Category Theatre Reviews

Ria Jones as Rose in GYPSY at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester. Photo Credit: Johan Persson

“Everything’s Coming Up Roses” once again for the Royal Exchange with their wild and magnificent Christmas production of GYPSY

From GUYS AND DOLLS and SWEET CHARITY to THE PRODUCERS, it’s fair to say that Royal Exchange Theatre has a bit of a reputation for redefining Broadway musicals...

The cast of PETER PAN GOES WRONG UK Tour. Photo Credit: Alastair Muir

Clever, funny and a riot to watch, PETER PAN GOES WRONG is a brilliant example of slapstick and physical comedy

The fictional Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society is a plucky, sometimes misguided theatre company. For their Christmas play (it is NOT a panto!) director Chris Bean (Connor Crawford) has decided to produce Peter Pan...

Paul Greenwood & Ryan Kopel in THE ASTONISHING TIMES OF TIMOTHY CRATCHIT. Photo Credit: Phil Tragen

While THE ASTONISHING TIMES OF TIMOTHY CRATCHIT isn’t without its flaws, it is a show with immense promise

Ever wondered whatever became of Tiny Tim after the events of A CHRISTMAS CAROL? Hope Mill Theatre answers this very question with their latest production of THE ASTONISHING TIMES OF TIMOTHY CRATCHIT, a Victorian sequel to the Charles Dickens’ classic.

Set almost a decade after the events...

The company of LIGHT FALLS at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester. Photo: Manuel Harlan

Funny, emotional and wonderfully performed, LIGHT FALLS is a bittersweet, richly layered play about life in the face of death

After 21 years at the venue including four as Artistic Director, Sarah Frankcom says goodbye to Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre this month with another stunningly staged production about family, community and the fragility of life. 

LIGHT FALLS tells the story of a family, draw...

Philippa Stefani as Gloria Estefan and Company of ON YOUR FEET. Photo Credit: Johan Persson

What ON YOUR FEET lacks in drama, it more than makes up for with its music

You may not know the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan but you’ll certainly know their sound. Throughout the 80s and 90s, Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine topped the charts with their unique Latin-dance vibe, selling an estimated 115 million records worldwide and bagging three Grammy awards on the way...

Susannah Edgley (Regan) and Paul Nicholas (Father Merrin) in THE EXORCIST. Photo Credit: TheOtherRichard

With more tricks than Houdini, THE EXORCIST is a nostalgic revival of the classic 1973 film, paying homage to its unique narrative and direction

All your favourite horror tropes are hitting the Opera House as audiences call on Damien to resurrect the Oscar-winning thriller.

The live rendition of the supernatural tale continues the battle between good and evil, following 12-year-old Regan (...

Filthy, foul-mouthed and incredibly funny, AVENUE Q  is not the kind of puppet show you take your kids to see

As a long-time theatre reviewer, I’m ashamed to say that it’s taken me this long to see AVENUE Q. The Tony award-winning musical comedy first arrived in the UK back in 2006, spending two years in London’s West End before setting out on tour. Now, for the third time, AVENUE Q is back, with a new production directed and choreographed by Cressida Carré.

Best described as an X-rate...

The cast of CURTAINS THE MUSICAL. Photo Credit: Richard Davenport

Poking fun out of the purest love, CURTAINS is a heartfelt celebration of the romance of musicals

It’s fair to say that the road to Broadway for CURTAINS THE MUSICAL has been nearly as fraught as that of “Robbin’ Hood”...

Tracie Bennett (Mame) and the cast of MAME. Photo Credit: Pamela Raith

A prime example of the golden age of musical theatre, Jerry Herman’s 1966 classic MAME lights up the quaint Hope Mill Theatre

Having just celebrated its fourth birthday, it’s easy to see why the Hope Mill Theatre is making a name for itself. Following popular productions such as Aspects Of Love, Hair, and Spring Awakening, Mame feels like a full-sized Broadway production crammed into this amazing little theatre.

Mame tel...

Miriam Teak-Lee as Juliet and the cast of & JULIET. Photo Credit: Johan Persson

Fresh, vibrant and fun, & JULIET is one of the most inventive musicals of the year

It’s fair to say that everyone knows the story of Romeo and Juliet. William Shakespeare’s tragic tale of two star-crossed lovers has been reimagined, redefined and reinvented so many times that it’s almost impossible to deliver something new...