Email: ReviewsgateReviews@gmail.com
Reviews
£1 Thursdays by Ket Rose-Martin, the Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW18 to 23 December 2023. 4****: William Russell.
“Perceptive, funny play about two young girls growing up in Bradford and facing up to what lies in store. A real pre-Christmas treat.”
Photo Credit: Alex Brenner.
Manchester Collective, Lakeside, Nottingham, 30 November 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
“Manchester Collective in a typically innovative and inspiring programme.”
Moth by Matt Wilson. The Hope Theatre, Upper Street, Islington to 02 December 2023. 2**: William Russell.
“Interesting, complicated, over-long sci fi drama.”
Sleeping Beauty takes a Prick by Jon Bradfield &Martin Harper. Songs by Jon Bradfield. Charing Cross Theatre, Villiers Street, London WC2 to 13 January 2024. 4****: William Russell.
“For those who like adult pantomimes – if not, stay home.”
Photo Credit: Oli Sones.
2:22 A Ghost Story- Theatre Royal Plymouth – until 02 December 2023 and touring. 3***: Cormac Richards.
“A repeat viewing? Possibly, if only to try and unravel more of the plot pointers.”
Photo Credit: Marc Brenner.
Odyssey – a pantomime by John Savournin & David Eaton. Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London SW1 to 31 December 2023. 5*****: William Russell.
“Possibly the best Charles Court Opera Company pantomime ever!.”
Photo Credit: Alex Brenner.
Constella Music 10th Anniversary Concert. Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells, Roseberry Avenue, London EC1E. 4****: William Russell.
“A moving Holocaust story and a fascinating account about the decade long existence of Constella Music as it is now to be known.”
Photo Credit: Constella (image of Geyer)
Ariel Lanyi (piano), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 26 November 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
“Ariel Lanyi: piano playing of probing intelligence.”
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 25 November 2023. 5*****: William Ruff.
“The RLPO on top form in repertoire both serious and spectacular.”
Cinderella – book by Vikki Stone. The Lyric, King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 to 06 January 2024. 4****: William Russell.
“An audience pleasing pantomime.”
Photo Credit : Manuel Harlan.
Oh What A Lovely War by Joan Littlewood, Gerry Raffles & Charles Chilton. Southwark Playhouse – the Large, 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 to 09 December 2023. 4****: William Russell.
“Littlewood’s magic is lacking but for first time audiences this production should still work powerfully enough.”
Photo Credit: Alex Harvey-Brown.
Boris Giltburg plays Rachmaninov, Town Hall, Birmingham 23 November, 2023. 5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A towering achievement that brings Rachmaninov’s preludes to vivid life.”
Aaron Azunda Akugbo, Lakeside, Nottingham, 23 November 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
“Virtuosity and variety from two engaging musicians.”
Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 22 November, 2023. 5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘Powerful and complete readings of two romantic masterpieces .’
Photo: Courtesy of CBSO, Photograph of Francesca Dego.
Edward Scissorhands, Theatre Royal Plymouth, until 25 November, 2023 and touring. 5*****: Cormac Richards
‘Edward Scissorhands is a supreme theatrical achievement on every level.’
Photo Credit: Johan Persson.
Bach and Schumann, CBSO, Symphony Hall. Birmingham. 4****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘A stunning performance of a Schumann symphony, but some tensions between an early music approach by a modern orchestra in their performance of Bach.’
Nineteen Gardens by Magdalena Miecznicka. Hampstead Theatre Downstairs, Eton Avenue, London NW3 to 09 December, 2023. 5*****: William Russell.
‘A searing play for our times – unmissable.’
Photo Credit: The Other Richard.
Cowbois: Charlie Josephine, RSC, The Swan: Stratford Upon Avon, till 18 November, 2023. 4****: Roderick Dungate.
‘Drama goes where other debates cannot reach.’
Photo: Courtesy of RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Verdi’s Falstaff, Opera North,Theatre Royal, Nottingham, 11 November, 2023. 5*****: William Ruff.
‘Opera North’s Falstaff is a production where all the darts score a bullseye.’
La Traviata – Verdi, WNO, Birmingham Hippodrome, 11 November, 2023, On tour ‘til 25 November, 2023. 5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘A glittering deeply moving performance of a much-loved classic.’
Photo: courtesy of WNO