Batman Live, MEN Arena, Manchester
It is big, brash, very, very loud and coming to an arena near you this school summer holidays. Unlike the roundly panned musical exploits of Spider-Man in the US, the Caped Crusader live in the UK has enjoyed a trouble-free gestation to date. Yet at a cost of £12m it does carry a similarly grandiose ambition.
The stage format appears a natural progression of the original 1939 franchise, although it lacks the iconic originality of the DC comic strip, the campy humour of the 1960s TV series and the darker notes of the later films.
Certainly the first half feels less like the "non-stop thrill ride across Gotham City", as promised, and more like a Las Vegas hotel show, surely leaving some of the wide-eyed young fans decked out in bat costume feeling short-changed in the action stakes as it sketches out the dynamic duo's back stories.
And while there is no shortage of twirling girls on ropes and tumbling troupes of acrobats, for all its 100ft bat-shaped LED backdrop and 43-strong cast, it feels strangely static. When Batman finally gets aloft, his early grapple with an admirably slinky Catwoman looks more like two puppets on sticks dancing than super heroes going at it hammer and tongs. And there is not a Kerpow to be had.
Thankfully the second half gets much better, occasionally hinting at what a good family night out this could have been with glimpses of humour and intelligence. The climax at the Arkham Asylum finally sees the fight scenes come alive.
The Joker, who when he first pings out of a giant jack-in-the-box uncannily resembles Ken Dodd, takes on a malevolence previously lacking. The jokes still fall largely flat, although the intrepid butler Albert does his best to leaven the mix. Cheers go up not just for the arrival of the specially constructed Batmobile but for the coming of age of the dynamic duo.
The show's creative director, Anthony Van Laast, choreographed the hit musical Mamma Mia! and worked on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as well as with some big rock acts. Unfortunately this feels more like computer gaming brought to life rather than an entertaining evening that everyone can enjoy. Still, a thousand little boys in Batman outfits will go home happy.
To 24 July (0871 789 1004); then touring.
Men Arena Manchester - News
It is big, brash, very, very loud and coming to an arena near you this school summer holidays. Unlike the roundly panned musical exploits of Spider-Man in the US, the Caped Crusader live in the UK has enjoyed a trouble-free gestation to date.
A grudge with Belfast native Eammon Magee was nurtured into an event at the MEN Arena in Manchester where Hatton's affect on the turnstiles had become obvious. It would be his first brush with the sort of Superfight attention to come later in his
The Barca and United fans who'd sat side by side in the unsegregated arena went home satisfied with the spectacle. The US Reds who have shown up in vast numbers to watch United will revert back to early rises for televised Premier League matches.
Tickets are now on sale for The Wanted's UK Arena tour, which calls at the MEN Arena on February 17, call 0844 847 8000. * While her fiance is determined to host their nuptials in Manchester, Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan, by coincidence,
Tickets for the Wednesday, November 30, show at the MEN Arena in Manchester are priced £39.50. Call 0844 847 8000 or visit men-arena.com. He can also be seen at the Echo Arena Liverpool on November 28. To book tickets log on to www.echoarena.com Šor
Review: Neil Diamond at the MEN Arena | Manchester Evening News ...
Jeez, it's hot in here, said Neil Diamond as he ambled into the spotlight in black sparkly shirt.
After rousing openers Soolaimon, Beautiful Noise and Forever in Blue Jeans, he mopped his brow; "I've got to calm down here cos we've got two hours to go" he said before demanding the air conditioning be turned up.
A helpful fan threw him a can of water spray: "This is better than sex," said the twice married septuagenarian who's now single – but with no shortage of ladies eager to hang onto his arm.
Before hitting the MEN Arena he was in Birmingham where he had a smooch with one such admirer.
Any worries that Neil might give a below par performance due to the stifling heat evaporated as quickly as the water on his face although the concert finished promptly at the two hour mark when it was billed as a two hour 20 minute performance.
Still you can't hold that against him as many much younger acts don't last two hours even with an interval and Diamond went on without a break save for a brief change from the black shirt to an electric blue number. And his voice is as powerful as ever.
Singing Red Red Wine, the audience was reminded of just one of many songs he's written that others have successfully covered.
His slowed-down, then cranked-up I'm A Believer was a hit for the Monkees but Diamond reclaimed it with a sparkling performance that had the audience on their feet.
He also did justice to a fellow great singer songwriter - with Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine – taken from his Dreams covers album.
Like Diamond, many in the near-capacity crowd won't see 60 again but that didn't stop them dancing with gusto to perennial crowd pleaser Sweet Caroline which prompts as much ecstatic audience participation as you'll ever witness at a concert.
But ballads like You Don't Bring Me Flowers and I Am I Said had us swaying in our seats too.
And a tear sprang to my eye when he recounted that the love of his life was his late Jewish grandmother, who travelled from Kiev to New York, pursuing the American Dream: A black and white photo of a young girl who inspired a legendary singer song writer flashed up on the big screen.
In a montage of modern pictures of New York, the backdrop to America, a shot of the Twin Towers flashed up...perhaps the researchers could have made this more up to date. His serious side was further in evidence when talking about the 60s, a decade traditionally associated with hedonism, - not so for Diamond.
Any Monsters go to the Monster Ball in Manchester MEN Arena on 2nd June 2010?? Tweet me, i wanna hear ur experiences :D
RT @: On route to see my bro @ in manchester @ the MEN arena its been a while...funny memories gonna be jokes
@ MEN arena in manchester :D I can't wait for it! There albums coming out soon too as well :D! x
RT @: On route to see my bro @ in manchester @ the MEN arena its been a while...funny memories gonna be jokes
50 quid to go and watch RHCP at the MEN arena. i payed less than that to watch them and james brown at the city of manchester stadium!Men Arena Manchester - Bookshelf
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But it was in Manchester that the jackals, the zealots and the curious gathered in ... protesters and young girls jostling for space outside the MEN Arena, ...The American monthly review of reviews
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Why did not one appear in the arena of conflict ? Mr. Turner of Manchester beat a retreat to the more agreeable pastime of the banquet. ...Daily Info Directory
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men-arena.com. The Manchester Evening News Arena (often referred to as M.E.N. Arena and the Manchester Arena) is a large indoor arena situated in ...
MEN ARENA MANCHESTER : WHAT'S ON GUIDE
What's On at the MEN Arena, Manchester - your definitive guide to all shows and productions currently showing and coming soon. Book tickets online or call 0844 847 2277.
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Multi Grammy award-winning soul legend George Benson is returning to Manchester for the first time since 2006 with a show at the MEN Arena in June ...