Reviews

Review: ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!’ at Regent Theatre

Everyone's fine four fendered friend flies into Regent Theatre this week. Based on Ian Fleming’s timeless story for children and later made into the famous 1968 film, we meet absent-minded inventor Caractacus Potts who restores a broken-down old racing car with the help of his children Jemima and Jeremy. Soon the family discover the car has magical powers, and along with the delectable Truly Scrumptious and Grandpa Potts, they end up on a fantastical adventure to far off lands. Filled with instantly recognisable songs such as 'Toot Sweets', 'Posh!', 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and 'Me 'Ol Bam-Boo' the score is…

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Review: ‘Show & Tell’ at New Vic Theatre

The New Vic becomes one of only a few venues which are playing host to Alan Ayckbourn's latest production 'Show & Tell'. Marking the 65th anniversary of Ayckbourn's professional debut as a director, it comes in his 85th year and is his 90th play. Some huge numbers for the legendary figure. Premiering on 10th October this year, it tells the tale of retired department MD, Jack, who is planning a big party for his wife’s birthday and has booked a theatre company to perform in the family home. But Jack’s getting a bit forgetful in his old age and can’t…

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Review: ‘Awful Auntie’ at Regent Theatre

Photo courtesty of Mark Douet Birmingham Stage Company brings together the magic of David Walliams' seventh book, 'Awful Auntie' on stage at Regent Theatre this week. Telling the story of 12 year old Lady Stella Saxby, who awakens to discover she cannot move having been wrapped in bandages for three months after being involved in a car accident which has claimed the lives of her parents. Under the guise of helping, Aunt Alberta and her pet owl Wagner have moved into Saxby Hall, but is she all that she seems to be? (the title would suggest not). In fact, Aunt…

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Review: ‘The Company Of Wolves’ at New Vic

Photo Credit Andrew Billington The New Vic stages a brand new adaptation of Angela Carter's gothic horror 'The Company Of Wolves'. Combining innovative theatrical storytelling with contemporary circus courtesy of 'Upswing'. It tells the second of a trio of wolf stories in Carter’s 1979 short-story collection 'The Bloody Chamber', the reimagining of 'Little Red Riding Hood'. Setting the atmosphere from the get-go, the stage set bare except for darkly painted poles which raise from the floor and fall from the ceiling. Foley booths are set around the auditorium and used for maximum effect to create a chilling sense of danger with…

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Review: ‘Pretty Woman: The Musical’ At Regent

Photos by Marc Brenner The Regent becomes Hollywood itself this week as 'Pretty Woman: The Musical' rolls into town on its UK and Ireland tour. Based on the blockbuster smash hit from 1990 which made over $400 million (fifth highest grossing film of all time) with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in the leading roles in a Cinderella or Pygmalion-esque story. The musical premiered in Chicago in 2018 before its West End debut in 2020 and tells the story of Hollywood escort Vivian Ward, who is hired by businessman Edward Lewis for six days to accompany him on dinner dates,…

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Review: ‘What The Butler Saw’ at New Vic

Photo courtesy of Sheila Burnett Joe Orton's classic farce is London Classic Theatre's latest production at New Vic. Written in 1967 a month before Orton's death, it first premiered in London in 1969. The two act play tells the story of Dr. Prentice, a psychologist trying his best to seduce a prospective secretary, meanwhile Dr. Prentice's wife in turn has been seduced by Nicholas Beckett who is blackmailing her into making him Prentice's secretary. Add to this Dr. Rance, sent by the government to inspect the clinic and the scene is set for high farce, quick witted and fast paced…

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Review: ‘The Haunting’ at New Vic Theatre

Photo credit: Andrew Billington The New Vic hosts 'The Haunting' in the latest production at the theatre. Adapted by Hugh Janes based on several ghost stories from Charles Dickens, this thriller is sure to set pulses racing. Dickens himself was fascinated by the spiritual world and the occult and as the lights descend, we find ourselves in the Victorian era at an isolated and crumbling mansion set on a lonely moor. There to organise and catalogue the library as part of an estate sale of the late owner, David Filde begins to work day and night whilst a storm rages…

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Review: ‘Operation Julie’ At Crewe Lyceum

Photo credit Dimitri Legakis The Lyceum stage is used as the platform to transport us back to the 1970s as 'Operation Julie' embarks on its last week of its 2024 tour. Telling the true story of chemist Richard Kemp and his partner Christine Bott, whose house in Mid Wales was the basis to manufacture over half of the worlds' LSD at the time. Their aim, not one of profit, as they largely planned to give the money away to various causes, but to expand and open the mind of the populous to an alternative life without capitalism and to see…

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Review: ‘An Officer And A Gentleman’ at Regent Theatre

The Regent plays host to the latest leg in the UK tour of 'An Officer And A Gentleman' this week. The musical is a faithful retelling of the 1982 smash hit romatic drama which grossed $190m at the box office and tells the tale of Zack Mayo, a fearless young officer candidate, and the captivating Paula Pokrifki who meet whilst Mayo is stationed at Aviation Officer Candidate School in Florida. The musical opened at the Curve, Leicester in 2018 and has been touring regularly since and is on the road until November of this year in its current run. Luke Baker…

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Review: ‘The Woman In Black’ at Crewe Lyceum

Crewe Lyceum hosts the current leg of the UK tour of the famous ghost story 'The Woman In Black'. Based on Susan Hill's 1983 gothic horror story, the stage play has been adapted by Stephen Mallatratt and directed by Robin Herford and tells the chilling tale of a spectre which haunts a small English town. It has been adapted several times, including the 2012 film starring Daniel Radcliffe. The original production ran for over 33 years with in excess of thirteen thousand performances and is exceeded only by The Mousetrap as the longest running play in the West End. The…

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