TV & Showbiz

The Royle Family is returning with a one-off 25th anniversary special tonight

The beloved Manc sitcom ran for 25 episodes between 1998 and 2012.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 14th September 2023

It’s been 25 years to the day since The Royle Family first hit our TV screens, and it’s set to return with a one-off special for the occasion.

The undeniably iconic BBC Manchester-based sitcom starring Ricky Tomlinson as family patriarch Jim Royle, Sue Johnston as his wife Barbara, the late Caroline Aherne and Ralf Little as their daughter and son Denise and Antony, and Craig Cash as Denise’s husband David, was watched and loved by millions nationwide.

Co-created by stars Aherne and Cash, the hilarious and heartwarming series about a television-obsessed family ran for 25 episodes and specials between 1998 and 2012.

Critics lauded The Royle Family for its unique approach to storytelling, as it famously broke away from the traditional sitcom structure, and went on to earn a place in the hearts of viewers and amass a loyal fanbase thanks to its relatable portrayal of family dynamics.

So it’s only right that we properly celebrate this show on its 25th birthday, right?

The Royle Family is returning with a one-off 25th anniversary special / Credit: BBC

Well luckily, that’s exactly what UKTV is planning to do, as the channel Gold is airing an updated and refreshed version of the critically-acclaimed sitcom’s original 2010 documentary, The Royle Family: Down the Back of the Sofa, tonight to mark 25 years since the show first aired.

The refreshed version of The Royle Family: Down the Back of the Sofa gives fans another chance to see the original documentary interviews with the core cast – which includes Craig and Caroline’s only ever filmed interview as a pair.

In celebration of the late Aherne’s, the refreshed documentary will also include insights from an impressive collection of celebrity fans.

https://twitter.com/goldchannel/status/1702270465140473902

Actors and comics Diane Morgan, Rosie Jones, Jamie and Natasia Demetriou, John Thomson, Rachel Fairburn, Shobna Gulati, Jack Rooke, and Sharon Rooney are just some of the famous names set to pay tribute to Aherne’s legacy in the documentary special.

“The Royle Family has without doubt left a permanent mark in television history and we’re delighted to have commissioned this documentary for the 25th anniversary,” Gold’s Senior Commissioning Editor for Comedy and Entertainment, Jason Dawson, said ahead of the documentary airing.

“We hope viewers will enjoy reliving this celebration of one of the nation’s most beloved shows.”

Read more:

You can watch The Royle Family: Down the Back of the Sofa at 9pm tonight on Gold.

Featured Image – BBC

TV & Showbiz

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – a masterclass in comedy, colour and movement

Danny Jones Danny Jones Joseph Technicolor Dreamcoat Manchester Opera House review 2025

To start with, we’re going to begin this review by advocating for going into stage shows with as little knowledge as possible because it only dials up the already exaggerated nature even further – we knew next to nothing about Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat before seeing it in Manchester.

And we truly think it helped.

Now, when we say nothing, we’ve obviously heard the title plenty of times over the years as it remains one of the most celebrated musical productions on the planet, and you don’t need to be an avid theatre buff to know who Andrew Lloyd Webber is. The point being is that all we knew was its reputation.

Going along with a second party several decades older than us who shared the same blindspot and just never quite understood what all the fuss was about makes the next part even funnier: we both loved it.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Opera House tickets
Colour, colour and more colour.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat review Manchester
Some impressive yet superbly simple production value.
Our review of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Opera House in Manchester. (Credit: Press Tristram Kenton)

We’re not going to dive too heavily into the story as we’re sure plenty of you who are more well-versed in the genre don’t need a synopsis regurgitating for the umpteenth time, but what we will say is that we’re somewhat glad we weren’t aware of its religious themes and numerous biblical references.

Not because we have any particular issue with Christianity nor adapting stories within theologies to turn them into entertainment, but because as atheists we probably would have been less keen to choose this particular text over another.

However, this is why we’re thankful for going in blind as we fear many others have missed out on this long-standing vibrant, energetic, all-singing, all-dancing twist on the tale of Genesis for decades simply due to being non-believers/agnostic.

That being said, we can confidently assure you that not only can you put your thoughts on faith to one side for the duration of the performance but, for us at least, it felt like it was more of an undercurrent than anything else and had little bearing on what a truly joyful evening for all ages.

You also get hand-held through it through the eyes of the children being retold the story right in front of you by the expert narrator, Christina Bianco, whose interventions and comic timing were lethal on a crowd already easily cracked up by a punchline or two – but she had the best of the lot.

Those Canaan Days song
‘Those Canaan Days’
Christina Bianco actor
Christina Bianco
(Credit: Tristram Kenton)

Where else to begin than with Joseph himself, played by Adam Filipe, who although we’ll admit to being layman on the subject until last night, feels almost born to play the role.

