Reviews Archive
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.
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
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
COPPÉLIA, Theatre Royal Plymouth until 8 October and Tour, 5*****, Cormac Richards
Wonderfully vibrant and joyful version of a classic.
Sister Act - A Divine Musical Comedy - Birmingham Hippodrome 04/10/22 - David Gray 4****
An infectious feelgood show.
Beautiful, Theatre Royal Plymouth until 24 September 2022 and tour until November 2022, 3***, Cormac Richards
Musically accomplished but unengaging show
Re-wilding the Wasteland, I Fagiolini, Three Choirs Festival, Holy Trinity Church, Hereford, 24/07/22, 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
A perfect fusion of exquisite singing and remarkable poetry
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - music byClaude-Michel Schonberg, lyrics by Alain Boublil and Herbert Kretzmer Birmingham Hippodrome, to 27 August 2022. 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
A spectacular in every sense of the word
The Cher Show – A New Musical. The Birmingham Hippodrome, 02/08/22 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
A thoughtful and imaginative telling of a remarkable life with some really great music
Dreamgirls by Tom Eyen & Henry Krieger, Theatre Royal Plymouth until 30 July 2022 & tour until February 2023, 3***, Cormac Richards,
Decent enough musical, but with a number of shortcomings.
Chicago by Fred Ebb, John Kander & Bob Fosse, Theatre Royal Plymouth & Tour, 4****, Cormac Richards
Sexy and Sassy - a musical treat.
Singing in the Rain, Birmingham Hippodrome, until 11 June 2022 and touring, 5***** David & Paul Gray
Rows A to E of the stalls will get wet.
Magic Goes Wrong - by Mischief Theatre and (magicians) Penn and Teller @ Birmingham Hippodrome Tuesday 24th May 2022 (and on tour) 3*** . David & Paul Gray
Magical fun, frolics and some great laughs, but overlong, and the same formula of corny "things go wrong" gags reworked over-and-over again
Superstition Mountain by Carl Grose, St Austell Arts Centre, 23 May 2022 and touring, 5*****, Cormac Richards
Outstanding production of a bonkers play
Mamma Mia! Birmingham Hippodrome, 04 May 2022 until 14/05/22, then on tour, 5***** . David Gray & Paul Gray
Knowing me, knowing you - you’ll love this show!
Dance - Akram Khan Dance Company: Jungle Book Reimagined - Birmingham Hippodrome (& Touring) Saturday 30th April 2022. Paul Gray & Louise Burke 3***
A modern Gesamtkunstwerk to be praised for its timely, yet apocalyptic message
Balletboyz Deluxe, Exeter Northcott Theatre & Tour until 19 May 2022, 4****, Cormac Richards
Tremendous skills and invention from a highly entertaining company.
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
Don Giovanni – Mozart, Welsh National Opera, Birmingham Hippodrome, 22 April 2022, 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
The Rake Punished
Gangsta Granny by David Walliams, adapted by Neal Foster, 21 April 2022 and touring till 31 July 2022, 4****, Cormac Richards
Hugely enjoyable adaptation of David Walliams book for children.