Reviews
![The Merry Wives of Windsor: William Shakespeare RSC, Stratford Upon Avon, runs until 07/09/24. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: Rod Dungate.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1719415406810-8MVASVH0FL5B7EFJXPJQ/374405_the-merry-wives-of-windsor-production-photos_-2024_2024.tmb-img-1824.jpg)
The Merry Wives of Windsor: William Shakespeare RSC, Stratford Upon Avon, runs until 07/09/24. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: Rod Dungate.
“The play may creak a bit, but the production never ever does.”
![House Guest by Francis Durbridge, Manor Pavilion Theatre Sidmouth, until 29 June 2024 and Theatre Royal Windsor 2-6 July 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: Cormac Richards.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1719492638823-NOY5WLV1TVT4TVCJ3YBQ/HG+3-2.jpg)
House Guest by Francis Durbridge, Manor Pavilion Theatre Sidmouth, until 29 June 2024 and Theatre Royal Windsor 2-6 July 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: Cormac Richards.
“A great start to the Season”
![The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary by John Nicholson, Exeter Northcott Theatre and tour. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: Cormac Richards.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1719384897765-9953J8OT2L0PKP0BNXOP/DSC_6789.jpg)
The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary by John Nicholson, Exeter Northcott Theatre and tour. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: Cormac Richards.
“The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary.”
![Party Games! Malvern Theatres 25 to 29 June 2024 and UK tour. 2✩✩ Review: Hannah Phillips.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1719483875283-PMZ4QSQQVIXBS0Y7VTHZ/Party+Games%21+Jason+Callender%2C+Matthew+Cottle%2C+Natalie+Dunne+%C2%A9+Craig+Fuller+%282%29.jpg)
Party Games! Malvern Theatres 25 to 29 June 2024 and UK tour. 2✩✩ Review: Hannah Phillips.
“Brexit, Covid, dismantling the NHS, sexism and micro-aggressions are just not funny!”
Photo Credit: Jason Callender.
![The Wizard of Oz, Birmingham Hippodrome, 12 June 2024, ‘till 16 June 2024 then on tour ‘till 11 August 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1718465059278-WE4FD8RD53XYX98DPD7R/thumbnail_Wizard+of+Oz+UK+TOUR+PROD-9091.jpg)
The Wizard of Oz, Birmingham Hippodrome, 12 June 2024, ‘till 16 June 2024 then on tour ‘till 11 August 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An energetic and current realisation of this classic story.”
![The Valentine Letters by Steve Darlow based on Gepruft by Frances Zagni. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 408 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 22 June 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1718466423285-YVJR8SPEQTOV9PCQ9LYR/The+Valentine+2%2BKatie%2BHamilton%2Bas%2BUrsula%2Band%2BTom%2BHilton%2Bas%2BJohn%2B-%2BThe%2BValentine%2BLetters%2B9th%2BNov%2B2023.jpg)
The Valentine Letters by Steve Darlow based on Gepruft by Frances Zagni. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 408 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 22 June 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Moving look at a world long gone.”
Photo Credit: Sean Strange.
![Barber & Rachmaninoff, CBSO, Symphony Hall Birmingham, 13 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1718633770081-5HQ7UK5MZ6QSG7S8I09P/Unknown.jpeg)
Barber & Rachmaninoff, CBSO, Symphony Hall Birmingham, 13 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“Emotional the technical fireworks in an impressive performance of Barber’s Cello masterwork.”
![Miss Julie by August Strindberg. Translated by Michael Meyer. Park 90, 13 Clifton Terrace, London N 9. To 6 July 2024. 2✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1718466228271-K6WP53PSIK6GN2FFX07G/Miis+Julie+Freddie-Wise-Katie-Eldred-Cred-Mark-Senior-2_Standard.jpg)
Miss Julie by August Strindberg. Translated by Michael Meyer. Park 90, 13 Clifton Terrace, London N 9. To 6 July 2024. 2✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“This Miss Julie is a miss.”
Photo Credit: Mark Senior.
![Marie Curie, Book & Lyrics by Seeun Choun. Music by Jongyoon Choi. Charing Cross Theatre, Villiers Street, London WEC2 to 28 July 2024. 2✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1718015502340-AGXCRM1PTTIQV34GZY59/Marie2PamelaRaith.jpeg)
Marie Curie, Book & Lyrics by Seeun Choun. Music by Jongyoon Choi. Charing Cross Theatre, Villiers Street, London WEC2 to 28 July 2024. 2✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A musical to boggle the mind.”
Photo Credit: Pamela Raith.
