Review: &Juliet – A Riotous, glittering triumph of Shakespearean rebellion
Gerardine Sacdalan as Juliet (centre) and the cast in & Juliet, credit Matt Crockett Venue: Milton Keynes Theatre Performance Date: 31 March 2025 Reviewer: Gemma Fincher Star Rating: ★★★★★ What if Juliet didn’t die? What if the quill was snatched from Shakespeare’s hand and given to his wife, Anne Hathaway, to rewrite one of the world’s most famous tragedies? […]
REVIEW: Hairspray UK Tour – A Big, Bouncy, Beautiful Blast from the Past
Dermot Canavan (Wilbur Turnblad), Katie Brace (Tracy Turnblad), Neil Hurst (Edna Turnblad) and Katlo (Little Inez) – Credit Pamela Raith Venue: Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Performance Date: 17 February 2025 Reviewer: Gemma Fincher Star Rating: ★★★★1/2 On a chilly winter evening in Aylesbury, Hairspray bursts onto the stage like a ray of technicolour sunshine, whisking the audience […]
REVIEW: The Rocky Horror Show – A thrilling, timeless spectacle that continues to grow old disgracefully
L-R_ Lauren Chia (Janet), Connor Carson (Brad), Job Greuter (Riff Raff). Photo Credit – David Freeman Venue: Milton Keynes Theatre Performance Date: 10 February 2025 Reviewer: Gemma Fincher Star Rating: ★★★★ Some shows age gracefully, and then there’s The Rocky Horror Show, a production that refuses to age at all. Now well into its fifth decade […]
REVIEW: Blood Brothers – A timeless tale that still resonates today
Joe Sleight, Gemma Brodrick & Sean Jones – Blood Brothers UK Tour 2024 – Photo Credit Jack Merriman Venue: Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Performance Date: 28 January 2025 Reviewer: Gemma Fincher Star Rating: ★★★★ Few musicals have the emotional weight and lasting power of Blood Brothers, and Bill Kenwright’s latest touring production proves that Willy Russell’s masterpiece is […]
REVIEW: Calamity Jane – A Rootin’-Tootin’ Revival
Carrie Hope Fletcher as Calamity Jane – Photo Credit: Mark Senior Venue: Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Performance Date: 15 January 2025 Reviewer: Gemma Fincher Star Rating: ★★★★ The UK tour of Calamity Jane galloped onto the stage this week, proving that this Wild West classic is as spirited as ever. Based on the much-loved 1953 film starring Doris Day, the musical retains […]
REVIEW: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – the fairest panto in the land!
Photo courtesy of Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Venue: Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Performance Date: 05 December 2022 Reviewer: Gemma Fincher Star Rating: ★★★★ Aylesbury Waterside Theatre can always be relied on to deliver a rip-roaring and riotous pantomime. 2023’s offering of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is no exception. This magical panto transports the audience into a […]
REVIEW: Aladdin – Panto Perfection!
Venue: Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Performance Date: 06 December 2022 Reviewer: Gemma Fincher Star Rating: ★★★★★ It’s that time of year again when theatres are bursting with festive frolics, double entendres, and extravagant costumes. Panto season has begun in earnest and the magic and frivolity of this Great British tradition are alive and well at Aylesbury Waterside […]
REVIEW: Full English – Proof that Bradford has stories worth telling
Full English (Production Image) Faye Weerasinghe as Natalie Venue: Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton Performance Date: 09 June 2022 Reviewer: Alex Birch Star Rating: ★★★★ Inspired by the diaries of Natalie Davies (who you may know from her role as Shelley in Coronation Street, or more recently Channel 4 sitcom Hullraisers), an actress raised as part of a multiracial family in […]
REVIEW: Bat out of Hell – Rock and roll dreams, definitely come through!
Glenn Adamson as Strat, Martha Kirby as Raven and the cast of Bat Out Of Hell. Photo: Chris Davis Studio Venue: Milton Keynes Theatre Performance Date: 14 June 2022 Reviewer: Sam Dunning Star Rating: ★★★1/2 Jukebox musicals are uniquely placed in the world of theatre. Purists tend to look down on them, while fans of the creators/performers of the […]
REVIEW: Rock of Ages – A Gloriously Bonkers Glam Rock Musical
Rock of Ages UK Tour – Production Image Venue: Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Performance Date: 24 May 2022 Reviewer: Jo Neville Star Rating: ★★★★ Who can forget the big hair and the even bigger power ballads of the 1980s? Songs with stonking guitar riffs and hefty dollops of emotional angst delivered by leather-clad bands such as Whitesnake, Poison and Europe. […]