thesetheatrethoughts

Date: 27th September 2023 Seat: C27 Rating: 4 Stars There are two things I love most when it comes to my viewing options – theatre and horror films. So when those two things are combined, I’m excited. When they’re combined well, like they are in Shock Horror, I’m ecstatic. And terrified. And those are good things… Read more

Date: 18th September 2023 Seat: G3 Rating: 3 Stars From the first chilling note to the final fiery scene, Rebecca is an all-out melodrama, complete with sinister plots, a soaring score, and characters that wouldn’t look out of place in a panto – but that’s all part of its charm. It’s an over-the-top, entirely gorgeous piece of… Read more

Date: 31st August 2023  Seat: H16  Rating: 5 Stars Who among us hasn’t wistfully wished our lives were like a musical when we’re sitting in a theatre, gazing up at the stage? I know I have, and I’m pretty sure I can’t be the only one, otherwise I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical wouldn’t exist. … Read more

Date: 4th August 2023  Seat: Unallocated  Stars: 2 The story of the Boleyn family is a rich and fascinating one filled with mystery, intrigue, and some very well-hidden skeletons in some very ornate closets; The Sphere of Light, written and directed by Ann Henning Jocelyn and based on her book of the same name, tries valiantly… Read more

Date: 3rd August 2023  Seat: H20  Rating: 3 Stars Colourful costumes? Check. Bright set design? Check. Jokes for kids? Check. Jokes for adults? Check. Fantastically fun music, larger-than-life characters, a whimsical and wacky storyline, and cool camp charm? Check, check, check, and a very definite check.  You could say that The SpongeBob Musical has it all. You… Read more

Date: 28th July 2023 Seat: J15 (Stalls) Rating: 3 Stars There’s a lot to be said for theatre that entertains. Really entertains. And The Crown Jewels, written by Simon Nye, is exactly that kind of theatre. It’s silly, funny, a little bit rude, there’s audience participation, there are jokes, there’s standup, there’s singing (thank you, Carrie… Read more

Date: 24th July 2023Seat: H16Star Rating: 5 In a world filled with familiar shows that pedal out the same old story time and again, Ride shines as a beacon of originality, artfully weaving the little-known history of Annie Londonderry into the most extraordinary and exciting musical experience. Freya Catrin Smith and Jack Williams have skillfully crafted a… Read more

Date: 30th May 2023 Seat: B22 (Circle)Star Rating: 3 Step into the eerie world of Wish You Were Dead, a theatrical adaptation of Peter James’ novel, brought to life by adaptor Shaun McKenna and director Jonathan O’Boyle. With a highly watchable cast led by George Rainsford as the ever-anxious Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, Katie McGlynn as Cleo,… Read more

Date: 23rd April 2023Seat: U22 (Stalls)Star Rating: 5 The Great British Bake Off Musical gives us an entire series of Bake Off distilled down into a couple of hours. And there are moments that you’ll recognise, like the infamous ‘bingate’, someone badly cutting their thumb, and a contestant constantly referring to Paul Hollywood (in this case, Phil Hollinghurst)… Read more

Date: 11th April 2023Seat: R5 (Stalls)Star Rating: 4 It’s not very often that people feel happy to find themselves behind bars, but when it comes to the stage version of The Shawshank Redemption, it’s a different matter. Here, audience members are asked to journey along with prisoners Red and Andy as they navigate the harsh realities… Read more