Cormac Richards

SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN – The Drum Theatre, Theatre Royal Plymouth

3 November 2022 5***** It is almost unheard of for me to review the same production of a show within only a few months – this is an exception – albeit the location is a different one. Carl Grose has found a very happy place at Theatre Royal Plymouth, especially in The Drum auditorium and […]

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MY SON’S A QUEER, BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO? – Garrick Theatre, London

26 October 2022 5***** Unusually for one of my reviews, I will start by talking about myself. As a child I was, generally, regarded as quiet and shy. My slightly older sister had taken up ballet lessons when young and decided that she would like to bring ballet into our home – but with my

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COPPÉLIA – Theatre Royal Plymouth

5 October 2022 5***** One of the true pleasures of reviewing theatre productions is getting to know the work of particular companies and that of Birmingham Royal Ballet has never failed to impress me. Their twice-yearly visits to Theatre Royal Plymouth are lauded by the audiences who await their arrival with bated breath. ‘Coppélia’ is

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THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR – Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth

12 September 2022 2** Nikolai Gogol’s 1836 comedy, THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, tells of a small town’s politicians trying to cover up their corrupt practices as they realise they are being investigated by an inspector who is arriving incognito. Bribery and mistaken identity play a major part as the officials dig themselves into a deeper hole

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THE GHOST TRAIN – Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth

5 September 2022 4**** Next year, Arnold Ridley’s play ‘THE GHOST TRAIN’ will reach it’s centenary; there is no argument, it can rightfully be regarded as a classic of the British Theatre. There is no other play I can think of which so brilliantly combines a whole raft of theatrical genres; romance, mystery, thriller, drama,

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HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES – Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth

29 August 2022 4**** Only last week it was announced that Alan Ayckbourn’s 87th play was due to open. Up and down the country and across the world his plays are regularly performed and have won multiple awards over his career of 60 years.  Ayckbourn’s gift is to take relationships and place them in front of

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BREAKING THE CODE – Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth

22 August 2022 5***** The joy of the Summer Play Festival at the Manor Pavilion Theatre in Sidmouth is the juxtaposition of productions, widely differing in genre, being performed one after another. Witness the lunacy of JEEVES & WOOSTER from last week to the sublimity of BREAKING THE CODE this. Such variety is not handed

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