Central Reviews

Writer and Director: Terry Johnson Reviewer: James Garrington Jack Cardiff.  Not a name that will ring many bells maybe, yet he was one of the greats of motion pictures, with a career spanning 75 years. His most notable work was as a cinematographer – the person who chooses lenses, film speed, focus, lighting and camera angles, effectively creating the image you ...

Writer: Isobel McArthur from the book by Jane Austen Director: Paul Brotherston Reviewer: Katie Burchett It is a truth universally acknowledged, that every Jane Austen novel adapted for the stage must include karaoke. Or if it wasn’t before, it should be now, thanks to Tron Theatre Company’s all-female co-production of Pride and Prejudice*(*sort of).  Raucous and vibrant, Isobel McArthur’s adaptation ...

Writer and Director: Terry Johnson Reviewer: John Kennedy The only hair-in-the-gate blemish on this otherwise exquisite, elegantly framed, semi-biographical exposé on the life of cinematic craftsman, Jack Cardiff, is that Writer/Director, Terry Johnson calls it a wrap so perfectly soon – maybe it’s the light – he’s used it all up. Fiat Lux – Let there be Light. For Jack, it’s ...

Writer: John Osborne Director: Sean O’Connor Reviewer: James Garrington The country is in turmoil. The people are divided, with strong views on both sides of the argument. Parliament is split with some fervent and vocal opposition to the Government’s plans. The Rice household is equally divided – Billy Rice gets all of his news from The Sun and rants constantly ...

Writer: Henry Filloux-Bennett Director: Jonnie Riordan Reviewer: Katy Roberts Based on Nigel Slater’s award-winning biography Toast – The Story of A Boy’s Hunger, and following a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and a London transfer to The Other Palace, Toast tells the story of Slater’s childhood in suburban 1960s England, brought to life through the tastes, smells, sights, ...

Book, Music and Lyrics: Willy Russell Directors: Bob Thomson and Bill Kenwright Reviewer: Hannah Powell With our current political climate becoming heated by Brexit and an ever-growing divide between those at the top and those living on the bread line, now seems the perfect time to revive such a play that displays what those in desperate need can be forced ...

Book: Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott Director: Ian Talbot Reviewer: Gemma Fincher Everyone’s favourite Australian theatrical export is back and it’s bigger, bolder and brighter than ever. Produced by Jason Donovan (who starred in the West End production of the show) Priscilla Queen of the Desert is currently spreading the glitter and glamour across the country on its recently launched UK tour. ...

Writer: William Shakespeare Director: Eleanor Rhode Reviewer: Katie Burchett Neon lights, foam hands and political sparring in a boxing ring; Eleanor Rhode brings Shakespeare’s unsung King John to the Swan Theatre in an explosion of visual splendour. It is a rare thing to go into a Shakespeare play with no preconceived ideas of how it’ll be done, but from the ...