Category Theatre Reviews

Despite some odd directorial choices, STEEL MAGNOLIAS remains a heartwarming tale of community, showcasing the strength and resilience of women.

It’s been over 30 years since Robert Harling’s play STEEL MAGNOLIAS first made its premiere. The comedy-drama, inspired by his sister’s battle with type 1 diabetes, was adapted into a movie in 1989, starring Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts, and still continues to draw a crowd, as demonstrated by the new UK tour.

Set in small-town Lousiana, STEEL MA...

The cast of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW UK Tour. Photo Credit: David Freeman

Celebrating 50 years of absurdity, acceptance, authenticity, and amusement, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW is as much of a crowd-pleaser now as ever.

Celebrating its fiftieth year onstage, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW has rocked and rolled back into Manchester’s Opera House as part of its 2022-2023 world tour. Ever the fan-favourite, Richard O’Brien’s timeless, time-warping, mind-bending musical is as much of a crowd-pleaser now as ever...

Keir Ogilvy (Boy), Millie Hikasa (Lettie) & Kemi-Bo Jacobs (Ginnie) in THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE. Photo Credit: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

With its strong cast performance, amazing puppetry, and sumptuous staging, THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE is a masterclass in storytelling.

Imagine all the stories you read as a child; fairy tales, myths, Peter Pan and Narnia. Put them in a bag and shake them up, and you have the otherworldliness of THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE.

Adapted by Joel Horwoo...

The cast of THE PANTOMIME ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN. Photo Credit: Phil Tragen

With its audience participation, catchy music, comic innuendos and laugh-out-loud slapstick comedy, THE PANTOMIME ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN ticks all the boxes.

What makes a pantomime? Is it a villain played with comedic menace or his dimwitted sidekick? Is it the audience participation and the music? The innuendo and slapstick? It is all of these things, and this year’s offering from Manchester’s Opera House in the ...

Mesmerising in his delivery, Guy Masterson’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL is one of the best theatre adaptations to grace the stage. 

In 1843 there was a novella published. That novella was A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens and would go on to be one of the most consistently read works on the planet...

The cast of THE MOUSETRAP 70th Anniversary Tour. Photo Credit: Matt Crockett

Successfully blending comedy and mystery, Agatha Christie’s THE MOUSETRAP continues to entertain, thanks to its impressive set, talented cast, and skilfully written plot.

It’s been a big week for the creative team behind Agatha Christie’s THE MOUSETRAP...

MATTHEW BOURNE’S SLEEPING BEAUTY. Photo Credit: Johan Persson

With its sumptuous sets, masterly storytelling and superb dance performances, MATTHEW BOURNE’S SLEEPING BEAUTY is a visually spectacular piece worthy of the ticket price.

It’s been 10 years since MATTHEW BOURNE’S SLEEPING BEAUTY first made its premiere at London’s Sadlers Wells Theatre...

SEB SLADE as Thomas in THE GUNPOWDER PLOT. Photo: Mark Dawson Photography

Combining live theatre with the latest digital technology, THE GUNPOWDER PLOT IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE is an enjoyable, memorable and educational show not to be missed.

It’s been over 400 years since Guy Fawkes, and his fellow contributors attempted to blow up the House of Lords on 5 November, but the Gunpowder Plot remains one of Britain’s most well-known historical stories...

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL UK Tour 2020. Photo Credit: Johan Persson

With its captivating set and endearing performances, THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL boasts plenty of charm, even if its script feels somewhat misplaced and outdated.

Based on Deborah Moggach’s novel and the hit 2011 film of the same name, THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL tells the story of the charming yet failing Marigold Hotel in Bangalore...

Amar Blackman & ensemble in BUGSY MALONE. Photo: Pamela Raith Photography

From its spectacular set designs and talented cast ensemble, BUGSY MALONE is an utterly splurgtastic show for all the family.

Alan Parker’s world-famous 1976 movie BUGSY MALONE, which launched the careers of Jodie Foster and Scott Baio, heads to the stage for the first time on tour with this universally acclaimed revival of the universally acclaimed Lyric Hammersmith Theatre production.

Set in Prohibition-era New York, wh...