Reviews Archive Part 2
A PLEASING TERROR. To 6 January.
London
A PLEASING TERROR
by M R James
New End Theatre 27 New End NW3 1JD To 6 January 2007
Tue-Sat 9.45pm
31 Dec 8pm
Runs 1hr 30min One interval
TICKETS: 0870 033 2733
www.newendtheatre.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 24 December
A darkened room, a comfortable chair, a single malt to hand, would be perfectly complemented by these dark tales well-told.
MR A's AMAZING MAZE PLAYS. To 6 January.
Scarborough.
MR A’s AMAZING MAZE PLAYS
by Alan Ayckbourn.
Stephen Joseph Theatre (The Round) To 6 January 2007.
Mon-Sat 7pm Mat 23, 27-30 Dec, 6 Jan 2.30pm no performance 25-26 Dec, 1 Jan.
Runs 1hr 45min One interval.
TICKETS: 01723 370541.
www.sjt.uk.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 20 December.
Still amazing after all these years.
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE. To 10 February.
Richmond.
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
by W S Gilbert music by Arthur Sullivan adapted by Chris Monks.
Orange Tree Theatre To 10 February 2007.
Mon-Sat 7.45pm Mat Sat 4pm & 27-29 Dec, 4, 11, 18, 25 Jan 2.30pm.
Audio-described 23 Jan, 27 Jan 4pm.
Post-show discussion 2 Feb + Thu mats.
Runs 2hr 5min One interval.
TICKETS: 020 8940 3633.
www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 22 December.
This lot are generally a happy one.
CHRISTMAS CRACKERS. To 20 January.
Hull
CHRISTMAS CRACKERS
by John Godber
Hull Truck Theatre To 20 January 2007
Mon-Sat 8pm Mat 6 Jan 2pm
BSL Signed 5 Jan
Runs 2hr One interval
TICKETS: 01482 323638
www.hulltruck.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 21 December
A play with pulling-power, that brings jokes and surprises.
TAILOR MADE LOVE. To 23 December.
London
TAILOR MADE LOVE
by Philip Brodie and Andrew Clarkson
Theatre 503 Latchmere Pub 503 Battersea Park Rod SW11 3BW To 23 December 206
Tue-Sat 8pm Sun 5pm
Runs 1hr 10min No interval
TICKETS: 020 7978 70040
www.theatre503.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 16 December
Strong emotions carefully restrained.
THE SHAKESPEARE REVUE. To 31 December.
London
THE SHAKESPEARE REVUE
devised by Christopher Luscombe and Malcolm McKee
New End Theatre 27 New End NW3 1JD To 31 December 2006
Tue-Sat 7.30pm Sun 3.30pm
Runs 2hr One interval
TICKETS: 0870 033 2733
www.newendtheatre.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 24 December
Pleasant moments among varied material.
FLAT STANLEY. To 17 March.
Leeds/London
FLAT STANLEY
by Mike Kenny based on the story by Jeff Brown and illustrations by Scott Nash.
West Yorkshire Playhouse (Courtyard Theatre) To 13 January.
then Polka Theatre 26 January-17 March 2007.
Runs 1hr 10min No interval.
TICKETS: 0113 213 7700.
www.wyp.org.uk (Leeds).
020 8543 4888.
www.polkatheatre.com/booking (London).
Review: Timothy Ramsden 21 December.
Despite its title, a show which doesn’t fall flat.
GRIMMS - THE FINAL PHASE. To 6 January.
London
GRIMMS - THE FINAL PHASE
by Joanna Volinska and Alistair Green
Trafalgar Studios (Studio 2) To 6 January 2007
Mon-Sat 7.45pm Mat Wed & Sat 3pm
Runs 2hr 30min One interval
TICKETS: 0870 060 6632
www.theambassadors.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 28 December
Liberties are taken but the result’s energetic and refreshingly original.
CINDERELLA till 28 January
Birmingham
CINDERELLA
Birmingham Hippodrome: Tkts 0870 730 1234
www.birminghamhippodrome.com
Runs: 2h 45m, one interval, till 28 January 2007
Review: Rod Dungate, 20 December
Better than ever – what more could you want
DICK WHITTINGTON. To 14 January.
Oxford
DICK WHITTINGTON
by Phil Wilmott
Oxford Playhouse To 14 January 2007
Tue-Sun various dates 10am, 11am, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 7pm
Audio-described 29 Dec 2pm
BSL Signed 13 Jan 2pm & 7pm
Runs 2hr 15min One interval
TICKETS: 01865 305305
www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 17 December
All things bright and some of them beautiful in Oxford this year.
THE FLINT STREET NATIVITY. To 20 January.
Liverpool
THE FLINT STREET NATIVITY
by Tim Firth
Liverpool Playhouse To 20 January 2007
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat 28 Dec, 4 Jan 1.30pm, 30 Dec, 6, 13, 20 Jan 2pm no performance 1 Jan
Audio-described 9 Jan
BSL Signed 5 Jan
Runs 2hr One interval
TICKETS: 0151 709 4776
www.everymanplayhouse.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 19 December
A show at once serious and hilarious.
