Reviews Archive
Angela Hewitt, Lakeside, Nottingham, 5*****: by William Ruff
Angela Hewitt: an artist of flawless technique and probing intelligence
Fast by Kate Barton. Park 90, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 to 9 November. 3***. William Russell.
A bloodcurdling true story of gullibility, death, murder set in the early years of the last century.
A History of Water in the Middle East by Sabrina Mahfouz. Jerwood Upstairs, the Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London SW1 to 16 November. 4****. William Russell.
A devastating lecture on imperial Britain and its impact on the Middle East delivered with passion and style.
Hallé, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 4****: by William Ruff
A change of conductor and symphony but no shortage of thrills
Rambert 2019/2020 Tour, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 5*****, Cormac Richards
Visceral, Dynamic and Compelling
The Ice Cream Boys by Gail Louw. Jermyn Street Theatre, 118 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y to 2 November. 4****. William Russell.
A deeply interesting topical play in which the disgraced South African President Jacob Zuma is confronted by his one time spymaster.
Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra, Albert Hall, Nottingham, 4****: by William Ruff
The Nottingham Philharmonic serve up an invigorating, challenging work-out for the senses
Florilegium, NTU University Hall, Nottingham, 5*****: by William Ruff
Supremely civilised musical conversations in an exciting new concert venue
Artist Development at Theatre Royal Plymouth
An inspiring look at the artist development work in Plymouth
Moby Dick by Herman Melville adapted by Douglas Baker. The Brockley Jack Studio, Brockley SE4 2JH to 26 October. 3***. William Russell
Have a whale of a time with Ishmael, Ahab, Queequeg and Starbuck in this tale of misdeeds at and in the sea.
Esmé Quartet, Lakeside Nottingham, 5*****: by William Ruff
Warmth and refinement from the award-winning Esmé Quartet
The Elixir of Love by Donizetti. Libretto Chris Harris & David Eaton. King's Head Theatre, islington N1 to 26 October. 4****. William Russell
A sparkling,well sung version of Donizetti's opera set on Barry Island, Wales.
Black Men Walking, Northcott Theatre Exeter, 3***, Cormac Richards
Original and interesting take on Black history in UK
The Niceties by Eleanor Burgess. The Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 to 26 October 2019. 4****. William Russell.
A provocative, splendidly performed work in which taking sides becomes very difficult.
Prism, Terry Johnson, Birmingham REP and touring to 30th November, 5*****: Dan Auluk
Totally absorbing, magical.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Jule Styne, Leo Robin & Anita Loos. The Union Theatre, Union Street, Southwark, London SE 1 to 26 October. 3***. William Russell.
A lavishly staged well dressed revival of a three song musical first seen in 1949.
The Silver Lake by Kurt Weill & Georg Kaiser. English Touring Opera autumn tour. 4****. William Russell
A rare chance not to be missed to see Weill's 1933 songspiel about the rise of the far right & still relevant.
Ji Liu (piano), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 4****: by William Ruff
Piano poetry and pyrotechnics from Ji Liu
tick, tick...BOOM! book, music & lyrics by Jonathan Larsen. The Bridge House Theatre, Penge, London SE20 to 27 October. 4****. William Russell
Musical about the tribulations of a young composer in 1990s New York trying to get his show put on. A first rate cast dazzles.
Murder, Margaret and Me by Philip Meeks. Theatre Royal, Windsor to 5 October and then on tour. 3***. William Russell
A tale of an awkward, touching friendship between Agatha Christie and Margaret Rutherford, a memorable Marple but not what Dame Agatha envisioned her to be.