Reviews Archive
Payne: The Stars Are Afire by Ross McGregor. The Brockley Jack Studio, Brockley Road, London SE 4. In repertory with Holst to 19 February 2022. 4****. William Russell.
Arrows & Traps on top form
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. January 28 2022. 4****. William Ruff
Spirited music-making – but not without problems for the reviewer
The Glow by Alistair McDowall. The Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Sloane Square, London SW1 to 5 March 2022. 4**** . William Russell.
Spellbinding and bonkers theatre.
Benjamin Grosvenor. NTU Hall. 26 January 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
Benjamin Grosvenor: unbuttoned exuberance, rapt reflection…and every motion in between
Ava: The Secret Conversations by Elizabeth McGovern. The Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London W6 to 16 April 2022. 3***. William Russell.
A star remembered.
Stephen Hough. Lakeside, Nottingham. 22 January 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
An artist, still at the top of his game, in a programme of jaw-droppingly difficult music
Send in the Clowns, The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham. 21 & 22 Jan 2022. 3***
Sondheim, with extra camp!
Thrilling Foretaste of the CBSO's new Chief Conductor and Artistic Director to be - Kazuki Yamada
Exciting New Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Takes the Reigns of the CBSO
Holst: The Music in The Spheres by Ross McGregor. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, Brockley Road, London SE 4 in repertory to 19 February 2022/ 4****. William Russell.
A mess but a marvellous one.
Freud's Last Session by Mark StGermain. The King's Head Theatre, Upper Street, Islington, London to 12 February 2022. 3***. William Russell.
Arguments about the existence of God
Mamma Mia, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 3***, Cormac Richards
Fun jukebox musical; great music, but lacks depth.
Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story. Book, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Dolginoff. Jermyn Street Theatre, London SW1 to 5 February 2022. 4**** .William Russell
Riveting performances in a tale of cold blooded murder.
Joyous Celebration of Fifty Years of David Fanshawe's African Sanctus - Keneish Dance Company - Ex Cathedra - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra - CBSO SO Vocal -16th January 2022 - Symphony Hall, Birmingham 4 **** Reviewers: David Gray and Paul Gray
A musical fusion of cultures and times.
Glorious Start to CBSO Spring/Summer Season 2022 - Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Exuberant Mendelssohn and monumental Sibelius
The 4th Country by Kate Reid. Park Theatre Park 90, Finsbury Park 3***- to 5 February 2022. William Russell
No leprechauns or whiskey
Scream (2022), Dir Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Dir Tyler Gillett, Paramount Pictures: 5*****: Matthew Alicoon
An outstanding return to this franchise.
The Rubber Merchants by Hanoch Levin. The Old Red Lion, 418 St John Street, Islington EC1 to 29 January 2022. 1* William Russell
On condom thing after another.
Werewolves Within (2021), Dir Josh Ruben, Netflix 3***: Dana Archer
Quirky and funny film at times
That was the year that was. William Russell.
Cush Jumbo as Hamlet - for me the most memorable performance of 2021.
Cormac Richards Review and Awards 2021
High and Lowlights of 2021 - here's to 2022!