Glorious production of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui at by the RSC at the Swan Theatre Stratford, with Mark Gatiss outstanding as Ui and a brilliant supporting cast. And it's a salutary tale that helps you recognise the dangers all around. wp.me/pKXAt-d8m ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!
Lively and spectacular, #FrankieGoesToBollywood at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate lifts the lid on Bollywood and exposes its misogyny and ruthlessness. Entertaining, but it's a rather clumsy production that needs tightening. wp.me/pKXAt-d7s ⭐⭐⭐ from me!
#KissOfTheSpiderWoman at the Curve Leicester is certainly the best show I've seen this year so far and is an extraordinary production of outstanding skill in every department. Absolutely loved it! wp.me/pKXAt-d6Y ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!
Another fun night of Screaming Blue Murder at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate hosted by the inimitable Dan Evans and with headliner Jon Long on tremendous form. wp.me/pKXAt-d6I
Another riotous night of comedy courtesy of those nice people at the comedy crate at Northampton's Charles Bradlaugh, with all the comedians on absolutely top form. wp.me/pKXAt-d6D
David Hare's Teeth 'n' Smiles, currently at the Duke of York's Theatre London, is disappointingly dated and not even the well performed musical elements can rescue it! wp.me/pKXAt-d5R ⭐⭐ from me!
Fantastic production of #SmallIsland at the Birmingham Rep tells its story clearly, shockingly, emotionally and with heaps of humour. A must-see! wp.me/pKXAt-d5B ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!
The new Henry V at The RSC in Stratford has much visual impact but lacks clarity, so is only part successful! wp.me/pKXAt-d4U ⭐⭐⭐ from me!
Outstanding, exciting, powerful, technically brilliant. Yet there's still so much more to Top Gs Like Me at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate until March 7th. wp.me/pKXAt-d3e ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!
Always a delight to see the brilliant Russell Hicks on tour, last night at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate in his “This Time It's Personal” show. Catch him on tour! therealchrisparkle.com/2026/02/22/r...
Lively and heartwarming, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind at the RSC in Stratford is an invigorating show but the presentation is liable to be messy and chaotic - nevertheless, the lead actors are superb! wp.me/pKXAt-d2k ⭐⭐⭐ from me!
Fantastic afternoon concert yesterday from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate, and their Valentine's Opera Gala. Brilliant singing and wonderful work from the orchestra, in a truly entertaining programme. wp.me/pKXAt-d1J ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!
Challenging and innovative, Whitney White's #AllIsButFantasy at the RSC in Stratford is a thrilling gig-theatre production that makes you think twice about your Shakespeare assumptions. wp.me/pKXAt-d19 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!
Fun night of reminiscences and raconteuring with Sue Perkins in her Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins tour at the Royal and Derngate Northampton last night! wp.me/pKXAt-d0s
Be in no doubt: the far right in the UK - Reform, Farage, Tommy Robinson and their supporters - are looking at what is happening in the US and saying: “That’s what we must have here.”
The fascinating Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo at the Young Vic is a complicated and sometimes difficult watch, but it asks deep questions about war - and the Iraqi war in particular. wp.me/pKXAt-d01 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!
It's always a pleasure to catch Stephen K Amos on tour and his current show, Now We're Talking, successfully mines the funny from the serious. Great stuff! wp.me/pKXAt-cZK
It's the most glamorous Sunday afternoon of the year - time for the Fifteenth Annual Chrisparkle Awards, for 2025! therealchrisparkle.com/2026/01/18/r...
Now closed, the Sheffield Crucible's Christmas show, A Christmas Carol, used the tradition of local carols to excellent effect and was a charming and enjoyable production. wp.me/pKXAt-cZn ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!
You just can't beat the Sheffield Lyceum Panto, so there's no point trying! This year's Aladdin, with Damian Williams and Kevin Clifton was just sheer joy from start to finish - as always. wp.me/pKXAt-cZd ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!
Ivo van Hove's production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons at London’s Wyndham's Theatre is a terrific piece of blistering theatre, with some superb performances to match. wp.me/pKXAt-cZ3 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐from me!
Playboy of the Western World at the National Theatre is a very authentic and reverent production; the strong accents are a barrier to communication for a London audience and it didn't really get the essence of the play across. wp.me/pKXAt-cYO ⭐⭐ from me!
Always a treat to see the panto at the London Palladium, and Catherine Tate is brilliant in this year's Sleeping Beauty. The nostalgia about ten years of panto at the Palladium goes on a bit though! wp.me/pKXAt-cYp ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!
Excellent analysis! Thank you!!
Once a school bully, always a school bully
I don't generally condone violence but happy Andrew Tate Getting Battered Day.
Despite all its excellent and positive attributes, the new production of Coward's #FallenAngels at the Menier Chocolate Factory never really comes to life. Solid but unremarkable. wp.me/pKXAt-cXj ⭐⭐⭐ from me!
A true delight from start to finish, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new production of #TheBFG in Stratford brings out everyone's inner child and is simply magical. wp.me/pKXAt-cX4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!
The panto at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate this year is #PeterPan and is a lively, funny and extremely musical production for all the family. The perfect Christmas show! wp.me/pKXAt-cWC ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!
A beautifully produced five hour epic of theatre, The RSC at Stratford with their two-part #ForsyteSaga has fantastic performances and brilliant storytelling. The second play can't quite keep up the momentum of the first, but it's still outstanding. wp.me/pKXAt-cW9 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!