Posted by : RodDungate on Monday, July 24, 2017 - 09:38 AM

Three Choirs Festival 2017 Worcester
A Child of Our Time
Worcester Cathedral – Saturday 22 July 2017
4 ****

Review: Paul & David Gray

Three English Giants: Elgar, Britten, Tippett

Posted by : RodDungate on Monday, July 24, 2017 - 09:13 AM

London.
THE HIRED MAN
Music & Lyrics by Howard Goodall
Book by Melvyn Bragg
3 ***

The Union Theatre, Old Union Arches, 229 Union Street, London SE1 0LR to 12 August 2017.
Tues-Sat 7.30pm Mat Sat & Sun 2.30pm.
Runs 2hr 15 mins One interval.
TICKETS: 020 7261 9876.
www.uniontheatre.biz
Review: William Russell 21 July.

Hard times in Cumbria,

Posted by : al_geary on Friday, July 21, 2017 - 11:01 AM

Nottingham.

DANGEROUS CORNER: J B Priestley.
4Stars****

Nottingham Playhouse.
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk.
Runs: 2h 30m: one interval: till 22nd July.
Performance times: 7.30pm (matinees Weds 2.00pm and Sat 3.00pm),
Review: Alan Geary: 18th July 2017.


One of the best things the Classic Thriller Season has come up with in years.

Posted by : RodDungate on Friday, July 21, 2017 - 10:55 AM

London.
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
by William Shakespe
3 ***

The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 2DH to 5 August 2017.
Tues-Sat 7.45pm
Runs 1hr 35 mins No interval.

TICKETS: 0333 666 3366.
www.brockleyjack.co.uk
Review: William Russell 20 July.

Bright, breezy and lots of fun

Posted by : RodDungate on Thursday, July 20, 2017 - 10:50 AM

London
TWILIGHT SONG
by Kevin Elyot
2 Stars **

Park 200, the park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, London N4 3JP to 12 August 2017.
Tues-Sat 7.30pm Mat Thu & Sat 3pm. 31 July and 7 August 7.30pm.
Runs 75 mins No interval.

TICKETS: 020 7870 6876
www.ParkTheatre.co.uk
Review: William Russell 19 July.

A sad and dreary song at twilight

Posted by : RodDungate on Thursday, July 20, 2017 - 10:38 AM

London
TIDDLER -
and other terrific tales
based on the books of Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler.
Music & Lyrics Benji Bower.
4 Stars****

Leicester Square Theatre, to 3 September 2017.
Tues & Wed 11am. Thurs-Sunday 11am & 2pm.
Runs 60 mins No interval.

TICKETS: 0207 734 2222.
www.TiddlerLive.com
Review: William Russell 19 July.

Terrific treat for tiny tots.

Posted by : al_geary on Thursday, July 20, 2017 - 10:25 AM

Nottingham/Touring.

OUT OF ORDER: Ray Cooney.
3Stars***

Theatre Royal: Tkts 0115 9895555 www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk.
Full information: Tom O’Connell Productions.
Runs: 2h 5m: one interval: till 21st July.
Performance times: 7.30pm, (matinees 2.00pm Weds, 2.30pm Sat).
Review: Alan Geary: 17th July 2017.


Not one of Cooney’s best but much more than a serviceable night out.

Posted by : RodDungate on Thursday, July 20, 2017 - 10:20 AM

London.
DISCO PIGS
by Enda Walsh.
4 Stars ****

Trafalgar Studio 2, Whitehall, London SW1A 2DY to 19 August 2017.
Mon-Sat 7.45pm. Mat Thu & Sat 3pm.
Runs 75 mins No interval.
TICKETS: 0844 871 7632
www.atgtickets.com
Review: William Russell 18 July.


Twin souls and double trouble

Posted by : RodDungate on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 - 10:24 AM

Posted by : al_geary on Monday, July 17, 2017 - 09:29 AM

Nottingham.

DIAL M FOR MURDER: Frederick Knott.
4Stars****

Nottingham Playhouse.
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk.
Runs: 2h 30m: one interval: till 15th July.
Performance times: 7.30pm (matinees Weds 2.00pm and Sat 3.00pm),
Review: Alan Geary: 11th July 2017.


Nottingham’s Classic Thriller Season kicks off with one of the greatest ever written.

Posted by : RodDungate on Friday, July 07, 2017 - 10:50 AM

London
INSTRUCTIONS FOR AMERICAN SERVICEMEN IN BRITAIN
Devised by The Real McGuffins and John Walton.
4Stars ****

Jermyn Street Theatre. 16b Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6ST to 29 July 2017.
Mon – Sat 7.30pm. Mat Sat 3.30pm.
Runs 1 hr 50 mins One interval.

TICKETS: 020 7287 2875.
www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk
Review: William Russell 5 July.

