Reviews Archive
Nativity - The Musical, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 5*****, Cormac Richards
Perfect Antidote to doom and gloom!
Costume at the National Theatre, National Theatre, London. **** Mark Courtice to 27th June 2020
A wonderland of costume at the National Theatre
Shook, Samuel Bailey, Southwark Playhouse, London, to 23rd November 2019****: Mark Courtice
Cracking script given tight and focussed treatment
Sidney and the old girl,Eugene O’Hare, Park Theatre London (till 30th Nov 2019) 3***: Mark Courtice
Dark and hard hitting.
Hunger by Amanda Lomas based on the novel by Knut Hamsun. The Arcola Studio two, 24 Ashwin Street, LondonE8 to 21 December 2019. 4****. William Russell
A powerful play about life on the streets now based on the Knut Hamsun novel impressively directed and performed.
King John, Shakespeare, RSC The Swan, to 21 March 2010. 3***: Rod Dungate
Youthful production, energetic, but not always clear.
Nottingham Youth Orchestra, Albert Hall, Nottingham, 4****: by William Ruff
Nottingham young musicians shine in music of geographical and emotional extremes
Nottingham Bach Choir, St Mary's Church, Nottingham, 4****: by William Ruff
Innovative presentation of Mozart at his most sublime
Season's Greetings, Manor Pavilion - Sidmouth to 30 November 2019. 4****, Cormac Richards
First-rate Ayckbourn
e-Baby by Jane Cafarella. The Brockley Jack Studio, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 30 November 2019. 4****. William Russell.
A touching, well acte tale of the relationship between a surrogate mother and the woman who wants a child.
The Manchester Collective, Lakeside, Nottingham, 5*****: by William Ruff
An innovative programme which quickened the pulse and refreshed the spirit.
#We Are Arrested by Can Dundar. Arcola Theatre Studio 1, 24 Ashwin Street, Dalston, London E8 to 7 December 2019. 4****. William Russell
In the time of universal deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act - Orwell. A terrific drama about press freedom.
Why Shouldn't I Go There? by Janet Behan. London Irish Centre, Camden Square & future dates in 2020. 4****. William Russell
Three Irish women tell their stories - a sad, moving, funny and stimulating hour in the theatre,
English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble, Lakeside, Nottingham, 4****: by William Ruff
Venetian music to ravish and stupefy the senses
Touching the Void by David Greig. The Duke of York's Theatre, St Martin's Lane, London WC2 to 29 February 2020. 4****. William Russell
Climbing mountains and surviving. Impressively staged play which does not quite reach the heights and proves a longish evening.
Prague Symphony Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 4****: by William Ruff
Czech musicians celebrate music from their homeland with plenty of local colour
Crisis? What Crisis? by Tom Black. Colab Factory, 74-84 Long Lane, London SE1 to 8 December 2019. 4****. William Russell.
Saving the day for Sunny Jim in 1979 - immersive theatre at its best.
Anna Tsybuleva (piano), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 5*****: by William Ruff
A recital of poetic insight and technical finesse from the Leeds Piano Competition winner
The Greek Passion (Opera North), Theatre Royal, Nottingham, 4****: by William Ruff
ON’s Greek Passion: disturbing, puzzling, full of musical and dramatic energy
All's Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare, Jermyn Street Theatre, 16 B Jermyn Street, London SW1 to 30 November 2019. 4****. William Russell
One of Shakespeare's less frequently performed comedies gets a sparkling production.