Latest Reviews

A play of two halves ★★★☆☆

Boys From the Black Stuff will retain its relevance as long as there is inequality in the world. ★★★★☆

Shakespeare At The Tobacco Factory is back and looking as healthy as ever. ★★★★☆

A play which tackles an important issue in an original and courageous fashion. ★★★☆☆

Here is a production as much to be watched as to be listened to … ★★★★☆

Treads the delicate path between comedy and leaden proselytizing to deliver a thought provoking comedy. ★★★★☆

A haunting, arresting and contemporary take on Wilde’s timeless morality tale ★★★★★

An utterly compelling piece of theatre blessed with fine performances from its quartet of actors. ★★★★★

A diverting jeu d’esprit as well as a slightly eccentric addition to the realms of Bondiana ★★★☆☆

What fun to roll up all our prejudices about toffs into one relentlessly obnoxious bounder ★★★☆☆

Bartlett’s clever writing seems to have one direction of travel, but always tangentially paints the spiritual loss on the part of the bullies. ★★★★☆

A Broadway phenomenon delivered with precision, passion, and plenty of polish. ★★★★☆

Some shows are more equal than others ★★★☆☆

As Shylock, Tracy-Ann Oberman delivers a performance of power and subtlety. ★★★★☆

It’s a valiant attempt at Shakespeare’s “rudest and silliest of plays” and a true ode to the message of inclusivity that forms part of Bristol’s DNA. ★★★☆☆

In one sense the whole play is a master-class in misdirection and manipulation, and yet one in which we eagerly participate. ★★★★☆

A fun flight packed with comic characters. ★★★★☆

This A Man For All Seasons acts as a timely reminder, if one is needed, of the importance of morality in political life. ★★★★☆

Still sassy, sexy and stylish at fifty ★★★★★

An outstanding performance of scintillating song, dance and expressive theatre. ★★★★★

This is definitely a show for today, with a laudably rich diversity, the right to be different, the overall message captured in the song I Want It That Way. ★★★★☆

This is a cleverly performed piece of misdirection which raises a grim smile at the end of some very funny monologue. ★★★★☆

Performed with palpable emotion, expression and boundless energy by a young and talented troupe. ★★★★☆

StageTalk’s 2024 Highlights

Devotees of the Wodehouse oeuvre will find much to enjoy in this technically adroit and very skilfully performed show. ★★★★☆

Jon Monie has once again grasped the Christmas panto template to conjure another a first-class traditional show. ★★★★☆

The production sparkles with inventive nuggets whilst showing us a strange and unfamiliar Illyria. ★★★★☆

A bold and beautiful reimagining that balances spectacle, humour, and a heartfelt message for all ages. ★★★★☆

Little Red & Other Winter Tales is a masterclass in family theatre. ★★★★★

Only the grumpiest of traditionalists could fail to be nudged into the Christmas spirit by this relentlessly entertaining seasonal offering. ★★★★★

Brian Conley is the star of the show, establishing an instant rapport with the audience in seemingly effortless fashion. ★★★☆☆

Festive, frivolous and formulaic fun for all the family ★★★☆☆

A charming festive retelling of a lesser-known Holmes tale ★★★★☆

The cast lavish their considerable talents on storytelling that knows no boundaries. ★★★★★

The staging of some of the choral numbers is joyfully comic, making the most of the possibilities of silly walks and other nonsense. ★★★☆☆

The Wardrobe has consistently managed to find Bristol’s funny bone. ★★★★★

A flamboyant, funny, feel-good festive treat ★★★★★

Despite some fine performances the episodic and literary nature of much of the play is a hindrance to a sustained dramatic narrative. ★★★☆☆

A Treasure Island that takes a fresh look at this familiar tale with loads of action-packed family entertainment. ★★★★☆

Colourful, vividly depicted characters, witty script and a multi-talented cast, this Pinocchio is excellent family entertainment ★★★★☆

An absurdly funny play, that stays true to the real life ridiculous show trial of Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski crash – an absolute joy to watch. ★★★★★

Masterfully acted in a magnificently monstrous setting. What more could you want on a chilly winter’s eve? ★★★★★

A family Christmas show with a bit of seasonal moralizing ★★★☆☆

Twenty years since the show premiered here, the stagecraft and storytelling of Mary Poppins has managed to reach new giddy heights. ★★★★★

Felicity Kendall brings a perfect pitch to the impassioned Filumena’s pleading and scheming ★★★★☆

A kitschy, heartfelt tribute to an era of glam, grit, and guilty pleasures. ★★★☆☆

You may well feel that your mind has been extended in a Stoppardian kind of way, even if you’re not sure exactly how. ★★★★☆

Disparate characters are brought vividly to life, creating a vibrant portrait of womanhood. ★★★☆☆

A lack of ratcheting tension makes it more thought provoking than dramatic ★★★☆☆

The show has an original plot containing the seed of an idea ★★☆☆☆