Reviews

Review: ‘Just Between Ourselves’ at New Vic Theatre

Review: ‘Just Between Ourselves’ at New Vic Theatre

New Vic hosts the latest stop of London Classic Theatre's tour of Alan Ayckbourn's 1976 play 'Just Between Ourselves'. Renound for being one of his darker plays, Dennis tinkers in his garage, cheerfully indifferent to wife Vera’s impending breakdown. Marjorie hovers in the background, making tea and finding fault. Neil has planned a birthday surprise for his wife, but Pam doesn’t share his enthusiasm, preoccupied by frustrations of her own. Set within the suffocating domesticity of a suburban garage and garden, Ayckbourn draws back the curtains not on grand tragedy, but on the slow indifference that eventually casts a dark…
Read More
Review: ‘A Matter Of Life And Death’ at New Vic

Review: ‘A Matter Of Life And Death’ at New Vic

Photo credit Andrew Billington The New Vic's latest run is a captivating stage adaptation of the 1946 film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, bringing a blend of romance, drama, and fantasy to the theatre. The story is reimagined by Artistic Director Theresa Heskins, centres on Peter Carter, an RAF pilot during World War II who miraculously survives a leap from his burning plane. As he faces what should have been certain death, he connects with June, an American radio operator from Boston, and the two quickly fall in love. This tender romance is soon disrupted by a celestial messenger…
Read More
Review: “The Last Quiz Night On Earth” at New Vic

Review: “The Last Quiz Night On Earth” at New Vic

Photo credit Andrew Billington The New Vic was transformed into a local public house in the latest play to hit the venue as 'The Last Quiz Night On Earth' opened for an extended run last week. As a massive meteor hurtles towards Earth, Kathy, the eccentric landlady of The Four Horsemen is determined to host the best (and last!) quiz night in the pub’s history. As her quizmaster extraordinaire makes final preparations, a lively group of regulars gather for one final round. Written by Alison Carr, this unique four hander becomes very interactive as the audience soon realise that they…
Read More
Review: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ At Crewe Lyceum

Review: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ At Crewe Lyceum

Photo credit: Wes Webster Photography Christmas has begun in the town, ‘Welcome To Christmas In Crewe’ is lit brightly for all to see. And, to put the final ingredient for any festive period, panto is back at Crewe Lyceum. The classic tale of Beauty and the Beast sees an arrogant prince cursed to live as a beast, his only hope of salvation is to find love before the last petal falls from a magic rose. Can village girl Belle see beyond appearances and learn to love a beast? Hollie Smith-Nelson excellently takes on the titular role of Belle, the Beauty.…
Read More
Review: ‘Dick Whittington’ At Regent Theatre

Review: ‘Dick Whittington’ At Regent Theatre

Photo credit Claralou Photography It's officially the Christmas season in Hanley! There's only one way to mark when that begins and that is when Jonathan Wilkes run onto the Regent stage and says ‘Ay Up Me Ducks’. A milestone year, Jonny is celebrating 20 years since his first Regent Theatre panto. This time he takes on the role of Dick Whittington. Dick (and his trusty cat!) seek fame, fortune and happiness journeying to become Lord Mayor. Can he outwit the evil rodent King Rat and free the city from his team of revolting rodents? Will true love prevail? The glitz and…
Read More
Review: ‘Only Fools & Horses’ At Regent Theatre

Review: ‘Only Fools & Horses’ At Regent Theatre

Regent Theatre plays host to the theatrical remake of the classic BBC sitcom, 'Only Fools & Horses' on the latest leg of its UK tour. The TV series originally aired in 1981 and ran until 2003 amassing 64 episodes filled to the brim with instantly recognisable characters, fantastic storylines, fabulous jokes and making household names out of the cast as well as adding a few new catchphrases to the history books. The musical originally opened in 2019, written by John Sullivan's son, Jim along with comedian Paul Whitehouse. It ran for over 1000 performances until 2023 where shortly after, it…
Read More
Review: ‘The Three Musketeers’ at New Vic

Review: ‘The Three Musketeers’ at New Vic

Photo credit Andrew Billington The 1844 famous Alexandre Dumas classic has been adapted for this years' festive production at New Vic. A swashbuckling story about a young man named d'Artagnan who travels to Paris to join the Royal Guard and befriends three of the most famous musketeers. Along the way he meets Milady and gets caught up in a villainous plot, can d'Artagnan and his new friends uncover the secret agent and the mastermind behind it all? Theresa Hesksins delivers a hugely entertaining production with elaborate costumes, clever choreography and the swish and clash of the rapier. The fight direction…
Read More
Review: ‘Chicago’ at Regent Theatre

Review: ‘Chicago’ at Regent Theatre

Photo credit Paul Coltas The Regent is transformed into 1920's Illinois as 'Chicago' brings the 'Razzle Dazzle' for what is to be a sensational week on its leg of the latest UK tour. Chicago tells the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring sleazy criminal lawyer Billy Flynn to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily…
Read More
Review: ‘Ghost The Musical’ at The Regent

Review: ‘Ghost The Musical’ at The Regent

Photo credit Alastair Muir The Regent Theatre welcomes 'Ghost The Musical' this week on the latest leg of the UK tour for 2024. Bruce Joel Rubin won an Oscar for the screenplay from the 1990's smash hit and he has adapted it for the production. Directed by Bob Tomson and with music and lyrics co-written by Eurythmics Dave Stewart, it tells the story of Sam, walking with his girlfriend Molly back to their apartment late one night. A tragic encounter sees Sam murdered and his beloved Molly alone, in despair and utterly lost. With the help of a phony storefront…
Read More
Review: ‘Perfect Pitch’ At New Vic

Review: ‘Perfect Pitch’ At New Vic

John Godber's 1998 classic 'Perfect Pitch' opened at New Vic last night in its latest tour of the UK. Telling the story of burnt out, retired teacher Matt who borrows his parent’s caravan for a week on the Yorkshire coast with partner Rose, expecting four days of hill running and total de-stress. But with the world’s biggest tribute band festival taking place nearby, Grant and Steph’s pop-up tent is an unwelcome addition to their perfect pitch. Subtle changes have brought this into the present day (song references etc.) but the core remains the same, the presentation of the microcosm of…
Read More