Featured

Review: ‘A Leap In The Dark’ At New Vic

Review: ‘A Leap In The Dark’ At New Vic

A new comedy production marking the 100th anniversary of the broadcast of the UK's first ever radio play opened this week at New Vic. A Leap In The Dark was originally commissioned for Radio 4 and the author re-imagined it for the stage. It tells the tale of the conception and production of 'A Comedy Of Danger', broadcast in January 1924 and written by a then 23 year old Richard Hughes for the BBC. ‘What’s happened?’. ‘The light have gone out’ began the first ever radio play and paved the way for dramas we love today including the most famous, 'The…
Read More
A local celebration of dance at the Regent Theatre in 024 dance: through the decades

A local celebration of dance at the Regent Theatre in 024 dance: through the decades

The annual dance festival, 024 Dance: Through the Decades, begins on Saturday 3 February at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent and runs until Wednesday 14 February. Bringing together the best in local upcoming talent, 024 Dance will see dance companies from all over Staffordshire, Cheshire and the North West take over the Regent Theatre stage, to perform in celebration of this year’s theme, ‘Through the Decades’. Now in its 23rd year, the ‘0 Dance’ festivals are an annual highlight for the Regent Theatre. Brought to you by the Creative Learning team, the Regent Theatre Academy are the resident dance group for the whole festival…
Read More
Dizzee Rascal to play album launch show at the Victoria Hall

Dizzee Rascal to play album launch show at the Victoria Hall

To celebrate the release of his latest album, “Don’t Take it Personal,” Dizzee Rascal will be performing a special album launch party at the Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday 17 February. UK music icon Dizzee Rascal returns with the electrifying new album “Don’t Take It Personal”, out February 9 2024 via Big Dirtee Records Ltd. The announcement is paired with the release of new single “How Did I Get So Calm” - a glowing reminder of Dizzee's trademark sound and in-your-face energy.  Standing tall against his best work, Dizzee’s new record captures him in incendiary form as he flows effortlessly through a collection of distinctly UK genres with unrivalled ease.…
Read More
The Fast Show Reunite For 2024 UK Tour

The Fast Show Reunite For 2024 UK Tour

It’s been 30 years since the The Fast Show first burst onto our television screens and “the defining comedy sketch show of the Nineties” (The Independent) is back, live on tour. Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse are reuniting with Simon Day, John Thomson, Arabella Weir and Mark Williams for 13 shows across the UK throughout March this year including the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent on Monday 18 March. Tickets for An Evening With The Fast Show go on sale on Friday 26 January at 10am from atgtickets.com/stoke. This celebratory live tour will be a huge treat for fans of the multi-award…
Read More
Stage Premier Celebrates Centenary Of First UK Radio Play

Stage Premier Celebrates Centenary Of First UK Radio Play

Comedy caper A Leap In The Dark will receive its stage premiere at the New Vic this February and will celebrate the centenary of the UK's first ever radio play being broadcast. Originally commissioned by BBC Radio Four, A Leap In The Dark, written by Emmy award-winning writer Ron Hutchinson, will have its stage premiere at the New Vic Theatre from Friday 9 February to Saturday 2 March, directed by Caroline Wilkes*. This sophisticated comedy caper celebrates the 100th anniversary of the UK’s first ever radio play and charts the (almost) true story of how radio plays came to be.…
Read More
Review: ‘Jack And The Beanstalk’ At The Regent

Review: ‘Jack And The Beanstalk’ At The Regent

Jack And The Beanstalk opened last night at The Regent to a high-flying start of a run that will last into the new year. Jack Trott (Jonathan Wilkes), Farmer Trott (Kai Owens) and Princess Jill (Michelle Andrews) are living under the shadow of the giants and their servant Fleshcreep (Noel Sullivan). Having plundered the farms, their beloved cow Daisy is next on the list. Aided by the Spirit Of The Beans (Rio Maye) will they overcome the giants once and for all? And.... will Beryl Smith be in attendance to celebrate her milestone birthday? Visually the production was stunning. From…
Read More
Review: Cinderella – Crewe Lyceum

Review: Cinderella – Crewe Lyceum

Credit: Wes Webster Photography The Christmas lights around the corner from The Lyceum said 'Welcome To Christmas In Crewe'. It was certainly a wonderful welcome to the festive season watching Cinderella on press night. The theme on the traditional tale sees Cinderella almost enslaved as a servant for Baroness Hardup and her two daughters 'Aroma' and 'Flatula'. A chance meeting with Prince Charming sees them fall in love at first sight. Invited to the palace ball, Cinderella's joy is short lived as the wicked stepsister thwart her plans to go to the ball. Will true love find a way? Eve…
Read More
Review: ‘Eric’s Pride And Prejudice’ at New Vic Theatre

Review: ‘Eric’s Pride And Prejudice’ at New Vic Theatre

David Graham brings his final 'Eric' show of the year 'Eric's Pride And Prejudice' to the New Vic in the latest edition to the long running and highly entertaining series. This time it sees the trademark whacky take on Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice and finds 'Eric Arcy' invited to Mrs. Bennett's ball along with every other eligible batchelor in the area (including Arcy's friends Mr. Bradford and Mr. Bingley). Mrs Bennett is determined to marry off her five daughters and in true Eric style, hilarity and high farce ensue. As with any ‘Eric’ production, the quality of the production…
Read More
Review: The Nutcracker: A Christmas Fairytale at New Vic Theatre

Review: The Nutcracker: A Christmas Fairytale at New Vic Theatre

Photo courtesy of Andrew Billington We embarked on an epic adventure to The Kingdom of Sweets as 'The Nutcracker: A Christmas Fairytale' started the festive season in style at The New Vic. Based on ETA Hoffman's original story and featuring the music of Tchaikovsky, the production tells the story of Marie, celebrating Christmas Eve with her mother, brother and her mysterious Uncle. Awake during the magical time as Christmas Even becomes Christmas Day, Marie finds herself transported to a magical land with the enchanted Nutcracker Prince complete with spun-sugar snowflakes, dancing gingerbread and cherry drops to the Kingdom of Sweets…
Read More
Review: Calendar Girls at The Regent

Review: Calendar Girls at The Regent

The stage of The Regent becomes Knapely Community Hall in the latest show to hit the theatre this week. Telling the true story of the famous 1999 alternative calendar from the ladies of Knapely WI, which raised over half a million pounds and was also turned into a 2003 film starring Helen Mirren amongst others. Following the tragic loss of the husband of one of the WI members' to Lukaemia, the ladies decide to produce a calendar with the modest aim to raise money for a more comfortable settee in the hospital waiting room. The calendar showed the ladies, aged…
Read More