Theatre reviews for you, by you. If you would like to review for us,
please contact us including a short review of what you have seen recently.

Writer: David Watson Director: Clare Lizzimore Reviewer: Ian Foster The Public Reviews Rating: Pieces of Vincent is a new play from David Watson receiving its world premiere at the Arcola Theatre in East London. Vincent is a young man adrift in the world, looking for an ex-girlfriend and solace in London, he finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and his life changes forever. The play takes us through how this affects a large cast of characters, from County Down to Birmingham to various parts of London, as we slowly see the impact he had and get closer to the truth of what has happened. Es Devlin’s innovative approach to the design of this show has resulted in an unusual seating arrangement. The audience sit on cushions the floor in the middle of the theatre and the action takes place all around us, as film images are played, often in a highly effective 360° manner. Three of the sides have sets behind the gauzy screens and one has a blank wall onto to which a range of locations are effectively projected. This has varying degrees of success: the film sequences, with its opening scene where we’re travelling with a character in a car and a later scene on London’s Millenium Bridge are just brilliant. There’s a real sense of immersion, being right in the moment and with the special effects in the latter scene, creating a highly moving experience. Elsewhere, the other scenes which are more traditionally played are strongly acted and the unique staging allows for the shifts in location to be clearly articulated. The play itself is engaging and has its moments, but it also has its challenges: it is not an easy watch. With its fractured narrative as we look at each of the ‘pieces’, it tests [...]

Writer: Alan Ayckbourn Director: Sir Peter Hall Reviewer: Ann Bawtree The Public Reviews Rating: Everyone going to an Alan Ayckbourn play expects to enjoy themselves and his Bedroom Farce is certainly no exception. The play’s title is a bit of a misnomer as this is not a bedroom farce in the Brian Rix or Carry On team sense. True the set, designed by Simon Higlett, is of three bedrooms, side by side and characters pop in and out of the doors with great rapidity. On the left is a room which is all pink satin bed cover and silk lampshades and is the room of Delia and Ernest, played by Juliet Mills and Bruce Montague, who have reached a state of comfortable maturity after many years of marriage. The centre room is that of Malcolm and Kate in their newly acquired home with its unfinished wall paper and slightly ramshackle furnishings. A boisterous pair these, played by Ayden Callaghan and Julia Mallam, given to practical jokes and much larking around. The third setting belongs to Jan and Nick, (Clare Wilkie and Maxwell Caulfield) and speaks of every day comfort well suited to a couple with busy professional lives. The connecting character for all three couples is Trevor, the over-indulged son of Delia and Ernest, ex-boyfriend of Jan and so an object of suspicion for Nick, annoying but beloved friend of Kate and Malcolm and husband of the neurotic, psycho-babbling Susannah. The story unfolds over just one night, from about seven in the evening till 3am, almost giving a feeling of real time action. Although all three rooms are on stage simultaneously, scenes change rapidly by means of clever switches of lighting, designed by Peter Mumford. The play was written in the 1970s and while the characters could be human-beings from any century it is impossible [...]

Writer: Peter Gordon Director: Giles Watling Reviewer: Michael Gray The Public Reviews Rating: The title says it all, even before we meet Miss Maple [sic] and the aptly named Inspector Pratt. Peter Gordon’s 1993 play is an affectionate pastiche of your classic Country House Murder Mystery, with shoals of red herrings and a Cluedo collection of whodunnit suspects and weapons. A near-capacity house at the Mercury enjoyed it on all kinds of levels, though the riper innuendo sometimes needed pointing. We were kept guessing to the end, as miscreants were unmasked and motives revealed. The script was amusing, with one or two really strong sequences, and Giles Watling’s experienced touch helped a battle-hardened cast make the most of it. Roland Oliver was crusty Colonel Craddock – loads of bluster and odd touching moment,with Sandra Dickinson magnificent as his mem-sahib – tremendous presence and a voice from the Betty Marsden school of comedy characterisation. Darren Machin had the moustache, the macassar, the froggie accent and the two-tone shoes, all unmistakeable marks of a cad. I liked the way he used his entire body to expression his feelings – most amusing. Elizabeth Williams stepped into the sensible shoes of Margaret Rutherford and Joan Hickson as the interfering spinster sleuth. Michelle Hardwick was the acid-tongued Elizabeth, in an unconvincing wig, Chloe Newsome the dowdy Dorothy, with Erin Geraghty as the doomed mistress of the manor. Christopher Elderwood worked hard as the hapless constable, sidekick to the clueless detective. The two plum parts went to the priceless Victor Spinetti, as the dotty butler Bunting, squiffy on sherry and lurking suspiciously, and Norman Pace as the Inspector, bungling, accident-prone with a way with words John Prescott might envy. It’s a gift of a part, and Pace grabbed it by the scruff of the neck, with admirable comic timing, [...]

