*

Archive for November, 2011

Welsh National Opera: Katya Kabanova – The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

Composer/Librettist: Leos Janacek Conductor: Gareth Jones Director: Katie Mitchell Reviewer: Marina Spark The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★☆☆ The opening notes of the Welsh National Opera’s ‘Katya Kabanova’ beautifully hint at the tale of woe that unfolds over the opera, composed by Leos Janacek. The storyline follows Katya Kabanova, a woman trapped in both a loveless marriage and a moralistic [...]

Read On →

Sleeping Beauty – Birmingham Repertory Theatre at The Crescent Theatre

Writer: Rufus Norris based on original story by Charles Perrault Music and songs: Catherine Jayes Director: Sarah Esdaile Reviewer: Sue Cartwright The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★★ Sleeping Beauty has, of course, had many guises in the form of a ballet, pantomime and, the most famous version of all, Walt Disney’s 1959 film, but they share only the title as [...]

Read On →

Propeller’s Henry V – Milton Keynes Theatre

Writer: William Shakespeare Director: Edward Hall Designer: Michael Pavelka Lighting: Ben Ormerod Sound: David Gregory Reviewer: Maggie Constable The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★½ Shakespeare’s Henry V, performed by Propeller Theatre Company at Milton Keynes this week, tells the story of one of the greatest British warriors in our English folklore. In a time when nationalism is at its highest, [...]

Read On →

Top Hat – Grand Theatre, Leeds

Director: Matthew White Choreographer: Bill Deamer Reviewer: Rhian Williams The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★★ How do you turn a classic Hollywood musical into a stage success? Sat in the auditorium, eagerly awaiting the start of Top Hat, you are all at once treated to a full overture performed by a fifteen-strong orchestra; tap dancing men leap on to the [...]

Read On →

Housebound – Harrogate Theatre

Writer: Nick Lane Director: Keith Hukin Reviewer: Audrey Pointer The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★☆ Hull Truck Theatre’s Nick Lane is carving out quite a reputation as a writer of bittersweet comedies, with “My Favourite Summer” and “Me & Me Dad”, both of which premiered at Hull Truck Theatre. Lane’s past work is unashamedly semi-autobiographical, drawing on his experiences as [...]

Read On →

Dick Whittington – Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds

Writer: Daniel O’Brien Director: Colin Blumenau Reviewer: Glen Pearce The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★☆ It’s not over until the fat lady sings, or in this case a man, dressed as a lady, dressed as a cooking range – it can only be one thing, panto time and far from heralding the end, Dick Whittington proves to be a deliciously [...]

Read On →

Sleeping Beauty – Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold

Writer/Director: Peter Rowe Reviewer: John Roberts The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★½ Peter Rowe’s Rock’n’Roll pantomimes have become something of a local legend in North Wales, whilst other theatre’s in the regions have to rely on celebrity castings and big budget special effects, the tried and tested and quite simple formula of “outstanding talent” means that this year’s offering, sets [...]

Read On →

Little Scouse on the Prairie – The Royal Court, Liverpool

Writer: Fred Lawless Director: Bob Eaton Reviewer: Stephanie Rowe The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★½ You are always in for a festive giggle or twenty when attending the Royal Court’s festive production and thankfully “Little Scouse of the Prairie” (the third Christmas show for writer Fred Lawless) is no different. It is the annual Christmas Karaoke at St Nicks club [...]

Read On →