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: Bonnie and Clyde – the wait is over, the notorious duo finally raise more than a little hell in the West End

BONNIE AND CLYDE. Frances Mayli McCann ‘Bonnie Parker’ and Jordan Luke Gage ‘Clyde Barrow’. Photo Richard Davenport Venue: The Arts Theatre, London Performance Date: 19 April 2022 Reviewer: Gemma Fincher Star Rating: ★★★★ Everybody loves an outlaw. For years, audiences have been transfixed by Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow’s illicit romance and descent into criminal notoriety. […]
REVIEW: Beauty and the Beast is a dazzling revival of this tale as old as time and quite frankly… If it’s not Baroque, don’t fix it

Nigel Richards as Cogsworth, Sam Bailey as Mrs Potts, Gavin Lee as Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – Photo by Johan Persson © Disney Venue: Birmingham Hippodrome Performance Date: 09 March 2022 Reviewer: Gemma Fincher Star Rating: ★★★★★ Disney is enjoying somewhat of a UK stage renaissance of late. With Frozen, and Mary Poppins […]
REVIEW: Jack and the Beanstalk – The choreography & movement really are the feather in the cap of this panto

Milton Keynes Theatre: Jack and the Beanstalk Production Image Venue: Milton Keynes Theatre Performance Date: 14 December 2021 Reviewer: Gemma Fincher Star Rating: ★★★ It’s certainly fair to say that panto season is now in full swing, with most open or imminently so. Milton Keynes Theatre throws open its doors this week, welcoming audiences to its […]
REVIEW: Rock of Ages – what the show lacks in plot, it sure makes up for in volume

Rock of Ages UK Tour – 2018/19 Production Image by Richard Davenport Venue: The Alexandra, Birmingham Performance Date: 10 September 2021 Reviewer: Sophie Mills Star Rating: ★★1/2 The party show that is Rock of Ages has embarked on another tour of the UK, bringing rock hits of the 80s to our much-loved playhouses. This particular iteration has […]
REVIEW: Fame the Musical – Packed full of talent

Fame The Musical – Photo credit Alessia Chinazzo Venue: Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Performance Date: 19 November 2019 Star Rating: ★★★1/2 Reviewer: Sophie Mills Fame is the beating heart of a generation of musical theatre lovers and has jazz hands-ed its way into Wolverhampton Grand Theatre thanks to Selladoor Worldwide. Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the original high […]
REVIEW: Fame the Musical – still lighting up the stage after 30 years

Jamal Kane Crawford as Tyrone Jackson & Jorgie Porter as Iris Kelly – Photo credit Alessia Chinazzo Venue: The Peacock Theatre Performance Date: 12 September 2019 Reviewer: Gemma Fincher Star Rating: ★★★★1/2 For 30 years Fame has been delighting audiences with its exuberant and energetic soundtrack, story and choreography. Based on the 1980 film of […]
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, […]