Reviews Archive
Lexicon - The Roundhouse, London NW1 to 18 January 2020. 4****. William Russell.
Death defying and daring - prepare to have your breath taken.
National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain:Royal Concert Hall Nottingham:6/01/20:5*****.William Ruff
Passion, energy, virtuosity in an electrifying, epic programme
Top Three in Notts 2019 - Alan Geary
The three top shows I reviewed during the year.
The year gone by - William Russell
Next time you come to town give the West End a miss and take a tube or bus to some of London's fine fringe theatres
Cinderella, Theatre Royal Plymouth to 18 January 2020. 3***, Cormac Richards
Colourful and sparkling but overwhelmed by the star.
Top 3 from 2019, Cormac Richards
A Year of Infinite Variety
There is nothing like a dame. The famous Bullring Bull gets in on the act. Short Feature from Rod Dungate
The Dames get everywhere.
Dina Duisen and Martin James Bartlett, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 4****: by William Ruff
A piano duo with charisma and virtuosity
Fireworks, Theatre Royal Plymouth - The Lab, 2**, Cormac Richards
Bold, but unengaging new play
Southwell Festival Voices, Southwell Minster, 5*****: by William Ruff
Deceptively simple ingredients mixed into a seamlessly convincing whole
Forty Second Street - Music by Harry Warren, Lyrics by Al Dubin, Book by Michael Stewart. Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village, London N6 to 26 January 20020. 4****. William Russell.
Watch those tap dancing feet and be swept away as Peggy Sawyer becomes a star in this cast iron hit of a show.
Hallé, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 4****: by William Ruff
Not just festive favourites but more substantial fare too
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens adapted by Lydia Vie. the Playground Theatre, Latimer Road, London W10 to 29 December 2019. 4****. William Russell
A superbly staged production of one of Dickens' best loved novels.
Grapho - Theatre Royal Plymouth - The Lab. 4****. Cormac Richards
Unique, entertaining and clever story-telling
The Invisible Man by HG Wells adapted by Derek Webb. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 4 January 2020. 4****. William Russell.
A sight for sore eyes you could say. HG Wells classic tale comes up good as new in this sparkling holiday show.
Guarneri Trio, Prague, Lakeside, Nottingham, 5*****: by William Ruff
Piano trio playing doesn’t get better than this
A Kind of People by Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti. The Royal Court Theatre, Jerwood Downstairs, Sloane Square, London SW1 to 18 January 2020. 4****. William Russell.
A tremendous play for today about life in multi ethnic Britain which challenges our reactions to racism.
One Under by Winsome Pinnock. The Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 to 21 December 2019. 4****. William Russell.
A young man jumps in front of a tube train leaving the traumatised driver wanting to know why. Complex, moving tale.
The Boy in the Dress David Walliams/Mark Ravenhill, RSC till 08 March 2020. 5****: Rod Dungate
Terrific adaptation, freedom seen through a child's eyes.
Peter Pan re-visioned Liam Steel, Birmingham REP till 19 Jan 2020. 4**** Rod Dungate
Imaginative, re-visioning, engaging and with sharp edges.