Martin ThomassonIf I were to begin this review by telling you the stars of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s revival of Cinderella are John Macfarlane’s design and David Finn’s lighting (here honoured and adapted by Peter Teigen), you might infer that I was being...
Carmel ThomasonAcclaimed creative duo, director Annabel Arden and designer Joanna Parker, transform Wagner’s opera The Flying Dutchman into an urgent story for our times. Ahead of its performance with Opera North at Lowry, Salford here are 5 reasons to let this...
Cathy CrabbIt isn’t horror’s job to be kind to you. It goes to the very extremes of negative emotions. Fear and paranoia are in charge of a horror story, and with Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson’s Ghost Stories they have a very tight grip. The premise is that...
It feels like a welcome home coming for Tracy-Ann Oberman’s Shylock as The Merchant of Venice 1936 returns to Greater Manchester. The Watford Palace Theatre & Home Manchester production was first seen at Home almost two years ago. Since then...
Steve TimmsNot every popular novel transfers successfully to the stage. If you want proof, check out this touring production from Simon Friend Entertainment and Josh Andrews. The Girl on the Train is a clunky, lukewarm mess – albeit one with...
Dave Porter‘We’re going to need a bigger boat’. For people of a certain age – reader, include your reviewer in that category – these immortal lines evoke both terror and nostalgic fascination. Looking back to the heady days of 1970’s hot summers it’s...
Following a sell-out tour in 2022, Stephen Daldry’s multi award-winning National Theatre production of JB Priestley’s An Inspector Calls is back touring the UK for 2024-25. Since 1992, Daldry’s production has won a total of 19 major awards...
A story about the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US doesn’t sound like a topic for either your typical feelgood musical or Christmas production. But ‘Come From Away’ is far from your average show. It tells the true story of what...
After 30 years of accolades, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake still has audiences on their feet at the end, enthralled, moved and wanting more. This deconstructed and thematically enhanced version of the original ballet is an unflinching look at royalty...
Queen of Country, Dolly Parton certainly has the magic touch when it comes to connecting with audiences. Here You Come Again takes that Dolly sparkle, casting a warm Tennessee spell to bring Dolly to life as a no-nonsense, straight-talking, roof...