Review: Dirty Dancing (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Dirty Dancing (UK Tour)

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 19th September 2016

★★★

Following two West End runs and two UK tours, Dirty Dancing is back on the road. The latest tour sees a new creative team at the helm; the new look production was first staged in Milan last summer. Based on the 1987 film, Baby Houseman and Johnny Castle's love story continues to win over the hearts of audiences in 2016.

Review: The Sound of Music (UK Tour)

The Sound of Music (UK Tour)

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 19th May 2016
★★★★

You can never go wrong with The Sound of Music - it's heartwarming, joyful and can even make you feel a tiny bit Christmassy in May. 

Review: The Rocky Horror Show (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

The Rocky Horror Show (UK Tour)

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 18th April 2016

★★★★

Fresh from its recent West End run during which a gala performance was beamed to cinemas around the world, The Rocky Horror Show is back on another UK tour. There is nothing like The Rocky Horror Show; it's not just a musical but a theatrical event with audience members continuing to dress up and heckle throughout. I love watching people who are seeing the show for the first time - they have absolutely no idea what world they have stumbled into.

Review: End of the Rainbow (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

End of the Rainbow (UK Tour)

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 3rd March 2016
★★★

Peter Quilter's powerful musical drama End of the Rainbow has returned to the UK with an all-new touring production helmed by Daniel Buckroyd. The deeply saddening plot revolves around the legendary Judy Garland in the months leading up to her death in the late 60s, aged 47.

Panto Review: Sam Bailey stars in Dick Whittington at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Dick Whittington 
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 14th December 2015
★★★

Marking my only traditional pantomime of the season, Dick Whittington at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre is enjoyable for those wanting a fun family outing. 

Review: Priscilla Queen of the Desert (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Priscilla Queen of the Desert (UK Tour) 
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 26th October 2015
★★★

Priscilla Queen of the Desert is possibly the greatest party musical ever created. Bringing out the wild side of Aylesbury audiences, the show provided perfect Monday evening escapism. This was my second time seeing the show and, once again, the experience was unforgettable.

Review: Jersey Boys (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Jersey Boys (UK Tour)
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 23rd September 2015
★★★★

In the West End Jersey Boys is known as being the slickest show in town, and the UK touring production - which recently welcomed new cast members - is no different. Almost an identical replica of its West End counterpart, the Jersey Boys tour truly brings West End standards to regional audience's doorsteps. 

Review: East Is East (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

East Is East (UK Tour)
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 23rd June 2015

★★★★

Set in Salford in the early 1970s, East Is East is touring the UK following its run in the West End last year as part of Jamie Lloyd's Trafalgar Transformed season. A hugely iconic play about growing up in multiracial England, Ayub Khan Din's 1996 play remains remarkably relevant today.

Fresh from a stint in EastEnders, Pauline McLynn takes over from Jane Horrocks as Ella Khan, a mother who would do anything for her children. McLynn delves less into the character's vulnerable side, taking to the stage with immense strength throughout. She grows with the piece, with her act two outburst bringing the house down.

Simon Nagra takes over as George (played by writer Ayub Khan Din during the West End run), a father who wants the best for his family but struggles to deal with growing stress and high levels of expectation from his community. As tensions build he takes the play to a darker place, with passion and love developing into violence and aggression.

Review: Absent Friends (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Absent Friends (UK Tour)
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 14th 2015
★★★★

At a glance Absent Friends is a fun play about a group of friends coming together at a tea party to support Colin following the death of his fiancée; however, below the surface Alan Ayckbourn's piece delves into broken relationships, jealousy and how we cope when pushed to breaking point.

Review: Oh What A Lovely War (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Oh What A Lovely War (UK Tour) 
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 28th April 2015
★★★

Terry Johnson’s revival of Oh What A Lovely War is touring the UK following successful runs at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. A satirical musical about World War I, the inclusion of old war songs allows many to reminisce whilst the show's message about the horrors of war remains frighteningly relevant today.

