______ 24 August 2026 ______ 2 1/2 ** ______ Richard Harris’s 1979 play hit the ground running when it was first performed and spawned a filmed version of the play starring Paul Eddington, Prunella Scales and Maureen Lipman and, subsequently, a TV series which expanded the story and the characters. The comedy set around cricket […]
OUTSIDE EDGE – Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth Read More »
______ 17 August 2026 ______ 4 1/2 **** ______ A young married couple, Robert and Olivia, run an isolated hotel. There’s a snowstorm. A sinister arrives. The basic ingredients of this smart thriller from James Cawood. As ever with a genre such as this, things may not be quite what they seem and the audience
STONE COLD MURDER – Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth Read More »
______ 14 August 2026 ______ 3 1/2 *** ______ For decades, Richard Harris been one of the UK’s favourite playwrights. Hits such as ‘Outside Edge’ and ‘Stepping Out’ are continually being performed, as is his hit thriller ‘The Business of Murder’ which enjoyed an eight year run in the West End. ‘Dead Guilty’ from 1994
DEAD GUILTY – Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis Read More »
______ 10 August 2026 ______ 3 1/2 *** ______ We all need a bit of a laugh at the moment I think – any diversion from the news headlines is very much a welcome relief and when the curtain goes up on a room with five doors, then you know it is likely you are
CHANGING ROOMS – Manor Pavilion Theatre – Sidmouth Read More »
______ 30 July 2026 ______ 3*** ______ Alan Ayckbourn has always striven to be inventive, not just in his writing, but in his use of staging and theatrical devices within his storylines. His 1994 play, ‘Communicating Doors’ is an example of this, where a time-travelling plot helps three women conquer adversity and reverse their own
COMMUNICATING DOORS – Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis Read More »
______ 27 July 2026 ______ 5***** ______ In 2025 the production of ‘Murder in the Dark’ rather highlighted the dearth of good ghost-themed plays. That was a very modern play and though ‘The Haunting’ only premiered in 2010, the basis of the play are stories by Charles Dickens. The great writer loved the spooky and
CHARLES DICKENS’ THE HAUNTING – The Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth Read More »
______ 24 July 2026 ______ 4**** ______ When the title of a play is also the name of a character who you never meet in person, it can be so interesting to build of picture of them in your minds’ eye, created by what the other characters say about them. Think ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne du
THE LATE EDWINA BLACK – Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis Read More »
______ 20 July 2026 ______ 5***** ______ Neil Simon’s writing is epitomised by witty repartee, by illustrations of relationships and, often, by nostalgia. He mixes comedy and heartache and the ups and downs of life with pure farce. His 1968 play ‘Plaza Suite’ is the writer showcasing all these facets when he was very much
PLAZA SUITE – Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth Read More »
______ 14 July 2026 ______ 5***** ______ So, after 8 years of regular reviewing at the Theatre Royal Plymouth, I am taking a step back (for now) to concentrate on other theatrical projects. So, for my final visit I decided The Car Man was the ideal choice. Having had the honour of seeing a number
MATTHEW BOURNE’S THE CAR MAN – Theatre Royal Plymouth Read More »
______ 13 July 2026 ______ 4**** ______ The much loved TV situation comedy of the mid-1970s, ‘The Good Life’ pushed its four main stars into the public eye well and truly. With the very recent passing of Penelope Keith, the series has been back in the conscience of the nation. John Esmonde and Bob Larbey’s
THE GOOD LIFE – Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth Read More »
