REVIEW: Sister Act is an uplifting show that everyone could do with a dose of
Venue: Haymarket Theatre Basingstoke Performance Date: 18 May 2022 Reviewer: Leyla Demirel Following the rehearsal of Basingstoke Amateur Theatre Society’s (BATS) Sister Act, I was looking forward to seeing the finished show. And it provided the fun, high energy and laugh a minute show everyone could do with a dose with from time to time. Under […]
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: Jersey Boys – Oh, What A Night – An excellent show that really does hit the high notes
LtoR Michael Pickering, Blair Gibson, Dalton Wood, Lewis Griffiths in Jersey Boys UK & Ireland Tour, credit Birgit + Ralf Brinkhoff Venue: Milton Keynes Theatre Performance Date: 23 February 2022 Reviewer: Jo Neville Star Rating: ★★★★ Great music, great singing, great acting. The boys are most definitely back. Since its Broadway debut in 2005, Jersey Boys […]
REVIEW: School of Rock – a commitment to excellence that shines throughout
The cast of School of Rock UK Tour – Photo Paul Coltas Venue: The Alexandra, Birmingham Performance Date: 31 January 2022 Reviewer: Alex Birch Star Rating: ★★★★★ Remember School of Rock? In 2003, almost twenty years ago, the Hollywood comedy film helmed by a youthful Jack Black was an international box office hit. Family-friendly without being […]
REVIEW: Bedknobs and Broomsticks – a musical with infinite potential
Dianne Pilkington in Bedknobs and Broomsticks – Photo Credit Johan Persson Venue: The Alexandra, Birmingham Performance Date: 11 November 2021 Reviewer: Ely King Star Rating: ★★★ Bedknobs and Broomsticks, the classic Disney film, was released 50 years ago this year and starred Angela Lansbury as the eclectic would-be witch, Eglantine Price. For many, Bedknobs holds a special […]
REVIEW: Blood Brothers – The Devil certainly has their number – Blood Brothers crashes onto the Hippodrome stage
Blood Brothers UK Tour 2021 – Production Photography Venue: Birmingham Hippodrome Performance Date: 01 November 2021 Reviewer: Ely King Star Rating: ★★★★ The heart-breaking story of The Johnstone Twins may not be known to all, but the term ‘Blood Brothers’ comes close. The tale of twins separated at birth plays out in spectacular fashion before your […]
REVIEW: Frozen the Musical – If a show was a warm hug, this would be it – theatrical magic at its finest
Samantha Barks as Elsa in Frozen: The Musical – Photograph Johan Persson Venue: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London Performance Date: 08 September 2021 Reviewer: Gemma Fincher Rating: ★★★★★ In 2013 Disney introduced the world to a heroine who doesn’t need to be defined by a man, whose happily ever after isn’t riding off into the […]
REVIEW: Looking Good Dead – a formidable adaptation of the Peter James novel
Adam Woodyatt and Gaynor Faye as Tom and Kellie Bryce in Looking Good Dead Venue: Milton Keynes Theatre Writer: Original by Peter James, adapted by Shaun McKenna Director: Jonathan O’Boyle Reviewer: Ely King Star Rating: ★★★1/2 Looking Good Dead, a new play adapted from the book by no.1 best-selling author Peter James, begins its weeklong residence […]
NEWS: Initial casting announced for the West End transfer of Laura Wade’s critically acclaimed The Watsons
Initial casting is announced today for the West End transfer of Laura Wade’s The Watsons, following sold-out runs at both Chichester Festival Theatre and the Menier Chocolate Factory. Samuel West directs Sam Alexander (Robert Watson), Sally Bankes (Nanny), Jane Booker (Lady Osborne), Elaine Claxton (Mrs Edwards), Ralph Davis (Lord Osborne), Tim Delap (Mr Howard), Sophie Duval (Mrs Robert), Louise Ford (Laura), John Wilson Goddard (Mr Watson), Rhianna McGreevy (Margaret Watson), Grace Molony (Emma Watson – she was Evening Standard Award-nominated for […]
REVIEW: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – An inspiring, life-affirming and absolutely stonking piece of theatre
Noah Thomas (Jamie) and Bianca Del Rio (Loco Channelle) in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre. Photo credit Matt Crockett Venue: Apollo Theatre, London Performance Date: 21 January 2020 Star Rating: ★★★★★ Reviewer: Gemma Fincher After exploding onto London’s West End towards the end of 2017, the smash-hit musical for today, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie hosted a […]