Writer: George Wilcox Director: Marc Zammit Reviewer: Maryam Philpott Despite all the technology available it is still as difficult as ever to get films made and distributed, so much so that actor and director Marc Zammit turned to crowd-funding to realise his passion project which has its UK premiere at London’s Raindance Festival on 23 September. Homeless Ashes is a ...

Writer: Martyn Hesford Director: Adrian Noble Reviewer: Dave Cunningham It is surprising that it has taken so long for the life of artist L S Lowry to be dramatised on the cinema screen. After all, his story has inspired a ballet, stage and radio plays and a number of documentaries. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that Martyn Hesford’s script for ...

Writer: Samuel Barber, Peter Reynolds and Jacques Offenbach Director: Paula Chitty Reviewer: Miriam Sallon Owing to the fact that three operettas are performed within an hour, it seems unfair to ask that any of them pack a real punch- there just isn’t time. That being said, there is plenty of time for light entertainment and a little comedy. And with ...

Writer:  Jill Murphy Adaptor: Emma Reeves Director: Theresa Heskins Reviewer: Sophia Moss You know that awkward moment when you’re scooting your way to school and you end up being zapped to a witch’s academy where you have to make potions, learn how to fly and pretend you know what on earth is going on? The Worst Witch is a fun, lively ...

Writer: Ben Weatherill Director: Tim Hoare Reviewer: Scott Matthewman While the Dorfman Theatre is much the smallest of the National’s three stages, it can still be a struggle to make it seem as intimate as some of London’s smaller theatres. For a story of deeply personal relationships as Ben Weatherill’s Jellyfish, it means the cast – and the rest of ...

Music: Whitney Houston Director: John Van Grinsven Reviewer: Nina Reece If you never had the pleasure of seeing Whitney Houston live, Belinda Davids in The Greatest Love of All is the closest you will ever get. Produced by Showtime Australia, the performance aims to ‘honour the music, talent and memory of Whitney Houston’ and it very nearly achieves these aims. ...

Writer: Agatha Christie Director: Gareth Armstrong Reviewer: Sam Lowe “Suspect everyone!” is intimidatingly written on the show’s poster. Yet, simultaneously we suspect someone. Tonight, the audience take on the role of investigator as they attempt to deduce whodunit; who committed the murder? Which character has the opportune moment and which one has the fitting motive? Yes, this is the world’s ...

Writer: Louis de Bernières Adaptor: Rona Munro Director: Melly Still Reviewer: Stephen Bates Setting a fictional romance against the backdrop of real events in Greece during World War II, Louis de Bernières’ 1994 novel Captain Corelli’s Mandolin became a worldwide hit. Many thought that the lavish 2001 film version suffered badly from miscasting, but, unencumbered by pressure to place star ...