______ 20 August 2026 ______ 4 1/2 **** ______ Four women, bored of their dull lives working in a fish packing factory in Hull, decide to have an adventure by attending Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot in order to mark the departure of Pearl, the senior member of the quartet. Their back stories are filled […]
LADIES’ DAY – Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis 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 »
______ 6 August 2026 ______ 5***** ______ Well into the 21st Century, the writings of George Bernard Shaw seem to drift in and out of the consciousness. ‘Pygmalion’ apart, productions of his work are far from commonplace, as they once were. When the chance to see one comes along, then people should take the plunge
ARMS AND THE MAN – Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis 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
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______ 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
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______ 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
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______ 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
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