Reviews Archive
The Beekeeper of Aleppo, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 4****, Cormac Richards
Beautifully realised production of a pertinent story.
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory - The Musical, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Cormac Richards 2**
Ill-judged, charmless and disappointing production
Cymbeline: William Shakespeare, RSC in the Main House, Stratford Upon Avon, Runs : 3 hours 30 mins, one interval, Review: Rod Dungate, 26 May 2023, Audio Described Performance 5*****
Gregory Doran’s RSC Swan Song Fantabuloso
Hamnet: Novel by Maggie O’Farrell, adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti, RSC at The Swan, Stratford Upon Avon, Review: Rod Dungate & David Gray 29 04 23, Audio Described Performance 5*****
Theatre story-telling at its best.
Julius Caesar: William Shakespeare, RSC @ The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon, 4**** Rod Dungate. Audio Described Performance 1 April 2023.
Refreshing and energised; a mirror for our Age.
Around The World in 80 Days adapted by Juliet Forster, Exeter Northcott Theatre and touring, 2**, Cormac Richards
Interesting concept but fails on two important levels
Death Drop Back in the Habit, The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, 14 March to 18 March 2023, 4****. David Gray & Paul Gray
Simply hilarious
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.
Wodehouse in Wonderland by William Humble, Exeter Northcott Theatre until 25 February 2023 and tour until 29 April 2023, 4****, Cormac Richards
A hamper of delights
The Way Old Friends Do, The Rep, Birmingham 23 February 2023 to 4 March, 2023 then on tour 3*** David Gray & Paul Gray
A warm but rather safe tribute to fandom and friendship.
The Tempest - William Shakespeare - Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford, 18 February 2023, 4****, Rod Dungate
Fresh, but slightly flawed
Idiots Assemble – Spitting Image Saves the World: Live on Stage, The Rep, Birmingham, 16 February 2023, on until 11 March 2023 4**** David Gray & Paul Gray
Vicious, true, laugh-out-loud satire
Strictly Ballroom, Theatre Royal Plymouth until 4 February and Touring, Cormac Richards, 3***
Far better without the songs!
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!
The Dissent, Theatre Royal Plymouth - The Lab, 2**, Cormac Richards
Interesting concept which isn't executed as successfully as it could have been.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Adapted by David Edgar, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-on-Avon, Audio Described Performance, 26 November 2022, 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
A magical festive delight that invites us to see the worlds as it is, but with wonder.
Superstition Mountain by Carl Grose, The Drum Theatre - Theatre Royal Plymouth until 5 November 2022, 5*****, Cormac Richards
Extraordinary story-telling; wonderfully performed
Tartuffe, The Rep, Birmingham, 18/10/22 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray, Fri 21 Oct - Sat 5 Nov 2022
A classic play given an up-to-the-moment relevance in a sparkling adaptation.
The Government Inspector by Jodie Prenger & Neil Hurst, Music by Cat Gisby & Maxwell Tyler until 17 September 2022, 2**, Cormac Richards
New adaptation of Gogol's play misses the targets.