Review: Spamalot (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Spamalot (UK Tour)

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 13th April 2015

★★★★★

Spamalot is one of the funniest musicals ever written. Regardless of whether you are a Monty Python fan or not, Spamalot provides an evening of pure escapism and is thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end as King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table embark on a quest to find The Holy Grail.

Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (UK Tour) 

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 17th March 2015

★★★★★

Marianne Elliott's production gives the audience an insight into the mind of fifteen year old Christopher Boone. Christopher is exceptional at maths but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. Simon Stephens' adaptation of Mark Haddon’s famous novel is funny throughout; Christopher struggles with communication and, from very early on, the audience are able to understand his unique thought process.

Sam Bailey to make pantomime debut as Fairy Bowbells in Dick Whittington

It has been announced that 2013 X Factor winner Sam Bailey will make her pantomime debut as Fairy Bowbells in Dick Whittington at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre this Christmas.

The production runs between 11th December and 3rd January 2015.

As well as topping the charts with 'Skyscraper', Bailey has supported Beyonce on her UK tour, had her own number one album, live tour and released an autobiography. 

Bailey said: "I am so excited to be appearing in pantomime for the first time. I love performing in front of a live audience and to see people of all ages having a wonderful time over Christmas is going to be brilliant. I know my kids will love seeing their Mummy dressed up in the sparkly costume, and I can’t wait to try my fairy wings on! It’s going to be so much fun!"

Panto Review: Russell Grant & Suzanne Shaw star in Cinderella at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Cinderella
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 16th December 2014

★★★★

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a great panto and Cinderella at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre makes all your dreams and wishes come true. Appealing to adults as well as children, the production features sparkling sets and terrific costumes as well as plenty of witty one-liners.

Review: Louise Dearman & Tim Howar star in Bond & Beyond (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Bond and Beyond (UK Tour)

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Reviewed on Friday 21st November 2014

★★★★★

As the title suggests, Bond and Beyond celebrates the biggest and best Bond songs as well as a few other irresistible classics. 

With musical director Clive Dunstall on hand to give background info and trivia surrounding each song, The London concert orchestra sounded absolutely divine as they filled the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre with the most incredible music. Everyone on stage seemed to be having a great time which really rubbed off on to the packed audience who seemed to hugely enjoy the evening. 

Review: Miracle on 34th Street (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Miracle on 34th Street (UK Tour) 
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 4th November 2014
★

I seem to be one of the few people never to have seen the original 1947 film version of Miracle on 34th Street, or any of its subsequent remakes. Despite the beginning of November being a little too early to be seeing a Christmas show, I was looking forward to getting into the festive spirit and discovering a Christmas classic for the very first time. 

Review: One Man, Two Guvnors (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

One Man, Two Guvnors (UK Tour)
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 11th August 2014
★★★★★

The West End hasn't felt the same since One Man, Two Guvnors closed in March; however, the show has now embarked on another UK tour with a brand new touring cast who do not disappoint!

Review: Annie Get Your Gun (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Annie Get Your Gun (UK Tour) 
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 22nd July 2014
★★★★

Sixty-eight years after it was first performed on Broadway, Irving Berlin’s musical Annie Get Your Gun still provides an evening of joyous fun. Ian Talbot's brand new touring production is bursting with old-school wit and charm.

Review: Evita (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Evita (UK Tour)

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 14th July 2014

★★★★

I certainly felt in the minority last night as I sat in my seat at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre to see Evita for the first time. I was surrounded by whispers of Elaine Paige and people boastfully stating how many times they saw Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical in London.

Review: Rock Of Ages (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Rock Of Ages (UK Tour)

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 1st July 2014

Last year I described Rock Of Ages the "loudest, sexiest and hottest musical in London". Twelve months later, Rock Of Ages is the loudest, sexiest and hottest musical currently touring the UK!