There was much to enjoy in Rachel Wagstaff’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic novel. Susie Blake was excellent as Miss Marple, the plot was pleasingly convoluted yet neatly resolved, and there were some genuine laughs along the way. What a shame it had to be viewed through the prism of Philip Frank's pedestrian direction.
The Color Purple was not like any other musical I had seen before. It was both raw and funny, sad but uplifting and even made me question my own morals.....It is a performance I would recommend without question.
A closely choreographed assault on the senses, as a combination of story-telling, mime and vegetable annihilation had her audience reeling with laughter and discomfort in equal measure - this ferociously talented performer confronted and questioned tired stereotypes and lazy preconceptions at every turn.
So what did our reviewer make of Les Mis?
I loved every second of this show and I found it so incredibly moving.
Life is a learning experience and if like me you had not heard of Nellie Bly then all I can say is ... it is an engrossing show that left me highly impressed, as well as suitably enlightened. Find out More PLEASE
not only are the key cast magnificent, but the entire ensemble of dancers, singers and musicians deliver a truly scintillating performance
Loved it, loved it, loved it, darlings. xxx
This theatrical reinvention of 'LOL' certainly had me 'Laughing Out Loud' from start to finish"
"Crude Apache have created a show that, by delving into local history, makes us also think about workers’ rights today. Bravo!"
“We are spared the graphic horrors, but the message hits its target with dramatic precision”
Common Lot for, once again, coming up with a community-based show that is entertaining, educational, topical, and inspiring. It does them, and Norwich, proud. Go see it.
Fantastic costumes, fantastic choreography, fantastic performances, and fantastic songs. What more is there to say? This production of Dreamgirls is simply supreme, supreme, supreme!!! (There, I said it. Sue me if you dare!)
A goosebump worthy performance, in the best possible way! The first of their few shows at Norwich Playhouse drawn to a close, there was not one underwhelming stage presence from the cast.
More of this please Maddermarket! Oh? What's that you say? Something Fab brings us A Night at the Musicals with Veronica Green (RPDR season 2&3!) next month?
Last Saturday, it felt like the gauntlet had been thrown down, as a string of shows offered up a truly varied festival experience for those with a strong constitution and keen knowledge of the city’s layout. It just went to show that a festival that has sometimes felt constricted by practical and financial considerations, can, on the day, deliver.
"With James Conway's direction and Gerry Cornelius' conducting, 'The Golden Cockerel' is most definitely in safe hands"
Les Patterson was an ungracious slob, and while Edna softened in her dotage, it’s worth remembering how she longed to turn Norm’s life support off. Both revealed a cruel streak that ran through Humphries work, perhaps born of the days when he was the bully, not the bullied
"There is no one to match her, both with regard to her technical ability and her brilliant improvisational skills. Ironically, she is such a good ventriloquist it's all too easy to forget that everything funny happening on stage is coming out of her head and her tight lipped mouth."
I think Elmer would argue that the evening was presented as Williams would have constructed it, and as such was guarded where the man himself would have been guarded.
This was a great show, well written, well acting, and one which explored challenging themes. How to top that? The answer was in a tiny epilogue, which those hasty to catch the last bus home might have easily missed. To say more would be spoil a lovely surprise, but I will say it left a big, fat silly smile on my face.
For a crypt-kicking delight of an evening, The Addams Family are your perfect ghoulish hosts.
Yes, it is comedy. Yes, it is fun, and yes it is raucous and at times saucy. McDermott's smartly integrated East Anglian references and dialectical nuance will delight local audiences. But, ultimately it is a much bigger picture, and there is so much more for us all to think about and take away from 'The Birds and The Bees'
....nothing could have prepared me for the spectacle and passion of this version of the Leeds Playhouse production, currently playing at Norwich Theatre Royal.
As a classic drama about love, lust and conflict, 'Private Lives' still takes some beating.
For the most part, this was an imaginative, energising and wonderfully original approach to a literary classic.
I remember when, soon after taking being appointed as CEO of Norwich Theatre, Stephen Crocker made a pledge to continue to bring more world class contemporary dance to Norwich. He has delivered on that promise ........