Reviews Archive
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory - The Musical, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Cormac Richards 2**
Ill-judged, charmless and disappointing production
Superpowers Panto - Extant & Simply Smiley Productions - The Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, 2 March 2023 and touring through March. 4****, Rod Dungate
A small-scale touring panto with a warm heart.
The Ocean at the End of Lane, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Cormac Richards, 5*****
Astonishing!
Dick Whittington – The Pantomime Paved with Gold, Birmingham Hippodrome, 20 December 2022, on ‘til 29 January 2023, 5*****, David Gray & Paul Gray
A spectacular and hilarious Panto. Oh yes it is!
Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 3***, Cormac Richards
Fun, but too formulaic pantomime.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Theatre Royal Plymouth until 30 April and Tour, 3***, Cormac Richards
Highs and Lows in revival of Webber/Rice musical
Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Theatre Royal Plymouth and tour till 1 May 2022, 2**, Cormac Richards
Disappointing stage realisation of Disney film.
Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker - New Adventures - Birmingham Hippodrome - Birmingham - 08 to 12 February 2022 - 4**** - David Gray & Paul Gray 08/02/22
Something for that sweet tooth!
Aladdin, Theatre Royal - Plymouth, 4****, Cormac Richards
Super Panto offers the tonic we all need - laughter!
OZ, Bristol - Tobacco Factory Theatres, 4****, Cormac Richards
Inventive and technically excellent version of the classic tale.
A Christmas Carol, Northcott Theatre Exeter, 5*****, Cormac Richards
A piece of seasonal brilliance.
Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 5*****, Cormac Richards
Sublime production on every level
400 - A Comedy by Le Navet Bete, Theatre Royal Plymouth, to 4 July 2021, 3***, Cormac Richards
A madcap fun show, but just not as funny as this company's best shows.
Robinson Crusoe, Theatre Royal Plymouth till 3 January 2021; 5*****, Cormac Richards
A real shot in the arm for us all!
Devoted and Disgruntled 15, an invitation: Battersea Arts Centre, London:8th-10th February 2020.
Devoted and Disgruntled: An unmissable weekend discussing the future of Theatre 8th-9th February 2020 - and we are all invited!
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Alan McHugh & Matt Slack: Birmingham Hippodrome: till 02 Feb 2020: 4****. Rod Dungate
All the theatrical thrills you could want.
Cinderella, Theatre Royal Plymouth to 18 January 2020. 3***, Cormac Richards
Colourful and sparkling but overwhelmed by the star.
The Boy in the Dress David Walliams/Mark Ravenhill, RSC till 08 March 2020. 5****: Rod Dungate
Terrific adaptation, freedom seen through a child's eyes.
Peter Pan re-visioned Liam Steel, Birmingham REP till 19 Jan 2020. 4**** Rod Dungate
Imaginative, re-visioning, engaging and with sharp edges.
Les Gloriables, Theatre Royal, Plymouth - The Drum to 30 December 2019 3***, Cormac Richards
Fun, original and bonkers - just a little too long