★★★★★ Not far off 150 years old, Carmen was a controversial play at its premiere, and there remain unresolved moral aspects of a different kind today. For years the central character has been both vilified and celebrated in equal measure for being a woman of unchaste virtue, for daring to have the liberty to control of her own sexuality.

★★★★☆ The whole show is held together by a great frontman, ‘Ringmaster Willy Whipsnade’, played by David Williamson. Hailing from the USA, Williamson lent some authenticity to the American-style showmanship and crowd-pleasing banter of the evening. As a compere he has presence, charisma and the ability to ad lib at will.

★★★★☆  Bio-jukebox musicals rarely have earth shattering profundity or the narrative depth of a Shakespearean tragedy. The story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan is no exception. . . One does not need to be a devoted fan to enjoy this musical. It is a positive and enjoyable experience, an upbeat musical that does what it promises . . .

★★★★☆ This production of Alice Walker’s The Color Purple has a simple formula: award-winning musical plus superb cast equals fantastic show. The logic is almost faultless. What is more, last night’s performance surpassed the formula to give a highly appreciative audience a production that was greater than the sum of its constituent parts.

★★★☆☆ This production is billed as a “re-imagining of the iconic ballet in Indian dance style Bharatanatyam”. And why not? Now well past its centenary, Igor Stravinsky’s 1913 ground-breaking masterpiece could do with some new ground to break.