Delightfully Daft and Dazzlingly Done

Posted by : RodDungate on Thursday, July 06, 2017 - 10:00 AM

London
THE MENTOR
by Daniel Kehlman.
Translated by Christopher Hampson.

3stars***

The Vaudeville Theatre 404, the Strand, London WC2 0NY to 2 September 2017.
Mon-Sat 7.45pm Mat Tues & Sat 3pm/
Runs 90 mins No interval.

TICKETS: 033 0333 4814.
www.tickets.nimaxtheatres.com
Review: William Russell 4 July.

A civilised but slight affair

Posted by : al_geary on Wednesday, July 05, 2017 - 10:08 AM

Nottingham/Touring.

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG: Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields.
4Stars****

Theatre Royal:
Tkts 0115 9895555
www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk.
Full information: Mischief Theatre
Runs: 2h 5m: one interval: till 8th July.
Review: Alan Geary: 3rd July 2017.


Enormously funny – but the basic joke starts to wear a bit thin.

Posted by : RodDungate on Monday, July 03, 2017 - 09:55 AM

London.
KING KONG
(A Comedy)
by Daniel Clarkson
4****

The Vaults, Launcelot Street, London SE1 7AD to 27 August 2017.
To 23 July – Tues-Sat 7.30pm. Mat Sat 4pm. Sun 3pm & 6pm.
From 25 July – Tues-Sat 7.30pm. Mat Wed,Sat & Sun 4pm.
Runs 80 mins No interval.

TICKETS: 0871 220 0260.
www.KingKongComedy.com
Review: William Russell 2 July.

@ReviewsGate

You could go ape over this

Posted by : RodDungate on Sunday, July 02, 2017 - 04:03 PM

Routledge
ACTING IN MUSICAL THEATRE: Joe Deer and Rocco Dal Vera
Published in a new version by Routledge
Publication 2017
5*****

ISBN: 9 780415 713246
www.routledge.com

Review: Rod Dungate, 02 July 2017

@Rod_Dungate

@ReviewsGate

Good sense, compete sense, remarkable comprehensive

Posted by : RodDungate on Saturday, July 01, 2017 - 11:04 AM

London
HOUSE OF AMERICA
by Ed Thomas
4Stars ****

Jack Studio Theatre, The Brockley Jack, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 2DH to 15 July 2017.
Tues – Sat 7.45pm
Runs 2hr 15 mins One interval.

TICKETS: 0333 666 3366
www.brockleyjack.co.uk
Review: William Russell 30 June

Horror in the valleys and on the road

Posted by : RodDungate on Saturday, July 01, 2017 - 10:50 AM

London.
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS
Book by Julian Fellowes, music by George Stiles, lyrics by Anthony Drewe.
3 ***

The London Palladium, Argyll Street, London W1F 7TF to 9 September 2017.
Mon 7pm. Tues-Sat 7.30pm. Mat Tues & Sat 2.30pm.
Runs 2 hr 30 mins One interval.

TICKETS: 08444 412 4655.
www.londonpalladiumtheatre.co.uk
Review: William Russell 30 June.

@ReviewsGate


Toad in a bit of a hole,

Posted by : RodDungate on Thursday, June 29, 2017 - 10:01 AM

London
LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL
a musical play by Lanie Robertson.
5 *****

Wyndham’s Theatre., Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0DA to 9 September.
Tues-Sat 7.45pm Mat Wed, Thu & Sat 2.45pm.
Runs 90 mins No interval.

TICKETS: 0844 482 5120.
www.tickets.delfontmachintosh.co.uk
Review: William Russell 28 June.


@ReviewsGate

Ninety spellbinding heartbreaking minutes

Posted by : RodDungate on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 - 10:09 AM

London
MR GILLIE
by James Bridie.
4 ****

The Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 9ED in repertoire to 15 July 1017.
Sun, Môn & Tues 7.30 pm. Mat Tues 2pm.
Runs 2hr 30 mins One interval.


TICKETS: 0844 847 1652
www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk
Review: William Russell 26 June.

@ReviewsGate

A splendid story of failure and redemption

Posted by : RodDungate on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 - 10:03 AM

Birmingham
Summer Music by Candlelight
St Philip’s Cathedral, Birmingham
20th June 2017
5 *****

Review: Paul & David Gray

A Summer Evening Very Well Spent

Posted by : RodDungate on Monday, June 26, 2017 - 11:14 AM

London.
BLONDEL
Book & lyrics by Tim Rice
Music by Stephen Oliver & Mathew Pritchard.
3 Stars ***

The Union Theatre, Old Union Arches, 229 Union Street, London SE1 LO3 to 15 July 2017.
Tues- Sat 7.30pm. Mat Sat & Sun 2.30pm/
Runs 2hr 20 mins One interval.