Director: Brad Henshaw Choreographer: Debbie Jenner Musical Director: Steve Parry Reviewer: Maggie Constable The Public Reviews Rating: They’re back – the legendary Original Tribute to the Blues Brothers comes back to the UK at last and at Milton Keynes theatre this week!!! The show that began it all has been selling out all over Europe for years, but Jake(Brad Henshaw) and Elwood (Daniel Fletcher)Blues, the prodigal brothers, have come home to where their heart is… Last time they were here, they crashed and bluesed their way across the UK in sell-out shows – no one does it like these guys! They are joined by the saucy and raunchy Bluettes(Jocasta Almgill, Alexus Ruth&Vicky Giddard) who strut their stuff!!!… So put on the dude shades, grab your best pork pie hat, and shine those dancing shoes- the Blues Brothers have come to town! The show began tonight with a quirky and witty little moment which kept the audience guessing, but I won’t spoil it for anyone! “ARE you ready for some blues?” That was the question posed to the audience as one of the world’s greatest American blues and soul revivalist bands hit the stage. For those who aren’t familiar with The Blues Brothers – the band were formed in 1978 by comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as part of a musical skit on Saturday Night Live. They predominately covered old blues and soul songs – released an album and then starred in their own movie, directed by the cult 80s director John Landis. Like all great acts, the early and very sad death of John Belushi meant the end of the band, but since then a number of singers and musicians have joined together to bring the cult heroes to life again. Jake and Elwood: The Original tribute to The Blues Brothers musical [...]

Writer: Eric Idle Music: John Du Prez Director: Christopher Luscombe Reviewer: Sarah Lyth The Public Reviews Rating: The legend of King Arthur is truly a British treasure, but it is the might of Monty Python that truly triumphs in this outrageous and psychedelic parody of the well-beloved tale of knights and the quest for the Holy Grail. Flying up from the West End, this musical by Eric Idle and John Du Prez is a gem of a show for Sheffield Theatres to host. It did not disappoint the throngs of fans who were heard quoting the infamous scenes in the bars and streets around the theatre prior to the show. The audience roared their way through the performance, singing along to the classics (Knights of the Round Table, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life…) and being delighted by the plethora of puns, asides and outright ridiculous comic slapstick that we have come to know and love about Monty Python. Set with the might of aged castles looming, modern disco lights blaring, Excalibur beaming down heavenly lights from above…and Todd Carty clapping together coconut shells, the story was told with great energy and humour. When King Arthur succumbed to giggles with the imposing Knights who say ‘Ni’ we did not blame him, James Gaddas portrayed the role of ridiculous King with perfect timing and generous tongue in cheek. It was the wonder of Sir Lancelot who stole the show, at once strong and mysterious and then lycra-clad and prancing, it was he who summed up all that is Monty Python about Spamalot. Glittering costumes, expert delivery of the most inane lines and unashamedly wacky dancing stunned the audience into open-mouthed enjoyment. Jodie Prenger belted out her show tunes with all of the power and control that household audiences across the country have [...]

