Reviews Archive
F**king Men by Joe Dipietro. Waterloo East Theatre, Brad Street, London SE1 to 18 June 2023. 4****. William Russell.
Take a heartwarming and illuminating trip on love's merry gay round.
Beethoven's Seventh @ Birmingham Symphony Hall: CBSO, 10th May 2023 - 5***** Reviewers: David & Paul Gray
An outstanding evening of music-making with the CBSO on top-form and Composer, Clarinetist & Conductor extraordinaire, Jorg Widman (b.1973)
Southwell Music Festival Launch. Southwell Minster. May 12 2023. William Ruff
This year's Southwell Festival is launched with music to whet the appetite
Jess Gillam Ensemble. NTU Hall, Nottingham. May 10 2023. 5*****. William Ruff
A programme bursting with virtuosity and musical personality from Jess Gillam and friends
Sean Shibe and Manchester Collective. Lakeside, Nottingham. May 9 2023. 4****. William Ruff
Sean Shibe and Manchester Collective lead an exhilarating safari into the unknown
Blaze of Glory – WNO, Birmingham Hippodrome, 06 May 2023. Then at Southampton 20 May 2023. 5**** David Gray & Paul Gray
A heart-warming story about the power of song.
The Magic Flute – Mozart, WNO, Birmingham Hippodrome, 5 May 2023. Then at Southampton 26 & 27 May 2023. 4**** David Gray & Paul Gray
A radical and fresh new take on an old favourite.
Kazuki Conducts Scheherazade, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 3 May 2023, 4****, David Gray & Paul Gray
Some tentative Brahms followed by rousing Rimsky-Korsakov
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. May 4 2023. 4****. William Ruff
Exciting music-making from the CBSO – but you needed your musical sunglasses
Ballet Black, Then or Now & Nina: By Whatever Means, The Rep, Birmingham, 03 May 23 to 04 May 23. 4**** David Gray
Evocative and thought provoking dance.
Hamnet: Novel by Maggie O’Farrell, adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti, RSC at The Swan, Stratford Upon Avon, Review: Rod Dungate & David Gray 29 04 23, Audio Described Performance 5*****
Theatre story-telling at its best.
Kazuki Conducts Carmina Burana, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 27th April 2023: 5***** David Gray and Paul Gray
A thrilling concert marks the start of a fresh chapter for the CBSO under the baton of their charismatic new Chief Conductor, Kazuki Yamada. Now: this really is a man to watch!
Pavel Haas Quartet (on tour) Town Hall, Birmingham, April 28th 2023: 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
Pavel Haas Quartet. Lakeside, Nottingham. April 27 2023. 5*****. William Ruff
Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. April 26 2023. 5*****. William Ruff
Iceland may be a small island but it produces big-hearted music-making
Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 21 April 2023, 5***** David & Paul Gray
Thrilling playing by a fine visiting orchestra, with the added bonus of a perfect performance of a Beethoven Piano Concerto by Sir Stephen Hough
Jules and Jim by Timberlake Wertenbaker based on the novel by Henri-Pierre Roche. Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London W1 to 27 May 2023. 4****. William Russell.
Fine performances in a first rate production of a terrific play.
Four Seasons, Town Hall, Birmingham, The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) 22 April 2023, 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
A terrific sense of the conversational and of the intimate in this radiant and emotionally moving performance.
Animal by Jon Bradfield. Park 200, 13 Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 to 20 May 2023. 5*****. William Russell.
Memorable, moving play about sex, disability, friendship,predators and surviving.
The Good Person of Szechuan by Bertolt Brecht in a new version by Nina Segal. Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith to 13 May 2023. 3 *** . William Russell.
80 years on a Brecht's assault on capitalism remains as potent today as it was in the time of Weimar.