Category Theatre Reviews

1956 Theatre are back with a contemporary take on the classic ‘whodunnit’

1956 Theatre has always been a little daring with their productions. In the past year, the ambitious theatre company has performed six impressive pieces of theatre, reworking classic texts like Great Expectations and Little Women, as well as performing two new pieces like Juke Box Baby and Wolf. No surprise then that the team are back with a brand-new original piece called Pudding Black.

Sharp, shady and tantalisingly sta...

Ground-breaking, innovative and completely compelling, London Road is nothing like you’ve ever seen before

For the past eight years, National Theatre Live (NTLive) has been broadcasting performances of their productions live via satellite to movie theatres and art centres across the world. No surprise then that the award-winning theatre decided to premiere their latest film, an adaptation of innovative musical London Road, as part of NTLive.

Initially written as a piece of musical theatre, Lo...

This review was originally written for The Public Reviews

Following its successful run in the West End starring Robert Lindsay, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels embarks on its UK tour with a new cast and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Based on the 1988 film starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels tells the story of two con men (Lawrence Jameson and Freddy Benson) who try to settle their rivalry by betting on who can swindle a young American heiress out of $50,000 first.

Smoo...

This review was originally written for The Public Reviews

You’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t love Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. The Pulitzer Prize winning novel, which was made into a film in 1962 starring Gregory Peck, still continues to capture the hearts and imagination of people across the world. No surprise then Christopher Sergel’s award-winning stage adaptation received a rapturous reception on its opening night at The Lowry.

Set in the American Deep South in...

This review was originally written for The Public Reviews

Marc Camoletti’s frantic French comedy Boeing Boeing is brought to life in a hilarious new adaptation by Oldham Coliseum Theatre.

Based on the classic farce written by French playwright Marc Camoletti, Boeing Boeing tells the story of playboy bachelor Bernard and his love life to three different fiancées from three competing airlines...

This review was originally written for The Public Reviews

John Boyne’s best-selling novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas has been adapted for stage in a hard-hitting, powerful and emotional production that is sure to tug on your heart strings.

Seen through the eyes of a nine-year-old, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas tells the heart-wrenching tale of two young boys, Bruno and Shmuel who strike up a forbidden friendship in a German concentration camp...

This review was originally written for The Public Reviews

There have been many interpretations of Swan Lake over the years, but Moscow City Ballet’s latest performance of the famous classical ballet is one of the best.

Swan Lake tells the story of Prince Siegfried and his love for Odette, a beautiful princess turned into a white swan by an evil sorcerer. Under the spell of Von Rothbart, Odette spends her days as a swan, returning to human form at night...

This review was originally written for The Public Reviews

Following their successful Manchester Rep Season, it’s clear that 1956 Theatre don’t shy away from a challenge. Last year the company tackled four plays in just four weeks, from Alfred Hitchcock’s The Lodger to the ambitious and original Juke Box Baby.  This year, they return to Salford Arts Theatre with a fresh take of the risque play Sexual Perversity in Chicago.

Written by David Mamet, Sexual Perversity in Chicago examines the...

This review was originally written for The Public Reviews

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical Oklahoma! may be 67 years old but it’s still as refreshing and thrilling as the day it was written. The award-winning musical has been revived in a brand new touring production directed by Rachel Kavanaugh and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Set at the turn of the twentieth century, Oklahoma! tells the story of two young cowboys Curly McLain (Ashley Day) and Will Parker (James O’Connell) who compete...

This review was originally written for The Public Reviews

If the thought of being buried alive fills you with fear, then Dead Simple will scare you to death.

Based on the best-selling novel by Peter James and adapted for stage by Shaun McKenna, Dead Simple is a gripping, chilling thriller about a stag night prank that goes horribly wrong.

The story begins on the eve of Michael Harrison’s (Jamie Lomas) stag night...