Reviews Archive
Good Friday St Matthew Passion, Ex Cathedra, Friday 15 April 2022, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. 5**** Reviewer - David Gray
A beautiful fusion of human drama and spiritual reflection
The Paradis Files by Erollyn Wallen; libretto by Nicola Werenowska & Selina Mills 3*** Graeae Theatre Company at Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall then touring. Clare Colvin.
Historical discovery provides food for thought
Scandaltown by Mike Bartlett. The Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, London W6 to 14 May 2022. 3***. William Russell.
Lots of good jokes to enjoy, but ultimately more miss than hit.
Nutcracker!. Theatre Royal, Nottingham. April 12-16. 5*****. William Ruff
Matthew Bourne’s Technicolor extravaganza leaves a lump in the throat as well as a huge smile on the lips
The Butterfly Room (2012), Dir Gionata Zarontonello, Platform : Horror Channel / Horror Bites *****: Dana Archer
well made...quite unsettling viewing
The Handmaid’s Tale by Paul Ruders; libretto by Paul Bentley. English National Opera, the Coliseum, London. to 14 April 2022. 4**** Clare Colvin
Serious stuff, superbly staged
I Know I Know I Know by Flora Wilson Brown. Southwark Playhouse, the Little, 79 Newington Causeway, London SE 1 to 16 April 2022. 3***. William Russell.
Promising and instructive first play.
Zagreb Philharmonic. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. April 8 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
Plenty of drama and fine detail from Croatia’s musical ambassadors
For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide.....by Ryan Calais Cameron. The Royal Court Jerwood Downstairs, Sloane Square, London SW1 to 30 April 2022. 4****. William Russell
Funny, enlightening and unmissable play about black lives
Anyone Can Whistle - Book by Arthur Laurents, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Southwark Playhouse, the Large, 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 to 7 May 2022. 2**. William Russell.
A dire night at the theatre.
For Those We Loved – A concert to remember, Birmingham Bach Choir, St Philip’s Cathedral, Birmingham, Saturday 2 April 2022, 5***** David & Paul Gray
A beautiful choral concert of remembrance
The Fever Syndrome by Alexis Zegerman. Hampstead Theatre, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 to 30 April 2022. 4****. William Russell
Well crafted family drama - lots of scenery chewing by the cast.
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice by Jim Cartwright, Exeter Northcott Theatre and tour, 3***, Cormac Richards
Good production of a play with shortcomings
To Kill A Mocking Bird by Aaron Sorkin based on the novel by Harper Lee. Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1. 4****. Booking to 19 November 2022. William Russell
A cracking courtroom drama led by Timothy Spall
Jess Gillam and Zeynop Özsuca, Lakeside Nottingham. March 31 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
Rhythmic energy and infectious joy from star saxophonist Jess Gillam
Diary of a Somebody by John Lahr. Seven Dials Playhouse, London WC2 to 30 April 2022. 3***. William Russell.
Kemp and Osmond excel as Orton and Halliwell. Limp play.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, National Theatre and Trafalgar Productions, The Birmingham Hippodrome, 29 March 2022, 3*** . David Gray & Paul Gray
Dog lovers beware
The Phantom Of The Open (2022), Dir Craig Roberts, Entertainment One 4.5****: Matthew Alicoon
Meet the Rocky of the golfing world.
Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris. Park Theatre 200, Clifton Terrace, London N1 to 23 April 2022. 4**** William Russell
Fresh, funny, thought provoking revival
Heath Quartet & Daniel Tong. Lakeside, Nottingham. March 24 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
Playing as fresh, buoyant and inventive as the music itself