Book: Willy Russell Music/Lyrics: Willy Russell & Bob Eaton Additional Music: Chris Mellor Director: Bob Eaton Reviewer: John Roberts The Public Reviews Rating: Going back to school is never easy, but going back to a school you created over 20 years ago and giving it a complete overhaul, modernising it and transforming it was always going to be a difficult task, but Willy Russell alongside Bob Eaton have managed to send the show to an all new high, not only thanks to its lively new score, its witty script but also thanks to the care and professionalism of the seriously talented younger cast, who pore their heart and soul out from start to finish. Mrs Kay’s progress class are off on their annual trip out, this year to Alton Towers, however the constantly grumpy Mr Biggs has heard about this and changed the class’s trip last minute and now the class are Conway bound. Hilarity reigns as the kids from Liverpool run riot, causing mischief with condom machines, penguins and castles. The 27 strong cast is mainly made up from local youngsters who are virtually back for another year following the sell out success of its original run last year, and the show feels even stronger because of this. These young professionals give their all throughout, with not one ounce of nerves showing. Mia Molly gives a beautiful wide eyed portrayal of Amy the girl who would rather stay at the beach where it’s ‘Nice’ than have to go back home and face the stark reality that faces her. Sophie Fraser and Abby Mavers as the overly sexed teenage girls Jackie and Carlene are fantastic and give such strong and assured performances that they really are destined for bigger things in the future. Jack Rigby shows a natural flair for comedy in his [...]

Writer: Arthur Wing Pinero Director: Sam Waters Reviewer: James Higgins The Public Reviews Rating: In Edwardian England political and social upheaval was taking place and the country was a few short years away from the horror of World War One. Arthur Wing Pinero was the son of a solicitor whose family had arrived in England in the 18th century. When his father died he left the world of law, entered the world of theatre and began to write. Not performed since 1966, The Thunderbolt, directed by Sam Walters has been revived and is presented in a charming and wonderfully nostalgic manner. In his 1908 play Pinero moves away from the London society of his earlier acclaimed The Second Mrs Tanqueray, to the small town politics, tension and rivalry of a sleepy provincial town in the Midlands. We join the Mortimore family as they gather to mourn the passing of eldest brother Ned, a man with whom they had little contact but who had amassed a small fortune as a successful local brewer. Who will inherit the fortune is unclear and the family are at the beck and call of the lawyers. There appears to be no will and in a further twist there is also an illegitimate daughter from Paris. The play explores the complex relationships between the siblings showing how greed, keeping up appearances and pretension lead to tension and dispute. Geoff Leesley is alpha sibling James Mortimore a man of local prominence who doesn’t have the funds to match. The same can be said of his brother Stephen (David Whitworth) a local newspaper proprietor jealous of his rival. Helen Thornhill, played convincingly by Grainne Keenan, is a young lady whose arrival really puts the cat amongst the pigeons. David Antrobus and Vincent Brimble are both excellent as family lawyers Mr Vallance [...]

Book/Lyrics: Howard Ashman Music: Alan Menkin Director: Peter Rowe Reviewer: John Roberts The Public Reviews Rating: One has to question if the timing is right to mount another revival of Ashman & Menkin’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ so soon after the critically acclaimed Menier Chocolate production which had a successful run in London’s West End and more recently a UK tour in 2008. This latest revival unlike that of the Menier uses the cast in the orchestra, but that is not to get confused with recent actor musician productions that we have become accustomed too, here Rowe makes his actors leave the stage and join the merry band of three permanent members high above the set instead of using them creatively within the piece itself. What is there not to really like about Ashman & Menkin’s Hollywood B-Movie pastiche musical? The score sizzles with sensuality and every bar and chord is strung with power and punch, the lyrics are witty and you can’t help but leave the theatre humming the tunes that you have just had the pleasure of hearing (perhaps a little too much at times, the sound balance masking quite a few of the shows major vocals)…however that feeling doesn’t always carry across the whole of the production. Staging this musical must be a nightmare for a director and designer – with only three locations to the piece; Skid Row, Mushnik’s Shop and Orin’s dentist room you have to go a long way to be overly creative in coming up with something original to place on stage. However Mark Walter’s set design is blessed with a strong sense of detail throughout and is perhaps the best Mushnik’s shop I have seen. Rowe attempts to tackle the piece with flair and gusto through his persistence in pushing the pieces comedy, however through [...]