Writer: Amanda Whittington Directors: Jason Capewell and Alasdair Harvey Reviewer: Selwyn Knight Four disparate and apparently breezy ladies escape their humdrum lives in a fish packing company for a day, celebrating Pearl’s retirement by having a day at the races. During their day away, we find each has hidden depths as secrets are revealed. For each, the day is a turning ...
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Book: Douglas McGrath Music and Lyrics: Gerry Goffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil Director: Marc Bruni Reviewer: Clare White It’s fair to say that Carole King is responsible for some of the most memorable songs in musical history. Since the 1960s, over 400 of her compositions have been recorded by more than 1,000 artists, resulting in 100 hit singles. Beautiful is ...
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Writer: James Roose-Evans from the book by Helene Hanff Director: Richard Beecham Reviewer: Selwyn Knight In 1949, Helene Hanff was a young unperformed playwright in New York with a zest for self-improvement. She never went to college but loved the classics and more obscure literary titles. She chanced upon an advert for Marks and Co., an antiquarian bookseller in Charing Cross Road, and ...
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Book: Ken Ludwig Music: George Gershwin Lyrics: Ira Gershwin Director: Paul Hart Reviewer: Selwyn Knight You have to feel sorry for Bobby Child. He’s caught between two overbearing women in New York, his mother, Lottie, who wants him in the family banking business and Irene, his fiancée of five years standing. Neither woman gets on with the other. No wonder all ...
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Music & Lyrics: Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus Book: Catherine Johnson Director: Phyllida Lloyd Reviewer: Clare White There can be nothing more guaranteed to warm up a bleak February night in Wolverhampton than an injection of Greek sunshine by way of Mamma Mia!, the ultimate feel-good musical. Based on the music of Swedish super-group ABBA, the award-winning show has been ...
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Writer: Henrik Ibsen, adapted by Patrick Marber Director: Ivo van Hove Reviewer: Selwyn Knight One can’t help wondering what happened to the young Hedda Gabler to make her the woman she is. She appears unpleasant, manipulative and bullying, entirely in charge of her life. She has captured the heart of the affable Tesman and they are now returned to the ...
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Writer: Margaret May Hobbs from the book by Ruth Rendell writing as Barbara Vine Director: Michael Lunney Reviewer: Selwyn Knight It’s 1990. Five years ago, Nina was kidnapped in Italy and successfully held to ransom. Now, two rich husbands later, she is a virtual prisoner in the marital home, Jareds, a lavish Suffolk country estate, living her life in perpetual ...
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Writer: Alan McHugh Director: David Janson Reviewer: Clare White Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre is full of beans this pantomime season, as this year's festive offering of Jack and the Beanstalk is bursting with high jinx, magic and superb silliness. In the fictional West Midlands village of Little Yamton, we meet Jack Trott, who is tricked by evil Baron Fleshcreep into selling ...
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