Reviews Archive
La Boheme – Giacomo Puccini, WNO, Birmingham Hippodrome, 9 - 11 November 2022 then on tour, 4**** David Gray & Paul Gray
A well sung revival of a sturdy production
Opera North (Orfeo ed Euridice). Theatre Royal, Nottingham. 9 November 2022. 4****. William Ruff
Opera North’s Orfeo ed Euridice may be semi-staged but there’s no skimping on emotional power
Symphony Hall Birmingham, B:Classical 2022/23: 7.30pm, 8 November 2022 - Belgian National Orchestra 5***** Paul Gray
Stunning performance by the Belgian National Orchestra under Conductor Roberto González-Monjas, and pianist Paul Lewis
The Makropulos Affair – Janáček, Welsh National Opera (WNO) The Birmingham Hippodrome, 8 November 2022, on tour until 2 December 2022. 5***** David Gray
An intense and richly realised piece of music theatre.
Opera North (La Traviata). Theatre Royal, Nottingham. November 8, 10, 11 2022. 4****. William Ruff
With La Traviata Opera North presents a music drama that thrills, delights and moves to tears
Legally Blonde the Musical, The Arcadians, Crescent Theatre Birmingham, 3 November 2022. 4**** David Gray & Paul Gray
A fun packed, high energy study in pink.
CBSO @ Symphony Hall, Birmingham Wednesday 2 November 2022, 2.15pm | Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto et al **** David & Paul Gray
A stunning, revelatory performance of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto by CBSO Principal Clarinet, Oliver Janes
Leonkoro Quartet. Lakeside, Nottingham. 3 November 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
The dynamic Leonkoro Quartet: a young ensemble with the brightest of futures
Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom - The Musical, Birmingham Hippodrome. To 5 November 2022. 3*** David Gray & Paul Gray.
A dance musical that doesn’t always deliver the dance
Manchester Collective. Lakeside, Nottingham. October 27 2022. 4****. William Ruff
A celebration of old and new in a stimulating Manchester Collective programme
Anna Tsybuleva. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. October 23 2022. 4****. William Ruff
Anna Tsybuleva in a programme as thoughtful as it was brilliantly performed
BBC Philharmonic. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 20 October 2022. 4****. William Ruff
Youthful energy combines with the wisdom of old age
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.
Sir Willard White. NTU Hall, Nottingham. 18 October 2022. 4****. William Ruff
Willard White and his long-matured Christmas cake of a voice
CBSO with conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, 'cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and flautist Marie-Christine Zupancic. Symphony Hall, Birmingham 6/10/2022 - 5***** David & Paul Gray
Glorious evening of concerti and some seminal British orchestral works
The Hallé. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. October 7 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
A night of celebration for the Hallé and Nottingham
Doric String Quartet. Lakeside, Nottingham. October 6 2022. 4****. William Ruff
Elegance, empathy and musical intensity
Sister Act - A Divine Musical Comedy - Birmingham Hippodrome 04/10/22 - David Gray 4****
An infectious feelgood show.
All’s Well that Ends Well: William Shakespeare, RSC AT RST Stratford upon Avon, 01/10/22, Audio Described Performance, Rod Dungate & David Gray 4****
Much like the Curate's Egg.
Southwell Music Festival 2022. 24-29 August 2022. William Ruff
Southwell: a music festival that explores and inspires