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‘Pretty essential viewing’: THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO – Touring

In Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews, Touring by Fairy Powered ProductionsLeave a Comment

To call The Beekeeper of Aleppo a story for our time would be an understatement. Christy Lefteri’s original novel is the epic, moving tale of a family escaping war-torn Aleppo at the outset of the Syrian civil war and embarking on the dangerous journey to safety – crossing multiple borders before finding safety in Yorkshire

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’It’s grand in its scope, telling stories within stories’: Drive Your Plow Over The Bones Of The Dead – Touring

In Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews, Touring by Michael DavisLeave a Comment

In Complicité Theatre’s Drive Your Plow Over The Bones Of The Dead, Kathryn Hunter keeps the audience engaged as her confidante and our gateway into shining a light on the anti-ecological policies of local government. The production team, especially Dick Straker’s video design, should also be commended.

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‘Enjoyable romantic comedy’: QUALITY STREET – Touring ★★★★

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews, Touring by Fairy Powered ProductionsLeave a Comment

Quality Street, written by J M Barrie (Peter Pan), tells the story of Phoebe Throssel (Paula Lane) and her sister Susan Throssel (Louisa-May Parker) as young women, Phoebe being the chirpy, happy and excitable one, along with her many curls, giving her the name Miss Phoebe of the ringlets.

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‘Discovering the complications of a 1950s fantasy lifestyle’: HOME, I’M DARLING – Touring ★★★★

In Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews, Touring by Fairy Powered ProductionsLeave a Comment

This touring production of Home, I’m Darling did have me questioning the role we all play in setting out norms and the judgements we make about people, lifestyle choices and assets but it was certainly not a gloomy comment on any of that. All in all it was a perfect combination of vintage style, jive and humour.

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‘Sure to bring great joy’: MOG THE FORGETFUL CAT – Touring ★★★★

In Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews, Touring by Kris HallettLeave a Comment

Celebrating over 50 years since its initial publication, Judith Kerr’s Mog the Forgetful Cat is now an institution for families all across the UK, as they settle down to a bedtime story together. As the nation’s favourite feline, it’s perhaps surprising that it has taken a golden anniversary to see Mog hit our stages

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‘Haunting & raw experience’: JULIUS CAESAR – Touring ★★★★

In Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews, Touring by Fairy Powered ProductionsLeave a Comment

The RSC’s production of Julius Caesar is dynamic and refreshing. Atri Banerjee’s directorial debut for the company is a brave, brilliant and bold experience, bringing this 400-year-old play bounding on to the stage in a way that has never been seen before but is most definitely a must see.

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‘All will be reminded of the beauty of the natural world’: THE LOST SPELLS – Touring ★★★★

In Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Regional theatre, Reviews, Touring by Fairy Powered ProductionsLeave a Comment

Children will be spellbound by the magic of the set and the catchy tunes in The Lost Spells, and adults will be reminded of the innocence of their childhoods. All will be reminded of the beauty of the natural world, and hopefully inspired to protect it. A delight.

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‘An incredible debut’: SAP – Touring

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews, Touring by Liz DyerLeave a Comment

It doesn’t take long to understand why Rafaella Marcus’ debut play Sap garnered so many rave reviews at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe. The quality of the writing and its exceptional delivery under Jessica Lazar’s direction make an instant impression, even before the complexity of the play and its themes fully comes to light.

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VIDEOS & PHOTOS: ABBA, friendships, the joys of fandom & paying tribute to Paul O’Grady – Terri Paddock hosts a The Way Old Friends Do post-show Q&A

In Features, Interviews, London theatre, Other Recent Articles, Photos, Plays, Touring, Video by Terri PaddockLeave a Comment

Following the news of Paul O’Grady’s unexpected death, this specific performance of The Way Old Friends Do at London’s Park Theatre was dedicated to the comedian and drag legend, whose voice opens the show. Writer and star Ian Hallard paid tribute to O’Grady before curtain-up, and we started the post-show talk with Ian and director Mark Gatiss recalling how enthusiastically O’Grady recorded his voiceovers – despite not loving ABBA.

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‘It’s brilliant to see underrepresented voices brought to life’: ALFIE’S FIRST FIGHT – Touring

In Children's theatre, London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews, Touring by The Family StageLeave a Comment

Oliver Sykes’ debut children’s novel is inspired by growing up as a keen amateur boxer in a single parent family on the breadline. Having long been a passionate advocate for underrepresented voices, Sykes brings his own personal experiences to the page in Alfie’s First Fight, which promises to be a cross between Jacqueline Wilson and Rocky Balboa.

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‘A celebration of hard won opportunity that must never be torn away’: WALDO’S CIRCUS OF MAGIC & TERROR – Touring

In Circus, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews, Touring by Katharine KavanaghLeave a Comment

Waldo’s Circus of Magic and Terror is advertised as a new musical, and it does have songs in, but it also has much more. To me, it feels like a play with music, dance, creative access design, and circus acrobatics mixed together. And the combination is very effective. The show is powerful, with funny moments, beautiful moments, and devastatingly sad moments as it reminds us of terrible things that have happened to people who are considered ‘different’ through history.