http://www.thepublicreviews.com Theatre reviews for you, by you. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:45:59 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/helena-blackman-journey-to-the-past-the-pheasantry-london/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/helena-blackman-journey-to-the-past-the-pheasantry-london/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:25:26 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=26936 Production: Speckulation Entertainment Reviewer: Lucy Thackray The Public Reviews Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars Helena Blackman, runner-up in early TV casting show How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, has worked hard to maintain her fanbase and keep performing since her TV debut. Despite leading roles in South Pacific, Saturday Night and the recent Noël [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/helena-blackman-journey-to-the-past-the-pheasantry-london/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/over-the-rainbow-the-eva-cassidy-story-epsom-playhouse/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/over-the-rainbow-the-eva-cassidy-story-epsom-playhouse/#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:08:10 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=22761 Writer: Brian Langtry Director: Stephen Leatherland Reviewer: Lucy Thackray The Public Reviews Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars A musical about Eva Cassidy’s life was not exactly my idea of heaven. I’ve loved Cassidy’s voice ever since hearing it as a teen; the raw emotion of her voice through a speaker interpreted classic songs far [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/over-the-rainbow-the-eva-cassidy-story-epsom-playhouse/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/grease-%e2%80%93-palace-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/grease-%e2%80%93-palace-theatre-manchester/#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:15:38 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=21710 Writer: Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey Director: David Gilmore Reviewer: Nathan Shreeve The Public Reviews Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars This production of Grease ought to be advertised on a big brown road sign as you come into Manchester. This is theatre as a attraction, made evident from the hordes of audience members in [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/grease-%e2%80%93-palace-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-idina-menzel/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-idina-menzel/#comments Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:00:25 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=21602 Whatever type of music or theatre you’re into, chances are you’ve heard Idina Menzel‘s voice. She was part of the Broadway revolution that was Rent in 1996, was the first to immerse herself in green make-up and iconic Stephen Schwartz melodies in global hit Wicked, and more recently joined the talented and charming misfits of [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-idina-menzel/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-%e2%80%93-ten-minutes-with-alice-coulthard/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-%e2%80%93-ten-minutes-with-alice-coulthard/#comments Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:00:40 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=21433 Alice Coulthard is best known to television audiences for the role of Maisie Wylde in Emmerdale, but since leaving the Yorkshire Dales she has landed herself the lead role in Keeler, a new play by Gill Adams that delves into the heart of the Profumo Affair. She took some time out to chat to Catherine [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-%e2%80%93-ten-minutes-with-alice-coulthard/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/feature-over-the-rainbow-the-eva-cassidy-story/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/feature-over-the-rainbow-the-eva-cassidy-story/#comments Tue, 02 Aug 2011 21:45:28 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18925 by Lucy Thackray Eva Cassidy is best known as the voice that tingled a million spines when Terry Wogan played her acoustic version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow on his radio show in 2000, and as the soundtrack to countless weddings and funerals – yet few people know much about the woman behind the voice. [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/feature-over-the-rainbow-the-eva-cassidy-story/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/legally-blonde-%e2%80%93-the-bristol-hippodrome/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/legally-blonde-%e2%80%93-the-bristol-hippodrome/#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:35:45 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=18433 Music & Lyrics: Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin Director: Jerry Mitchell Reviewer: Katy Evans The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars A stage musical adaptation of a film often suffers in the transition, and having been familiar with the film I was keen to see if this was the case with Legally Blonde. [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/legally-blonde-%e2%80%93-the-bristol-hippodrome/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-10-minutes-with-abigail-jaye/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-10-minutes-with-abigail-jaye/#comments Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:37:25 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=17179 Abigail Jaye is currently starring as Argentina’s most iconic first lady, Eva Peron, in the UK and European tour of Evita. She has also had roles in Doctor Doolittle, Scrooge and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. She took some time out to share her experiences with Lucy Thackray. So how are you enjoying touring [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-10-minutes-with-abigail-jaye/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/jon-allen-the-lowry-salford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/jon-allen-the-lowry-salford/#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 10:11:33 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=16625 Reviewer: Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ‘Blood on the Tracks’ and ‘Pirates’ are just two of many albums inspired by the break-up of a relationship. Singer/ songwriter Jon Allen adds ‘Sweet Defeat’ to the list. As he is touring to promote this album it is inevitable that his concerts [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/jon-allen-the-lowry-salford/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/stephen-k-amos-the-best-medicine-the-lowry-salford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/stephen-k-amos-the-best-medicine-the-lowry-salford/#comments Mon, 23 May 2011 10:12:56 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=16575 Reviewer: Cathy Crabb The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Stephen K Amos really is quite something. I suppose his show could be summed up in the moment when this hard-faced soft shelled gay black comedian got an eighteen year old Salford laddy lad out with his three mates to move up and [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/stephen-k-amos-the-best-medicine-the-lowry-salford/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-andrew-dunn/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-andrew-dunn/#comments Mon, 14 Feb 2011 09:52:01 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=14045 Theatre-goers will be served a generous portion of culinary comedy when the stage production of Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies stops-off in the region. Andrew Dunn, who leads the cast, reveals the recipe of the show’s success to STEVE BURBRIDGE. Famed for ‘feeding the faces of folk’ as Tony Martin, the cranky canteen manager at HWD Components, actor Andrew [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-andrew-dunn/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/sex-docks-rock-n-roll-%e2%80%93-the-seven-arts-theatre-leeds/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/sex-docks-rock-n-roll-%e2%80%93-the-seven-arts-theatre-leeds/#comments Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:28:21 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=12849 Music & lyrics: Boff Whalley Director: Rod Dixon Reviewer: Nicola Harrison The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars ‘Just ignore the party leaders, With all their dirty fingers in the pie.’ This musical comedy, brought to us by the Red Ladder touring theatre company is on tour from 22nd November to 22nd December [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/sex-docks-rock-n-roll-%e2%80%93-the-seven-arts-theatre-leeds/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/forgotten-fortress-theatre-in-the-quarter-cheshire/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/forgotten-fortress-theatre-in-the-quarter-cheshire/#comments Sun, 05 Dec 2010 09:38:10 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=12717 Writer Helen Newall Music Matthew Baker Director Russ Tunney Reviwer Lorna Andrewes The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ‘Theatre in the Quarter’ is a Chester-based company serving the whole of Cheshire and specialising in commissioning its own musical theatre productions. This particular work is set in a not very prosperous farm somewhere [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/forgotten-fortress-theatre-in-the-quarter-cheshire/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/a-midsummer-nights-dream-the-globe-bodleian-quad-oxford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/a-midsummer-nights-dream-the-globe-bodleian-quad-oxford/#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:11:39 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=9741 Writer: William Shakespeare Director: Raz Shaw Reviewer: Joshua Ray The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Shakespeare’s most fun play… the Globe company on tour… the Bodleian quadrangle on a July evening… interval drinks in the Divinity School… what’s not to like? Lord knows I tried to find something. I really did. Reviewers [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/a-midsummer-nights-dream-the-globe-bodleian-quad-oxford/feed/ 2 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/keeping-up-appearances-darlington-civic-theatre/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/keeping-up-appearances-darlington-civic-theatre/#comments Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:02:12 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=9384 Writer:Roy Clarke Director: David Graham Reviewer: Ian Cain The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars ‘Keeping Up Appearances’ is one of those programmes that is so deeply embedded in our cultural consciousness that it seems difficult to believe it aired for only five years, between 1990 and 1995, and a total of 44 [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/keeping-up-appearances-darlington-civic-theatre/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-kim-hartman/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-kim-hartman/#comments Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:40:56 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=9362 In stark contrast to her iconic role as the domineering Private Helga Geerhart in ’Allo, ’Allo, Kim Hartman is currently starring as Hyacinth Bucket’s nervy next-door-neighbour, Elizabeth Warden, in the stage version of Keeping Up Appearances. Ahead of her stop-off at Darlington, she took time out to chat to Steve Burbridge Famed for plaits piled [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-kim-hartman/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-gruffalo-seymour-centre-everest-theatre-sydney-australia/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-gruffalo-seymour-centre-everest-theatre-sydney-australia/#comments Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:06:07 