Reviews Archive
The Lavender Hill Mob. Adapted for the stage by Phil Porter based on the screenplay by T.E.B. Clarke. Richmond Theatre, 1 Little Green, Richmond TW9 to 19 November 2022. 4****. William Russell.
A good night out.
Reflection and Remembrance - requiems by Faure and Charpentier. Union Chapel, Islington 12 November 2022. 4****. William Russell.
A challenging evening of remembrance.
Orpheus (Opera North). Theatre Royal, Nottingham. 12 November 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
East and west combine to produce a thrilling artistic synergy
How To Build A Better Tulip by Mark R Giesser. Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village, London N6 to 20 November 2022. 2**. William Russell.
A futile search for how to grow a black tulip.
La Boheme – Giacomo Puccini, WNO, Birmingham Hippodrome, 9 - 11 November 2022 then on tour, 4**** David Gray & Paul Gray
A well sung revival of a sturdy production
Opera North (Orfeo ed Euridice). Theatre Royal, Nottingham. 9 November 2022. 4****. William Ruff
Opera North’s Orfeo ed Euridice may be semi-staged but there’s no skimping on emotional power
Symphony Hall Birmingham, B:Classical 2022/23: 7.30pm, 8 November 2022 - Belgian National Orchestra 5***** Paul Gray
Stunning performance by the Belgian National Orchestra under Conductor Roberto González-Monjas, and pianist Paul Lewis
From Here to Eternity. Music by Stuart Brayson, Lyrics by Tim Rice, book based on the novel by James Jones by Donald Rice and Bill Oakes. Charing Cross Theatre, The Arches, Villiers Street, London WC2 to 17 December 2022. 4****. William Russell.
Testosterone is bursting out all over in this brash, loud, well sung revival.
The Makropulos Affair – Janáček, Welsh National Opera (WNO) The Birmingham Hippodrome, 8 November 2022, on tour until 2 December 2022. 5***** David Gray
An intense and richly realised piece of music theatre.
Opera North (La Traviata). Theatre Royal, Nottingham. November 8, 10, 11 2022. 4****. William Ruff
With La Traviata Opera North presents a music drama that thrills, delights and moves to tears
The Yeomen of the Guard by W.S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan The Coliseum, London WC2 3*** Clare Colvin
Lively performances by beleaguered ENO with a topsy-turvy mingling of “serious” and comic
Legally Blonde the Musical, The Arcadians, Crescent Theatre Birmingham, 3 November 2022. 4**** David Gray & Paul Gray
A fun packed, high energy study in pink.
Not Now by David Ireland. The Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 to 26 November 2018. 4****. William Russell
A gem of a play beautifully performed
CBSO @ Symphony Hall, Birmingham Wednesday 2 November 2022, 2.15pm | Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto et al **** David & Paul Gray
A stunning, revelatory performance of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto by CBSO Principal Clarinet, Oliver Janes
Superstition Mountain by Carl Grose, The Drum Theatre - Theatre Royal Plymouth until 5 November 2022, 5*****, Cormac Richards
Extraordinary story-telling; wonderfully performed
Leonkoro Quartet. Lakeside, Nottingham. 3 November 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
The dynamic Leonkoro Quartet: a young ensemble with the brightest of futures
Paddy Goes to Petra by Aine Ryan. The Brockley Jack Studio, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 5 November 2022. 4****. William Russell.
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. The Rose Theatre. Kingston upon Thames to 12 November 2022. 2** stars. William Russell.
Carry On Earnest - an evening to forget.
Evening Conversations. Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1D to 12 November 2022. 4****. William Russell
A beguiling tale of three continents.
Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom - The Musical, Birmingham Hippodrome. To 5 November 2022. 3*** David Gray & Paul Gray.
A dance musical that doesn’t always deliver the dance