The Mill at Sonning has one of those stellar reputations — and not without good reason. As one of the few remaining dinner-and-theatre experiences, it offers the kind of outing that feels genuinely distinctive from the moment you arrive. Having previously reviewed productions at this venue, this reviewer can say with complete honesty that, while not every show has been an outright success, the overall calibre of the experience has always compensated for any shortcomings on st

Charles Dickens ’ famous novel has been adapted countless times since its original publication, with many of those interpretations taking to the stage. To celebrate 20 years on the theatre scene, the Guildford Shakespeare Company has taken on the formidable challenge of creating its own adaptation—and the result is an undeniable success. At its heart, David Copperfield is a coming-of-age story that charts one young man’s journey through hardship, self-discovery, and personal

Sondheim’s iconic creation Into the Woods returns to the London theatre scene, and with a cast packed full of some of the industry’s finest artists, this production arrives more than primed for success. Fortunately, it largely delivers. Having never seen a live staging of Into the Woods before — though familiar with the divisive film adaptation — this reviewer found herself surprised by the tone of the piece. Darker than expected, yet far more comedic, the musical strikes a

Based on the timeless classic by Louisa May Alcott , Jo follows the story of the March sisters as they come of age during the American Civil War. It is a classic for a reason: a story of sisterhood, love, and - most importantly - of finding one’s own path, whatever that may be. Little Women is one of, if not my favourite, stories of all time. The 1994 film adaptation carried me through some of my darkest days, reminding me of the joy found in human connection and the quiet

Cable Street follows the uprising of young revolutionaries against the rise of fascism in London’s East End. Based on a true story, the musical brings together the story one hundred thousand Jews, Irish workers and communists as they unite to resist hatred. On paper, it is a powerful and necessary story, rich with dramatic and emotional potential, especially given the politically uncertain times in which we currently find ourselves. This production centres on three young peo

The new musical Beautiful Little Fool follows 48-year-old Scottie Fitzgerald as she reflects on the lives—and legacies—of her infamous parents, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. Having now lived longer than either of them did, Scottie looks back on their careers, their relationship, and the events that led to their untimely deaths, while also trying to make sense of her own childhood. The premise is incredibly exciting, opening the door to significant emotional depth and comple

This poignant new play by Luke Norris follows a young couple confronted with a choice every human being dreads. At their 20-week pregnancy scan, what should be a moment of uncomplicated joy becomes the beginning of something far more devastating. Without giving too much away, the play charts the unbearable grief of the life they imagined, while quietly interrogating the philosophical and moral questions surrounding parental autonomy and choice. Its strength lies in its restr

We all know, by now, the story of the six famous New York friends. FRIENDS was not just a hit sitcom but a cultural phenomenon, redefining television comedy and leaving a legacy that continues to resonate decades later. Its influence on the genre is undeniable, with characters, catchphrases, and storylines firmly embedded in popular culture. To parody something so beloved and iconic is no small feat; it comes loaded with expectation and the ever-present risk of falling short

From childhood, we are told stories with meaning — stories that carry a moral. That is, after all, where the familiar phrase “the moral of the story is…” comes from. Beauty and the Beast teaches us that true beauty comes from within; Peter Pan reminds us to treasure our childlike spirit. The point is that good stories leave the audience with something to take away. Gerry & Sewell , despite its impressive journey from a small pub theatre to major regional stages, does not seem

Charing Cross Theatre returns this year with another adult pantomime, Beauty and the Beast (A Horny Love Story) - a camp, spirited twist on the classic fairy tale. The story follows the son of a petrol-station owner in the quaint town of Lickmanochers and his unexpected encounter with a once-proud prince, now transformed into a beast. As with any panto, exaggeration is part of the charm. Here, however, the production occasionally tips into excess, at times losing the very c

