Category Theatre Reviews

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (previous touring cast). Photo Credit: Mark Yeoman.

Despite its strong cast performances, pacing issues spoil an otherwise impressive stage adaption of the SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

Originally a 1982 Stephen King novel, then adapted into one of the most-loved films of our lifetime, the SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION has been brought to the stage in a new adaption directed by David Esbjornson.

The SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is a tale of hope, corruption, frustration, anxiety, longing, and f...

Intelligent, multi-layered and incredibly touching, BREAKING THE CODE explores the life and career of Alan Turing

Alan Turing’s story is certainly a fascinating one. In his mere 41 years, the British mathematician and pioneer of computer science not only helped to break the German Enigma code at Bletchley Park during World War II but also created one of the world’s first computer designs before his untimely suicide in 1954 following chemical castration for homosexual activity...

Light-hearted and witty, FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS is a charming exploration of love, friendship and infatuation

This review was originally written for The Reviews Hub

When Terence Rattigan’s play FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS first made its debut in London in 1936, critics hailed it as ‘gay, witty and thoroughly contemporary’. 80 years later, the sparkling comedy still continues to entertain audiences with a fresh and lively revival by Paul Miller.

FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS  tells the story of a group of ...

Rufus Hound in THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS. Photo: Marc Brenner. ® Jamie Hendry Productions

Lively, fun and charming, THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS musical breathes new life into Grahame’s iconic story

Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved classic THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS has been given a new lease of life in a brand-new musical adaption by the creative team behind MARY POPPINS.

Based on the 1908 novel, THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS tells the story of four woodland creatures – Ratty, Badger, Mole and Mr Toad – as th...

INTER_UPTED is an innovative transformative piece that questions the deteriorating reliability of the body

Celebrated Indian choreographer Aditi Mangaldas makes a welcome return to the stage with her new show INTER_UPTED, a high-octane piece which explores human vulnerability.

Performed by three musicians and seven dancers including Mangaldas, INTER_UPTED infuses the classical Indian form Kathak with 21st century sound, rhythm and light...

Poignant and full of energy, ALL OR NOTHING is the bittersweet tale of 60s Mod band The Small Faces

This review was originally written for The Reviews Hub.

Following in the wake of sixties jukebox musicals LET IT BE and SUNNY AFTERNOON, Carol Harrison brings the story of iconic mod band, The Small Faces to the stage.

Told from the perspective of original singer Steve Marriott, ALL OR NOTHING charts The Small Faces brief rise to fame from a gang of East London wannabes to legends of London’s sw...

          Amelia Lily, Suzanne Shaw, Helena Blackman and Liz McClarnon in SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL

Fun, bright and quirky, SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL captures the essence of the swinging sixties

SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL tells the story of five groovy girls as they come-of-age during the liberating 1960s when women started to gain independence in England...

Robert Powell as Philip and Liza Goddard as Shelia in RELATIVELY SPEAKING. Photo Credit: Nobby Clark

Smart, well-crafted and incredibly funny, RELATIVELY SPEAKING is a laugh-out-loud comedy full of misunderstandings and mistaken identity

When Alan Ayckbourn’s celebrated comedy RELATIVELY SPEAKING (originally titled MEET MY FATHER) first opened at the Duke of York’s Theatre in 1967, the critics hailed the arrival of a great new comic talent...

Benjamin Dilloway as Mr Darcy and Tafline Steen as Elizabeth Bennet.                    Photo Credit: Johan Persson

Deborah Bruce’s revival of Simon Reade’s 2015 adaptation of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is as witty and wonderful as ever

It is testament to Jane Austen’s unmistakable wit and wisdom that her work still continues to entertain audiences more than 200 years later. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE in particular remains a favourite, with the love story between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr...

Following its enormous success back in 2011, GHOST THE MUSICAL makes a welcome return to Blackpool Winter Gardens.

Based on the 1990 hit film GHOST starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, GHOST THE MUSICAL is a timeless story of love, despair and hope. The story revolves around two lovers, Sam and Molly, who set up home together in Brooklyn. Their lives seem blissfully perfect until Sam discovers an issue with some of his accounts at the bank where he works...