Sinatra The Musical continues at the Aldwych Theatre, London until 10 April 2027. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ ✩ ✩ At the end of Sinatra The Musical, significant figures reflecting on the legendary singer’s life include his mother, Dolly, who turns to the audience and says: “Half of you wouldn’t have been conceived if it wasn’t […]
Archive | Review RSS feed for this section
Priscilla Queen of the Desert – Curve Leicester and Touring
Priscilla Queen of the Desert was reviewed at Curve Leicester where it continues until 27 June 2026. The tour continues until 18 July 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ A feel-good musical with plenty of mileage left in the tank.
Hot Mess – The Other Palace, London
Hot Mess continues at The Other Palace, London until 6 September 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Hot Mess at least affirms that we can have a damn good time facing up to the consequences of our actions.
The Karate Kid The Musical – Milton Keynes Theatre and Touring
The Karate Kid The Musical was reviewed at Milton Keynes Theatre where it continues until 20 June 2026. The UK tour continues until 1 August 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ It is a show full of promise but not quite delivering a balanced production overall.
Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape – Little Angel Theatre and Touring
Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape was reviewed at the Little Angel Theatre, London where it continues until 19 July 2026. The tour continues until 1 November 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ A bright, charming and entertaining adaptation for children aged five and over.
Thespians: Greece the Musical (But Not That One) – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford and Touring
Thespians: Greece the Musical (But Not That One) was reviewed at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford. The tour continues until 18 July 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Allegra – Richmond Theatre and Touring
Allegra was reviewed at the Richmond Theatre, London. The tour continues until 8 August 2026. Rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ Maureen Lipman’s is an extraordinary performance.
Royal Academy of Music – Little Women
Little Women at Susie Sainsbury Theatre, London was performed by students from the Royal Academy of Music. Rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ I’m sure we shall see more of these musical theatre actors in training very soon.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Watermill Theatre, Bagnor
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang continues at the Watermill Theatre, Bagnor until 13 September 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The Watermill has continued to set benchmarks for regional theatre and Paul Hart’s production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is no exception.
How to Make a Mess – Upstairs at the Gatehouse
How to Make a Mess continues at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London until 28 June 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Honestly, the world of new musical theatre needs more of this chaotic spirit.
Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year 2026 – Sondheim Theatre
Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year 2026 at the Sondheim Theatre, London. Another triumphant event that both celebrated the genius of Stephen Sondheim and showcased emerging talent of an exceptionally high standard.
High Society – Barbican Theatre and Touring
High Society was reviewed at the Barbican Theatre, London where it continues until 11 July 2026. The tour continues until 14 November 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ This production is performed with enough pure unbridled, exuberant joy, to ensure that a swellegant, elegant time is had by all.
Public – The Musical – Curve Leicester
Public – The Musical continues at Curve Leicester until 13 June 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Funny, moving and unexpectedly uplifting, it’s clear why Public has already attracted such enthusiastic support.
Giffords Circus: Waterfield – Chiswick House and Gardens and Touring
Giffords Circus: Waterfield was reviewed at Chiswick House and Gardens, London. The tour continues until 27 September 2027. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Richly layered, beautifully realised and completely enchanting.
Redcliffe – A New Musical – Southwark Playhouse
Redcliffe A New Musical continues at the Southwark Playhouse, London until 4 July 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Redcliffe is an important piece not only because it offers a beautiful portrayal of queer love in the past, but because of the way it speaks to the present.
Once – Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Once continues at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre until 27 June 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ A gentle, lyrical show heralding a great season ahead in Pitlochry.
Beetlejuice the Musical – Prince Edward Theatre
Beetlejuice the Musical continues at the Prince Edward Theatre, London until 17 April 2027. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ How lucky we are to have a new escape in the West End so overflowing with hilarity, magic and imagination.
The Rocky Horror Show – Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury and Touring
Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show was reviewed at the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury, where it continues until 30 May 2026. The tour continues until 1 August 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ This new take on a trail-blazing show welcomes audiences back with a blast and encourages a fresh peek.
Dark of the Moon: A New Musical – Charing Cross Theatre
Dark of the Moon continues at the Charing Cross Theatre, London until 8 August 2026. Star rating: two stars ★ ★ We’re left with a story of love across the divide that feels decidedly more generic than its cast deserves it to be.
10 Things I Hate About Me – Birmingham Repertory and Touring
10 Things I Hate About Me was reviewed at Birmingham Repertory. The tour continues until 1 July. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s full to the brim with energy, honesty, laughter and hope.
The Rapping Princess – Polka Theatre
The Rapping Princess continues at the Polka Theatre, London until 21 June 2026. Star rating: 3.5 stars It’s an energetic 50-minute piece, well enough judged for its target audience.
Caroline – A New Musical – New Theatre, Peterborough and Touring
Caroline – A New Musical was reviewed at the New Theatre, Peterborough. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ Thanks to its excellent performers and irresistible soundtrack, Caroline still proves itself a lively and entertaining voyage.
Bank of Dave – Curve Leicester
Bank of Dave continues at Curve Leicester until 30 May 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s been a while since we’ve seen a new British musical with this much potential, bursting with heart, humour and humanity.
The Harder They Come – Stratford East
The Harder They Come continues at Stratford East, London until 4 July 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Judging by the audience reaction and the compelling performances, this production is headed for another successful run.
Stand & Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit-In – Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh and Touring
Stand & Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit-In was reviewed at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh. The production is touring until 10 June 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ The story of the occupation of the Lee Jeans factory in Greenock is uplifting and unexpectedly moving.
