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Nan Shepherd: Naked and Unashamed – Pitlochry Festival Theatre

6Jun

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Nan Shepherd: Naked and Unashamed – Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Featuring in Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Summer lineup, Nan Shepherd: Naked and Unashamed has been produced by Firebrand Theatre Company and Pitlochry Festival Theatre for a second time following the success of the play’s first run in 2024. The biographical play explores the life of famous female Scottish writer Nan Shepherd, the first woman to be printed on a Royal Bank of Scotland banknote. This play paints a ghostly portrait of Nan’s mental deterioration throughout time, while simultaneously highlighting the headstrong, vibrant and vigorous way in which she carried herself through life. Although we see glimpses of nan’s childhood, as well as her time in a nursing home, the brunt of the story is told when an American reporter comes to interview her about her close friend...

Come Fall in Love: The DDLJ Musical – Opera House, Manchester

5Jun

By Kathryn GortonNo Comments

North West

Come Fall in Love: The DDLJ Musical – Opera House, Manchester

Opening to a packed press night audience , this iconic Bollywood love story movie from 1995 is translated to the musical stage with a sparkling , brand new score of 18 songs from Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls) capturing the authentic bhangra beats and style and rhythms of the culture and breathing new life and reimagining this Bollywood blockbuster, musically. The music was a highlight and although new musicals never usually leave me with an ear worm , Act One’s Twice as Good’ and Act Two’s ‘ Desi Kudi’ definitely hit the sweet spot. Aditya Chopra has adapted the famous movie Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and it is spectacular costumes with energy, playfulness, humour and a vibrant and talented cast who ooze charm and charisma. The story is of British born, second generation Indian, Simr...

The Mountaintop – The Royal Lyceum Theatre

5Jun

By Tom ScottNo Comments

Scotland

The Mountaintop – The Royal Lyceum Theatre

Katori Hall’s magnificent, beautifully written play is set the night before the assassination of the American civil rights leader, Dr Martin Luther King jnr, in 1968. The production is directed powerfully and vibrantly by Rikki Henry. Occasionally the actors were in danger of being upstaged by the fabulous set and sound effects. And the pace in the first half of the play was at times a little too frantic. But this was a breathtakingly inspiring production by Henry. The play takes place in a motel room in Memphis shortly after King had made his last speech, ‘I’ve been to the Mountaintop’ in which he declared: “I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you t...

Speedo Mick The Musical – Liverpool’s Royal Court

5Jun

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Speedo Mick The Musical – Liverpool’s Royal Court

It feels amazing to be back writing for North West End UK again and to kick off my first review of 2025, I was invited to watch ‘Speedo Mick The Musical’ written by John May, music by Boff Whalley and directed by Conrad Nelson, at the iconic Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre. For those who don’t know Speedo Mick, otherwise known as Micheal Cullen. Raises money for charity by walking in all weathers and even in sub-zero temperatures all in his pair of blue Speedo’s and not forgetting his Everton scarf. Raising over a million pounds for selected charities. So quite rightly this story had to be told and give him the recognition he deserves and more. The show opens with Johnny (Lenny Wood) at the top of the building, unable to see the light and wanting to end his life. This is until he is ...

Five Shorts and a One-Act Play – Bilton Theatre

5Jun

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Five Shorts and a One-Act Play – Bilton Theatre

Joining the queue to enter the Bilton Theatre on Wednesday evening, for Bilton Amateur Dramatic Society’s (BADS), production, Five Shorts & A One-Act Play, it was obvious this talented group of performers had, once again, succeeded in drawing in the crowds. No mean feat for a society that is over 70 years old! After showing my ticket, giving my drink order (tea or coffee, plus biscuits, included in the £10 ticket price), I took my seat on Row G and waited for curtain up. First up, The Pub Play or “Did We Win?”, a comedy by Doc Watson, featured befuddled playwright (Patrick Wilkinson) who, while trying to write an award-winning play, ropes in an equally befuddled actress (Ailsa Oliver) to achieve his goal. Pub-goer Nick Northcott-Orr ends up just as befuddled as the other two a...