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=9304 Writer: Julia Donalsdon Adaptor: Tall Stories Director: Stephen Colyer Reviewer:  David Kary The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars The Seymour Centre’s Everest Theatre is currently home to the return season of ‘The Gruffalo’, London’s Tall Theatre Company’s acclaimed adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s best selling children’s picture book (illustrations by Axel Scheffler). Donaldson’s [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-gruffalo-seymour-centre-everest-theatre-sydney-australia/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/stop-messing-about-darlington-civic-theatre/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/stop-messing-about-darlington-civic-theatre/#comments Thu, 06 May 2010 11:35:42 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=8120 Writer: Brian Cooke and Johnnie Mortimer Director: Michael Kingsbury Reviewer: Ian Cain The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars It’s a strange idea to produce a theatre show around the format of a ‘live’ radio recording of a comedy sketch show, but that’s basically the premise of ‘Stop Messing About.’ Interestingly, for me, [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/stop-messing-about-darlington-civic-theatre/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/cinderella-english-national-ballet-palace-theatre-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/cinderella-english-national-ballet-palace-theatre-manchester/#comments Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:11:33 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7903 Writer: Prokofiev Director/Choreographer: Michael Corder Conductor: Alex Ingram Reviewer: Malcolm Wallace The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars It’s a special year for English National Ballet. It’s sixty years since the company made its debut and what better way to celebrate than with this revival of Michael Corder’s sumptuous and award winning 1996 [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/cinderella-english-national-ballet-palace-theatre-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/jo-caulfield-wont-shut-up-lowry-theatre-salford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/jo-caulfield-wont-shut-up-lowry-theatre-salford/#comments Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:05:56 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7810 Reviewer: Helen Jones The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Jo Caulfield, a regular guest on TV shows such as Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You and the star of her own radio shows, brings the penultimate performance of her nationwide tour to Salford. She freely admits that the title [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/jo-caulfield-wont-shut-up-lowry-theatre-salford/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/rhod-gilbert-and-the-cat-that-looked-like-nicholas-lyndhurst-%e2%80%93-lowry-theatre-salford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/rhod-gilbert-and-the-cat-that-looked-like-nicholas-lyndhurst-%e2%80%93-lowry-theatre-salford/#comments Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:41:28 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7806 Reviewer: Ruth Lovett The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Instantly recognisable as that Welsh bloke off the Welsh tourism board adverts (who knew there was wine made in Wales?), Rhod Gilbert returns to the Lowry to update us on another year in his life. Needless to say, as you might expect, it has [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/rhod-gilbert-and-the-cat-that-looked-like-nicholas-lyndhurst-%e2%80%93-lowry-theatre-salford/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/fascinating-aida-lowry-theatre-salford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/fascinating-aida-lowry-theatre-salford/#comments Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:19:24 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7674 Music and Lyrics: Dillie Keane and Adele Anderson Director: Frank Thompson Reviewer: Helen Jones The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Fascinating Aida are on their 25th Anniversary tour (although they freely admit they’ve actually been together for twenty-eight years) and are now visiting the Lowry. The three performers – Dillie Keane, Adele [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/fascinating-aida-lowry-theatre-salford/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/stop-messing-about-new-theatre-oxford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/stop-messing-about-new-theatre-oxford/#comments Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:49:54 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7608 Writer: Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke Director: Michael Kingsbury Reviewer: Talisker Macleod The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Stop Messing About at the New Theatre in Oxford was, from start to finish, pure delight. A very unassuming beginning (with some excellent silent comedy) as the BBC studio sound-boy set up chairs and [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/stop-messing-about-new-theatre-oxford/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-39-steps-curve-leicester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-39-steps-curve-leicester/#comments Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:13:03 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7597 Writer: Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon Director: Maria Aitken Reviewer: Rebecca Taylor The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Adapted from John Buchan’s 1915 novel, The 39 Steps is more famously remembered by the dramatic, fast-paced Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name from 1935. Although the film took little from the original [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-39-steps-curve-leicester/feed/ 3 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/beverley-knight-100-on-tour-lowry-theatre-salford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/beverley-knight-100-on-tour-lowry-theatre-salford/#comments Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:58:59 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7556 Reviewer: David Leith The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars After the success of 6 albums, numerous chart hits and the acclaim as one of Britain’s most celebrated soul singers it would have been easy for Beverley Knight to sit back and bask in her accomplishments but she does no such thing. 