Cormac Richards

5***** 12 August 2021 Neil Simon’s writing is characterised by rapier-sharp wordplay, imperfect people, marriage and that bitter-sweet tone which he made his own. ‘California Suite’ was written in 1976 and was made into a very successful film in 1978. The format of the play is a repeat of Simon’s previous success with ‘Plaza Suite’ […]

3*** 4 August 2021 For the second time in a week it has been an utter pleasure to see the Theatre Royal, Plymouth, with a packed and enthusiastic house. After the last 18 months it is something that had become an almost alien concept. Throughout the pandemic TRP has done all in its powers to

3*** 30 July 2021 There is no doubt that the musical SIX has become something of a phenomenon. In front of a packed audience at the Theatre Royal Plymouth – the first non-socially distanced audience there for many months – there is whooping and cheering before the curtain rises. Although I have knowledge of the

4**** 22 July 2021 French farce can trace its origins back many centuries and there are overlapping elements with the theatre form known as Commedia Dell’Arte. Ludicrous situations, stock characters and helter-skelter action are all symbolic of the genre. In the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, the writer Georges Feydeau was the master of the farce

3*** 9 July 2021 I suspect there are very few people under the age of 50 who would have heard of Francis Durbridge or, indeed, seen or heard much of his work. In the 1950’s and 1960’s he must have been one of the most prolific writers for TV and radio. He turned more to

4**** 28 June 2021 John Waters early film creations were subversive, counter-culture and of dubious taste – they were immediately labelled ‘cult’. His was not the world of family entertainment, but it was in the early 1980’s with films such as ‘Polyester’ and ‘Hairspray’ and his childhood friend, Glenn Milstead – better known as the

4**** 24 June 2021 Let us not beat about the bush, the joy of returning to the Manor Pavilion Theatre in Sidmouth is akin to wrapping yourself in a favourite blanket and indulging in a mug of the silkiest hot chocolate money can buy. The Summer Play Festival at Sidmouth has risen again following its

3*** 17 June 2021 First and foremost, it is brilliant to be back in a theatre – albeit with certain restrictions. I applaud Theatre Royal Plymouth for their attention to everyone’s welfare and for providing a smooth and well organised evening in difficult circumstances. 2020 was a special year for so many things. Big birthdays,

5***** 15 December 2020 This will be an unusual review. Given the circumstances of life in December 2020 I am taking into account the whole experience of this visit to the theatre after over 10 months. I make no apology for what follows. You don’t need me to tell you that we have been living

4**** 16 October 2020 Sitting down in a theatre to review a show for the first time in over 7 months will certainly be one of my highlights of 2020. I have been to the amazing, open-air, Minack Theatre a number of times both as audience member and performer and it is extraordinary in so