These Theatre Thoughts

  Tickets: Gifted Rating: 4 Stars What do you want from a play? Something new? Something interesting? Something that gets your mind nicely working and the cogs whirring around? If that’s the case, you’re in luck; these are the things that Torben Betts’ Murder in the Dark gives you in a neatly wrapped-up package full of scares and twists. Just when you think you’ve definitely worked out exactly what’s going on, the rug (or in this case, perhaps sofa or maybe dining table) is very firmly yanked out from under you, and you have to start all over again, with just the merest scraps of clues to help you.  Here's a hint: those clues won’t help. By the time you get to the end of this masterclass in psychological horror, you’ll barely know what’s up and what’s down, let alone what’s real – and what’s just a shadow.  Photo credit: Pamela Raith Murder in the Dark is the story of Danny Sierra, a has-been pop idol who, along with his brother, William, ex-wife, Rebecca, son, J...

  Photo credit: Jack Merriman Date: 9th April 2024  Seat: S11 (Stalls) Tickets: Gifted Rating: 4 Stars In a world where cynicism often overshadows genuine human connection, Calendar Girls is a warm, fun, genuine musical that lifts spirits and puts smiles on faces wherever it goes. Based on the true story that inspired the beloved film, this stage adaptation transports audiences into the heart of Yorkshire, where a group of ordinary women embarks on an extraordinary journey of friendship, courage, and self-discovery – they are members of the WI, and they decide to do a ‘tastefully nude’ calendar to raise money for their local hospital after the death of one member’s husband there.  Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle with sensitivity but with a smidgeon of naughtiness thrown in, the production captures the essence of the original story, whittling it down to its bare bones but keeping in all the important elements. From the moment the curtain – with its wonderful sunflower depi...

Photo credit: Simon Vail Date: 5th April 2024  Seat: B23 (Large) Tickets: Gifted Rating: 3 Stars Sherlock Holmes is a well-loved and well-known character, and adapting one of his stories for the stage is potentially a thankless task – there will always be fans who find fault. However, there will also always be fans who are happy that their hero has yet another life, and when the adaptation is done well, it can be a true joy to see Holmes, Watson, Mrs Hudson, and the rest of the gang brought to life in front of your eyes.  Blackeyed Theatre has done well with this adaptation by Nick Lane, and Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear is a fun murder mystery story that allows the audience to investigate along with the titular detective to come to a conclusion that, if not altogether shocking, still offers enough of a twist to entertain.  There are 20 characters in the story from beginning to end and only five performers, and although that could make things confusing – e...

Tickets: Gifted Rating: 4 Stars Solo performances, which seem to be all the rage at the moment, can be a bit hit and miss, especially if the performer has to take on multiple roles, but in Original Theatre’s Jekyll & Hyde , Forbes Masson is a hit, taking on the varied roles in the story, from Utterson the lawyer (and perhaps somewhat unreliable narrator) to the titular dual role itself, with gusto, able to switch personalities on a whim, it seems, all with little more than the buttoning up of a waistcoat, a rolling down of sleeves, and a change of accent or, in some cases, just tone of voice. It’s a remarkable performance that draws you into the story quickly, so that within the first couple of minutes the audience is hooked – we can’t leave now, not when there’s so much happening and such an eerie tale to get to the bottom of.  The story has been adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s source material by Gary McNair, who has managed to take the original story and condense it d...