100%, [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/beverley-knight-100-on-tour-lowry-theatre-salford/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/oklahoma-empire-theatre-liverpool/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/oklahoma-empire-theatre-liverpool/#comments Wed, 31 Mar 2010 06:39:25 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7470 Writers: Rodgers & Hammerstein Director: Julian Woolford Reviewer: Malcolm Wallace The Public Reviews Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Premiering in 1943, Oklahoma! is arguably the strongest and most fondly remembered of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s many musicals. Widely agreed to have changed the face of American musical theatre the show has been consistently in production [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/oklahoma-empire-theatre-liverpool/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/hi-de-hi-darlington-civic-theatre/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/hi-de-hi-darlington-civic-theatre/#comments Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:28:37 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7662 Writers: Jimmy Perry & David Croft Adapters: Paul Carpenter & Ian Gower Director: Bruce James Reviewer: Steve Burbridge The Public Reviews Rating: 2 out of 5 stars Hi-De-Hi’, the BAFTA award-winning television sitcom which ran for nine series’ during the 1980s, returns to the stage for the first time since its West End run in [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/hi-de-hi-darlington-civic-theatre/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/evita-churchill-theatre-bromley/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/evita-churchill-theatre-bromley/#comments Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:22:44 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7419 Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics Tim Rice Director: Bob Thompson and Bill Kenwright Reviewer: Crystal Alonsi The Public Reviews Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars If football is a game of two halves Evita is surely a musical of three thirds, and even with all the enthusiasm and energy that this cast surely has, they [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/evita-churchill-theatre-bromley/feed/ 6 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-jason-butler-harner-serenading-louie/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-jason-butler-harner-serenading-louie/#comments Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:25:01 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7405 Leicester must seem like a small time gig compared to starring alongside the likes of Angelina Jolie or Nicholas Cage in silver screen blockbusters but not for Jason Butler Harner. The American-born actor is excited about coming to the city next month with a short tour of Serenading Louie at Curve thanks to the support [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-jason-butler-harner-serenading-louie/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/whistle-down-the-wind-opera-house-manchester/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/whistle-down-the-wind-opera-house-manchester/#comments Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:15:17 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7401 Music: Andrew Lloyd-Webber Lyrics: Jim Steinman Book: Patricia Knopp & Gale Edwards Director: Bill Kenwright Reviewer: John Roberts The Public Reviews Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars ‘The Lord’ as he has been affectionately named in recent years, may be getting mixed reviews for his latest production to open in the West End, but one [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/whistle-down-the-wind-opera-house-manchester/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/porridge-empire-theatre-liverpool/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/porridge-empire-theatre-liverpool/#comments Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:00:24 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7361 Writer: Dick Clement & Ian le Frenais Director: Gavin McAlinden Reviewer: Tim Stone The Public Reviews Rating: 2 out of 5 stars The TV sitcom Porridge is a thing of legends and even some thirty years on it is still an extremely funny and poignant programme. Ronnie Barker as Norman Stanley Fletcher (a name etched [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/porridge-empire-theatre-liverpool/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-ten-minutes-with-rupert-hill/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-ten-minutes-with-rupert-hill/#comments Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:56:43 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7321 Rupert Hill is probably best known to television audiences for his four year stint as Jamie Baldwin in Coronation Street. In addition to this, he has also appeared as Kieron Wallace in ITV’s The Bill, and appeared in the hit medical drama Holby City, as well as Night & Day. Since leaving Coronation Street, Hill [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-ten-minutes-with-rupert-hill/feed/ 1 