Reviews Archive
Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty. Theatre Royal, Nottingham. January 24 2023 (on tour till April). 4****. William Ruff
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty (now 10 years old) has lost none of its magic
Jeneba Kanneh-Mason. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 15 January 2023. 4****. William Ruff
Jeneba Kanneh-Mason: a young artist with a very bright future
National Youth Orchestra of GB. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 6 January 2023.5*****. William Ruff
The NYO brings energy and enthusiasm to an evening of joyful music-making
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!
Sarah Beth Briggs, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 18 December 2022. 4****. William Ruff
Sarah Beth Briggs: a pianist of charisma and refinement
Fidelio Trio, Lakeside Nottingham. 15 December 2022. 4****. William Ruff
Playing of brilliance, emotional depth and transparency by the Fidelio Trio
CBSO: Shostakovich Fifth Symphony, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 7 December 2022
An outstanding performance of a little known violin concerto by Nielsen, and a mostly excellent Shostakovich Fifth Symphony
Handel's Messiah, City of Birmingham Choir & City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 09 December 2022 4**** David Gray & Paul Gray
A fresh take on an iconic classic.
Queenz: The Show with Balls, Birmingham Town Hall. 7 November 2022. 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
A show with big hair and a big heart - Fantabulosa
Christmas Music with the Choir of St. John's Cambridge, Director Andrew Nethsingha, as part of the 822nd Lunchtime Organ Concert with Thomas Trotter: Symphony Hall Birmingham, 5th December 2022 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
A concert to put you in the mood for the festive season
Sinfonia of London. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 4 December 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
A 40th anniversary concert to remember: John Wilson’s ear-opening, virtuoso Sinfonia of London
Steven Osborne. Lakeside, Nottingham. 1 December 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
Playing to nourish both head and heart from Steven Osborne
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.
Birds of Paradise: The Lark Ascending, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham 23 November 2022, 3*** David Gray
A concert that, despite its subject matter, too often failed to take flight
Romanian National Philharmonic. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 24 November 2022. 4****. William Ruff
High drama and red-blooded emotion from Maxim Vengerov and the Romanian Philharmonic
The Hermes Experiment, Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 22 November 2022, 3***, David Gray & Paul Gray
A mixed evening of music, by turns engaging and sometimes over-intellectual.
Hannes Minnaar. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 20 November 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
Dazzling pianism in Hannes Minnaar’s night-themed programme
El Gran Teatro Del Mundo. Lakeside, Nottingham. 17 November 2022. 4****. William Ruff
El Gran Teatro Del Mundo: civilised musical conversation and generosity of spirit
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 16 November 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
High octane, colourful performances from the RLPO and Isata Kanneh-Mason
Orpheus (Opera North). Theatre Royal, Nottingham. 12 November 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
East and west combine to produce a thrilling artistic synergy