REVIEW: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – A joyously bonkers immersive dream
David Moorst (Puck) and Gwendoline Christie (Titania) Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan Venue: The Bridge Theatre, London Performance Date: 11 June 2019 Star Rating: ★★★★★ The round of the Bridge Theatre becomes the forest in Nicholas Hytner’s immersive reimagining of Shakespeare’s most famous comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Following the success of last year’s immersive masterpiece […]
REVIEW: Thriller Live – The Michael Jackson tribute crying out for reinvention
Thriller UK Tour: Photo thrillerlive.com Venue: The Alexandra, Birmingham Performance Date: 03 June 2019 Star Rating: ★★ Despite the controversy and unwanted headlines that plagued him during his life, and that haven’t abated since his premature death in 2009, the enduring strength of Michael Jackson’s musical legacy is undeniable. Still widely regarded as the undisputed […]
REVIEW: Venice Preserved – Political unrest, anarchy, rebellion and corruption meets futuristic ‘80’s cyberpunk
Venice Preserved: Photo by Helen Maybanks Venue: Swan Theatre, Stratford upon Avon Performance Date: 30 May 2019 Star Rating: ★★★★ Political unrest, anarchy, rebellion and corruption meet futuristic ‘80’s cyberpunk in this dystopian re-imagining of Thomas Otway’s restoration thriller. First staged in 1682, this tragedy of disillusionment, unfulfilled expectations and distrust of the establishment yields […]
INTERVIEW: Jodie Steele talks Rock of Ages, playing strong women and voice-over work
West End and theatre powerhouse Jodie Steele is no stranger to taking on big roles; she has Fame’s Carmen Diaz, Rent’s Mimi, Wicked’s Elphaba and Heathers antagonist Heather Chandler in her back catalogue. Currently rocking her way across the UK as small-town girl Sherrie Christian in Rock of Ages, Jodie took some time out of […]
REVIEW: West Side Story – Something’s coming – something good
West Side Story at the Royal Exchange Theatre (Image: Richard Davenport: The Other Richard) Venue: Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester Star Rating: ★★★★ For 60 years the format, structure and style of West Side Story have remained constant. Historically, for anyone wishing to produce West Side Story the rights restricted the production to the original choreography. […]
REVIEW: Rock of Ages – A salacious, unapologetic and gritty rock musical
Cast of Rock of Ages: Photo Credit Richard Davenport Venue: Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Performance Date: 28 May 2019 Star Rating: ★★★★ Leave your inhibitions at the door and plant your tongue firmly in your cheek because theatre land’s most salacious jukebox musical is rocking up a storm at Wolverhampton Grand this week. With big hair, […]
REVIEW: Rocky Horror Show – a riotous, vibrant & effervescent night out
Ben Adams (Brad) Joanne Clifton (Janet) Duncan James (Frank) Photo Credit: Richard Davenport Venue: Alexandra, Birmingham Date of Performance: 13 May 2019 Star Rating: ★★★★1/2 Still packing out theatres in its 46th year, the iconic cult classic musical, The Rocky Horror Show is back in Birmingham with an all-star cast. Initially written as a stage play in 1973 […]
REVIEW: Madagascar the Musical – A rip-roaring night out for the whole family
Cast of Madagascar the Musical: Photo Credit Scott Rylander Venue: Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Performance Date: 07 May 2019 Star Rating: ★★★★ With face painting in the foyer and Dudley Zoo’s mascot Monty the Monkey greeting the swathes of excited children (and adults), the scene was well and truly set for the opening night of Madagascar […]
REVIEW: Rotterdam – Bittersweet, touching & emotionally charged
Bethan Cullinane and Lucy Jane Parkinson in Rotterdam: Photo Credit Helen Maybanks Venue: Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Performance Date: 22 April 2019 Star Rating: ★★★★ “No, Alice, I don’t want to become a man, I just want to stop trying to be a woman” It‘s always a treat when an award-winning production embarks on a UK tour, […]
REVIEW: American Idiot – Anarchy, rebellion and a whole host of broken dreams
American Idiot UK Tour 2019 – Photo Credit: Mark-Dawson Venue: The Alexandra, Birmingham Performance Date: 09 April Star Rating: ★★★ Green Day‘s explosive rock musical American Idiot is back in Birmingham as it celebrates its 10th anniversary and also the 15th anniversary of the influential, Grammy-award winning concept album on which it is based. Winner of two Tony […]