REVIEWS Archives - Page 103 of 570

29May

By Sadie PearsonNo Comments

London

House of Life – Soho Theatre

Mad, glitzy and totally camp, what a glorious night of theatre House of Life is. A silly show with heaps of heart, The Raverend (Ben Welch) and Trev (Laurence Cole) take their audience on a journey of joyous enlightenment through a 6 step plan to get happy quick. Mad as a concept, the performance is less of a story and more of a cabaret-come-religious-experience, with glorious concoction of house, gospel and a cracking set of pipes (the Raverend in particular knocking it out the park vocally every time). Attacking the audience's insecurities with mantras of radical self love, honesty and community, House of Life’s great success is that it leaves no audience member un-nurtured. Chickens often the theme - an unsubtle metaphor for rebirth - we are offered egg-maracas (as well as f...

Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) – Leeds Grand Theatre

28May

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) – Leeds Grand Theatre

I have to confess I’ve always found Regency novels like Pride & Prejudice excruciatingly boring but this tongue in cheek romp through Jane Austen’s masterpiece is the exact opposite. The vague premise of the show is that we see the antics of the Bennet family, and assorted posh folk in Meryton, from the perspective of the servants. Isobel McArthur who loosely adapted the novel uses that device to allow five incredibly hardworking and funny women the chance to play all the characters as they hurtle on and off stage. This show is in the best traditions of British farce, which probably has some Austen superfans clutching their pearls in disgust, especially as our Bennet girls are a bit potty mouthed. However, if you’re not a tiresome snob then it’s a chance to enjoy a ribald trip th...

Something About Lennon – Theatre Royal, St Helens

28May

By Kevin EcclestonNo Comments

North West

Something About Lennon – Theatre Royal, St Helens

The latest production from the acclaimed team behind Something About George and Something About Simon, Something About Lennon goes beyond mere tribute—it’s a theatrical deep dive into the life, music, and complexity of one of history’s most influential artists. Far from a standard nostalgia trip, this show brings an intense and thoughtful exploration of John Lennon’s journey, presenting his highs and lows with both reverence and raw honesty. Making its debut tour from May to July 2025, Something About Lennon will travel across 26 venues nationwide, with a standout performance at Theatre Royal, St Helens, on May 27th. At the heart of this production is Liverpool actor, West End performer, and musician Daniel Taylor, whose stage presence and musicality anchor the show in authenticity. Sup...

The Pornstar Martini Effect: A Bartender’s Guide to not K*lling Yourself at Christmas – The King’s Arms

28May

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

The Pornstar Martini Effect: A Bartender’s Guide to not K*lling Yourself at Christmas – The King’s Arms

It's that time of the year when theatre companies and productions gear up for Edinburgh. The team behind The Pornstar Martini Effect will be taking their show to the fringe and, judging by the Manchester previews, they are pretty much ready. Even if the first performance at the Kings Arms in Salford didn't get going until a good half hour after the advertised start time. This is a slickly directed and solidly acted two-hander with some interesting things to say about misogyny, gender stereotypes and the complexities of human nature. Kat (Zane Marsland) and Tom (Finnen McNiffe) are working the dreaded Christmas Eve shift at a packed bar. Alongside the inevitable shaking, mixing, straining and pouring they are also having to deal with inappropriate customers. Their personal s...

The Ultimate Classic Rock Show – Festival Theatre

27May

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

The Ultimate Classic Rock Show – Festival Theatre

UCRS are becoming something of an institution, celebrating twenty years of rocking on stage this year. Original band members Luke Bradshaw (Lead Guitar) and Gareth Kedward (Keyboards) are still going strong and showing no signs of slacking in this high tempo run through some of the most iconic rock tracks of the last few decades of the twentieth century. Bradshaw guitar work is simply wonderful, and without doubt some of the best I have seen for many a year! An enthusiastic audience at Edinburgh’s Festival theatre were on board from the very first note as lead man Rory Bridgeman launched into Freddie’s, One Vision, quickly followed by Coverdale’s, Fool For Your Loving. A cracking start! The quality of the vocals and musical accompaniment point towards a well-oiled and well drilled ma...

