Tuesday 29th May 2025 at the Grand Opera House, York ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Carrie Hope Fletcher stars as the wayward Calamity in this affectionate touring production of the classic musical. Adapted from James O’Hanlon’s screenplay by Charles K Freeman, the show, with Nikolai Foster directing (and Nick Winston co-directing and choreographing), takes an understated approach, bringing warmth... Continue Reading →
Spotlight on: Theatre Highlights of 2024
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 →
Interview: Gray O’Brien talks “Rebus: A Game Called Malice”
October 2024 Investigating Rebus Gray O’Brien isn’t the first actor to play Ian Rankin’s detective John Rebus and almost certainly won’t be the last. The character is an established fan favourite who has been portrayed on stage, radio, TV and online by a range of actors including Ken Scott, Brian Cox, Charles Lawson, John Hannah... Continue Reading →
Interview: Joi Gresham and Tinuke Craig talk “A Raisin in the Sun”
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 →
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 →
Interview: Maria Gray talks “Around the World in 80 Days-ish”
July 2024 Around the World in 80 Days-ish will soon be playing at York Theatre Royal (18 July-3 August) and actor and acrobat Maria Gray’s trip around the world has not been without delays. But now third time lucky she’ll set off to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days. Or to be precise ‘80-ish’ days…... Continue Reading →
Spotlight on: A Tour of Leeds City Varieties Music Hall
June 2024 A stone’s throw from the aptly named Leeds Grand Theatre stands a hidden gem worthy of its own dose of awe and admiration - and it is also aptly named. Leeds City Varieties Music Hall holds many titles: oldest operating theatre in Leeds; Grade II listed building and heritage site; Guinness World Record... Continue Reading →
Review: The Bleeding Tree at Southwark Playhouse
Monday, 3rd June 2024 at Southwark Playhouse, London ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ TW: Domestic violence Reviewer: Charlotte Dawes Unapologetic in its dark humour, The Bleeding Tree takes a unique look at the complex response to domestic violence and those who fall victim to it. Opening with a gunshot, a mother (Mariah Gale) and her two daughters (Elizabeth Dulau... Continue Reading →
Interview: Guy Rhys talks “Moby Dick”
May 2024 Simole8’s critically acclaimed and multi-award-winning stage adaptation of Herman Melville’s classic novel “Moby Dick” will play York Theatre Royal next month (6th-8th June). Guy Rhys plays Captain Ahab in this fun, fast and joyous production that transports audiences right to the heart of the hunt for the most famous whale on earth and here,... Continue Reading →