My first experience of the Lowry Art and Entertainment Centre started on exiting the taxi to the view of this magnificent building lit up and sparkling in the darkness of Salford Quays.
As I stood to take in my surroundings - media city lit up across the water - the hustle and bustle of people anticipating their nights entertainment, I thought to myself "The Broadway experience in the heart of Salford".
On entering the Lowry building I was greeted with the sound of an Alphorn (or two) being played with incredible skill - a truly WOW moment.
The well trained and friendly staff couldn't have been more helpful. Directions to all areas were easily followed.
The theatre itself could be accessed 30 minutes before the show started, giving ample time to find allocated seats and get settled, and also admire the scale of the theatre itself.
Then began the truly British 'dance of the polite', as each new audience member arrived finding their seat at the end of an already well occupied row we have the 'sorry! excuse me!' - up down up maneuvers to their seats. All done with a smile,. all part of the live show experience.
THE MAIN EVENT As to the show itself - The Sound of Music - with Lucy O'Byrne as Maria and Gray O'Brien as Captain Von Trapp - what a brilliant show!! So engrossing that I felt I was on the stage with them.
Lucy O'Byrne - what a STAR, with the voice of an angel. Another outstanding performance for me was Jan Hartley as the mother abbess. Her rendition of 'Climb every mountain' brought goosebumps to my skin and raised the hair (that I don't have) on my head.
The actors playing the Von Trapp children easily kept pace with the rest of the cast. Whilst I can't mention every cast member individually - every single one of them helped make this show a rousing success.
The curtain call reflected the power of the performance as each actor received thunderous applause, and in many cases a spontaneous standing ovation.
I thoroughly enjoyed my evening and would highly recommend this show and the Lowry experience.
Thank you Lowry staff and patrons for this truly wonderful experience.
Useful links:
www.ticketmaster.co.uk/The-Lowry-tickets-Salford-Quays
manchestertheatres.com/thelowry