Reviews Archive
Sinfonia of London. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 4 December 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
A 40th anniversary concert to remember: John Wilson’s ear-opening, virtuoso Sinfonia of London
12:37 by Julia Pascal. The Finborough Theatre,118 Finborough Road, London SW10 to 21 December 2022. 4****. William Russell.
A sprawling, enthralling epic story about Irish and Jewish nationalism - and bombs.
Steven Osborne. Lakeside, Nottingham. 1 December 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
Playing to nourish both head and heart from Steven Osborne
It’s a Wonderful Life by Jake Heggie; Libretto by Gene Scheer 4**** English National Opera, The Coliseum, London WC2 to 10 December 2022. Clare Colvin.
Heart-warming sentiment on the side of the angels in opera adaptation of classic Christmas film.
Elf the Musical. Book by Thomas Meehan & Bob Martin. Music by Matthew Sklar. Lyrics by Chad Beguelin. The Dominion Theatre, 268 Tottenham Court Road, London W1 to 7 January 2023. 3***. William Russell.
A Happy Holidays show for those who like shows like this.
Top Hat. Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin. Book by Howard Jacques and Matthew White. Based on the RKO film. The Mill at Sonning, Reading to 30 December 2022. 4 ****. William Russell
A tip top Top Hat.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Adapted by David Edgar, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-on-Avon, Audio Described Performance, 26 November 2022, 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
A magical festive delight that invites us to see the worlds as it is, but with wonder.
Baghdaddy byJasmine Naziha Jones. The Royal Court Theatre, Jerwood downstairs, Sloane Square, London SW1 to 17 December 2022. 4****. William Russell
Stimulating, inventive and provocative tale about growing up.
Birds of Paradise: The Lark Ascending, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham 23 November 2022, 3*** David Gray
A concert that, despite its subject matter, too often failed to take flight
Romanian National Philharmonic. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 24 November 2022. 4****. William Ruff
High drama and red-blooded emotion from Maxim Vengerov and the Romanian Philharmonic
A Sherlock Carol written by Mark Shanahan. Marylebone Theatre, 33 Park Road, London NW1 to 7 January 2023. 3***. William Russell.
And now for something completely different - or,as the blurb says, deck the halls with Dickens and Doyle.
Mrs Warren's Profession by George Bernard Shaw. Richmond Theatre, Little Green, Richmond to 26 November 2022. 2** William Russell.
Disappointing staging of a fine Shaw play.
The Hermes Experiment, Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 22 November 2022, 3***, David Gray & Paul Gray
A mixed evening of music, by turns engaging and sometimes over-intellectual.
Dinner With Groucho by Frank McGuinness. Studio 1, The Arcola, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 to 10 December 2022. 5*****. William Russell.
Dazzling,diverting and brilliantly performed theatre of the absurd play.
The Love Goddess. Book by Almog Pail & Stephen Garvey. Music & Lyrics by Logan Medland. The Cockpit Theatre, Gateforth Street, London NW 8 to 23 December 2022. 2**. William Russell.
What's to love?
Hannes Minnaar. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 20 November 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
Dazzling pianism in Hannes Minnaar’s night-themed programme
Life's A Drag by Nancy Brabin-Platt. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, Brockley Road, London SE4 to 19 November 2022. 3***. William Russell.
Life may be but this one woman show is not.
El Gran Teatro Del Mundo. Lakeside, Nottingham. 17 November 2022. 4****. William Ruff
El Gran Teatro Del Mundo: civilised musical conversation and generosity of spirit
Alcina by George Frideric Handel Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London WC2 4**** Clare Colvin
Pantomime of earthly delights in Handel’s late baroque extravaganza
The Sex Party by Terry Johnson. The Menier Chocolate Factory, Southwark Street, London SE1 to 7 January 2023. 2** William Russell.
A two star play in a four star set.