My Fair Lady review – an abso-bloomin’-lutely loverly musical
My Fair Lady review – comedy and chemistry light up Opera North’s musical-theatre triumph
May 2024
Neil Gaiman’s Coraline to become ‘dark, spangly’ stage musical
Playwright Zinnie Harris and composer Louis Barabbas’s adaptation of the novel will open at Leeds Playhouse and tour in 2025
March 2024
Frankenstein review – Imitating the Dog’s experiment never quite comes to life
The company’s trademark fusion of live performance and digital wizardry doesn’t quite hang together in a radical take on Mary Shelley
February 2024
Frankenstein review – muscular but ungainly update has visible stitching
Imitating the Dog follow their innovative Dracula and Night of the Living Dead with a version of Shelley’s classic that bolts on a contemporary story about impending parenthood
December 2023
From exhilarating Oliver! to a mardy Beast in the east – three of the best Christmas family shows
Lionel Bart’s classic musical is all light and shade in James Brining’s in-the-round revival; actors and audience ad-lib with aplomb in a seaside Beauty and the Beast; plus, a camp and catchy Snow Queen
The Enormous Crocodile review – Roald Dahl’s dastardly reptile stalks the stage
This production for over-fours has clever touches, lively performances and splendid puppets but the songs and the story grow monotonous
Oliver! review – tunes, glorious tunes and a thrillingly vivid production
James Brining’s exemplary staging solves every problem – the antisemitism, the coercive romance – that Lionel Bart’s joyous, beloved but difficult musical presents
July 2023
In Dreams review – Roy Orbison jukebox musical is smart and sweet
In Dreams review – margaritas and mortality in Roy Orbison musical
May 2023
A Passionate Woman review – Kay Mellor’s wry rummage through middle-aged angst
A year after Mellor’s death, Tess Seddon directs her 1993 play marked by dry northern wit, knowing ridiculousness and deep, understated sadness
March 2023
Lord of the Flies review – school staple is bang up to date for world on the brink
Amy Leach’s production evokes a very current crop of anxieties with the castaways excellently played by a young cast
February 2023
Blow Down review – damning portrait of a town demolished by neglect
Garry Lyons gives voice to Knottingley locals in this fierce indictment of how the government has failed our once-thriving industrial communities
December 2022
Readers’ favourite stage shows of 2022
This year readers saw some amazing theatre, provoking tears, recognition, anger, inspiration and awe
November 2022
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Musical review – a burst of colour in a junk-filled world
Roy Orbison musical from & Juliet creators to open at Leeds Playhouse
October 2022
Nine Night review – worlds collide at a wake to remember
Amanda Huxtable directs the regional premiere of Natasha Gordon’s multigenerational play filled with conflict and grief
September 2022
The Importance of Being Earnest review – knockabout fun with Wilde’s genteel wit
Denzel Westley-Sanderson’s staging of the high-society comedy adds a welcome dose of playfulness amid the cucumber sandwiches
May 2022
Maggie May review – deft dementia drama underscores the power of memory
I Wanna Be Yours review – romance across a cultural divide
