Category: Reviews

Director Max Webster reverted to Oscar Wilde’s original four-act version, restoring some of the cuts made to produce the version that premièred in 1895. There are also a few modern interpolations and a radical approach that recognises the play’s queer undertones and perhaps makes it even more wildly Wildean. Designer Rae Smith frames it in… Continue reading The Importance of Being Earnest

2024 brings a wealth of celebrations to the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury. Resident producers Evolution Productions mark their 20th anniversary, whilst musical director Chris Wong reaches the milestone of 30 years at the venue, having played the Ghostbusters chorus for the legendary Marlowe Theatre Ghost Gag 16,200 times. This year, the Marlowe returns to a title not seen… Continue reading Beauty and the Beast

In regional theatres up and down the country, people who still know how to do panto put on a show at Christmas for an audience who may never step inside a theatre at any other time. In Coventry, that person is Iain Lauchlan, who has written, directed and played Dame in every Belgrade Theatre panto… Continue reading Dick Whittington

Rather like those classic ‘lonely at Christmas’ songs, there’s something comfortably familiar about a story of love and heartbreak set at Christmas, and The Crumple Zone has that recognisable feel with its course of true love never did run smooth romcom-esque flavours. As befits the budget of its unemployed actor tenants, the action takes place in an… Continue reading The Crumple Zone

Even if you know little about the heroic stand taken against Hitler’s regime by the German student Sophie Scholl, you will guess the likely outcome of her act of rebellion. In 1943, she was arrested along with her brother for treason when they distributed anti-war leaflets opposed to the Nazi Government. Emma Rogers, Holly Allan… Continue reading Being Sophie Scholl

Sir Oswald Mosely is a curious figure in British history: a veteran of the Great War turned anti-war advocate. He was also a popular and charismatic speaker who met with such varied individuals as Adolf Hitler and Mahatma Gandhi, and, above all, did more to popularise fascism in the UK than perhaps any other figure.… Continue reading Draining the Swamp

Galileo sits alone in a room recalling a trial that consigned him to life imprisonment. It is a story that illustrates the ruthless corruption of the Church hierarchy. Tim Hardy gives an eloquent, often witty performance as Galileo, ready to dismiss at least in words the nonsense thrown at him. Speaking of the Jesuits, he… Continue reading The Trials of Galileo

The break-up of two lovers can be a tortuous and painful experience. The memories of old love, and heartache can feel so keen that one could wish it away, along with all the memories. That’s just what’s happened with Gina and Frankie, after a bitter and acrimonious parting. Gina has found a strange pill online… Continue reading Conversations We Never Had, as People We’ll Never Be

It’s a sign of a successful panto when the performers are struggling to continue because they can’t stop laughing. There are two action-stopping moments in Nottingham Playhouse’s current offering that mean the show can’t go on—for a brief moment at any rate. In the first half of Jack and the Beanstalk, Dame Daisy Trott is supposed… Continue reading Jack and the Beanstalk