New Adventures and Matthew Bourne return to The Lowry with their Gothic take on the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty. A firm favourite in the company’s repertoire and celebrating 10 years since it was first performed, this stylish and supernatural production reawakens for 2022.
‘You won’t be disappointed’: THE MIRROR CRACK’D – Touring ★★★★
The Original Theatre Company is currently touring with a new adaption, by Rachel Wagstaff, of The Mirror Crack’d, from Agatha Christie’s 1962 novel, The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side. It is a classic whodunit from one of the best crime writers, with one of her best-known characters, Miss Marple.
‘This is outstanding’: THE BOOK THIEF: A NEW MUSICAL – Bolton ★★★★★
The Octagon Theatre is currently home to the world premiere of the new musical based on the novel by Markus Zusak, The Book Thief. The play begins with an introduction from our Narrator, played by Ryan O’Donnell who sets the scene of Nazi Germany and follows the story of Liesel, played by Niamh Palmer.
‘Packs a lot of ideas in its hour running time, which flies by’: BAABA’S FOOTSTEPS – Online Fringe Festival (Online review)
Far from being just a niche tale about familial connections, the play’s intersectionality provides greater depth in the questions and answers it broaches.
‘Given a new lease of life’: TEN TIMES TABLE – Touring
A review of Ten Times Table by Alan Ayckbourn currently at Richmond Theatre . Still has resonance.
‘Part dance party, part therapy session, part orgy’: HOTTER – Soho Theatre
they have made a noticeable effort to share the experiences of many, to both hilarious and humbling effect in word, movement and dance.
‘The audience can sit back & have fun’: LIBERTY RIDES FORTH – Waterloo East Theatre
David Kent’s new musical Liberty Rides Forth has some good ideas musically – but it needs better character development and a stronger book to make it completely enjoyable.
‘Dark, even for a black comedy’: A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Gynaecologic Oncology Unit at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center of New York City – Finborough Theatre
Written by Halley Feiffer and directed by Bethany Pitts, it’s fair to say that A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynaecologic Oncology Unit at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center of New York City is dark, even for a black comedy.
‘Engages our empathy with sensitivity & subtle wit’: SUMMER & SMOKE – Almeida Theatre ★★★★
Tennessee Williams’ Summer & Smoke is undergoing a revival at the Almeida Theatre and makes for an interesting comparison with the playwright’s other mature work.
‘Traditional reworking’: A PASSAGE TO INDIA – Park Theatre ❤❤❤
A Passage to India was written in 1924 and though it’s anti-colonialist message remains an element of the modern narrative, there’s no reason to focus on Forster’s message alone: post-colonialism and the dialogue of racism have moved on since then.
‘Thoughtful & heartfelt’: ALICE IN WINTERLAND – Rose Theatre, Kingston ❤❤❤❤
The Rose Theatre’s latest festive treat takes audiences to a wintery themed Wonderland – but does it fully embrace the madness of the world that Lewis Carroll created?
TWELFTH NIGHT – Stratford-upon-Avon (RSC) ★★★★
Following in the footsteps of Emma Rice’s production of the same play in her final summer season at the Globe, director Christopher Luscombe moves from Nell Gwynn’s 17th century setting to a Belle Époque version of Twelfth Night.
THE DARK ROOM – Theatre503 ★★★★
What is really clever about this play is how it manages to layer up the separate plots and points in time. There is one set (a cheap-looking motel room with a small bathroom and cupboard) and all the action takes place there, with many of the characters occupying the same space at the same time.
MISS JULIE – Jermyn Street Theatre ★★★★★
Tom Littler directs, and is admirably unafraid to start leisurely, almost lazy, with desultory kitchen conversation, a meal eaten, long pauses and passing remarks between valet and cook.
NEWS: ‘Wilde Talk’ series set for A Woman of No Importance, Full cast announced
Classic Spring has announced its ‘Wilde Talk’ series to run alongside performances of A Woman of No Importance. Further casting has also been announced.
NEWS: The Nazis invade Waterloo East in October with A Nazi Comparison
Craft Theatre will present their latest production, devised on ‘Shalateger’ by Hanns Johst (Poet Laurette to the Third Reich), to Waterloo East Theatre from the 3rd October. Clare, A young woman at university happens upon an English translation of a play written by Hitler’s favourite playwright and it upsets her entire world view. She can’t help but… Read More
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – Chichester
We know Omid Djalili best as a comedian: one of our few Iranian standups. Great timing and great heart, a good Fagin but comparatively new to the stage (he improved before our very eyes in What the Butler Saw). Yet he is dream casting here.
DOGS DON’T DO BALLET – Little Angel Theatre
There can be so many ways to get young children interested in ballet. The oldest and sometimes the most archaic of dance art forms, it still has an allure and glitter that rubs off on the youngest.
YANK! – Manchester
Stu (Scott Hunter) is a 19-year-old who is drafted into the army and immediately becomes the outsider. Stu is soon whisked away from the front line when he has a chance encounter with a photographer from Yank, the forces’ weekly magazine, a gay man’s haven and the production’s namesake.
NEWS: Original London cast recording of Dreamgirls released on 14 April
Producers have confirmed that the original London Cast recording of the West End premiere of Broadway classic Dreamgirls will be released mid-April through Sony Classical and is available to pre-order from through Amazon.