Category Theatre Reviews

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...

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...