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Doctor AtomicMusic: John AdamsLibretto: Peter Sellers Director: Penny WoolcockConductor: Lawrence RenesReviewer: Honour Bayes Concerning the last days and hours leading up to the first test of the atomic bomb, or ‘Gadget’ as the members of the Manhattan Project somewhat endearingly called it, Doctor Atomic focuses on the great stress and anxiety experienced by those at [...]

You Couldn’t Make It Up By Michael and Tom ChaplinDirector: Max RobertsReviewer:Ian CainThe recent furore that has surrounded Newcastle United Football Club now forms the dramatic backbone of a fascinating new play by father and son writing partnership, Michael and Tom Chaplin. Drawing on verbatim testimony from a wide variety of sources, including journalists, social [...]

The Convicts Opera by Stephen JeffreysBased on The Beggar’s Opera by John GayDirector: Max Stafford-ClarkMusic Arranger: Felix Cross Reviewer: Sara JacksonAmongst the usual confusion that people seem to have when arriving at the theatre and trying to find their seats (Row H, seat 1 – How can it be that hard) there was an added [...]

Murder With Love by Francis DurbridgeDirector: Ian Dickens Co-Director:Leslie Grantham Reviewer: Ian CainIt seems that we British have a love affair with the whodunit. Only The Bible has outsold Agatha Christie’s collected sales of approximately four billion copies of her novels! If Christie reigns as Queen of Crime then, surely, Francis Durbridge must be King.Ian [...]

Elaine Paige: Celebrating 40 Years on StageDirector: Christopher LuscombeMusical Director: Chris EganReviewer: Ian CainOnly a handful of musical theatre performers make such an outstanding and long-lasting contribution to the genre that they survive in the profession long enough to celebrate forty years of performing, but that’s exactly what the sensational Elaine Paige is doing.The queen [...]

Blonde Bombshells of 1943 by Alan PlaterDirector: Mark BabychMusical Arranger: Howard GrayReviewer: John Roberts’T'aint what cha do, it’s the way that you do it,’ and this production certainly does it in style!Based on Alan Plater’s television film The Last of the Blonde Bombshells, the play tells the story of Betty and her all female band [...]

Othello by William ShakespeareDirector: Barrie RutterReviewer: Ali NobleThe flurry of excitement around the new production of ‘Othello’ playing at the West Yorkshire Playhouse has been brought about by the casting of comedian Lenny Henry in the title role – his first ever stage role. It seemed an odd choice, and the theatre was at full [...]

Pack of Lies by Hugh Whitemore Director: Christopher MorahanReviewer: David Aldridge The play tells the story of a middle class suburban family, Bob and Barbara Jackson and their daughter Julie, who are put upon by a grey-coated intelligence officer (Stewart). He needs them to help him spy on their neighbours, the Krogers, who are also [...]