Reviews

Jamie Allan’s Amaze ★★★☆☆

In a world where magic often feels like a trick of the light, Jamie Allan’s Amaze invites us to suspend our disbelief and embrace the wonder of illusion. It’s a heartfelt homage to the magic of childhood, wrapped in a modern package that blends nostalgia with innovation. Amaze takes us on a journey through Jamie […]

Next to Normal ★★★★★

Next to Normal is a journey through the minefield of mental health, served with a side of rock music that’ll have you tapping your feet while reaching for the tissues. This Pulitzer Prize-winning musical follows the Goodman family as they navigate the treacherous waters of bipolar disorder, grief, and the quest for normalcy – whatever […]

101 Dalmatians ★★★★☆

101 Dalmatians, the beloved tale of love, adventure, and a villainous woman with a penchant for fur, has made its way back to the stage with a fresh and vibrant musical adaptation. This latest iteration, touring the UK in 2024, charms audiences with its delightful mix of puppetry, catchy tunes, and a dash of canine […]

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child ★★★★☆

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child picks up 19 years after the final battle at Hogwarts, where we find Harry Potter, now a weary Auror, struggling with the trials of parenthood. He has three kids, but it’s Albus Severus Potter—his middle child, who carries the weight of the family name—who steals the spotlight. As Albus heads […]

People, Places & Things ★★★★★

Duncan Macmillan’s People, Places & Things has returned to the London stage, bringing with it a whirlwind of critical acclaim and leaving audiences exhilarated and emotionally drained. Let’s start with the basics. Our protagonist, Emma (played by the incomparable Denise Gough), is an actress whose relationship with substances is far more committed than her relationship […]

The Voice of the Turtle ★★★☆☆

In the intimate confines of the tiny 70-seater Jermyn Street Theatre, John Van Druten’s ‘The Voice of the Turtle’ emerges from a 77-year slumber, offering a charming glimpse into the romantic entanglements of 1940s New York. This revival, directed by Philip Wilson, breathes new life into a play that once graced the Piccadilly Theatre in […]

Starlight Express ★★★★☆

Starlight Express appears to have long occupied a curious place in the Andrew Lloyd Webber canon. It’s undoubtedly one of the composer’s most successful musicals – the original London production ran for 18 years (over four times as long as the original Sunset Boulevard) – while a German staging has been running continuously in a […]

Closer to Heaven ★★☆☆☆

This is a weak, underwritten musical about an ambitious young singer who relocates to London with dreams of stardom. His journey thrusts him into the hedonistic world of a Soho nightclub owned by the flamboyant Billie Trix, a former rock star. The storyline intertwines the lives of several characters: Shell, who becomes the young singer’s […]

The Choir of Man ★★★☆☆

The Choir of Man may just be the world’s most cheerful public house performance. The smell of beer, the banter between mates, and everyone’s sudden inclination to burst into song—what’s not to love? Conceived by Andrew Kay and helmed by the canny direction of Nic Doodson, The Choir of Man takes us into the heart […]

The Wind & The Rain ★★★★☆

Nearly 100 years ago, playwright Merton Hodge wrote this hugely successful drama, which played over 1,000 performances at the St Martin’s, the Queen’s (now Sondheim) and the Savoy theatre. It was televised in 1959, starring Alan Bates (Psycho), and was revived in 1960 at the Liverpool Playhouse with John Thaw playing one of the minor […]