-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
REVIEW: Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort of) – Theatre Royal – Nottingham
“Pride and Prejudice* (Sort of)” is a breath of fresh air at the Nottingham Theatre Royal, offering a bold and cheeky twist on Jane Austen’s timeless romance. Direct from its acclaimed West End run, this production won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy, and it’s easy to see why. Blending Austen’s original wit with…
-
REVIEW: Birdsong – Theatre Royal – Nottingham
Adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and directed by Alastair Whatley, this latest staging boasts some powerful performances, but it struggles under the weight of a plot that meanders, dragging the show to a lengthy three-hour runtime.
-
REVIEW: Hairspray – Lyceum Theatre – Sheffield
The highly anticipated 2024/25 UK and Ireland tour of Hairspray is now touring to Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre, this vibrant production remains a joyous celebration of Tracy Turnblad’s journey through ambition, love, and social change. The tour promises a fresh yet faithful rendition of this beloved musical, with a talented mix of seasoned performers and new…
Never miss a review…