Critics' Pick: Gary Naylor's Best of 2023 in Review
Some highlights of the last year and some optimism for an uncertain future
UK Regional Theater Reviews
The latest reviews and critic recommendations from UK Regional.
Podcast Review: LOVE, CONDITIONALLY, Play Inside
Play Inside’s Love, Conditionally – a new, immersive, series of short (around 15 minutes) audio recordings made in the UK and Palestine – is made with interactive listeners in mind.
Review: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS: A CELEBRATION, Live at the Sondheim Theatre, Cast Recording
Were you one of the lucky few who managed to bag a ticket for the one-night-only, star-studded gala revue, StephenSondheim’s Old Friends, on May 3, 2022?
Review: HIGH SOCIETY, The Mill At Sonning
As households around the country begin to plan their festive feasts, the delightful Mill at Sonning in Berkshire already has theirs well in hand.
Review: WICKED, Edinburgh Playhouse
Launching its latest UK tour, Wicked is casting its magical spell on audiences once again.
Review: OLIVER!, Leeds Playhouse
Family show retains enough edge to honour its sources, providing thrills and spectacle and that wonderful, wonderful score
Review: DICK WHITTINGTON, The Arts Centre Hounslow
As someone who moved to the UK last year, I’m still getting used to the tradition of pantomimes but have fallen in love with their boundless energy and cheesy jokes.
Review: MACBETH, The Depot, Liverpool
Adapted by Emily Burns, the production sees the story transported to modern day.
Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Newbury Corn Exchange
Newbury's pantomime is an all-singing, all-dancing show that will keep viewers of all ages smiling and laughing throughout
Review: POTTED PANTO, Reading Rep
Seven pantos performed in the space of 70 minutes – it seems impossible… right? Oh no it isn’t!
Review: CINDERELLA, Liverpool Everyman Theatre
It just wouldn’t be the festive season without The Liverpool Everyman Rock ‘n’ Roll Pantomime - and it’s easy to see why this beloved show has audiences returning year after year.
Review: THE SCOUSE DICK WHITTINGTON, Liverpool's Royal Court
It’s that time of year - and Liverpool’s Royal Court are back with their latest festive production, The Scouse Dick Whittington.
Review: NOISENIGHT40: ABEL SELAOCOE & THE BANTU ENSEMBLE, Boiler Shop
My friend and I both said the same thing at the same time as we left the Boilershop after seeing South African Cellist, Abel Selaocoe.
Review: I REALLY DO THINK THIS WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE, Mercury Studio
Created by award-winning writer Emma-Louise Howell as part of the Mercury’s playwriting programme in 2021, I Really Do Think This Will Change Your Life is a bold new solo performance now making its professional debut at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester.
Review: EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE, Theatre Royal Brighton
This is a gold standard production in every sense of the phrase.
Review: MACHINAL, Theatre Royal Bath
With the AI (artificial intelligence) summit at Bletchley Park this week, Machinal at the Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath, couldn’t be more timely.
Review: COWBOIS, Swan Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon
Cowbois might sound like a reboot of Sister Act but there is far more going under the satin bonnets.
Review: THE GOOD ENOUGH MUMS CLUB, Birmingham Hippodrome
Society places a huge amount of pressure on mothers to be perfect, so it's a joy to see this new musical that reassures mums that their best is good enough.
Review: THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN, Salisbury Playhouse
All aboard for a new rendering of The Girl on the Train at Salisbury Playhouse, with clever background projection to lift a journey that doesn’t quite make its connection.
Review: 2:22 A GHOST STORY, Theatre Royal Brighton
2:22 A Ghost Story has made a bit of a mark for itself in its regularly rotating cast – often well-established actors known more widely for their off-stage work.
INTERVIEW: 'The Play Couldn't Be More Timely': Actor Samuel Collings on Being in a 'Perfect Couple' and the Relevance of THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN at Salisbury Playhouse
Samuel Collings, from Hammersmith in West London, is one of the UK’s most versatile actors and can be found on stage, screen, radio and voicing audiobooks.
Review: FREE YOUR MIND, Aviva Studios
Few venue openings have been as much-anticipated as that of Aviva Studios.
Review: THE SCORE, Theatre Royal Bath
If the multi award-winning TV drama Succession taught us anything, it’s that no one can take Brian Cox’s place.
Review: SHAKESPEARE'S R&J, Reading Rep
Joe Calarco’s electrifying interpretation of the legendary star-crossed lovers is nothing short of excellence.
Review: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, Chichester Festival Theatre
It may be old enough to collect its state pension, but this classic play still has much to say about life as it's lived today
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GETTING REKT (The Evening Star) The Union Theatre (9/21-9/24) |
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Attention All Shipping: A Celebration of the Shipping Forecast Victoria Theatre Halifax (9/30-9/30) |
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London Community Gospel Choir at Christmas The Royal Albert Hall (12/16-12/16) |
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Perle Noire: Meditations for Joséphine Barbican (10/20-10/20) |
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Steve Steinman''S Fuel Injected MAgic! 50th Anniversary Concert The SSE Arena, Belfast (10/22-10/22) |
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Murder Trial Tonight V - Death in the Family O2 City Hall Newcastle (3/27-3/27) |
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Paul Merton & Suki Webster''s Improv Show MAST Mayflower Studios (9/23-9/23) |
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Michael Starring Ben: The Magic Of Michael Jackson Victoria Theatre Halifax (11/21-11/21) |
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Undertale: The Determination Symphony World Tour Victoria Theatre Halifax (11/13-11/13) |
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Count Arthur Strong - And Its Goodnight From Me! The Brindley Theatre (3/03-3/03) |