David Hare’s Plenty caused quite the stir when it was first staged in the late 70s. The story of a woman who found herself in war and then lost that sense of self in the return to normality seemed to strike a nerve and now, as we remember one of the greatest pushes of the […]
Shadowlands @ Chichester Festival Theatre
Shadowlands, the William Nicholson play that charts the story of C.S. Lewis’ correspondence-turned-relationship with the American poet Joy Gresham, is such a perfect fit for the Chichester audience it’s almost a surprise it isn’t a regular feature here. “jack” Lewis’ evolution from Oxford don debating theology to heartbroken widower is a wonderful through line on […]
This Is My Family @ The Minerva Theatre, Chichester
Clare Burt, Sheila Hancock and Kirsty MacLaren. Credit: Johan Persson/ When I arrived at Chichester Festival Theatre last night to see the first production of this year’s season I was uncharacteristically unprepared. I’m normally that person who meticulously researches every little detail of a show before seeing it but like the changing of a season […]
Swan Lake @ Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
Swan Lake is probably the first thing that will come to mind when you mention ballet to most people… rows of perfectly synchronised corps de ballet dancing to instantly recognisable Tchaikovsky orchestrations in graceful harmony. Anyone who has ever been face to face with an angry swan will recognise that they’re actually powerful, aggressive beasts […]
American Idiot @ Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
When, way back in 2004, Green Day released American Idiot it was a clarion call forthe disaffected youth of the US. It leapt up the charts on a wave of criticalacclaim and commercial success and was much beloved of a certain callow youngmusic blogger in provincial Portsmouth. Fast forward 15 years and I don’tperhaps listen […]
The Play That Goes Wrong @ Brighton Theatre Royal
In a wonderful case of life imitating art I have now, at the third time of trying, finally made it along to see The Play That Goes Wrong, a show that has done its best to elude me both in the West End and around the UK despite my best efforts to catch it. Now […]
Bianca Del Rio @ Theatre Royal Brighton
I’d not been to the Theatre Royal Brighton for a show before, but as I arrived I already knew this would be a whole new experience. A quick drink in the Colonnade Bar while I surveyed the scenes and got chatting with a group of people at the next table proudly wearing VIP lanyards and […]
Me and My Girl @ Chichester Festival Theatre
Chichester Festival Theatre’s summer musical is always hotly anticipated and this year is no different. Me and My Girl, set to star Matt Lucas as barrow boy turned peer Bill Snibson. Sadly, as we’re informed just before the start of the show Lucas has been ordered by a throat specialist to rest and with a […]
The Comedy About A Bank Robbery @ Criterion Theatre
It’s a happy 2nd birthday to Mischief Theatre’s The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, the laugh-a-minute farce has just announced an extension that will see it into its third year entertaining crowds in Piccadilly Circus.
The Weir @ The Minerva, Chichester
It’s the simplest of structures for a play. A small group of people take turns telling each other stories. Nothing ground-breaking in the premise. Add a setting – a village pub in rural Ireland, a cast of 5, four local men and a woman new to the locale and give the stories a whiff of […]