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Reviews
Language of the Baroque, St. Paul’s Church, Birmingham - Biennial Baroque 2025: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s Ex Cathedra Scholars Ensemble, Friday 18th July, 5☆☆☆☆☆, Reviewe: Paul Gray.
“A captivating selection of vocal ensemble music.”
Photo courtesy of Ex Cathedra
Nottingham Chamber Music Festival 2025. Various venues in Nottingham, 10 – 13 July 2025, 5✩✩✩✩✩. Review: William Ruff.
“A Festival that proves that small is often beautiful.”
Photo Credit: Carmen Flores.
The Constant Wife, based on the play by W Somerset Maugham, RSC, The SwanRuns: 2h 30m, one interval, until 02 August, 4☆☆☆☆. Review: Roderick Dungate. AD Performance, 12 July 2025
“Fascinating revival, strong performances.”
Photo Credit: Johan Persson.
The Addams Family – The Musical Comedy, Birmingham Hippodrome 11 July 2025, until 12 July, then on tour, 4☆☆☆☆. Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
"A horribly funny show.”
Photo Credit: Pamela Raith Photography.
Marriage Material by Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti. Novel by Sathnam Sangera Birmingham Repertory Theatre, 3☆☆☆. Review: Joanna Jarvis.
“Warm and funny family saga of tradition versus improvement.”
Photo Credit: Helen Murray.
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, Birmingham Hippodrome, Weds 18 June 2025, until Sat 28 June, then on tour, 5☆☆☆☆. David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A powerful and uplifting show given a knockout performance.”
Hamlet, Hail to the Thief: Shakespeare, Radiohead. RSC @ RST, Stratford Upon AvonRuns: 1h 40m, no interval, until 28 June, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: Roderick Dungate.
“Fabulously Exciting.”
Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan.
Piatti Quartet. Lakeside, Nottingham, 12 June 2025, 5✩✩✩✩✩. Review: William Ruff.
“A cleverly devised programme, executed with precision and emotional depth.”
Photo credit: Lakeside.
The Croft, written by Ali Milles, Directed by Alastair Whatley, until 14 June, 2025, The Rep, Birmingham (and touring), 3☆☆☆. Review: Dan Auluk.
“An intriguing story but neither thriller or ghost story.”
Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan
The Hallé. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 03 June 2025, 5✩✩✩✩✩. Review: William Ruff.
“Music pulsating with drama and sonic spectacle to end another Nottingham Classics season.”
Photo credit: Angie Kremer.
Rush Hour Concert: Camille Saint-Saëns - Organ Symphony, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 03 June 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review by David Gray and Paul Gray.
“A powerful performance of this mighty masterpiece.”
Mendelssohn & Wagner, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 28 May 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A satisfying, well played and - well sung - concert, full of contrasts.”
Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham 15th May 2025, 3☆☆☆. Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A long and over-egged programme which could have benefited from some pruning.”
The Shark Is Broken, written by Joseph Nixon & Ian Shaw, Directed by UK Tour Director Martha Geelan, 10 – 18 May 2025, The Rep, Birmingham (and touring), 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: Dan Auluk.
“A fun, fast paced and enjoyable evening – well worth a second visit.”
Photo Credit: Manual Harlan.
The Hallé. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 02 May 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: William Ruff.
““The Hallé’s American concert: a flow of melodies presented in glowing colours.”
Photo credit: Royal Concert Hall.
Sean Shibe (guitar). Lakeside, Nottingham, 01 May 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: William Ruff.
“Sean Shibe: boundary-pushing repertoire plus exceptional artistry.”
Photo Credit: Lakeside.