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Reviews
Indigo Giant, The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP. 14, 15, 16 March 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: Joanna Jarvis.
“A story of the Raj that still resonates today.”
Photo Credit: Alex Unai
The Essence of Audrey by Helen Anker. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 16 March 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Audrey Hepburn brought vividly to life.”
Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, London E1. 3✩✩✩ Review: Clare Colvin.
“Barber of Seville goes Way out West.”
Photo: Bill Knight.
Frank’s Closet. Book, music and lyrics by Stuart Wood. The Union theatre, 229 Union Street, Southwark, London SE1 to 30 March 2024. 2✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Great legs but not much in the closet.”
Photo Credit: Danny Kaan.
London Zoo by Farine Clarke. Southwark Playhouse, the Little, 77 Newington Causeway, London to 30 March 2024. 2✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A drama about the slow death of newspapers – the problem is the play is dead.”
Photo Credit: Linda Crisafulli.
Cosi Fan Tutte (Opera North) Theatre Royal, Nottingham, 07 and 09 March 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“Cosi fan tutte: Opera North’s revival has lost none of its freshness – or ambiguity.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Theatre Royal, Nottingham
Casserole by James Alexandrou, Kate Kelly-Flood & Dominic Morgan. The Arcola, Studio 2, 24 Ashwin Street, Dalston, London E8 to 30 March 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Impressive performances in a play about marital troubles and bereavement”
Photo Credit: Kit Mackenzie
Wicked, The Birmingham Hippodrome, 06 March 2024 until 07 April 2024. 4✩✩✩✩: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An undeniable spectacle with a deep emotional well at its heart.”
Photo Credit : Mark Senior
Cavalleria Rusticana/Aleko (Opera North)Theatre Royal, Nottingham 06 and 08 March 2024 (touring to Theatre Royal, Newcastle and to The Lowry, Salford Quays till 22 March) 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“Cavalleria Rusticana and Aleko: compelling but unequal operatic partners.”
The Lonely Londoners by Roy Williams based on the novel by Sam Selvon. Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London SW1Y to 6 April 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A powerful finely acted but hard to follow at times play about the Windrush Generation.”
Photo Credit: Alex Brenner.
Stitches by Jonathan Blakeley. The Hope Theatre, 207 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 to 07 March 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A lifelong friendship memorably told by a Teddy Bear.”
Photo Credit: Zak Fenning.
CBSO Centre Stage: Baroque Ensemble, 01 March 2024, The CBSO Centre, Birmingham. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An intimate and engaging hour of informal but exquisite music making.”
Marry Me A Little. Songs by Stephen Sondheim. Conceived by Craig Lucas & Norman Rene. The Stage Door Theatre, 150 Drury Lane, London WC2b to 13 April 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“An enchanting evening beautifully sung”
Photo Credit: Peter Davies.
The Hallé, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 01 March 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“Sir Mark Elder and Bruckner 8: an overwhelming experience.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham.
The Sobcentre by Benedict Crosby, written by Guy Woods. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 02 March 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
"A well acted and intriguing play about inmates of a clinic for sad people.”
Photo Credit: Jessy Winchester
Sakari Conducts Sibelius & Strauss, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 28 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A frustrating concert. Without a few gremlins, it could have been quite stunning.”
Photo Credit: Benjamin-Ealovega
Standing at the Sky’s Edge. Book by Chris Bush, Music & Lyrics by Richard Hawley. The Gillian Lynne Theatre, 166 Drury Lane, London WC2B booking to 31 April 2024. 5*****: William Russell.
“One of the best musicals in years.”
Photo credit: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg
Bhangra Nation – A New Musical. Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP. To 16 March 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: Joanna Jarvis.
“Joyful and exhilarating with emotional depth.”
Photo Credit: Craig Sugden
The Human Body by Lucy Kirkwood. The Donmar Warehouse, 41 Earlham Street, London WC2H to 13 April 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Keely Hawes magnificent in an overlong, overstuffed play set during the creation of the National Health Service.”
Photo Credit: Marc Brenner.
Manon Lescaut by Giacomo Puccini, English Touring Opera, Hackney Empire, London E8, then touring till 28 May. 2✩✩ Review: Clare Colvin.
“Tragedy as a surreal nightmare.”
Photo Credit: Richard Hubert Smith