Reviews
![The Boy at the Back of the Class, Malvern Theatres 19 to 23 March 2024 and UK tour. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: Hannah Phillips.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1711056688442-WWPWGD6QX2GSA2HOEI7W/Zoe+Zak%2C+Farshid+Rokey%2C+Priya+Davdra+and+Joe+McNamara.jpg)
The Boy at the Back of the Class, Malvern Theatres 19 to 23 March 2024 and UK tour. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: Hannah Phillips.
“A beautiful, heartfelt and hopeful production.”
Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan.
![Hanni Liang (piano) Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham17 March 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1710846613537-8KRX14HSD4ZG39BHIW37/RYFOaxzg.jpg)
Hanni Liang (piano) Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham17 March 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“Hanni Liang: fine piano-playing - but controversial presentation.”
![Indigo Giant, The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP. 14, 15, 16 March 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: Joanna Jarvis.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1710510996406-VBJZ78I9EWFO0WAFVPXL/Indigo+giant+-+photocredit+-+Alex+Unai+.jpeg)
Indigo Giant, The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP. 14, 15, 16 March 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: Joanna Jarvis.
“A story of the Raj that still resonates today.”
Photo Credit: Alex Unai
Cosi Fan Tutte (Opera North) Theatre Royal, Nottingham, 07 and 09 March 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“Cosi fan tutte: Opera North’s revival has lost none of its freshness – or ambiguity.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Theatre Royal, Nottingham
![Wicked, The Birmingham Hippodrome, 06 March 2024 until 07 April 2024. 4✩✩✩✩: David Gray & Paul Gray.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1709909500927-O1RNGPSLP0FWW85CJENC/WickedUK_London-Company_Photo-by-Mark-Senior_8455_RT-1-scaled.jpg)
Wicked, The Birmingham Hippodrome, 06 March 2024 until 07 April 2024. 4✩✩✩✩: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An undeniable spectacle with a deep emotional well at its heart.”
Photo Credit : Mark Senior
![Cavalleria Rusticana/Aleko (Opera North)Theatre Royal, Nottingham 06 and 08 March 2024 (touring to Theatre Royal, Newcastle and to The Lowry, Salford Quays till 22 March) 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1709810410800-J5I3GTGVKS4RJPVFMKYH/Aleko+03.jpg)
Cavalleria Rusticana/Aleko (Opera North)Theatre Royal, Nottingham 06 and 08 March 2024 (touring to Theatre Royal, Newcastle and to The Lowry, Salford Quays till 22 March) 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“Cavalleria Rusticana and Aleko: compelling but unequal operatic partners.”
![CBSO Centre Stage: Baroque Ensemble, 01 March 2024, The CBSO Centre, Birmingham. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1710091040126-ZD6NR0AHZBUT6Z95LAKU/Baroque+Ensemble+piccy.jpg)
CBSO Centre Stage: Baroque Ensemble, 01 March 2024, The CBSO Centre, Birmingham. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An intimate and engaging hour of informal but exquisite music making.”
![The Hallé, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 01 March 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1709656609323-GDY13B4JUA4POIJOS0GH/iPYbcfRg.png)
The Hallé, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 01 March 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“Sir Mark Elder and Bruckner 8: an overwhelming experience.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham.
![Sakari Conducts Sibelius & Strauss, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 28 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1709304956320-TH57T8Q96HRYXD50G767/Unknown-1.jpeg)
Sakari Conducts Sibelius & Strauss, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 28 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A frustrating concert. Without a few gremlins, it could have been quite stunning.”
Photo Credit: Benjamin-Ealovega
![Bhangra Nation – A New Musical. Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP. To 16 March 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: Joanna Jarvis.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1709298758844-ZUQZJRLJAFEHPZ9MJ5MM/Leo+Udvarlaky+%28Just+Bob%29%2C+Kuldeep+Goswani+%28Mohan%29%2C+Raimu+Itfum+%28Varun%29%2C+Mervin+Noronha+%28Amit%29+and+the+ELU+T.I.G.R.E.S.+Credit+Craig+Sugden.jpg)
Bhangra Nation – A New Musical. Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP. To 16 March 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: Joanna Jarvis.
