SLEEPING BEAUTY at the Everyman, Cheltenham

SLEEPING BEAUTY at the Everyman, Cheltenham

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” . . .The backbone of the shows for the past three years has been the inspired pairing of William Elliot as the dame and Tweedy the Clown as … well, Tweedy the Clown. Their magician sequence in Sleeping Beauty was the funniest thing in it with Tweedy the Conjuror revealing more music-hall skills and Willie revealing what this pantomime dame wears under her big frocks – leotard and tights – as his beautiful assistant . . . Altogether, this was one of, if not the best, pantomime produced by the Everyman in recent years and one with which it would be impossible to find fault. I enjoyed every moment.”

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EXIT THE KING at the Ustinov Theatre, Bath

EXIT THE KING at the Ustinov Theatre, Bath

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“In Ionesco’s list of the realities of life, death looms large. In Exit the King, which is like a panto for grown ups, set in a kind of crumbling Ruritania, designed by Anna Fleischle, we find king Berenger in the last hour and a half of his life. The play stands outside conventional time and space (indeed surreal) so aiming at (we might suppose) a universality of context. . . The play continues the season of high quality international theatre which is becoming the hallmark of the Ustinov under Laurence Boswell.”

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A FAREWELL TO ARMS at Birmingham Rep Studio

A FAREWELL TO ARMS at Birmingham Rep Studio

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“. . . The story follows Frederic Henry (Jude Monk McGowan) and his time fighting as an American soldier in the Italian army including and eventually limited to his relationship with English nurse Catherine Barkley (Laura Atherton) . . . Atherton’s performance is one that confounds me still, even on reflection. Is it some kind of surreptitious genius? Is she supposed to be so annoying? Is it a commentary on women, whether of the period or through Hemingway’s eyes? I would argue not, but its imbalanced nature lends itself to readings of the play (and the novel) as one that is as variegated as its audience . . . “

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TOP HAT at the Bristol Hippodrome

TOP HAT at the Bristol Hippodrome

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“A large and appreciative first-night crowd clearly transported, rising as one to cheer a sparkling band of hoofers at Bristol’s Hippodrome theatre at the end of a Top Hat delivered with gusto, and no little wit. . . Irving Berlin’s classic musical still has the power to lift us up from the despond of austerity 80 years after its massive box office success in 1930s America. All the elements are there – celebrity, wealth, (discreet) sex, love and a happy ending . . . It’s a big hit, enjoy!”

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SONGS FROM A LEDGE at the Old Joint Stock, Birmingham

SONGS FROM A LEDGE at the Old Joint Stock, Birmingham

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Songs From A Ledge is a new blues musical featuring original music which tells the story of the fictional blues star Maria Lynwood who is known as the ‘red queen’. . . The show is dark, witty and has heart to it. . . A bold new piece, with a clever script and score full of wistful moments. Sure, it needs some refinements to ensure it engages throughout; but the raw material makes for a compelling watch.

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WNO CARMEN at Bristol Hippodrome

WNO CARMEN at Bristol Hippodrome

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“. . . It is the fate of all ground-breaking works that their effect on subsequent audiences can never quite be the same as for those who experienced the thrill of seeing something new which escapes the conventions of the time. So the step towards realism which to us seems tame and almost comical when not actually melodramatic can no longer be a feature of the pleasure a work such as Carmen gives us today. . . “

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