September 2024 ‘It’s a play about the freedom to dream, to aspire and to own rather than be owned’ JN Benjamin talks to Joi Gresham and Director Tinuke Craig about A Raisin in the Sun “It took us fifty-odd years to learn that it wasn’t really about what we thought it was about,” says Joi... Continue Reading →
Review: Why am I so Single? at the Garrick Theatre
Wednesday, 11th September 2024 at the Garrick Theatre, London ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reviewer: Charlotte Dawes This big fancy new musical navigates the minefield of modern dating by dissecting the age-old question: Why Am I So Single? The much-anticipated musical from Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss (who also directs), the duo behind cult-favourite SIX, proves lightening can in... Continue Reading →
Interview: Jack Ashton talks “Little Women”
September 2024 Being in a top-rated, much loved television series can be both a boon or a bother for an actor who becomes identified with a particular character and find directors reluctant to cast them in a different sorts of role. Happily Jack Ashton, best known as the Rev Tom Hereward in Call the Midwife,... Continue Reading →
Interview: Laura Soper talks “Little Women”
September 2024 SISTERLY FEELINGS When the opportunity to audition for a new production of Little Women at York Theatre Royal arose, Laura Soper knew which of the sisters she wanted to play - Beth. Forget Amy, Meg and Jo. Beth was role that Laura, a former member of the theatre’s Youth Theatre, desired. “I auditioned... Continue Reading →
Review: Utoya at Arcola Theatre
Thursday, 15th August 2024 at Arcola Theatre, London ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reviewer: Emma Dorfman It must be wishful thinking, but I consistently hope against hope that there will be a day when far-right, Neo-Nazi terrorism will cease to be relevant. And even though it depicts events that occurred nearly 15 years ago, against the backdrop of the... Continue Reading →
Interview: Kate Hampson talks playing Marmee in “Little Women”
August 2024 Mum’s the word… Yorkshire actress Kate Hampson is all set to play Marmee in York Theatre Royal’s new production of Little Women next month, and it isn’t her first brush with Louisa May Alcott’s classic coming-of-age story… That happened at school when a group of students chose to perform a play version of the novel as their... Continue Reading →
Review: Second Hand Problems at Theatro Technis
Friday, 2nd July 2024 at Theatro Technis ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reviewer: Emma Dorfman I first saw Second Hand Problems in its infancy at a scratch night at The Cockpit, and it's always thrilling to see how a show blossoms. In this Camden Fringe production, with the addition of a few more to the creative team, the piece has certainly... Continue Reading →
Review: Around the World in 80 Days-ish at York Theatre Royal
Wednesday, 24th July 2024 at York Theatre Royal. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ In this take on Jules Verne’s book, Juliet Forster adapts (and directs) the tale to sneak in a second lead: Nellie Bly, real-life journo and adventurer who completed the same trip in 1889… and in less time than Verne’s character. Therein lies some of the best... Continue Reading →
Review: The 39 Steps (Touring)
Tuesday, 23rd July 2024 at the Grand Opera House York. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Another page to screen to stage number is back on stage: John Buchan’s 1915 novel, The 39 Steps. Picked up as a classic spy thriller in the 1930s by none other than Alfred Hitchcock, and more recently adapted into a farcical comedy by Patrick... Continue Reading →
Review: Paranormal Activity at Leeds Playhouse
Tuesday, 16th July 2024 at Leeds Playhouse ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Let’s (carefully) talk about Paranormal Activity, the spooky stage show based on the popular film which currently has audiences on tenterhooks at Leeds Playhouse. Once again I find myself, palms-up, declaring my ignorance of the source material - but my pal tells me the show does do... Continue Reading →