The festive season is well and truly upon us, and with it comes the time to be merry, jolly, and ready to usher in the new year. In the UK, nothing is more synonymous with Christmas cheer than a pantomime - and Guildford’s Beauty and the Beast certainly does not disappoint. Bursting with bright, colourful costumes, slapstick humour, and all the festive flair you could wish for, this year’s production guarantees magical fun for audiences of all ages. Back with another classic

Most of us are familiar with the music of The Kinks , whether by name or simply by recognising one of their iconic tunes. Yet far fewer of us know the band’s full story—how it began with brothers Ray and Dave Davies and grew into one of the most influential British groups of the 20th century. Their legacy reaches far beyond a playlist of hits, and Sunny Afternoon aims to trace the emotion, conflict, and ambition behind that legacy. Over the past two years of reviewing, thi

The sell-out, Irish-inspired Christmas concert returns for another UK tour, bringing festive cheer to audiences nationwide. Blending pop favourites, classic carols, Irish dance, and Celtic hits, A Fairytale for Christmas promises an evening that’s hard to forget. Having previously reviewed Seven Drunken Nights: The Story of the Dubliners —created by the same team as this production—I was pleasantly surprised by how much effort had gone into making A Fairytale for Christmas a

Still on the hunt for his infamous nemesis Professor Moriarty, the residents of 21B Baker Street once again find themselves entangled in a particularly knotty murder case. The year is 1901. The place? London. While the Great British Empire battles on and the dying Queen Victoria keeps the country on edge, strange happenings start to show that things aren’t as solid in the halls of power as they seem. Those cracks run all the way through the monarchy, the government, and the E

Blessed with an albeit shocking title, Sophia Chetin-Leuner ’s new play - P*rn Play - follows 30-year-old Ani as she struggles with an addiction to violent pornography. This play attempts to break down the barriers, showing that addictions that happen behind closed doors may very well find themselves up hindering your ability to live your life in the outside world. As Ani sees her life falls apart around her, she has to come to terms with the idea that what she thought would

DMT Live Production presents yet another Shakespearean triumph—this time tackling the infamous Scottish play, whose title is rarely uttered inside a theatre. Having missed their earlier sold-out staging of A Midsummer Night’s Dream due to train strikes, this reviewer was especially intrigued by the prospect of seeing Macbeth performed in a church. Admittedly, Macbeth is not a play this reviewer usually gravitates toward—blame Year 7 English Literature—but this production

The hit West End jukebox musical Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story has embarked on a new UK tour, once again delighting audiences with its iconic musical catalogue. The show follows Texas-born musician Buddy Holly as he breaks away from the conventions of country music and ventures into the emerging world of rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s. At a time when this genre was still seen as rebellious—and even taboo among older generations— Buddy Holly and the Crickets helped to revolution

Based on the chart-topping hits of the multi-million-selling pop phenomenon Steps, Here & Now follows four friends and co-workers who make a pact to have the perfect “summer of love.” Naturally, things don’t go quite as planned. Set in a brightly lit supermarket, Better Best Bargains, the production makes clever use of its setting to create a vibrant, high-energy backdrop for the story. Despite its dynamic choreography and enthusiastic performances, the musical ultimately le

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, based on Rick Riordan ’s hit book series, is back after a successful run at The Other Palace — and this time, it’s heading out on a UK tour. The show is, as the name suggests, is based on the first novel of the Percy Jackson series. The story follows Percy, who is thrown into a world of gods, monsters, and destiny. Accused of stealing Zeus’s lightning bolt, Percy and his friends set off on a high-stakes quest across America — fi

Hot Mess , is a new original musical co-written by Jack Godfrey (Music and Lyrics) and Ellie Coote (Book). Also directed by Coote , the musical has found a temporary home at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant after a sold out and critically acclaimed run at the Birmingham Hippodrome (where the play was commissioned and produced) and the Edinburgh Fringe earlier this year. Hot Mess is a two handler musical, revolving around the relationship between Earth ( Danielle Steers ) a