Reviews Archive
Kazuki Conducts Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 7 June 2023, 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
A big romantic reading of one of the biggest, most romantic symphonies, and the dawn of a whole new and exhilarating period of much needed change for the CBSO
Fury and Elysium. Music and Lyrics by Calista Kazuko Georget. Book by Stephanie Martin. The Other Palace Studio, 12 Palace Street, London SW1 to 18 June 2023. 3***. William Russell.
Come to another cabaret.....
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory - The Musical, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Cormac Richards 2**
Ill-judged, charmless and disappointing production
Three Poems by Alistair McDowall. The Jerwood Downstairs, the Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London SW1 to 17 June 2023. 4****. William Russell.
Three astonishing and breathtaking performances by Kate O'Flynn
Grindr - the Opera - book, music and Lyrics by Erik Ransom. The Union Theatre, 229 Union Street, London SE1 to 8 July 2023. 4****. William Russell.
Good to look at, funny, perceptive and very well performed.
Yours Unfaithfully by Miles Malleson. Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London SW1 to 1 July 2023. 5*****.William Russell.
A comedy about open marriage written in 1932 getting its first performance and turning out to sparkle, surprise and delight.
Benjamin Grosvenor plays Chopin, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 1 June 2023, 5**** David Gray & Paul Gray
Grosvenor plays with exquisite clarity and astonishing technical flexibility
Gypsy. Book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne,lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The Mill at Sonning Eye near Reading until 15 July 2023. 4****. William Russell
Rebecca Thornhill dazzles with a 5**** performance in a 4**** production.
Night Light by Tom Chandler & Maeve O'Haire. Upstairs at the Gatehouse, 1 North Road, Highgate Village, London N6 to 10 June 2023. 4****. William Russsell.
Twenty somethings growing up a little in a diverting comedy.
Cymbeline: William Shakespeare, RSC in the Main House, Stratford Upon Avon, Runs : 3 hours 30 mins, one interval, Review: Rod Dungate, 26 May 2023, Audio Described Performance 5*****
Gregory Doran’s RSC Swan Song Fantabuloso
Re-Member Me by Dickie Beau. Hampstead theatre, Eton Avenue, London NW3 to 17 June 2023. 4****. William Russell.
A stunning not to be missed evening spent looking at Hamlet with Dickie Beau.
Under the Kunde Tree by Clarisse Makundul. Southwark Playhouse - the Little, 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 to 17 June 2023. 4****. William Russell.
Powerful performances in a play about women in a war for independence in the Cameroons.
Macready! Dickens' Theatrical Friend by Mark Stratford. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 27 May 2034. 4****. William Russell.
A great actor manager rediscovered.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser. Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock & Willie Gilbert. Southwark Playhouse, the Large, 77 Newington Causeway, London SE 1 to 17 June 2023. 4****. William Russell.
Loesser's other great show gets a pared down updated staging.
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. May 24 2023. 4****. William Ruff
Florence Price: a composer who deserves her place in musical history
Rambert Dance, Peaky Blinders, The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, Birmingham Hippodrome, 23 May 2023, 5*****, David Gray & Paul Gray
An evening of stunning modern dance, storytelling and originality from Ballet Rambert
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 16 May 2023. 4****, David Gray & Paul Gray
A stunning performance of one of the most challenging Piano Concertos in the repertoire, by Pianist Barry Douglas
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Birmingham Town Hall, 17 May 2023, 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
Elegance, expression and consummate artistry
Beau is Afraid (2023), Director Ari Aster, A24, 5*****: Matthew Alicoon
How on earth does Ari Aster's brain work?
Fast X (2023), Dir Louis Leterrier, Universal Pictures, 4****: Matthew Alicoon
The laws of gravity are pushed to new heights.