![Joe Carstairs by Franka Figueiredo & Krysia Mansfield. The Omnibus Theatre, Clapham Common North Side, London SW4 to 22 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717929735939-DQZMHVQNI1B251617X1O/JOe.jpeg)
Joe Carstairs by Franka Figueiredo & Krysia Mansfield. The Omnibus Theatre, Clapham Common North Side, London SW4 to 22 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Rediscovering a rebel who did it their way.”
Photo Credit: Henri T.
![Vespers of the Blessed Earth, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717929312210-ZVI5OJOUK56EJV4Q6TBM/CBSO.jpg)
Vespers of the Blessed Earth, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A profound and thoughtful new work followed by a revelatory reading of an established masterpiece.”
![Dinner by Moira Buffini, Kay House Duryard, Exeter University. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: Cormac Richards](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717657508196-0RSCFCJ6CRV8TLH8MO3J/image_123650291+%281%29-2.jpg)
Dinner by Moira Buffini, Kay House Duryard, Exeter University. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: Cormac Richards
“As good a production of a play I will see all year”
Photo Credit: Ophelia Fellhauer.
![Suite in Three Keys by Noel Coward. The Orange Tree, 1 Clarence Street, Richmond, London TW1 to 20 July 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717928551500-KV3ZB72QOZ2NZSF7V8H3/suite-in-three-keys-orange-tree-theatre.jpg)
Suite in Three Keys by Noel Coward. The Orange Tree, 1 Clarence Street, Richmond, London TW1 to 20 July 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Three Coward plays resurrected and stylishly played.”
Photo Credit: Steve Gregsom.
![The Bleeding Tree by Angus Cerini. Southwark Plahouse, the Little. 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 to 22 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717667411010-QVQA0VRMKQZU9RDOGTB5/Bleeding.jpeg)
The Bleeding Tree by Angus Cerini. Southwark Plahouse, the Little. 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 to 22 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“The blackest of black comedies.”
Photo Credit: Lidia Crisafulli.
![Budda of Suburbia: Adapted by Hanif Kureishi and Emma Rice, from the novel by Hanif Kureishi, RSC, The Swan, Stratford Upon Avon. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review : Rod Dungate.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717428680124-ZRA59SKE8STWXFV04HDR/the-buddha-of-suburbia-production-photos_-april-2024_2024_photo-by-steve-tanner-_c_-rsc_372412.tmb-img-1824.jpg)
Budda of Suburbia: Adapted by Hanif Kureishi and Emma Rice, from the novel by Hanif Kureishi, RSC, The Swan, Stratford Upon Avon. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review : Rod Dungate.
“Marvellous adaptation of a superb novel.”
Photo Credit: Steve Tanner.
![Cirque – the Greatest Show. The Curve, 60 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 To 02 June 2024 prior to a national tour. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717426929187-9KCKLDBYPFN9IDI9Y41R/cIRQUE.jpeg)
Cirque – the Greatest Show. The Curve, 60 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 To 02 June 2024 prior to a national tour. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Circus acts and musical theatre irresistibly combined.”
![Sauna Boy by Dan Ireland-Reeves. The Stage Door Theatre, Prince of Wales Pub, 150 Drury Lane, London WC2 to 01 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717426700535-2YP2YCEB9824MGPEE6HG/Sauna2.jpg)
Sauna Boy by Dan Ireland-Reeves. The Stage Door Theatre, Prince of Wales Pub, 150 Drury Lane, London WC2 to 01 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Steamy goings on in Drury Lane.”
![BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 31 May 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717425477193-7Z7JXX3SIIVYX2OASKC1/p01l98xg.jpg)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 31 May 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“Discovering Glazunov: music that delights the ear and touches the heart.”
Photo Credit: BBC. Image of Alexander Glazunov.
![Centre Stage: Kegelstadt Trio, CBSO Centre, Birmingham. 30 May 2024. Review 4✩✩✩✩: David Gray](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717427557202-WNYILBMRS856GUHQLSBA/thumbnail_18+C+domestic+music.jpg)
Centre Stage: Kegelstadt Trio, CBSO Centre, Birmingham. 30 May 2024. Review 4✩✩✩✩: David Gray
“A Fascinating and revelatory exploration of less well know works for an unusual combination of instruments.”
![The Harmony Test by Richard Molloy. Downstairs at Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 to 22 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717160828930-HIKDBA8KAUFWX2WVO95S/harmony1.jpg)
The Harmony Test by Richard Molloy. Downstairs at Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 to 22 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Sparkling comedy about getting pregnant.”
Photo Credit: Richard Lakos.