Category: Regional

  • REVIEW: & Juliet – Theatre Royal – Nottingham

    REVIEW: & Juliet – Theatre Royal – Nottingham

    The UK tour staging of & Juliet playing at  Theatre Royal Nottingham this week delivers an empowering and modern twist in the classic Shakespearean tale Romeo and Juliet, injecting it with with uplifting energy and a playlist of popular pop anthems. This musical reframes Juliet’s story which allows her to choose her own path through life beyond…

  • REVIEW: Murder on the Orient Express – Theatre Royal – Nottingham

    REVIEW: Murder on the Orient Express – Theatre Royal – Nottingham

    There’s something enduringly delightful about an Agatha Christie mystery: the tight plotting, the complex web of motives, and the slow, satisfying unfurling of the truth. Murder on the Orient Express, in this new UK and Ireland touring production adapted by Ken Ludwig and directed by Lucy Bailey, proves no exception to that rule — a…

  • REVIEW: Beyond Unity – People’s Theatre – Camden

    REVIEW: Beyond Unity – People’s Theatre – Camden

    Stepping into Beyond Unity feels less like entering a conventional theatre piece and more like plunging headfirst into a whirlwind of sensation, thought, and lived experience. Alex Draghici’s one-woman performance is a bold, unflinching exploration of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), blending comedy, movement, sound, and visual art into an experience that is as disorienting as…

  • REVIEW: War Horse – Regent Theatre – Stoke-on-Trent

    REVIEW: War Horse – Regent Theatre – Stoke-on-Trent

    War Horse first exploded onto stage at the National Theatre in 2007 and the current touring production shows why, nearly twenty years later, it is still playing to capacity audiences around the world.  It is a story that depicts the First World War on all its scales, from the nightmarish monstrosities of field artillery and…

  • REVIEW: Calamity Jane – Opera House – Manchester

    REVIEW: Calamity Jane – Opera House – Manchester

    Based on the classic 1953 Warner Bros. film, Calamity Jane tells the story of the brash and outspoken frontierswoman of Deadwood City, whose larger-than-life personality often gets her into trouble. Set against the backdrop of the American Wild West, the story blends comedy, drama, and classic musical numbers like “The Deadwood Stage” and “Secret Love”.…

  • REVIEW: Dick Whittington – Regent Theatre – Stoke-on-Trent

    REVIEW: Dick Whittington – Regent Theatre – Stoke-on-Trent

    Dick Whittington at the Regent Theatre is an undeniable triumph, delivering a magical mix of humour, heart, and dazzling performances that cements Stoke’s panto as one of the highlights of the festive season. With a cast led by the beloved Jonathan Wilkes, celebrating 20 years of panto in his hometown, this production is a love…

  • REVIEW: Peter Pan – Theatre Royal – Nottingham

    REVIEW: Peter Pan – Theatre Royal – Nottingham

    The Theatre Royal Nottingham’s festive production of Peter Pan is a vibrant and entertaining pantomime that offers plenty of laughs and visual spectacle. Though it veers away from the original story, presenting more of a sequel than a traditional retelling, this show is still a delight. A remarkable highlight of the evening was the last-minute performance by…

  • REVIEW: Only Fools and Horses The Musical – Regent Theatre – Stoke-on-Trent

    REVIEW: Only Fools and Horses The Musical – Regent Theatre – Stoke-on-Trent

    Stepping into the Regent Theatre for “Only Fools and Horses The Musical” feels like reuniting with old friends. The beloved Trotter family and their eccentric entourage have leapt from the small screen to the stage, bringing with them the heart and humor that made the original BBC series a national treasure. This production, part of…

  • REVIEW: A Christmas Carol – Derby Theatre – Derby

    REVIEW: A Christmas Carol – Derby Theatre – Derby

    Productions of A Christmas Carol have become an essential feature of the festive season, beloved for their ability to blend a heartwarming tale with a sharp critique of social inequalities. Charles Dickens’ novella resonates as deeply today as it did in Victorian times, offering a message of compassion and redemption that feels particularly relevant in our divided…

  • REVIEW: My Fair Lady – Curve – Leicester

    REVIEW: My Fair Lady – Curve – Leicester

    The Leicester Curve’s production of My Fair Lady, directed by Nikolai Foster, is a visually stunning and emotionally engaging rendition of Lerner and Loewe’s beloved musical. With its memorable score, sharp wit, and a deeply talented cast, the production offers much to enjoy, even as it wrestles with uneven pacing and unresolved thematic tensions. Michael Taylor’s…