Musical

Music & Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: Hugh Wheeler Director: Nick Bagnall Reviewer: John Roberts If you attend this tale of Sweeney Todd, be prepared to see a version of the Sondheim musical which sees director Nick Bagnall strip back the piece and focus on the fundamental and important elements of music, lyrics and storytelling – this condensing brings an unrivalled ...

Writer: W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Director: John Savournin Reviewer: Karl O'Doherty There’s a bounce and bit of mischief running through this colourful production that makes it impossible not to love. From Buttercup’s sweet sassiness to the jolly-sailor patter of the crew, it’s all just hugely entertaining - highlighting the ridiculousness of the situation even more than other productions that ...

Book: Thomas Meehan Music: Charles Strouse Lyrics: Martin Charnin Director: Nikolai Foster Reviewer: Molly Knox Annie at the King’s Theatre presents a dynamic, sharp and vibrant production of a beloved story of a plucky orphan’s resolve and hope in finding her parents, in the face of greed, spite and bitterness. Director Nikolai Foster’s vision of the show is a similar ...

Writer: Simon Foster Director: Chantelle Nolan Reviewer: John Roberts Theatre Royal St Helens and Regal Entertainment have an undeniable reputation of producing pantomimes of the highest standard, in fact they were one of the first venues in the country to produce an Easter pantomime, this year the present a new version of The Wizard of Ozand it’s just as spellbinding ...

Concept:  Jerome Robbins Book: Arthur Laurents Music: Leonard Bernstein Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim. Director:  Sarah Frankcom Reviewer: Dave Cunningham Nowadays audiences are accustomed to perceiving West Side Story as a classic musical perfect for viewing on Sunday afternoons so it is hard to accept that, when first staged, its depiction of gang violence was controversial.  Now the UK has become a racially divided ...

Writer: Harvey Fierstein Composer: Cyndi Lauper Director and Choreographer: Jerry Mitchell Reviewer: Ruth Jepson Ladies, gentlemen and those who have yet to make up their minds, Kinky Boots is finally touring and it’s time to strap on your stilettos and sashay to the theatre! Based on the 2005 film, Kinky Boots the musical is pretty much a direct retelling of ...

Writer: Willy Russell Director: Bob Tomson & Bill Kenwright Reviewer: Matt Forrest It’s hard to believe that Blood Brothers just celebrated its 36th year, if anything, it feels older purely because the affection with which it is held. It’s certainly an institution of the theatre circuit and there’s no question why: this is a timeless, heart-breaking tale, of love, class and ...

Book: Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer Music: Green Day  Lyrics: Billie Joe Armstrong Director: Racky Plews Reviewer: Gemma Fincher Green Day‘s explosive rock musical American Idiot is back in Birmingham as it celebrates its 10th anniversary and also the 15th anniversary of the influential, Grammy-award winning concept album on which it is based. Winner of two Tony Awards, American Idiot tells the ...