Peebles Orchestra Concert – Peebles Burgh Hall

26May

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Peebles Orchestra Concert – Peebles Burgh Hall

Weber Overture, Preciosa, J. 279 Mozart Minuet in C, K.409 Haydn Piano Concerto No. 11 in D, Hob. XVIII:11 (with guest pianist, Pawel Szulc) Mendelssohn Symphony No. 5 in D, Reformation, Op. 107 This evening, Peebles Orchestra, conducted by the inimitable Robert Dick (“one of the most sensitive and least clichéd conductors I have ever worked with.” - Nicola Benedetti) produced its trademark hum, buzz and bravado to a full house of appreciative music lovers. Robert Dick is an accomplished musician with a plethora of credits to his name and a host of international engagements. He freelances with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Scottish Concert Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra of Scotland. It is a credit to Peebles Orchestra that he regularly conducts this talente...

Radiant Boy: A Haunting – Southwark Playhouse Borough

26May

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

London

Radiant Boy: A Haunting – Southwark Playhouse Borough

Radiant Boy is a unique, evocative, and intensely personal play that explores a young man’s relationship with his mother, his sexuality, and his faith. Russell has returned home after a ‘sickness’ prevented him from continuing his singing training in London. Unsure of how else to help Russell, his mother Maud has called a Priest who specialises in supernatural occurrences. Part kitchen-sink drama, part Exorcist style horror, Nancy Netherwood’s script effortlessly moves from understated but heartfelt conversations between a mother and son one moment and a dramatic exorcism the next. Her use of music, particularly traditional folk and New Wave, not only add to the atmosphere of the play but also embody Russell’s internal struggle. As Netherwood says in her Playwright’s note, folk and New Wav...

Born by the River – Lock and Quay, Liverpool

25May

By Kevin EcclestonNo Comments

North West

Born by the River – Lock and Quay, Liverpool

At the heart of Liverpool’s vibrant arts scene, Born by the River emerges as a bold and evocative new production, seamlessly blending music, storytelling, and innovative stagecraft. Presented as a centrepiece of the lively Pirate Festival at the Lock and Quay on May 24th, this Arts Council-funded project captivated audiences, leaving them breathless and inspired. With a local and European tour ahead, this play is poised to make a lasting impression far beyond its debut performance. Set in 1787 Liverpool—a city of merchants, traders, and the haunting shadow of slavery—the play follows Aggie, a young girl with dreams too large for the world she inhabits. The daughter of a merchant seaman, she yearns to embark on a life of adventure, seeking freedom beyond the restrictive expectations ...

25May

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Ballet BC – Festival Theatre

Presenting a double bill of innovative contemporary dance, Dance Consortium brought Canadian company Ballet BC to the Festival Theatre’s stage. Playing with both the dark and light, fluidity and harshness, humour and sadness, Ballet BC provides us with an intentional and diverse vision of creation that stretches the boundaries of contemporary dance. It is clear that choreographers Crystal Pite and Johan Inger take great care with their work, with even the slightest movement bringing impact and meaning to the respective pieces - each joint, limb, and muscle being utilised in unique and unusual ways. Act one featured the work of Crystal Pite with their piece entitled Frontier. Frontier explored the relationship between the self and the shadow with dancers dressed ent...

25May

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

Little Brother – Jermyn Street Theatre

The Jermyn Street Theatre is known for its office winning productions is tucked away in the corner of the prestigious west end boulevard in central London. It has a neat line up of programs like creative associates supporting early career under represented theatre makers and women in Theatre lab. ‘Little Brother’ retraces the steps of adolescent Ibrahima Balde searching for his younger brother in Libya. The book on which the play is based, began with the conversations Ibrahima had with Amets Arzallus Antia, while seeking asylum. Youness Bouzinab, Blair Gyabaah, Whitney Kehinde, Ivan Oyik and Mo Sesay recreate memorable plethora of characters that young 11-year-old meets. Special mention to the innocence, grief and honesty captured by Blair Gyabaah. In his recreation of wide eyed ...