Theatre Reviews

______ 20 June 2024 ______ 4**** ______ I have followed Cornwall-based Ha Hum Ah Theatre Company for some years now and their growth has been a joy to watch. In collaboration with the Minack Theatre, they are currently touring in ‘The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary’, an adaptation (of sorts) by John Nicholson. Now, Nicholson […]

______ 4 June 2024 ______ 5***** ______ The dinner party from hell is a tried and trusted setting for writers, from Shakespeare’s ‘Titus Andronicus’ to Graham Greene’s novel ‘Doctor Fischer of Geneva’ to Peter Greenaway’s film, ‘The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover’  – hosts setting up to humiliate their guests whilst offering

______ 20 May 2024 ______ 3*** ______ The 2011 film ‘The Artist’ broke many of the techniques of 21st century film making, playing homage to the silent era of cinema in its production as well as its story-telling. Covering the same ground as ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ along with attendant love story, ‘The Artist’ became

14 May 2024 ______ 3*** ______ There seems to be a plethora of small-scale shows around at the moment; tiny casts playing multiple characters, some based on classic stories and historical figures – indeed this the fourth such I have seen at Exeter Northcott Theatre in a few months. The concept has been made so

______ 20 March 2024 ______ 4**** ______ Cornwall-based, Miracle Theatre, have a long-standing reputation for inventive theatrical productions, often performed outdoors, so it is good to see them on tour to over 25 venues throughout the South West. Their current offering is a multi-charactered production but with only three actors in the cast. Now, I

______ 20 March 2024 ______ 4**** ______ Traditional ballet at its most traditional and at its most sumptuous. Over the last few years it has been very difficult to ignore the sheer quality and class that Birmingham Royal Ballet exudes; a staple in the calendar of Theatre Royal Plymouth, their visits are met with great

______ 14 March 2024 ______ 3*** ______ I have a feeling of déjà vu. A month ago I reviewed a production of ‘The Time Machine’ – or a version there of – with a small cast playing multiple parts, the audience being called upon to participate in the production both on and off stage –

______ 12 March 2024 ______ 2** ______ I have mentioned before in my reviews that I have been a fan of the writings of Agatha Christie for over 50 years and the continuing popularity of her works continues to astound me. Various stagings, adaptations and iterations continue to be produced on film, tv, radio and

______ 6 March 2024 ______ 5***** _____ Yann Martel’s novel took the bookshops by storm and won the Man Booker Prize into the bargain. With many challenges facing a film adaptation it proved successful at the cinema before the version for the stage achieved rave reviews and general acclaim. 16 year old Pi lives amongst

______ 27 February 2024 ______ 5***** ______ There are not many chances in life to see an artist perform who has been regarded as the best in the world. At 50, there are probably limited opportunities left to see Carlos Acosta dance live. Thus his current tour ‘On Before’ is gathering huge audiences as those