Category Theatre Reviews

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...

The company of RSC’s AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo Credit: Christopher McGrillis

As part of a Royal Shakespeare Company’s national tour of three Shakespeare productions: As You Like It, The Taming of The Shrew and Measure for Measure, Kimberley Sykes directs this strident, contemporary version of Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It at The Lowry Theatre...

Lucy Ellinson (Macbeth) in MACBETH at Royal Exchange Theatre. Photo Credit: Johan Persson

Despite Lucy Ellinson’s nuanced and edgy performance, Christopher Haydon’s contemporary version of MACBETH ultimately lacks intensity

It’s fair to say that Sarah Frankcom’s tenure at the Royal Exchange has been a success...

Inspired by the hit cult film, 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is a laugh-a-minute production about teaming up, standing up and taking care of business!

Based on the hit 1980s cult film, 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL tells the story of Doralee, Violet and Judy, three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and bigot boss. Fed up, the ladies create a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor...

Maisy Taylor and Tamsin Shasha in EVERYTHING I SEE I SWALLOW. Photo Credit: Sean Longmore

Combining a poignant and thought-provoking script with incredible aerial choreography, EVERYTHING I SEE I SWALLOW is a stark examination of modern feminism

EVERYTHING I SEE I SWALLOW is a stark examination of feminism through the lens of two generations...

Charlotte Bate and Charlotte O’Leary in DAUGHTERHOOD. Photo Credit: Rebecca Need-Menear

Opening the ROUNDABOUT Festival at Albert Park in Broughton, DAUGHTERHOOD is a powerful and ferocious play about the bonds that tie us

A bright yellow dome in the middle of a park certainly attracts attention. The Paines Plough ROUNDABOUT is the UK’s first-ever fully accessible and portable plug-and-play theatre...

Delivered with enthusiasm, humour and warmth, Stephen Fry’s MYTHOS: A TRILOGY brings Greek mythology to life with his trio of plays

Off the back of two of his published books surrounding Greek Mythology, Stephen Fry took to The Lowry’s Lyric Theater to perform a trilogy of plays in the company of the Greek GODS, HEROES and MEN whose gripping tales still echo today. 

The stage is set with a lone armchair, spot-lit, centre stage and when Fry enters, it is to a huge applause from an extremely di...