TICKETS: 020 7261 9876.
www.uniontheatre.biz

A horrible history musical

Posted by : RodDungate on Friday, June 23, 2017 - 10:12 AM

London.
JAMES BONNEY MP
by Ian Buckley.
2Stars **

The White Bear theatre, 132 Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4DJ to 8 July 2017.

Tues-Sat 7.30pm May Sat 8 Jul 2.30pm & Sun 4pm.
Runs 1hr 50 mins One interval.

TICKETS: 0333 012 4963.
www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk
Review: William Russell 22 June.


@ReviewsGate

A play for yesterday rather than today

Posted by : RodDungate on Friday, June 23, 2017 - 09:54 AM

London.
BAT OUT OF HELL
book, music & lyrics by Jim Steinman.
5 *****
The Coliseum, 33 St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES
Mon – Sat 7.30pm Mat Thurs & Sat 2.30
Runs 2hr 45 mins One interval.

TICKETS: 020 7845 9300.
www.londoncoliseum.org
Review: William Russell 21 June

@ReviewsGate

A hell of a show

Posted by : RodDungate on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 - 02:32 PM

Birmingham & Tour
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG: ; Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, Henry Shields
Birmingham Rep: The House, and Touring to 12 August 2017
4****

Runs 2h, on interval
Bham Rep BO: 0121 236 4455
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
Information, tickets: www.theplaythatgoeswrong.com/uk-tour/tickets


Review: Rod Dungate, 19 June 2017

@Rod_Dungate

@ReviewsGate

A whopping romp, a whopping tonic for our times

Posted by : RodDungate on Monday, June 19, 2017 - 10:23 AM

Birmingham and Touring
Stadium (Credits below)
2 Stars
The Main house, Birmingham Repertory Theatre to 17th June 2017. Tour
Runs: 1 hour 50 minutes, with a 20-minute interval.
Tickets: Birmingham Repertory Theatre: 0121 236 4455
Info: https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/about-us/how-to-book.html
Review: Samuel James Crawford, 12th June 2017

One hour fifteen minutes with no interval.
Review: Samuel James Crawford,

@SamuelJamesC23

@ReviewsGate

A play that leaves you anticipating the final whistle.

Posted by : RodDungate on Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 02:34 PM

London
THESE TREES ARE MADE OF BLOOD
Book by Paul Jenkins
Music and Lyrice by Darren Clark
4****

Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, Dalston, London E8 3DL to 15 July 2017.
Mon-Sat 7.30 pm.Mat Wed & Sat 3pm.
Runs 2hr 30 mins One interval.

TICKETS: 020 7503 1646.
www.arcolatheatre.com
Review: William Russell 16 June.

In the end worth coming to this cabaret

Posted by : RodDungate on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 - 10:15 AM

London.
KISS ME
By Richard Bean
4Stars ****

Trafalgar Studios, Studio 2, 14 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DY to 8 July 2017.
Mon-Sat 7.45pm Mat Thurs & Sat 3pm.
Runs 75 mins No interval.

TICKETS: 0844 871 7632.
www.atgtickets.com
Review:William Russell 13 June.

@ReviewsGate

An engrossing encounter between two sad people

Posted by : RodDungate on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 - 10:01 AM

London

THE LOST ONES
by Maxim Gorky
translated by Cathy Porter.

4 ****

Jermyn Street Theatre, 26b Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6ST to 1 July 2017.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Sat 3pm.
Runs 2hr 15mins One interval/

TICKETS: 020 7287 2875.
www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk
Review: William Russell 12 June.

@ReviewsGate

A country and a family destroyed

Posted by : RodDungate on Sunday, June 11, 2017 - 05:28 PM

Touring
THE ADAMS FAMILY, THE MUSICAL. Marshall Brickmn, Rick Elice, Andrew Lippa
4 Star****
Touring till 4 November 2017
Runs: 2h 35m, one interval
Tour Dates and Tickets:
ww.theaddamsfamily.co.uk/tour/

Review Rod Dungate Birmingham Hippodrome, 10 June 2017


@Rod_Dungate


@ReviewsGate

Feel god Gothic

Posted by : RodDungate on Wednesday, June 07, 2017 - 10:16 AM

London.
IL MASTRIMONIO SEGRETO
composed by Domenico Cimarosa
libretto by Giovanni Bertati
based on The Clandestine Marriage by George Colman & David Garrick,
4 Stars ****
The Brunel Shaft, Railway Avenue, Rotherhithe, London SE16 4LF on 6 July and subsequently on tour to 30 July 2017.
Performances 7.30pm
Runs 2hr 30 mins One interval.
TICKETS: www.popupopera.co.uk
Review: William Russell 6 July.

A scintillating and tuneful evening