Category Theatre Reviews

Jake Ferretti & Niall Ransome in THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES. Photo: Pamela Raith

Fun, fast-paced and farcical, THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES is a three-handed masterclass in the art of comedic storytelling

It is 120 years since THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES first seeped into the public consciousness like the fog on Dartmoor. The original serialisation in The Strand magazine is arguably one of the most famous detective stories of all time...

Thom Tuck and Dennis Herdman in THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE. Photo: Manuel Harlan

Fast-paced, nostalgic and packed full of laughs, THE PLAY THAT I WROTE is a loving celebration of good old-fashioned comedy.

When THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE first hit the stage 20 years ago, it became a hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Paying homage to the legendary comedy duo Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, the play was nominated for four Olivier Awards, winning Best Comedy and Best Supporting Actor for Toby Jones...

Gaynor Faye, Luke Ward-Wilkinson, Leon Stewart & Adam Woodyatt in LOOKING GOOD DEAD Photo: Alastair Muir

Peter James’ LOOKING GOOD DEAD carefully balances humour with plenty of chilling scenes, despite its increasingly complex plot and light-hearted delivery

Following the stage success of THE PERFECT MURDER and DEAD SIMPLE, the world premiere of Peter James’ LOOKING GOOD DEAD heads to The Lowry this week, starring EastEnders icon Adam Woodyatt and award-winning actor Gaynor Faye.

Based on James...

Winning over loyal fans and first-timers, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW is extremely enjoyable, high-octane party

Dust off those fishnets, squeeze into that corset and glitter yourself head to toe for a night of raunchy mayhem at Richard O’Brien’s original rock and roll musical, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW.

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW follows an evening of diabolical chaos when strait-laced college sweethearts Brad (Ore Obuda) and fiancée Janet’s (Hayley Flaherty) car breaks down on a dark, rainy night.

As they ...

Fun, energetic and featuring a tremendous young cast, SCHOOL OF ROCK is a thrilling musical that the whole family will enjoy.

Manchester’s Palace Theatre kicked off 2022 in true Rock ‘n’ Roll style with the first ever UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End and Broadway hit musical SCHOOL OF ROCK.

Based on the 2003 movie starring Jack Black, SCHOOL OF ROCK tells the story of failed rock star Dewey Finn who poses as a substitute teacher at an elite prep school to pay his rent.

Despera...

Alexandra Burke as Sherezade in ALADDIN. Photo Credit: Phil Tragen

With gags and laughter aplenty, ALADDIN is everything you want from a family panto, but done to perfection on a big scale.

ALADDIN’s magic carpet has landed in Manchester and is set to dazzle audiences with this high energy, glitzy, hilarious, relevant and utterly sensational pantomime.

Pantomimes are a festive staple, and after over a year without, this production of ALADDIN spares no expense in creating a hit that has everyt...

Shaka Kalokoh & Samantha Womack in THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE. Photo: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

From its clever puppetry to its strong cast performance, THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE is a visually stunning masterpiece of physical theatre.

Direct from London, the smash hit production of C.S. Lewis’ classic THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE is back and at Salford’s The Lowry for Christmas!

The show opens with Vera Lynn classic WE’LL MEET AGAIN as Mrs Pevensie says goodbye to he...

THE BOOK OF MORMON. UK touring company. Photo Criedit: Paul Coltas

Damnably clever, brilliantly conceived and superbly executed, THE BOOK OF MORMON is one of the funniest and clever musicals of the last decade.

Smash hit musical THE BOOK OF MORMON makes a welcome return to Manchester’s Palace Theatre this week. The Tony Award-winning show enjoyed a sold-out stint in 2019 when it opened its first UK tour at the venue with extra dates added several times due to high demand.

Written by Trey Park...

Jonty Stephens and Ian Ashpitel successfully capture the fizzy, frothing, joyous comedy of Morecambe and Wise, bringing laughs, joy and sunshine with their magical Christmas show

Let me take you on a journey through space and time. We start our journey in 2021 but the destination is any living room in Britain in the 1970s on Christmas Day. Queen’s Speech, Christmas dinner and then the joy that was the Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show...

Fast-paced, funny, and mysterious, SPINACH is the perfect mix of music and comedy with an unusual, twisting storyline.

Manchester’s The Edge Theatre and Arts Centre celebrates its 10th anniversary with two-week run of Janine Waters’ critically acclaimed musical SPINACH, which coincidentally, also celebrates its 10th year anniversary.

Upon entering the auditorium, the audience’s attention is captured by two individuals tied back-to-back on chairs in a dark setting, accompanied by the faint ...