Take this as purest Shakespearian tragedy: vigorous but classic, a magnificent magnification of the darkest human and political longing, of affection, terror, defensiveness, hubris and – in the women – a defiant courage that rings down the ages. Don’t miss Richard III at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon.
‘The whole thing sings’: CANCELLING SOCRATES – Jermyn Street Theatre
The Jermyn Street Theatre – small as it is – has been rocking Howard Brenton’s latest play Cancelling Socrates, set in Ancient Greece and dealing with the last days and condemnation for sacrilege of the philosopher Socrates.
‘It’s a true crowd pleaser, without the cliches’: MAM I’M ‘ERE – Liverpool
It’s been much, much longer than I thought since I sat down to watch a main stage performance at the Royal Court – and ten years since I caught the first outing of Mam I’m ‘Ere. Days later, I’m still smiling about this brilliant revival. And if the welcome back was warm, the cast was positively on fire.
‘I’d be surprised if I see a more impressive piece of theatre this year’: ROCK/PAPER/SCISSORS – Sheffield
All three plays in Chris Bush’s Rock/Paper/Scissors triptych run in Sheffield Theatres’ three spaces simultaneously with one cast. The overall piece is a logistical coup-de-théâtre. It’s also a perfect coming together of space and place in three funny, achingly profound and heartful plays about a city and its people on the cusp of change.
FEATURED SHOW: ‘Spell-binding’, ‘jaw-dropping’ Coventry-set May Queen is back. Read the reviews!
Have you read the reviews for Frankie Meredith’s May Queen yet? Originally premiered last year as part of Paines Plough’s Roundabout season, this ‘spell-binding’ piece set in Coventry is now back for one week only at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre.
‘The hero is evoked beautifully in every line & gesture by Alex Jennings’: THE SOUTHBURY CHILD – Chichester Festival Theatre ★★★★★
The Southbury Child is a fine play, sharply written with some really strong unexpected laughs and a heartstopping ending. Its subtleties of character ask a great deal (not in vain) from the cast.
‘The idea was really rooted in Coventry’: Frankie Meredith on her play May Queen, now returning to Belgrade Theatre
Originally premiered last year as part of Paines Plough’s acclaimed Roundabout Season, May Queen returns to Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre for a strictly limited season. Midlands writer Frankie Meredith tells us more about the modern folk tale and how growing up in Coventry influenced it.
‘There are some fascinating stories here’: OFFSIDE – Touring ★★★
Women’s football today and in the past is the basic framework for Sabrina Mahfouz and Hollie McNish’s play Offside, but mental health, intrusive journalism, racism, coming out, parenting, women getting lumbered with housework, and women winning the right to go to university all jostle for a look-in.
‘The cast don’t have much to play with’: CLUEDO – Touring
Mark Bell’s production of Cluedo, adapted from Sandy Rustin’s US play which itself is based on Jonathan Lynn’s screenplay of the 1985 film Clue, has been transposed to 1940s England.
‘You’re always aware of the artifice’: SUNSHINE ON LEITH – Edinburgh ★★★
It’s heartening to see the fine folk of Capital Theatres involved in such a confident show, it’s just a shame this Sunshine on Leith is more concert than theatre.
‘Offers spectacle & wonder in every musical number’: ANYTHING GOES – Touring & London
Featuring Oliver Award-winning talent in the form of Denis Lawson and Simon Callow, as well as musical theatre royalty such as Kerry Ellis and Bonnie Langford, this energising performance of Anything Goes offers spectacle and wonder in every musical number.
‘The ensemble precision & attention to detail are superb’: CHICAGO – Touring ★★★★
New Wimbledon Theatre presented the latest touring production of the “sleek and sassy” successful West End musical Chicago. Set in the heart of 1920s America, the inner moral compass has virtually vanished, underground clubs are a common part of the social landscape and literally anything goes.
‘Rollicking, gleeful night of fun’: SCHOOL OF ROCK – Touring
School of Rock presents the recipe for a perfect 21st century family musical. A simple story with likeable characters and a heart-warming message, played out to a soundtrack of bombastic, foot-tapping tunes.
‘The hilarity on display is note-perfect’: LAUREL & HARDY – Edinburgh ★★★★
There is a deeply felt element to Laurel & Hardy at Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre, that enhances the hilarity on display in note-perfect re-creations of classic comedy.
‘The ultimate feel-good comedy’: SOME MOTHERS DO ‘AVE ‘EM – Touring ★★★★★
The ultimate feel-good comedy, Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em is wonderfully entertaining with gags galore and innuendos, matched with a great script and a brilliant and talented cast.
‘It lacks the sparkle you expect’: WE WILL ROCK YOU – Touring ★★★
Back for its 2022 tour, We Will Rock You is set in a dystopian future where “real” music has been outlawed and replaced with manufactured pop. Society is lived online and it’s up to a group of Bohemians to travel across the Seven Seas of Rye, declare themselves the champions and bring back rock and roll and freedom for all.
‘Humorous & bawdy’: BLEAK EXPECTATIONS – Watermill Theatre, Newbury ★★★★
Anthology Theatre productions and David Wolstencroft have adapted the BBC Radio 4 comedy production Bleak Expectations and bought it to the stage. Its cast of nine brings many of the famous Charles Dickens characters to life with a twist away from their usual narrative surroundings.
‘Will inspire children to find the superhero inside themselves’: AIDY THE AWESOME – Touring
The Gramophones are a female-led company making contemporary theatre that puts women and girls centre stage. They are currently on tour with Aidy the Awesome, an aerial theatre show for ages three to eight which aims to break down gender stereotypes and offer young girls funny, feisty and strong role models.
‘Fluid, flowing & fierce’: PRACTICE OF ZEN – Brighton Fringe (Online Show)
Practice of Zen considers the traditions, practicality, sensuality and strength of swordplay and resilience. Performed in Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles, this piece by Theatre Ronin of Hong Kong brings back the spirit of Wuxia through folklore and emotional connection.
NEWS: Belgrade Theatre restages Paines Plough May Queen in Coventry, 25 Jun-2 Jul
After its successful premiere last year as part of Paines Plough’s Roundabout Season, Midlands writer Frankie Meredith’s May Queen returns to Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre for a strictly limited season this summer.