Email: ReviewsgateReviews@gmail.com
Reviews
Wicked, The Birmingham Hippodrome, 06 March 2024 until 07 April 2024. 4✩✩✩✩: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An undeniable spectacle with a deep emotional well at its heart.”
Photo Credit : Mark Senior
Cavalleria Rusticana/Aleko (Opera North)Theatre Royal, Nottingham 06 and 08 March 2024 (touring to Theatre Royal, Newcastle and to The Lowry, Salford Quays till 22 March) 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“Cavalleria Rusticana and Aleko: compelling but unequal operatic partners.”
The Lonely Londoners by Roy Williams based on the novel by Sam Selvon. Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London SW1Y to 6 April 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A powerful finely acted but hard to follow at times play about the Windrush Generation.”
Photo Credit: Alex Brenner.
Stitches by Jonathan Blakeley. The Hope Theatre, 207 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 to 07 March 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A lifelong friendship memorably told by a Teddy Bear.”
Photo Credit: Zak Fenning.
CBSO Centre Stage: Baroque Ensemble, 01 March 2024, The CBSO Centre, Birmingham. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An intimate and engaging hour of informal but exquisite music making.”
Marry Me A Little. Songs by Stephen Sondheim. Conceived by Craig Lucas & Norman Rene. The Stage Door Theatre, 150 Drury Lane, London WC2b to 13 April 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“An enchanting evening beautifully sung”
Photo Credit: Peter Davies.
The Hallé, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 01 March 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“Sir Mark Elder and Bruckner 8: an overwhelming experience.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham.
The Sobcentre by Benedict Crosby, written by Guy Woods. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 02 March 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
"A well acted and intriguing play about inmates of a clinic for sad people.”
Photo Credit: Jessy Winchester
Sakari Conducts Sibelius & Strauss, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 28 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A frustrating concert. Without a few gremlins, it could have been quite stunning.”
Photo Credit: Benjamin-Ealovega
Standing at the Sky’s Edge. Book by Chris Bush, Music & Lyrics by Richard Hawley. The Gillian Lynne Theatre, 166 Drury Lane, London WC2B booking to 31 April 2024. 5*****: William Russell.
“One of the best musicals in years.”
Photo credit: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg
Bhangra Nation – A New Musical. Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP. To 16 March 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: Joanna Jarvis.
“Joyful and exhilarating with emotional depth.”
Photo Credit: Craig Sugden
The Human Body by Lucy Kirkwood. The Donmar Warehouse, 41 Earlham Street, London WC2H to 13 April 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Keely Hawes magnificent in an overlong, overstuffed play set during the creation of the National Health Service.”
Photo Credit: Marc Brenner.
Manon Lescaut by Giacomo Puccini, English Touring Opera, Hackney Empire, London E8, then touring till 28 May. 2✩✩ Review: Clare Colvin.
“Tragedy as a surreal nightmare.”
Photo Credit: Richard Hubert Smith
JAB by James McDermott. The Finborough Theatre,118 Finborough Road, London SW10 to 16 March. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A finely written account of a marriage falling apart under the strains of lockdown brilliantly acted.”
Photo Credit: Steve Gregson
Cowboys and Lesbians by Billie Esplen. Park 90, Clifton Terrace, London N4 to 09 March 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Funny, perceptive account of queer love at home - and on the range.”
Photo credit: Ella Pavlides.
Out of Season by Neil D’Souza. Hampstead Theatre Downstairs , Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London to 23 March 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A sparkling comedy with bite about the dangers of a weekend reunion twenty years on.”
Photo Credit: The Other Richard
Marmen Quartet, Lakeside, Nottingham. 22 February 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“The Marmen Quartet: alive to every nuance of the music they perform.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lakeside Nottingham
Royal Northern Sinfonia, Birmingham Town Hall, 21st February 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A glorious evening of music from a similarly glorious band of players under their Principal Conductor, Dinis Sousa, and solo clarinetist, Julian Bliss (pictured).”
The Sleeping Beauty, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Hippodrome, 21 February 2024. Runs until 02 March 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A must see for lovers of Classical Ballet.”
Kazuki Conducts Elgar & Beethoven Parts I & II, CBSO, Symphony Hall Birmingham, Wednesday 21 February & Thursday 22 February, 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An impressive preview of CBSO pieces to be played on CBSO’s forthcoming, ten-city tour of Europe.”