5Jun

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

COCK – Hope Mill Theatre

When you strip away the peripheral elements of existence what are you left with? Remove the career that will end, the possessions that will gather dust and the places that will fade in the memory. What remains? Love, human relationships and a sense of self perhaps. Mike Bartlett’s COCK is the theatrical equivalent of this exercise. Strip it all away and lay bare the stark reality of life. Distraction-free analysis of identity, of sexuality, of power, of interaction. It all sounds so simple. Of course, it isn't. It requires outstanding writing, light-touch - yet precise - direction and pitch-perfect performances. Check, check and check for HER and Up ‘Ere Productions. After a highly successful northern premiere last year at 53Two, the show is back in Manchester ...

Open-air theatre returns to Chester’s Grosvenor Park this summer

4Jun

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Open-air theatre returns to Chester’s Grosvenor Park this summer

Open-air theatre returns to Chester’s Grosvenor Park this summer as part of a fantastic festival of fun including a pair of enchanting theatrical treats on the main stage. The 2025 Grosvenor Park season, presented by Storyhouse, will run from 28th June to 31st August. Friday, 4th July marks a return to the park for Jane Austen’s beloved classic Pride and Prejudice, celebrating the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth. Adapted for the stage by Deborah McAndrew and directed by Conrad Nelson, the sparkling and witty Regency tale won acclaim from both critics and Grosvenor Park audiences when it was premiered in 2021 and is back by popular demand. Prepare to be swept away by Austen’s most famous love story as spirited Lizzie Bennet and the brooding Mr Darcy find themselves entangled...

4Jun

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

London

Street – Barons Court Theatre

STREET, brought to the Barons Court Theatre by ‘Mos Sans Productions’, follows Miriam and Foster. Both are homeless, neglected and ignored by anyone but each other, and have little to no hope that anything will change. Writer and director Liviu Monsted uses these two compelling characters to explore the realities of living on the street. It’s a strong, moving and effective script, that only gets stronger when Miriam and Foster are joined by Fay and Christian. These newcomers hold up a mirror to those who romanticise homelessness and the ‘freedom’ it brings. Christian, in particular, is convinced that Foster and Miriam are lucky. Lucky that they don’t have a job, lucky that they are ignored by so much of society. It’s a wonderful depiction of the ignorance and privilege of those who view a ...

4Jun

By Maani WayNo Comments

London

Little Women – Richmond Theatre

Louisa May Alcott’s beloved ‘Little Women’ is back, telling the celebrated and heartwarming story of four sisters, their mother and their friends as they navigate the twists and turns of life and what it has to offer. The stage is set as a quaint living room, adorned with a twinkling Christmas tree and centrepiece piano. This set is unobtrusive yet provides a whimsical feel, adding to the theme of the sisters’ hopes and dreams in the first Act of the show. Fitting props and staging create two main scenes – in the first Act, the March’s home and surrounding areas and in the second Act, the addition of bookcases show time has passed and sets the scene for Jo working at the boarding house. Lighting is used beautifully throughout the play, particularly when paired with the fake snow f...

4Jun

By Aditi DalalNo Comments

London

In Praise of Love – Orange Tree Theatre

There’s something truly magnetic about a play that holds you at the edge of your seat, slowly pulling you deeper into its world with every passing moment. In Praise of Love does just that, creating a charged atmosphere where tension builds quietly, but persistently, in the midst of seemingly everyday exchanges. A beautiful balance of humour and heartbreak, this play keeps you engaged from start to finish, delivering its emotional punches with grace. Set in 1970s England, In Praise of Love follows Lydia, an Estonian refugee, and her husband Sebastian, a sharp-tongued literary critic, as they each try to protect the other with carefully kept secrets. Written by Terence Rattigan, the play brings to life four sharply drawn characters, each carrying their own secrets, loyalties, and regrets....