End of the Rainbow – Soho Theatre Walthamstow
End of the Rainbow continues at Soho Theatre Walthamstow until 21 June 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ This is the role that Jinkx Monsoon was born to play.
Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil – Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil continues at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh until 23 May 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Dawn Steele gives an outstanding performance as Sally, a girl returning home to Fife following her father’s death, in Gary McNair’s new stage adaptation of Ron Ferguson’s beloved book.
Music Review: Broadway Maybe – Henry Patterson
Broadway Maybe – Henry Patterson (Lando Productions). Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This really is a superb album that should appeal to anyone entranced by musical theatre culture.
The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals – Apollo Theatre
The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals continues at the Apollo Theatre, London until 30 May 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The future of musical theatre is here: it is silly, it is hilarious, and it knows how to use the internet.
The Last Man – Southwark Playhouse Elephant
The Last Man continues at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, London until 13 June 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ In a few years’ time this brilliant and original piece of musical theatre surely will have as dedicated a UK following as it does in Korea.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind – @sohoplace
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind continues at @sohoplace, London until 18 July 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is full of charm, and a testament to the power of imagination, determination, resilience and community.
Blaze of Glory – Birmingham Hippodrome
Blaze of Glory was reviewed at the Birmingham Hippodrome. The Welsh National Opera production continues touring until 22 May 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Witty and infectious, Blaze of Glory from Welsh National Opera is a joyful celebration of Wales, the ‘Land of Song’.
Disenchanted! – Lichfield Garrick Theatre
Disenchanted! was reviewed at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre. The production can also be seen at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This is a production packed with confidence, intelligence and a genuine love for all things Disney.
Stickin’ Boy – Etcetera Theatre
Stickin’ Boy was reviewed at the Etcetera Theatre, London. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ Any production that attempts to evoke the spirit of the mighty Clash, the legendary punk band fronted by Joe Strummer, has to be worth catching, and so it proved here with Stickin’ Boy.
Flyology – Union Theatre
Flyology continues at the Union Theatre, London until 8 May 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ Flyology reminds us to keep pushing, so that artificial intelligence does not make the same patriarchal mistakes as our own society has done.
Fourteen Again – Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere
Fourteen Again continues at the Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere until 6 June 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This is a divinely entertaining and heartwarming show which is a fabulous credit to this lovely little theatre.
Total Eclipse: Symphonic Jim Steinman – London Coliseum
Total Eclipse: Symphonic Jim Steinman was performed at the London Coliseum. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ With the Steinman torches well and truly lit, this London audience stomped, gestured and roared.
Words and Music: Celebrating 50 Years of Friendship & Song – Amanda McBroom and Michele Brourman – Birdland, New York
Words and Music: Celebrating 50 Years of Friendship & Song – Amanda McBroom and Michele Brourman was performed by Birdland, New York. Supremely talented, yet down to earth, an evening spent in the company of McBroom and Brourman is time that returns myriad pleasures
London School of Musical Theatre – Lady in the Dark
Lady in the Dark was performed by London School of Musical Theatre students at the Bridewell Theatre, London. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ The standard of these young singers, actors and dancers at the start of their careers is high.
Jeezus! continues at the New Diorama Theatre
Jeezus! continues at the New Diorama Theatre, London until 9 May 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ It remains bold, hilarious and brimming with personality, created by a excellent team that knows how to entertain.
Entertaining Murder – Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Entertaining Murder continues at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London until 10 May 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ The score is superb, the cast is wickedly talented, and Upstairs at the Gatehouse remains the best pub theatre in London.
Music Review: Chess – 2025 Broadway Cast Recording
Chess – 2025 Broadway Cast Recording (Ghostlight Records). Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ This latest version more than delivers on polish and modernisation.
Please Please Me – Kiln Theatre
Please Please Me continues at the Kiln Theatre, London until 29 May 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ See another side to the band whose artistic and cultural impact remains unsurpassed 60 years on. Flawed but fab.
Ben Richards and guests: Swing Into Springtime – Crazy Coqs
Ben Richards and guests: Swing Into Springtime was reviewed at Crazy Coqs, London. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The programme was well-paced, the performances were consistently high in quality, and the atmosphere felt perfectly suited to the venue.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Original Cast Spooktacular Tour – Dominion Theatre and Touring
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Original Cast Spooktacular Tour was reviewed at the Dominion Theatre, London. The tour continues until 7 May 2026.
Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story – Waterloo East Theatre
Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story continues at the Waterloo East Theatre, London until 10 May 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ From the outset the audience was completely absorbed in the clever, compelling storytelling.
Lifeline – Southwark Playhouse Elephant
Lifeline continues at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, London until 2 May 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ When perusing musicals I wish to see, a musical about the discovery of penicillin doesn’t exactly tick many boxes, but how wrong one can be.
Avenue Q – Shaftesbury Theatre
Avenue Q continues at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London until 29 August 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Almost exactly 20 years after Avenue Q first came to the West End, it’s back, and it’s as brilliant as ever.
Mean Girls – Milton Keynes Theatre and Touring
Mean Girls was reviewed at the Milton Keynes Theatre, where it continues until 18 April 2026. The tour continues until 30 January 2027. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Mean Girls arrives with energy, sharp wit and a surprising amount of heart.
The Witch and The Whistleblower – The Glitch
The Witch and The Whistleblower continues at The Glitch, London until 20 April 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ I would sooner recommend this exciting new piece than many of the finely tuned spectacles currently playing at the West End’s more prestigious venues.
