History Boys is long overdue a revival and the production (which has been meticulously directed by the hugely talented Jack Ryder) is a treat indeed.
Mates blogger: Helen McWilliams
Helen McWilliams is one of over 45 theatre bloggers who are part of the MyTheatreMates collective. This page features Helen's posts on MyTheatreMates. Take a look at our full list of theatre bloggers and our aggregated feed of all our Mates' posts. We’re always looking for new theatre bloggers. Could that be you? Learn about how to join us.
Helen McWilliams is a Midlands-based reviewer, but is happy travelling anywhere and everywhere to pursue her love of the theatre. Since 2013, she has been combining her passions for writing and theatre in her Entertainment Views site (formerly Break A Leg). She also enjoys interviewing actors, writers and other professionals from the business.
The latest from Helen on MyTheatreMates
‘Saunders triumphs in a role she was surely meant to play’: BLITHE SPIRIT – Touring & West End ★★★★
The pace of the cast members’ dialogue and interaction with each other is almost always spot on in Blithe Spirit.
‘Jodie Prenger is flawless’: ANNIE – Touring ★★★★★
With all of the uncertainty in the world we live in, a show full of hope like Annie is just what’s needed.
‘A glory to behold’: THE TURN OF THE SCREW – Garsington Opera ★★★★★
An astoundingly, intense, powerful and thought-provoking piece – The Turn of the Screw (music by Benjamin Britten, libretto by Myfanwy Piper, after the story by Henry James) is making its presence known at Garsington this season and it’s a glory to behold.
‘Deserves as wide an audience as possible’: ON YOUR FEET! – West End ★★★★★
If you love Gloria Estefan you will adore On Your Feet and if you’re not familiar with her or not necessarily a fan, go and see this and you son will be.
‘Couldn’t come in a more glorious form’: Hobson’s Choice – Birmingham & London ★★★★★
David Bintley’s choreography for Hobson’s Choice adeptly assists the artists to convey the story clearly, concisely, comically and is remarkable in the extreme.
‘Has lost none of the magic created in the West End’: Calendar Girls The Musical – Touring
At Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre last night Calendar Girls The Musical was moved to tears, laughing out loud and sobbing. The touring production has lost none of the magic created in the West End
‘A golden star to the team who came up with the idea’: ZOG – Touring
As a piece of theatre Zog is enjoyable and beautifully thought out, although the synchronicity with the much loved book is lacking.
‘An incredibly cinematic production’: LES MISÉRABLES – Touring ★★★★
Wow, what can I say, but go and book your tickets for this show now, it is pure value for money. Cameron Mackintosh offers an incredibly cinematic production of Boublil and Schonberg’s musical, Les Misérables.
‘Epitomises feel-good theatre’: CLUB TROPICANA – Touring ★★★★★
Club Tropicana drinks are free, fun and sunshine there’s enough for everyone… and Club Tropicana The Musical certainly encompasses fun, sunshine and epitomises the feel-good theatre production.
‘Couldn’t have been a more joyful experience’: THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY ON ICE – Touring
The Disney magic never waivers for us and this particular incarnation of the spectacular ice show (The Wonderful World of Disney On Ice) featuring our favourite Mouse was exceptional – maybe my favourite to date.
‘Flawless production’: THE LADY VANISHES – Touring ★★★★★
Take a classic thriller written by Sidney Gilliat and Frank Launder, the film version having been directed by Alfred Hitchcock, add a stellar cast and one of the most atmospheric sets I’ve seen in a long time – what do you get? A flawless production of The Lady Vanishes.
‘I can’t wait to see the show again’: SENSATIONAL 60s EXPERIENCE – Touring
Sensational 60s Experience was a night to remember, the finale was a sight to behold and I can’t wait to see the show again.
‘The subjects that are handled are still relevant today’: Amy Thompson stars in The Full Monty UK tour
Amy Thompson is a household name in the Entertainment Views HQ home, as a presenter of Channel Five’s Milkshake. She is currently treading the boards in the UK tour of The Full Monty.
‘There’ll never be another band like them’: The Searchers Farewell Tour
At the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre The Searchers played a two-hour concert to a full house packed to the rafters with fans and it was glorious.
‘One of the best nights at the theatre you could wish for’: BLOOD BROTHERS – Touring
Blood Brothers is a musical that has had a special place in my heart for a long time – it will always be a five star production in my eyes and has yet to deviate from that honour. Each time I see it feels like watching again for the first time as it’s easy to find something I may have missed on other occasions.
‘Theatre doesn’t come in any better packaging than this’: THE SNOWMAN – Birmingham ★★★★★
In its 25th anniversary year, The Snowman stage show, based on the Raymond Briggs classic, is heart-warming and brings tears to the eyes in equal measure.
‘Revitalised, re-energised, refreshing’: DICK WHITTINGTON & HIS CAT – Oxford ★★★★
Dick Whittington & His Cat shows that the age-old tradition of pantomime is not only alive in Oxford but it’s revitalised, re-energised, refreshing and stands a good chance of attracting new audiences into the theatre.
‘Sets the bar high’: Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs – Malvern ★★★★★
Our pantomime season has kicked off late this year. However, the first of the festive treats that we’ve been able to attend has surely set the bar high, as a five-star extravaganza and perfect family pantomime – Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs at Malvern Theatres is not to be missed.
‘An exceptional evening to bear witness to’: SIXTIES GOLD – Touring ★★★★★
Sixties Gold landed at Symphony Hall and it was an exceptional evening to bear witness to. A number of amazing singers and instrumentalists who mostly made their names in the swinging sixties took to the stage to play their signature tunes and number one hits to an enthusiastic crowd.