Reviews Archive
Dance - Akram Khan Dance Company: Jungle Book Reimagined - Birmingham Hippodrome (& Touring) Saturday 30th April 2022. Paul Gray & Louise Burke 3***
A modern Gesamtkunstwerk to be praised for its timely, yet apocalyptic message
King Henry VI, Parts 2 (Rebellion) and 3 (Wars of the Roses): William Shakespeare, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon, Each Play runs 3 hours, one interval of 20 mins, one pause of 10 mins. Run until 04 June 2022 Review: Rod Dungate, Performance 30 April 2022, Chilled and AD performances 5*****
I thought much more highly of the plays coming out than I did going in.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. April 29 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
Vasily Petrenko finds England’s soul in Vaughan Williams’ London Symphony
If.Destroyed.Still.True. by Jack Condon. The Hope Theatre, 267 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 to 14 May 2022. 4****. William Russell.
An impressive first play
Balletboyz Deluxe, Exeter Northcott Theatre & Tour until 19 May 2022, 4****, Cormac Richards
Tremendous skills and invention from a highly entertaining company.
The Heart of It - Lisa Pulman at the Riverside Studios to 30 April. ****. William Russell
Pulman sings her heart out.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Theatre Royal Plymouth until 30 April and Tour, 3***, Cormac Richards
Highs and Lows in revival of Webber/Rice musical
Shiela's Island by Tim Firth. Richmond Theatre, 1 Little Green, Richmond TW9 to 30 April 2022 and on tour. 3***. William Russell.
Stuck on a desert isle
Calcutta, Ensemble Tempus Fugit, Birmingham Town Hall, Sunday 24 April 2022, 3*** David Gray & Paul Gray
An intriguing musical exploration hampered by a lack of dramatic scale
Mary's Seacoal by Jackie Sibblies Drury. The Donmar, 42 Earlham Street, London WC2 to 4 June 2022. 3***. William Russell
A cause for tears
The Corn is Green by Emlyn Williams. The Lyttleton, the National Theatre, London to 11 June 2022. 3***. William Russell
Corn in a valley of song.
Don Giovanni – Mozart, Welsh National Opera, Birmingham Hippodrome, 22 April 2022, 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
The Rake Punished
Lohengrin by Richard Wagner. The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London WC2. 20 April 2022. 4****. Clare Colvin.
High octane singing in Wagner's mystic melodrama.
The Straw Chair by Sue Glover. The Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 to 14 May 2022. 4****. William Russell.
Beautifully crafted tale of the dreadful fate of Lady Grange.
Gangsta Granny by David Walliams, adapted by Neal Foster, 21 April 2022 and touring till 31 July 2022, 4****, Cormac Richards
Hugely enjoyable adaptation of David Walliams book for children.
Dudok Quartet Amsterdam. Lakeside Nottingham. April 21 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
Music-making of imagination and intense commitment - combined with intelligent engagement with their audience
The 47th by Mike Bartlett. The Old Vic Theatre, The Cut, London SE 1 to 28 May 2022. 4****. William Russell.
Bartlett on form and Carvel delivering his Trump.
Bonnie & Clyde, music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Don Black, book by Ivan Mencher. The Arts Theatre, 6 Great Newport Street, London WC2. 19 April 2022. 1 *. William Russell.
Atrocious
Zagreb Philharmonic. Symphony Hall, Birmingham 4**** Paul Gray
Magnificent Mahler
Stand by for Action! Gerry Anderson in Concert. Symphony Hall Birmingham, 16/04/2022, 3*** David Gray & Paul Gray
The puppets were so much more fun.