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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…
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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…
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REVIEW: Chicago – Regent Theatre – Stoke-on-Trent
The UK tour of Chicago, currently playing at the Regent Theatre in Stoke, delivers a polished and faithful production of this beloved musical. Under the direction of Walter Bobbie and featuring Ann Reinking’s choreography in the style of Bob Fosse, this Chicago captures the sultry and sharp-edged essence that has made the show a classic. While the production…
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REVIEW: The Red Shoes – Swan Theatre – Stratford-Upon-Avon
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s The Red Shoes, directed by Kimberley Rampersad in her UK debut, promises a captivating reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s dark fairytale. Nancy Harris’s adaptation, accompanied by Marc Teitler’s rich score, offers an ambitious blend of dance, music, illusion, and theatre. While the production dazzles with its visual and auditory splendour, it…
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REVIEW: Grease – Lyceum Theatre – Sheffield
The Curve Leicester production of Grease, currently touring at Sheffield’s Lyceum, delivers a lively and vibrant reimagining of this classic musical. Directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Phillips, the show refreshes Grease with its energetic staging, while preserving some of the beloved traditional elements that fans expect, like Sandy’s transformation outfit at the end. Marley Fenton…
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REVIEW: Ghost the Musical – Regent Theatre – Stoke-on-Trent
Ghost the Musical currently on tour and stopping at the Regent Theatre in Stoke, is a spellbinding adaptation of the classic 1990 film that captivated audiences with its blend of romance, mystery, and the supernatural. At the heart of the story is the tragic love between Sam Wheat and Molly Jensen, whose world is shattered…
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REVIEW: Hairspray – Theatre Royal – Nottingham
The Nottingham Theatre Royal’s press night for Hairspray unfolded under unique circumstances, with a remarkable twelve understudies, alternates, and swings stepping in for the evening’s performance. This kind of reshuffling can create uncertainty, but the cast rose to the occasion, showcasing both dedication and resilience. Their efforts underscored the immense skill and flexibility required of performers in…
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REVIEW: KENREX – Playhouse – Sheffield
KENREX, a compelling new piece by Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian, tells the shocking, true-crime-inspired tale of a community forced to take the law into its own hands. Set in the 1970s and 80s, in the quiet town of Skidmore, Missouri, the play follows Ken Rex McElroy, a man who has terrorised his hometown for…
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REVIEW: Othello – Royal Shakespeare Theatre – Stratford-upon-Avon
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s latest production of Othello presents a fresh take on Shakespeare’s classic tale of jealousy, deception, and tragedy. This revered play tells the story of Othello, a noble Moorish general in the Venetian army, who is gradually led to believe in his wife Desdemona’s infidelity, thanks to the manipulative schemes of his…
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REVIEW: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Regent Theatre – Stoke-on-Trent
The current UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, stopping this week in Stoke, is a dazzling spectacle that delivers on many fronts, though with a few pacing hiccups. The production, directed by Thom Southerland and boasting a stellar cast, brings Ian Fleming’s magical tale to life with stunning visuals and earworm melodies that will…
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