Category Theatre Reviews

Harrowing and emotional, FROM IBIZA TO THE NORFOLK BROADS offers an insightful look into how our idols shape and guide our lives

Dark and unsettling at times, FROM IBIZA TO THE NORFOLK BROADS tells the story of Martin, an eighteen year old boy who attempts to reconnect with his estranged father through the music and life of David Bowie. However, this is by no means a tribute to Bowie, but is instead an insightful look into how our idols guide us and shape our lives.

Those inevitable Bowie fa...

Big, bold and colourful – just like the green man himself – SHREK: THE MUSICAL is a modern day fairy tale like no other

Forget Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty or Little Red Riding Hood, ask any child what their favourite fairy tale is and chances are Shrek will feature. Since the release of the DreamWorks animation film in 2001, SHREK has taken the world by storm, resulting in three film sequels as well as a musical stage adaption which is currently on tour across the UK and Ireland.

Based on th...

Stevie Helps’ ambitious but flawed play RACHEL falls short of delivering a serious message on mental health

One of the advantages of being a theatre blogger is that I get to see a real diverse mix of theatre. Whilst I love reviewing the big musicals and plays, it’s often the smaller, edgier and more thought-provoking productions that tend to leave a lasting impression. So when I read the synopsis for Stevie Helps new play RACHEL, I was naturally intrigued.

RACHEL tells the story of a young wo...

Fun, energetic and humorous, this modern take of PETER PAN is a swashbuckling musical adventure for all the family

Blackpool’s famous Opera House has been transformed into the magical world of Neverland this Christmas as swashbuckling musical adventure PETER PAN heads to the stage.

Produced by the award-winning Selladoor Family, PETER PAN tells the story of the boy who never grew up and the adventures of his friends Wendy, John and Michael, as they take on the villainous Captain Hook and her b...

HOT BROWN HONEY at HOME, Manchester. Photo: Dylan Evans

Confronting and challenging perceptions of modern women, HOT BROWN HONEY is unlike anything you will have seen before

HOT BROWN HONEY is a group of six women who are out to make some noise – lots of noise! Throughout the show the audience are inspired to do the same.

Smoking hot, HOT BROWN HONEY confronts and challenges your perception of modern women in a performance which is unlike anything you will have seen before...

THE SIEGE OF CHRISTMAS at Contact Theatre. Photo Credit: Joel Chester-Fildes.

Christmas is once again under threat as a festive thief returns to steal the Spirit of Christmas in THE SIEGE OF CHRISTMAS

The Christmas season once again under threat as a festive thief returns to steal the Spirit of Christmas at Contact Theatre in THE SIEGE OF CHRISTMAS.

Devised by the Contact Young Company and Leeds-based Slung Low, THE SIEGE OF CHRISTMAS is an immersive piece of theatre designed to appeal to famili...

The cast of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. Photo Credit: Birgit & Ralf Brinkhoff

Bold, bright and beautiful, Marc Bruni’s touring production of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL proves itself a cut above the rest

From JERSEY BOYS and ALL OR NOTHING, to the more recent THE BAND, it’s fair to say you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to jukebox musicals. But where others are generic and somewhat predictable, BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL proves itself a cut above the rest.

Based...

Fast-paced, clever and incredibly inventive, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS brings Jules Verne’s classic novel to life on stage

Following its premiere at the New Vic Theatre in 2013 and a successful season at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre in 2014, Theresa Heskins’ production of AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS heads to The Lowry for a four week run over the Christmas period.

Based on the 1873 novel by Jules Verne, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS tells the story of Phileas Fogg, a mysterious and w...

Ashley Zhangazha as Sky Masterson and the cast of GUYS AND DOLLS. Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan

Michael Buffong brings a unique twist to a timeless classic with GUYS AND DOLLS

Since GUYS AND DOLLS made its premiere on Broadway in 1950, the award-winning musical seen many revivals...

Dazzling, dreamy and lavished with care, THE BEAR is children’s theatre at its best

Mention the name Raymond Briggs, especially at Christmas, and THE SNOWMAN will most likely spring to mind. So when Pins and Needles Productions announced they were to bring a Briggs classic to life on stage (following the success of FATHER CHRISTMAS in 2014), I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was THE BEAR that was to be adapted for stage.

Written by Briggs in 1994, THE BEAR tells the story of young Til...