Reviews

Review: ‘Constant Companions’ at New Vic

Alan Aykbourn's 89th play opened on Tuesday at New Vic and deals with themes of Artificial Intelligence, the affect on our emotions and its impact it has on our daily lives. When does AI stretch from being supplemental, to heavy reliance? Bachelor Don is played by Andy Cryer, with his 'Konstant Kompanion' freshly delivered, he's doing his level best to unpack and assemble his latest purchase with the urgency of a man with pure lust on his mind. Providing technical support to Don via the telephone is Leigh Symonds' Robotic Engineer, Winston who is having troubles of his own with…

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Review: Oliver! At Regent Theatre

Staffordshire's Stage Productions brought to life Lionel Barts Oliver! to the Regent stage for the first time in 14 years (can in really have been that long!). The family favourite tale of the lovable orphan, which was made timeless by the 1968 film starring Ron Moody, was based on the Lionel Bart musical which is being staged this week at The Regent. Telling the story of young orphan Oliver who was born in a workhouse, sold to an undertaker and is taken under the wing of infamous Fagin, king of the pickpockets. Lionel Barts' score has classics such as Food…

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Review: ‘Porno’ at Crewe Lyceum

Crewe Lyceum played host to the latest leg of the tour of 'Porno' on Friday. Written by Irvine Welsh, the Scottish playwright and author's novel was published in 2002 as the sequel to the legendary Trainspotting. The stage production follows close to the book and finds characters Begbie, Spud, Renton and Sick-Boy 15 years on from the events of Trainspotting. Renton has returned from Amsterdam in response to his mum being in hospital, Begbie is fresh out of a stay in prison, Sick-Boy running his aunt's pub and Spud seems to bumble along. Porno is shocking, extremely sweary, never shy's…

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Review: Astley’s Astounding Adventures At New Vic

The tale of local resident Philip Astley was expertly brought to life in the latest production at New Vic. Born in 1742 in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, the tale follows the life and times from humble beginnings as the son of a cabinet maker, to a decorated veteran of the seven years' war through to his exploits as the father of the modern day circus. The trio of Philip Astley, Patty Jones and Alfie Burrell were played expertly by familiar faces Nicholas Richardson (Tom, Dick and Harry), Danielle Bird (Alice In Wonderland) and Gareth Cassidy (The Card) respectively. They gave a fantastic performance…

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Review: Sister Act At The Regent

The stage of the Regent Theatre became the winter of 1977/1978 in Philadelphia and played host to the stage version of one of the most loved films of 1992 starring Whoopie Goldberg. Now in its 14th year, following its West End debut in 2009, the musical, based on the film tells the tale of Deloris Van Cartier. Struggling with both her professional career as a cabaret singer and with her love-life as the mistress of local gangster Curtis Shank, Deloris witnesses him murder an informant and she is taken under the protective wing of police desk Chief Eddie. Eddie decides…

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Review: ‘Ocean At The End Of The Lane’ at Regent Theatre

Photo: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg Adapted from the bestselling Neil Gaiman book, Ocean At The End Of The Lane began its run tonight at Regent Theatre. Neil Gaiman is best known for 'Coraline' which was turned into an animated blockbuster as well as 'Good Omens' which recently began its second series on streaming services starring David Tenant and Michael Sheen. The story follows an unnamed man who returns home for a family funeral. He revisits an old farmhouse where he remembers the young girl 'Lettie Hempstock' and is drawn to their duck pond in her farm which she referred to as an 'Ocean'.…

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Review: ‘Faith Healer’ At New Vic

One of the most famous works by Irish dramatist Brian Friel opened at New Vic last night which starts the production's national 2023 tour. The play first opened in 1979, the tale of travelling faith healer Frank, his wife Grace and manager Teddy is told through a series of four monologues. It deals with themes of loss, addiction and how an account of the same events by different people, paints vast inconsistencies. Opening with the 'Faith Healer' himself, Frank (Paul Carroll) we hear of the tales of the trio navigating rural Wales and Scotland in the 50s and 60s, stopping…

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Review: Eric’s Italian Job

David Graham returns to the New Vic with his new show ‘Eric’s Italian Job’. The New Vic favourite finds himself witness to the Great Train Robbery. Able to identify two of the perpetrators of the heist after bearing accidental witness to the getaway, he is enlisted by Scotland Yard to travel with them to Turin, believed to be the location of the gangs' next job. Cue a plotline which is sure to find Eric in the midst of high farce and many laughs. As with any ‘Eric’ production, the quality of the production and the music was fantastic. All cast multi-talented,…

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Review: Dirty Dancing At The Regent

Photo credit Mark Senior The iconic Dirty Dancing struts into town this week. The 1987 smash hit is a classic and is one of the best loved films of the era, with the tale of a summer holiday romance at Kellerman's between dance teacher Johnny and guest 'Baby' made famous by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Michael O'Reilly and Kira Malou are perfectly cast in the leading roles and you are immersed in the action, so much so, it's hard not to remember that you are not watching the original stars of the show. That's to take nothing away from…

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Review: ‘Buddy The Buddy Holly Story’ At The Regent

The story of the iconic Buddy Holly is told at The Regent this week which is a wonderful celebration of the life and times of his meteoric rise to fame and his legacy. Capturing the timeframe of the last two years of his life, it starts with his frustrations with the recording label Decca and his first meeting with Norman Petty. It documents key moments in his rise to fame, winning over audiences at The Apollo in Harlem and the second act concentrating largely on his final concert at the Surf Ballroom, Iowa on the Winter Dance Party tour, hours…

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