Not only did he bring respite to an otherwise frenetic (in the best way possible) onslaught of singing with his ability to deliver certain lines as nothing more than perfectly enunciated and emotional speech, but his voice was on point throughout and the way he made full use of the stage from the start was great.

One particularly immature slide up the curved wall of the set in the opening five minutes and we knew all we needed to know about not just movement but the rest of the cast too; pretty much non-stop movement and expression virtually at all times.

The dancing – particularly a rather hilarious ‘can-can’ confusion – was top-notch throughout and no matter which bright, flowing costume he or the ensemble was wearing during a specific number, they all looked the part and didn’t put a foot out of place.

Adam Filipe Joseph
Even a more serious interlude was welcome.
opera house manchester shows
We’d have loved more yellow-forward moment and backdrops in the palette but that’s just us being picky…
Credit: Press Images

But much to our delight, there really wasn’t one standout performance that stood head and shoulders above the rest, simply because they were all brilliant.

Whether it was the Jacobs and Sons company of brothers bringing both melodrama and some comic relief, or the score of female dancers delivering an elegance and added level of pageantry to proceedings, they all played their part.

However, every time one or more of the kids took to the stage a show-stealing moment was ripe for the picking and they all seized their opportunity, be it in unison or in the select few solo moments in the spotlight. An audience is always going to get up for youngsters shining front and centre.

But, we suppose if we absolutely had to give another special mention to another member of the production and single them out, there’s only one person it could be…

Having previously played the lead role back in 2016 following his X-Factor success, Joe McElderry returns to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and the Manc crowd in the role of the Pharoah and boy was he good having passed the baton and shifted gears. So good and so funny.

joe mcelderry joseph technicolor dreamcoat
joe mcelderry as the pharoah
Credit: Supplied

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As well as an expert command of light, colour and choreography, the one thing we were surprised by was just how well-placed the comedy was throughout.

Not too much, not too little and nothing too contrived – a hard balance to strike and one that helps ease in those rare typically theatre-goers prone to a touch of cringe.

All in all, we sincerely urge you to go and see this show for yourselves, especially if you’re like us and have never given it a chance before. You won’t regret it.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is on in Manchester until Sunday, 9 March. You can still grab tickets HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Tristram Kenton (supplied)

TV & Showbiz

Thousands of cinema tickets are being given away for FREE across the UK next month

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant People in the cinema

Thousands of cinema tickets are being given away for free all across the UK next month, and you can get your hands on them now.

As part of Escapes – a project supported by the British Film Institute (BFI) and National Lottery funding giving everyone the opportunity to “enjoy the big screen experience” and “discover independent cinema” – tens of thousands of cinema tickets are now up for grabs in Greater Manchester and across the UK for completely free of charge.

The ultimate aim of the Escapes project is to “bring new audiences” to the cinema, whether you’re someone who always prioritises a trip to the cinema, someone who treasures a visit but only on a special occasion, or someone who’s just keen to discover more.

There is a slight catch though… these tickets are only to see one particular film.

The Penguin Lessons
The Penguin Lessons
You can get free tickets to see The Penguin Lessons starring Steve Coogan next month / Credit: Sony Pictures Classics

But as far as free tickets to cinema go, let’s just say you could do a whole lot worse than taking a trip to see the the new heartwarming drama-comedy The Penguin Lessons on Monday 17 March, before it gets its wider release to the public.

The Penguin Lessons – which is inspired by the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who takes up a teaching post in Argentina in 1976 – tells the story of Tom, played by Steve Coogan, who arrives expecting an easy ride, however he quickly finds himself in a divided nation with a class of unteachable students.

After rescuing a penguin from an oil-slicked beach, Tom’s life is turned upside-down, leading to unexpected friendships and profound life lessons.

From the director of the Full Monty and the writer of Philomena, and also featuring a performance from Jonathan Pryce, the film promises to be both “humorous and heartfelt” by combining comedy and drama, and is ideal for film-lovers looking for a story that will bring all the feels this March.

This is the second year Escapes is offering free cinema tickets, after already making a huge impact with more than 65,000 tickets claimed in 2024 alone.

All showings of The Penguin Lessons will be screened with descriptive subtitles.

Escapes is partnering with leading cinema chains, as well as independent venues across the UK throughout 2025.

If a touching comedy-drama about a penguin doesn’t really sound like something up your street though, not to worry, as The Penguin Lesson is only the first film on the lineup in 2025, as Escapes is set to announce a range of other new films to preview all throughout the year.

Read more:

Fancy it then?

You can find out more about Escapes, find out which Greater Manchester cinemas are participating, and grab your free ticket to see The Penguin Lessons on Monday 17 March here.

Featured Image – Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)

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