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The Importance of Being Oscar – Jermyn Street Theatre

3Apr

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

The Importance of Being Oscar – Jermyn Street Theatre

There has never been anyone quite like Oscar Wilde. Famed as an author, playwright and poet in late Victorian England and then vilified for his homosexuality, his works remain as popular today,125 years after his death, as ever. Original Theatre and the Reading Rep Theatre have revived this dramatised biography, which was originally written and performed in 1960 by Micheál Mac Liammóir. Alistair Whately's one man show is a narrative of Wilde's life, illustrated with quotations from his best-known works: The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Importance of Being Ernest, as well as some of his best-known poems and letters. The first half focuses on his rise from his early life in Ireland to his fame in London for his poems and theatrical works. The second half is darker with his prosecu...

3Apr

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

REVIEWS

Turandot – Royal Opera House

In spite of the date, it was sadly no joke that due to technical issues with the transmission, we lost the majority of the opening act and just when everything was set for the final act to unfold, further issues saw us stutter through the opening of Nessun Dorma before a freeze and then a jump to the next scene. All of this combined with the fact that the wrong programme information was sent out gives great cause for concern when opera is striving to reinforce its audience and its future with a selected live performance transmitted globally – on this occasion to over one thousand cinemas in twenty-two countries. None of this is the fault of the creatives and cast and having seen the 2023 revival, that serves as a useful point of reference for me to review this 2025 revival in spite of t...

Shirley Valentine – Grand Theatre Blackpool

3Apr

By Rebecca CaseyNo Comments

North West

Shirley Valentine – Grand Theatre Blackpool

Octagon Theatre Bolton presents a one woman play in two halves, Directed by Lotte Wakeham. Willy Russell famous for creating Blood Brothers, Our day out and Educating Rita originally wrote Shirley Valentine in the mid-80s, it then became a film. The original version was set in Liverpool. For this touring production, the play has been reset and imagined using the actresses native accent. Having never seen the film I didn’t know what to expect and quite honestly the thought of watching one actress on stage for such a long time isn’t something I would be keen to watch, however I was pleasantly surprised. Mina Anwar returning to the role of Shirley Valentine is spectacular, with the very relatable script make her portrayal of the character likeable, she comes across as the salt of the...

2Apr

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Red Or Dead – Liverpool’s Royal Court

When the email allocating this review landed in my inbox, I could be forgiven for thinking that my Liverpool supporting editor was playing an April Fool’s prank. The choice to send a Salfordian and Manchester United fan to review a play about the inexorable rise of Liverpool FC - staged in the heart of that city - could be seen as cruel and unusual punishment. I would object, if it were not for the fact that his decision meant I was fortunate enough to attend one of my highlights of the theatrical year, with a stunning central performance and enough heart to fill Old Trafford, let alone Anfield. ‘Red Or Dead’ Is a stage adaptation of the 2013 novel by David Peace telling the story of the reign of Liverpool’s legendary manager Bill Shankly, from his appointment in 1959 through to his une...

2Apr

By Annette NuttallNo Comments

West Midlands

Ghost the Musical – The Alexandra

The popular romantic thriller film from 1990, Ghost, has been adapted into a musical. This current production takes to the stage in Birmingham for the week. Sam and Molly are a young couple with their lives and many adventures ahead of them. All this changes with Sam’s untimely death. Trapped between two worlds Sam enlists the help of psychic Oda May Brown to contact Molly. Can they both move on and find happiness again? Although songs and dances have been added, the musical remains pretty much faithful to the film, the favourite moments are all there. The characters are faithful to the original without trying to imitate the film’s stars, each member of the cast make the roles their own. The standout performance of the night was Rebekah Lowings as Molly. She pulled out every emoti...

Beauty and the Beast – Church Hill Theatre

2Apr

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Beauty and the Beast – Church Hill Theatre

We all know that opening nights can go one of two ways; either a riot of mistakes ,technical blunders and missed lines or that rare perfect explosion of nervous energy which propels the production to new heights. I’m happy to say that tonight, on April Fool’s day, this is no blundering joke, instead it is one of those unique stunning, wonderful events. But this is no happy accident. Whether by stick or carrot, Director Louise Sables pulls off a masterclass of amateur direction and casting, to marshal the talented folks of EMT to tell a simple story with real emotion, humour and clarity, and at a pace that many a professional production would only dream of, whilst eking out a meagre budget in all the right places. Take the costumes for example: to open the programme and find that the ...

This Is Not a Happy Room – King’s Head Theatre

2Apr

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

This Is Not a Happy Room – King’s Head Theatre

This is not a Happy Room is a new play written by and starring Rosie Day. It explores family dynamics, the ways families drift apart, and how they reconnect when brought together for major life events—such as a wedding and a funeral. Through witty dialogue and engaging performances, the play captures the complexity of sibling relationships, unresolved tensions, and the bittersweet nostalgia of shared memories. The story revolves around a family gathering for their father’s wedding to his new girlfriend. However, as he fails to arrive on time, his children begin to question his whereabouts while also rediscovering their relationships with one another. As they navigate awkward reunions and unspoken resentments, the audience is drawn into the emotional highs and lows of their interactions....

2Apr

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Down The Hatch – Pleasance Theatre

What began as slightly self-conscious soon developed into a showcase of joy for this young collection of enthusiasts. The premise was simple: a tavern with a collection of characters who told their stories through song and dance. It reminded me of Jim Cartwright’s TWO but the stories were somewhat thinner, each tale being bound by the lyrics of a particular song. My favourite was the traditional Irish ballad, Aililiú Na Gamhna, sung by second-year, Lily Hodge. It was pitch-perfect and filled with tender anguish. The blocking enhanced the sentiment of the piece. Ewan Robertson has a fine, sweet voice living within the body of a construction worker - tall, wide and muscular. He concluded the first half with a stunning lift of Elham Khosravipour who seemed anomalous in her belly-dancing...

Mahler Symphony No. 3 – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

2Apr

By Johanna RobertsNo Comments

North West

Mahler Symphony No. 3 – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

While I’m familiar with Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 from recordings, this was my first time hearing the concert played live, so I was curious as to what the difference would be. Put simply, the difference was astonishing. The symphony is frequently described as ‘epic’, and the sheer size of the orchestra on the stage at the Philharmonic Hall was an indication of what was in store with an air of excited anticipation in the hall. Lasting approximately 90 minutes, the work is divided into six movements, with the central movements bookended by monolithic first and final movements. Mahler’s aim was to reflect on man’s relationship with the natural world, and initially, each movement had a title intimating its focus. While these are useful as guides, it is perhaps better to meet the music on i...

Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical roars into Leeds Grand

31Mar

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical roars into Leeds Grand

Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical, featuring Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s greatest hits, is back on the road flying into Leeds Grand Theatre. Photo: Matt Crockett Based on the mega selling album the musical follows the lost boys and girls who flee into the tunnels below a city ruled by the despotic Falco. His rebellious teenage daughter Raven locks eyes with the fearless leader of the Lost, the immortal Strat, and their love-at-first-sight-obsession threatens to destroy both of their families. Bat Out Of Hell became one of the best-selling albums in history selling over 68 million copies worldwide. Sixteen years after the release of the original album, Steinman scored another hit with Bat Out Of Hell II: Back into Hell, which contained the massive hit I Would Do Anything for Lo...