January 2025 2024 was an exciting year for theatre, with plenty of home grown and touring talent to enjoy - here’s the run-down of 2024’s five star hits according to Always Time for Theatre… Life of Pi The stage adaptation of Life of Pi is a stunning piece of theatre, a spectacle-driven piece which is as visually... Continue Reading →
Review: Northern Ballet’s “A Christmas Carol”
Tuesday, 17th December 2024 at Leeds Grand Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Charles Dickens’ classic tale of Christmastime redemption remains a steadfast feature of theatre programming each December. Northern Ballet take the tale and adapt it beautifully, bringing its messages and highlights to the fore with beauty, wit and a thrillingly dark edge. Directed and devised by Christopher... Continue Reading →
Review: Beauty and the Beast at the Grand Theatre and Opera House, York
Thursday 12th December 2024 at the Grand Theatre and Opera House, York ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Beauty and the Beast is of course a “tale as old as time”, but it gets quite a cheeky make-over in this panto production from the Grand Theatre and Opera House in York, offering plenty of laughs and a great night out... Continue Reading →
Review: Aladdin at York Theatre Royal
Saturday, 7th December 2024 at York Theatre Royal ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Panto season has descended upon York once more, and York Theatre Royal’s offering this year is a bouncy production of Aladdin. Paul Hendy pens this version of the tale, with Juliet Forster directing. The whole thing is placed in central York, where Aladdin (Sario Solomon) seeks... Continue Reading →
Review: Jack and the Beanstalk at Leeds City Varieties
Thursday 5th December 2024 at Leeds City Varieties ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The City Varieties panto gang are kicking off the festive season with a lovely, characteristically cheeky production of Jack and the Beanstalk - Rock’n’Roll style. Director Rob Salmon has time flying with another lively production which hurtles along at speed, with Peter Rowe’s script once again... Continue Reading →
Review: Blood Brothers (Tour)
Tuesday, 3rd December 2024 at Leeds Grand Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Blood Brothers is out on the road again, and the latest cast bring Willy Russell’s wonderful, multi award-winning story to life with great energy, wit and heart. Directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright, the show follows the story of the Johnstone twins. Separated at birth... Continue Reading →
Review: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Leeds Playhouse
Friday 22nd November 2024 at Leeds Playhouse ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Based on C.S Lewis’ hugely popular novel, this production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (based on the original production by Sally Cookson) is a theatrical feast for all the family. Michael Fentiman directs a fantastic cast who bring Lewis’ tale to life with energy... Continue Reading →
Review: The Highwayman at York Theatre Royal
Thursday, 14th November 2024 at York Theatre Royal (Studio) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ You’ve heard of Dick Turpin, but have you heard of the infamous John Swiift? No? John Godber’s The Highwayman imagines a chancer and a thief in the style of the greats that we do know, and gives us an eventful few hours to watch his... Continue Reading →
Review: The Watch House (Touring)
Friday, 8th November 2024 at Leeds Playhouse ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Chris Foxton adapts Robert Westall’s novel, The Watch House, for the stage, and it’s an interesting blend of warm comedy with a cynical edge, and very mild spookiness. Papatango’s production sees George Turvey direct a no-fuss production which relies on the cast appealing to the imaginations of the... Continue Reading →
Review: 101 Dalmatians (Touring)
Wednesday, 6th November 2024 at the Grand Opera House, York ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Based on Dodie Smith’s novel and stage adapatation by Zinnie Harris, this show takes on a much beloved story and delivers all kinds of charm and fun and loveliness. It’s all fast-paced adventure under direction of Bill Buckhurst, and as far as family shows... Continue Reading →