THE DOCK BRIEF at the Everyman Studio, Cheltenham

THE DOCK BRIEF at the Everyman Studio, Cheltenham

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“. . .the confined space within the darkened Studio Theatre lent the proceedings a perfect intimacy in which to witness the two ‘losers’ in this piece. . . an extraordinary and unlikely double-act not unlike Laurel and Hardy which I strongly recommend you savour. . . I loved [Mark] Hyde’s Morganhall. He looked and sounded perfect for the role, both in his outbursts of self-deluded oratory and in his crumpled admissions of shortcomings. . . Michael Hasted has injected this 1950s revival with great pace and movement on a small rostrum stage. Definitely worth a ringside seat . . .”

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The Paper Birds present BLIND at the North Wall, Oxford

The Paper Birds present BLIND at the North Wall, Oxford

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” . . . this show really opened my eyes (despite the blindfold) to an area that I simply knew nothing about, and Grace Savage is a great ambassador. The final musical number that we hear, incorporating everything that we have heard throughout the play, feels electric, plus any piece of grown up theatre that gets an audience where the vast majority are under 25 years old is something to get really excited about.”

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OF MICE AND MEN at Birmingham Rep

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“. . . Benjamin Dilloway is a marvel as Lennie. He masterfully finds the tenderness and vulnerability in the complex character and gives a flawless performance throughout. Michael Legge is a dynamic George, although perhaps a little more vocal variety might have added the icing to this performance . . . A strong and moving production, a classic well loved tale played beautifully.”

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LOTTY’S WAR at the Everyman Cheltenham

LOTTY’S WAR at the Everyman Cheltenham

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“. . . Guernsey in WWII – Lotty’s boisterous chasing game with her childhood friend Ben is rudely interrupted by the Battle of Britain raging above Lotty’s modest cottage. From then on the mood turns somber with the arrival of the German occupiers, in her case a German General who commandeers her house, forcing her into the role of housekeeper. . . All in all, a striking and tense play depicting the dangers for any young woman who had the misfortune of falling in love with the occupying enemy. “

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MADAME BUTTERFLY at the Bristol Tobacco Factory

MADAME BUTTERFLY at the Bristol Tobacco Factory

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” . . . the opera concentrates on emotion . . . In last night’s performance the role of Butterfly was taken by Stephanie Corley, whose fine soprano voice and fluid movements were the perfect tools for articulating the character’s inner journey to suicidal despair. In one way we might consider the chamber sized orchestra to be better suited to the setting and intimate theme. In any case the orchestra under Jonathan Lyness was in perfect balance with venue, setting and cast. . . “

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The Hypochondriac at Bath Theatre Royal

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“. . . Tony Robinson is always very watchable, and convinces as the loathsome dressing-gowned commode-sitting Malade imaginaire. Misogynistic, self-obsessed, easily duped, Argan is not an easy figure to find sympathy for. Like his scheming wife Beline, elegantly played by Imogen Stubbs, at times one wished the old bugger would just get on and pop his clogs. The script rarely let Robinson off his leash, often leaving the funnier moments to the excellent Tracie Bennett as his long-suffering maid-come-carer Toinette. . . “

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