If like me you consider yourself somewhat of an expert on the original story of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, then you’ll be both fascinated and intrigued by Imitating the Dogs curveball of a tale, set in a 1965 London police station.
‘Raw, unfiltered & full of personality’: SNOWFLAKES – Old Red Lion Theatre ★★★★
At the end of Snowflakes’ shocking road full of twists and turns, the tiny Old Red Lion Theatre expanded into this small universe full of female empowerment.
‘A must-see showstopper’: PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT — Mayflower, Southhampton ★★★★★
Upon the curtains opening you are immediately whisked away to the land of down under and the start of a truly wonderful tale. Immediately the show starts with a wonderful tune, you are immediately in the zone having a boogie, then you are transported to an Australian drag bar where you are welcomed to the show by none other than the queen Miss Understanding played by Kevin Yates.
‘Seriously spectacular and a lot of fun’: BACK TO THE FUTURE — West End ★★★
The arrival of a trio of splashy big new musicals in the West End at roughly the same time – the others being Frozen and the ALW Cinderella – feels both like a brave move by producers but also, most importantly, a triumphant V sign (and I don’t necessarily mean ‘victory’) to the pandemic and the chaos, misery and uncertainty it has caused.
‘Compelling to watch. Who needs words?’: Matthew Bourne’s THE MIDNIGHT BELL — York Theatre ★★★★★
Matthew Bourne’s latest production, is described as “intoxicated tales from the darkest Soho” and based on the novels of Patrick Hamilton. All the action takes place at The Midnight Bell, a public house and Central London in the 1930’s.
‘Dianne Pilkington has excellent stage presence’: BEDKNOBS & BROOMSTICKS – Touring ★★★★
I was very excited to see this classic film revived as a stage musical so that a new generation of children could enjoy it.
‘Gloriously silly & a right hoot’: THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES – Touring ★★★★★
This ingenious adaptation is a fabulous, exhilarating slapstick romp combining theatrical invention and wonderfully comic performances.
‘More street cred, less Hollywood sweetness’: GREASE – Woking & Touring ★★★★
When Grease hit our cinemas back in 1978 I was a wide-eyed 13 year old enthralled by the story, the music and the Grease feeling. So much so as I went to see the film six times. This was a time before video tapes, DVDs and streaming.
‘I was astounded‘: ROCK OF AGES – Birmingham & Touring ★★★★★
If you wanna rock, then come on feel the noize and have nothing but a good time with the cast of Rock of Ages.
Reviewed by Joanne Hodge
5*****
Rock of Ages
Photo Credit : The Other Richard
If you wanna rock, then come on feel the noize and have nothing but a good time with the cast of ‘Rock of…
‘A wonderful classic production’: EAST IS EAST – Birmingham Repertory Theatre ★★★★
Having been a fan of the film, I was more than delighted to accept the invitation to go along to the press night of East Is East, 25 years since the world premiere on the Birmingham REP’s stage.
‘Indulge in your inner child and open up your imagination’: LOVE BEYOND THE ZOO – BBC Sounds ★★★★ (Online review)
Indulge in your inner child and open up your imagination to unlikely possibilities with ‘Love Beyond the Zoo’ – it’s not just a fictional story but also a fable which makes us question what it really means to be free.
‘Torn in two by the final twist’: THE WOMAN IN BLACK – Fortune Theatre ★★★★★
This production of The Woman in Black at the Fortune Theatre is a great reminder of why theatre and the arts are so important and how they can take you to another place entirely
‘Very ingenious and entertaining’: CRIMES IN EGYPT — Yvonne Arnaud (Touring) ★★★
Bang! (That was a gunshot.) A glamorous newlywed has been murdered on her honeymoon cruise on the Nile. Who did it? Her ex-best friend? Her husband? Or someone else entirely from the eccentric passengers and crew? Not to worry – top detective Artemis Arinae is on hand to solve the mystery with the help of her leetle grey cells.
‘Exquisitely performed by the most phenomenal dancers’: DANGEROUS LIAISONS – Leeds ★★★★★
A very excited audience gathered at the wonderful Leeds Playhouse to see David Nixon’s ballet adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos’ 18th-century highly-seductive novel, Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons), on the opening night.
‘Acceptance is the name of the game’: EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE – Salford & Touring ★★★★★
All-in-all, everybody SHOULD be talking about Jamie, and everyone – no matter colour gender, sexuality or anything else is welcome here – acceptance is the name of the game in this touring production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
‘You can really feel the adrenalin rush & noise of the terraces’: FEVER PITCH – Hope Theatre ★★★★
A love of football – ideally the red side of north London – would definitely help to enjoy this play, but the universal themes of obsession, alienation and comradeship mean there’s plenty in Fever Pitch at the Hope Theatre for anyone to enjoy,
‘Tumble outta bed & stumble to the theatre’: 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL – Southampton & Touring ★★★★★
All stand for Queen Dolly! I have been waiting to see 9 to 5 The Musical this for a long time, I’m a huge fan of Dolly Parton, having even ticked DollyWood off my must do list. Finally it happened and I was not disappointed.
‘A sumptuous visual & musical treat’: CINDERELLA – Gillian Lynne Theatre ★★★★★
We can finally go to the ball, and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella was well worth the wait. Emerald Fennell’s treatment of the fairy tale frames Cinderella as a social outcast in a town obsessed with beauty.
‘Slick & arresting’: SALOMÉ – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★
The intimacy of Southwark Playhouse and some judicious rewriting by director Ricky Dukes creates a more focused, stylised production of Wilde’s scandalous take on the story of Salomé.
‘The perfect thriller’: LOOKING GOOD DEAD – Sheffield & Touring ★★★★★
A very warm and Covid-friendly welcome was received from the Lyceum staff as they greeted an excited audience for the opening night of Looking Good Dead, a stage adaptation (Shaun McKenna) of a Peter James novel.