MOTHER GOOSE. To 6 January.
Chipping Norton
MOTHER GOOSE
by Simon Brett music by Peter Pontzen
Chipping Norton Theatre To 6 January 2007
Various dates 1.30pm, 2pm, 4pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm, 7.30pm, 7.45pm
Runs 2hr 5min One interval
TICKETS: 01608 642350
Review: Timothy Ramsden 16 December
Happy times in Chipping Norton.
A FAMILY AFFAIR. To 13 January.
London
A FAMILY AFFAIR
by Alexander Ostrovsky translated by Nick Dear
Arcola Theatre To 13 January 2007
Mon-Sat 8pm
Runs 2hr 30min One interval
TICKETS: 020 7503 1646
www.arcolatheatre,com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 18 December
Lively play, lively translation, lively production, all fitting together.
THE WIZARD OF OZ. To 3 February.
Leeds
THE WIZARD OF OZ
by L Frank Baum music & lyrics by Harold Arlen & E Y Harburg background music by Herbert Stothart dance and vocal arrangements by Peter Howard adapted by John Kane
West Yorkshire Playhouse (Quarry Theatre) To 3 February 2007
Tue-Sat 7pm no performance 2 Jan
Mat 27-30 Dec, 4-6; 11-13; 18, 20, 25, 27 Jan, 1-3 Feb 1.30pm
Sunday performances 7, 14, 21, 28 Jan 1.30pm
Audio-described 13 Jan 1.30pm, 25 Jan 7pm
BSL Signed 20 Jan 1.30pm
Captioned 27 Jan 1.30pm, 30 Jan
Runs 2hr 35min One interval
TICKETS: 0113 213 7700
www.wyp.org.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 21 December
Another fine Oz comes along.
PINOCCHIO. To 13 January.
Northampton
PINOCCHIO
by Carlo Collodi by Lu Kemp and Rob Evans written by Rob Evans
Royal Theatre To 13 January 2007
10.15am 4 Jan
2.15pm 27-30 Dec, 4-6, 11, 13 Jan
7pm 27-30 Dec, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-13 Jan
Runs 2hr 15min One interval
Tickets: 01604 624811
www.royalandderngate.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 13 December
Adventurous show with some good ingredients hasn’t caught an appropriate style.
IT'S ONLY MAKE BELIEVE. To 28 January.
London
IT'S ONLY MAKE BELIEVE
by Chris Burgess and John Plews
Upstairs at the Gatehouse, The Gatehouse Pub, Highgate Village. London N6 4BD
Tue-Sat 8pm except 2 & 3 Jan Mat Sun & 1-3 Jan 4pm
Runs 2hrs One interval
TICKETS : 0208 340 3488
www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com
Review : Geoff Ambler 20 December 2006
Fortunately, it is only make believe.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. To 6 January.
London/RSC
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
by William Shakespeare
Novello Theatre To 6 January 2007
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Wed & Sat 2pm no performance 25 December
Audio-described 30 Dec 2pm
Captioned 6 Jan 2pm
Runs 3hr One interval
TICKETS; 0870 950 0941
www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 23 December
Rod Dungate’s review of Marianne Elliott’s production from its Stratford-upon-Avon opening is in reviewsgate’s RSC section. The production’s now comfortably housed at the Novello, where even the lighting seems fine. Here are a few additional comments . . .
THE GOLDEN GOOSE. To 13 January.
Manchester
THE GOLDEN GOOSE
by Charles Way
Library Theatre To 13 January 2007
23, 26030 Dec, 1, 3, 6 13 Jan 2.30pm & 7pm
2 Jan 7pm
5, 12 Jan 10.30am & 7pm
8 Jan 2.15pm
9, 11 Jan 10.30am & 2.15pm
10 Jan 2.15pm
Audio-described 10 Jan 2.15pm, 13 Jan 2.30pm
Lone Parents 1 Jan 2.30pm
BSL Signed 1 Jan 7pm, 10 Jan 2.15pm
Runs 2hr 10min One interval
TICKETS: 0161 236 7110
www.librarytheatre.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 20 December
The Library lays a golden Christmas show.
SINDBAD: THE UNTOLD TALE! To 13 January.
Keswick
SINDBAD THE UNTOLD TALE
by Charles Way
Theatre By The Lake To 13 January 2007
Mon-Sat Various dates 10am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 7pm No performance 25 Dec, 1 Jan
Runs 2hr 25min One interval
TICKETS: 017687 74411
www.theatrebythelake.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 2 December
More Sindbad – and more Sindbads.
SPANGLEGUTS. To 13 January.
London
SPANGLEGUTS
by Jonathan Petherbridge
Albany Douglas Way Deptford SE8 To 13 January 2007
Mon-Sat 2pm no performance 25 Dec 1,3,8 Jan
7pm Thu-Sat & 27 Dec
BSL Signed 29 Dec 7pm
Runs 2hr 10min One interval
Tickets: 020 8692 4446
www.thealbany.org.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 16 December
New-minted story with familiar elements makes a fine Bubble show.