★★★☆☆ Actors will either understand the style of acting required or they’ll find themselves unprepared by drama school and feel a little naked in terms of technique. All of which brings me to the delight one has in a performer such as Jon Monie, a regular at this time of year (‘by popular demand’) whose performances are as welcome as a hot toddy against the gathering chill outside.
Read More
★★★★☆ Director Emma Rice, the outgoing artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe has co-adapted the piece with writer Joel Harwood and it arrives in Bristol in a fresh production following appearance in the Globe last winter.
Read More
★★★★★ Once again The Tobacco Factory Theatres are out of the seasonal traps with a huge dollop of comfort and joy for all the family, proving, as if we needed reminding, that it’s not what you show but the way that you show it.
Read More
★★★★★ This Christmas season Birmingham Rep presents a heart-warming story about a family that wants nothing more than to be reunited for the holidays. An evil Cruella De Vil steals the loveable puppies of Pongo and Missis to make herself a Dalmatian puppy coat,
Read More★★★★★ This year The Playhouse has totally pulled it off with Jack in the Beanstalk. Hats off to Steve Marmion, the writer and director.This is truly a pantomime for our time, but a feel good piece of escapism that leaves you feeling on cloud nine rather than worrying about the state of the world. And there are plenty of sweets!
Read More
★★★★☆ The main roles are played with aplomb by Molly McGuire and Ben Goffe (Dick and his sarcastic cat Tommy, respectively), though of the main story roles my favourite was Andrew Westfield’s King Rat. Panto villains provide a great opportunity for hamming it up and it is tremendous fun to see the actors having as much fun on stage as the audience is in the stalls.
Read More