Category Theatre Reviews

Waylon Jacobs in PETER PAN at Barn Theatre, Cirencester. Photo Credit: Eve Dunlop

Stripping J.M. Barrie’s classic tale back to its roots, Alan Pollock’s new take of PETER PAN has a whimsical, nostalgic, and magical charm.

With much of the country in Tier 3 and many theatres forced to remain closed due to Coronavirus restrictions, the annual Christmas theatre outing will likely be off the cards for many families this year...

The Company of RENT at Hope Mill Theatre. Photo Credit: Pamela Raith

Luke Sheppard’s sensational revival of RENT surges with life, passion and a fighting spirit that feels particularly poignant in the current climate

It’s fair to say that, of all the sectors Coronavirus has impacted, theatre is one of the worst-hit. Nothing demonstrates this more than Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre latest production of RENT...

Employing multiple narrative styles, different perspectives and a highly fragmented timeline, WHAT A CARVE UP! builds up the story meticulously to entice the audience

As regional theatres in England prepare for a second lockdown, the Barn Theatre in Cirencester takes to the spotlight with the premiere of their new digital play, WHAT A CARVE UP! 

Based on Jonathan Coe’s satirical novel, WHAT A CARVE UP! chronicles the events leading up to the fictional ‘Winshaw Murders’...

Olly Dobson (Marty McFly) & Roger Bart (Doc Brown) in BACK TO THE FUTURE. Photo: Sean Ebsowrth Barnes

Staying true to the original film with a few surprises here and there, BACK TO THE FUTURE THE MUSICAL is a near-perfect show

It’s easy to understand why many BACK TO THE FUTURE fans were initially dubious when creators Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis first announced they were bringing the cult classic to the big stage...

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s lavish production of SWAN LAKE is as atmospheric as it is beautiful

Birmingham Royal Ballet make a welcome return to Salford’s The Lowry with a lavish revival of Peter Wright and Galina Samsova’s 1981 production of SWAN LAKE.

Composed by Tchaikovsky in 1875, SWAN LAKE tells the story of the doomed love between Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette...

Will Barton as Boris Johnson in THE LAST TEMPTATION OF BORIS JOHNSON. Photo Credit: Pamela Raith

Jonathan’s Maitland’s timely comedy THE LAST TEMPTATION OF BORIS JOHNSON has all the makings of a compelling political satire but soon runs out of steam

Jonathan Maitland’s timely comedy THE LAST TEMPTATION OF BORIS JOHNSON broke box office records during its run at London’s Park Theatre in spring last year...

Ammar Duffus (Conor) and Keith Gilmore (Monster) in A MONSTER CALL.S Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan

Using performance art, music and movement, Sally Cookson brings to life Patrick Ness’ emotional, thought-provoking and inspiring bestseller A MONSTER CALLS to life on stage

I’ve never read Patrick Ness’ bestseller A MONSTER CALLS or seen the hit 2016 film starring Sigourney Weaver and Liam Neeson, so when Sally Cookson’s critically acclaimed stage adaptation announced it was heading out on a ne...

John Partridge as Emcee in CABARET. Photo Credit: The Other Richard

Using the Kit Kat Club as a metaphor, Rufus Norris delivers a visual spectacle with CABARET

It’s testament to the popularity of hit musical CABARET that the Bill Kenwright’s production is back on the road just two years after its last UK tour starring Will Young and Louise Redknapp.

Set in Berlin in 1931, the multiple Tony award-winning musical follows American writer Cliff Bradshaw who stumbles across the seedy Kit Kat Cl...

With its hair-raising special effects, dramatic lighting and spine-tingling storytelling, GHOST STORIES makes for a terrifyingly terrific evening

It’s been 10 years since GHOST STORIES made its debut in London. Since then, it has moved to the West End, toured the globe and has even been made into a successful film in 2017 starring Martin Freeman and Paul Whitehouse...

Despite its loose narrative, THRILLER LIVE successfully pays homage to the King of Pop

It’s been nearly 11 years since Michael Jackson died but as the audience took to their seats in Manchester’s Palace Theatre for the press night of THRILLER LIVE, it’s clear to see his legacy still lives on. 

An icon of the 20th Century, Jackson began his career enjoying chart-topping success with his brothers in the Motown era as the Jackson 5, before embarking on a solo career in 1971...