauline Daniels... what drives the show is the enthusiasm, energy and outright talent of the youngsters... innovative and imaginative set - which is just astonishing... one of those truly magical theatrical experiences that should very definitely not be missed.
The Stage
...takes audiences on a rollercoaster of emotions which is brought through a talented bunch of young actors, singers, and dancers... [Pauline] Daniels is certainly convincing as the teacher... and [Mark] Moraghan, as the teacher of discipline, is absolutely superb... top marks for Russell and Bob Eaton, back on directing duties, for staging another excellent show...
What's On Stage (Rating: 5/5)
...you could quite believe Pauline Daniels and Mark Moraghan as the two conflicting sides of the teaching coin... Georgina White meanwhile almost threatens to steal the second half with a purring red swimsuit-clad rendition of cod-siren song Beach Boy, while Stephen Fletcher proves dashing in Hollywood white tie and tails... more slick and sophisticated than they were 12 months ago... moments when the wall of sound threatens to distort, and the impetus dips very slightly after the interval.
Liverpool Echo