“Joyful and exhilarating with emotional depth.”
Photo Credit: Craig Sugden
![Marmen Quartet, Lakeside, Nottingham. 22 February 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1708686978988-GZVVTH7N133XKKVKQIXW/MarmenQuartet-01-credit-Marco-Borggreve.jpg)
Marmen Quartet, Lakeside, Nottingham. 22 February 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“The Marmen Quartet: alive to every nuance of the music they perform.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lakeside Nottingham
![The Sleeping Beauty, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Hippodrome, 21 February 2024. Runs until 02 March 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1709040921095-QX7ASIG1JTQBHCUIJY0V/Sleeping+Bauty%5B1%5D.jpg)
The Sleeping Beauty, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Hippodrome, 21 February 2024. Runs until 02 March 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A must see for lovers of Classical Ballet.”
![Kazuki Conducts Elgar & Beethoven Parts I & II, CBSO, Symphony Hall Birmingham, Wednesday 21 February & Thursday 22 February, 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1709040710009-D5S7W91QR49G6HIUAFN8/Kazuki.jpeg)
Kazuki Conducts Elgar & Beethoven Parts I & II, CBSO, Symphony Hall Birmingham, Wednesday 21 February & Thursday 22 February, 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An impressive preview of CBSO pieces to be played on CBSO’s forthcoming, ten-city tour of Europe.”
![Royal Northern Sinfonia, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham 20 February 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1708607562683-OJRJ73E1B3YR5O5RZ85B/LXK9Ttbg.jpg)
Royal Northern Sinfonia, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham 20 February 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“A concert which breathed new life into old favourites.”
Photo Credit: Photo of Julian Bliss, Courtesy of Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
![Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 15 February 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1708362113432-RYOF6CHO355H810337EO/straosburg%252B2024.jpg)
Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 15 February 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A much loved Russian masterpiece surrounded with wonderful French orchestral showpieces.”
![Midsummer Night’s Dream: William Shakespeare RSC, RSC, RST. Stratford Upon AvonRuns: 2hrs 50mins till 30 March 2024; One interval. Review: 17 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: Rod Dungate](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1708440229464-PPY0XX85CL4QXR5XIF8E/Midsummer+2024.jpg)
Midsummer Night’s Dream: William Shakespeare RSC, RSC, RST. Stratford Upon AvonRuns: 2hrs 50mins till 30 March 2024; One interval. Review: 17 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: Rod Dungate
“A boisterous Midsummer Night’s Dream, very good in part; Creative Audio Description an excellent initiative but a work in progress”
![Zee Zee (piano)Lakeside, Nottingham. 15 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1708177835860-SMVO075NUZYZX9FKE1MD/zee-zee-contact-cover.jpg)
Zee Zee (piano)Lakeside, Nottingham. 15 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“Zee Zee explores the work of classical music’s most famous love triangle.”
![Tchaikovsky & Beethoven, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Valentine’s Day 14/02/24. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1708177121417-UDWLQODIG1UHNE615CVV/imageresizer.jpeg)
Tchaikovsky & Beethoven, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Valentine’s Day 14/02/24. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“Lots of Passionate Romance, and then some delightful Beethoven.”
Photo Credit: https://visitbirmingham.com/whats-on/tchaikovsky-and-beethoven-with-the-cbso-p1538951
![Armonico Consort with Rachel Podger et al, Town Hall, Birmingham, 12 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1708177306274-8VPJKH1X5JQS5MWUK8WY/Armonico+2024.jpg)
Armonico Consort with Rachel Podger et al, Town Hall, Birmingham, 12 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An impressive concert of some new old music.”
![Elena Fischer-Dieskau (piano)Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 11 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1707749623006-O71T4QFUW9VWP9JHHXCV/Elena-Fischer-Dieskau-457036_1400x.jpg)
Elena Fischer-Dieskau (piano)Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 11 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“A pianist who brings vivid story-telling to some unusual repertoire.”