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/stop-messing-about-lowry-theatre-salford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/stop-messing-about-lowry-theatre-salford/#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:45:59 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7286 Writers: Brian Cooke & Johnnie Mortimer Director: Michael Kingsbury Reviewer: Matthew Nichols The Public Reviews Rating: 3 out of 5 stars It’s a theatrical oddity, that’s for sure. At what moment did someone decide that a camp, frivolous 1960s radio comedy gong show might make for a two act live theatre event? Bizarrely, the format [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/stop-messing-about-lowry-theatre-salford/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/stop-messing-about-venue-cymru-llandudno/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/stop-messing-about-venue-cymru-llandudno/#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:44:04 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7222 Writers: Brian Cooke and Johnnie Mortimer Director: Michael Kingsbury Reviewer: Ron Stevenson The Public Reviews Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Written by Brian Cooke and Johnnie Mortimer, well known for award winning shows such as Man About the House, Father Dear Father and George and Mildred to name but a few, ‘Stop messing About’ [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/stop-messing-about-venue-cymru-llandudno/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/my-mother-told-me-not-to-stare-action-transport-theatre-ellesmere-port/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/my-mother-told-me-not-to-stare-action-transport-theatre-ellesmere-port/#comments Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:19:20 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7159 Writer: Finegan Kruckemeyer Music: Martyn Harry Director: Nina Hajiyianni Reviewer: Katherine Kirwin The Public Reviews Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars My Mother Told Me Not To Stare (MMTMNTS) is a gothic, puppet performance for children and adults alike, told in an operetta style. This production stretches the boundaries of what can be called children’s [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/my-mother-told-me-not-to-stare-action-transport-theatre-ellesmere-port/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/journeys-end-gala-theatre-durham/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/journeys-end-gala-theatre-durham/#comments Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:10:20 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7154 Writer: RC Sherriff Director: Alastair Whatley Reviewer: Steve Burbridge The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Based on R.C. Sherriff’s own experience in the trenches of World War One, ‘Journey’s End’ is a powerful and poignant production that starkly illustrates the futility of war. Set within a claustrophobic dugout where time creeps to [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/journeys-end-gala-theatre-durham/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-woman-in-black-darlington-civic-theatre/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-woman-in-black-darlington-civic-theatre/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:34:23 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7118 Author: Susan Hill Adaptor: Stephen Mallatratt Director: Robin Herford Reviewer: Ian Cain The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars The popularity of ‘The Woman in Black’ cannot be disputed. Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation of Susan Hill’s 1983 novel began life at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough in 1987 and is now in its twenty-first [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-woman-in-black-darlington-civic-theatre/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-dreadful-hours-on-tour/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-dreadful-hours-on-tour/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:16:20 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=7005 Devised By: Tmesis Theatre and Chris Fittock Writer: Chris Fittock Director: Javier Marzan Reviewer: David Leith The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Relationships are a complicated thing; we are all aware of this. Boy meets girl, boy and girl go on a date; boy and girl suddenly sit back five year later [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-dreadful-hours-on-tour/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/jus-like-that-lowry-theatre-salford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/jus-like-that-lowry-theatre-salford/#comments Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:28:33 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=6685 Writer: John Fisher Director: Patrick Ryecart Reviewer: Dave Cunningham The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars It is hard to describe what made Tommy Cooper such a successful performer. His act sounds awful being little more than a string of poor Christmas cracker standard gags told whilst making a mess of a series [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/jus-like-that-lowry-theatre-salford/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/chinese-state-circus-mulan-lowry-theatre-salford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/chinese-state-circus-mulan-lowry-theatre-salford/#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:07:39 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=6186 Artistic Director: Phillip Gardey Adaption by: Tony Wilkie-Millar & Tian Run Min Original Music by: Mr Wu Jia Ji & Ms. Zhang Hongtao Reviewer: Poppy Helm The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Rarely have I been so excited before a performance – a trip to the circus obviously brings out the child [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/chinese-state-circus-mulan-lowry-theatre-salford/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/adolph-hitler-my-part-in-his-downfall-richmond-theatre/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/adolph-hitler-my-part-in-his-downfall-richmond-theatre/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:16:58 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=6162 Writer: Spike Milligan Director: Tim Carroll Reviewer: James Higgins The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars I arrived at Richmond theatre to a most unusual greeting, ‘hullo mate !’ boomed the sailor, winking at me as I walked into the foyer. All around me were a motley crew of WWII characters from servicemen [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/adolph-hitler-my-part-in-his-downfall-richmond-theatre/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/whistle-down-the-wind-liverpool-empire/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/whistle-down-the-wind-liverpool-empire/#comments Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:06:54 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=6119 Music: Andrew Lloyd-Webber Lyrics: Jim Steinman Book: Mary Hayley Bell Director Bill Kenwright Reviewer Steph Rowe The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Well after years of trying I have finally made it to see the production of ‘Whistle Down the Wind’ and I was not disappointed. After watching the original 1961 film [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/whistle-down-the-wind-liverpool-empire/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-cast-director-of-history-boys-at-the-west-yorkshire-playhouse/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-cast-director-of-history-boys-at-the-west-yorkshire-playhouse/#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:46:42 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=6030 Over in Leeds a cast of 11 males and one female have been brought together for a fresh revival of Alan Bennett’s The History Boys which plays at the West Yorkshire Playhouse before embarking on a national tour. Under the ever careful eye of director Christopher Luscombe . The Public Reviews editor John Roberts headed [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-cast-director-of-history-boys-at-the-west-yorkshire-playhouse/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-woman-in-black-lowry-theatre-salford/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-woman-in-black-lowry-theatre-salford/#comments Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:05:04 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=5986 Writer: Susan Hill Adaptor: Stephen Mallatratt Director: Robin Herford Reviewer: John Roberts The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Susan Hill’s novel turned stage production The Woman in Black has gained massive cult following since Stephen Mallatratt and Robin Herford’s original outing in Scarbourgh in 1987 and has been scaring people in theatres [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-woman-in-black-lowry-theatre-salford/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-nutcracker-russian-state-ballet/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-nutcracker-russian-state-ballet/#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:56:45 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=5911 Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Alexander Kosinsky Choreography: Vasily Vainonen and Sergei Bobrov Reviewer: Rebecca Moore The Public Reviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars I wish I still had my time machine. If I did, I would go back a mere four weeks and enjoy the anticipation of Christmas all over again. I’d go [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-nutcracker-russian-state-ballet/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-woman-in-black-richmond-theatre/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-woman-in-black-richmond-theatre/#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:21:20 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=5894 Writer: Susan Hill Adaptor: Stephen Mallatratt Director: Robin Herford Reviewer: Becky Middleton The Public Reviews Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars As with any book adaptation, it is easy to be sceptical that it will translate well from page to stage. But The Woman in Black stands alone as a successful and chilling play in [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-woman-in-black-richmond-theatre/feed/ 0 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/brendan-cole-live-and-unjudged-manchester-opera-house-tour/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/brendan-cole-live-and-unjudged-manchester-opera-house-tour/#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:46:41 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/?p=5876 Musical Director: Barry Robinson Reviewer: Val Peets The Public Reviews Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Brendan Cole Live and Unjudged is just that, a lively and amusing evening of entertainment for the fans of Brendan Cole, the BBC TV program, Strictly Come Dancing and dance in general. The audience were mixed in age if [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/brendan-cole-live-and-unjudged-manchester-opera-house-tour/feed/ 2 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/roger-mcgough-that-awkward-age-tour-liverpool-playhouse/ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/roger-mcgough-that-awkward-age-tour-liverpool-playhouse/#comments Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:40:00 +0000 The Public Reviews http://www.thepublicreviews.com/roger-mcgough-that-awkward-age-tour-liverpool-playhouse/ Writer/Performer: Roger McGough Reviewers: T & L Andrewes Faced with writing a review of a poet reading his own work one might wonder whether to focus on performing capacity or literary merit. With actors, the furthering of the literary value depends on the quality of the performance. With a poet maybe we are looking for [...]]]> http://www.thepublicreviews.com/roger-mcgough-that-awkward-age-tour-liverpool-playhouse/feed/ 0