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: Little Shop Of Horrors (UK Tour) at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Little Shop Of Horrors (UK Tour)

New Wimbledon Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 23rd August 2016

★★★★

Despite knowing half the score inside out, last night was my first time seeing Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's cult musical Little Shop of Horrors onstage.

Review: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour) at the Milton Keynes Theatre

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour)

Milton Keynes Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 28th June 2016

★★★

No childhood is complete without a theatre trip to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's colourful retelling of the biblical story about Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours is irresistibly charming, I'm always surprised when I watch the show and realise I know every single word to every single song. It's the perfect musical for young, first time theatregoers.

Review: Guys and Dolls (UK Tour) at the Milton Keynes Theatre

Guys and Dolls (UK Tour)

Milton Keynes Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 14th June 2016
★★★★

I thoroughly enjoyed Gordon Greenberg's revival of Guys and Dolls in Chichester and again in the West End, but it seems even more glorious on tour thanks to the most thrilling of casts. Regarded by many as one of the greatest musicals of all time, Guys and Dolls is a legendary show which bursts with old school charm.

Review: Annie (UK Tour) at the Milton Keynes Theatre

Annie (UK Tour)
Milton Keynes Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 30th June 2016
★★★★

I was worried that Annie - written by Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin and Thomas Meehan - may be beginning to feel a little dated in 2016, but was proved spectacularly wrong. 

Review: Hairspray (UK Tour) at the Churchill Theatre Bromley

Hairspray (UK Tour) 
Churchill Theatre Bromley
Reviewed on Tuesday 3rd May 2016
★★★

Juxtaposing some serious issues such as equality, racism and bullying with catchy tunes, big hair and cheesy grins galore, Hairspray is an exhilarating show with a powerful message.

Paul Kerryson's new production of Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan's musical premiered at the Leicester Curve in 2014 and I absolutely adored it. Kerryson's production returned the following year to launch a UK tour.

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: The Bodyguard (UK Tour) at the Milton Keynes Theatre

The Bodyguard (UK Tour) 

Milton Keynes Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 13th April 2016
★★★★

Over the past year The Bodyguard has been touring the UK to sold out audiences. Alexandra Burke, who made her West End debut in the musical, reprises her performance as U.S. superstar Rachel Marron for this new touring production.

Review: A Story Of Tom Jones (UK tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

A Story Of Tom Jones (UK tour) 
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 5th April 2016
★★

Who can resist a bit of Tom Jones? Whilst his music still fills dance floors, jukebox musical A Story Of Tom Jones is a little rough around the edges. The show begins when Jones was an undiscovered boy with a big talent, and follows his story to cracking the music industry.

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.

Review: Chicago (UK Tour) at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Chicago (UK Tour) 
New Wimbledon Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 22nd February 2016
★★★

With the Broadway production having celebrated its 8,000th performance over the weekend, Chicago has made its long awaited return to the UK for a new tour. Revolving around jailbirds Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly and their hunger for fame, the show - which was famously adapted into a film in 2002 - still feels very relevant in 2016.

Review: Last Night A DJ Saved My Life (UK Tour) at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Last Night A DJ Saved My Life (UK Tour)

New Wimbledon Theatre 

Reviewed on Wednesday 3rd February 2016

★

Featuring bucket loads of fake tan, fake accents and fake enthusiasm - as well as an appalling storyline and some very odd mash-ups - Last Night A DJ Saved My Life has embarked on a UK tour following its premiere last year with David Hasselhoff and Shane Richie Jr reprising their performances.

Review: Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty (UK Tour) at the Milton Keynes Theatre

Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty (UK Tour)
Milton Keynes Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 26th January 2016
★★★★★

Fresh from its festive season at Sadler’s Wells, the first revival of Matthew Bourne’s staging of Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty is touring the UK. Billed as "a gothic romance", Bourne's ventures into a dark world to tell a classic good vs. evil story.

Review: Lyn Paul returns to Blood Brothers at the Richmond Theatre

Blood Brothers (UK Tour)
Richmond Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 25th January 2016
★★★★★

The West End hasn't been the same since Blood Brothers closed in 2012, thankfully the show lives on with its long-running UK tour. Lyn Paul, who first starred in the show in 1997 and reprised her performance many times, has returned to Blood Brothers once again to lead the cast as Mrs Johnstone.

Review: Shrek (UK Tour) at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Shrek (UK Tour) 
New Wimbledon Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 21st January 2016
★★★★

As its UK tour comes to an end, Shrek The Musical has returned to London for a short run at the New Wimbledon Theatre. Based on the 2001 DreamWorks film, Shrek translates terrifically well on stage; it is a charming musical with greater appeal than some might think.

Review: Private Lives (UK Tour) at the Churchill Theatre Bromley

Private Lives (UK Tour) 
Churchill Theatre Bromley
Reviewed on Tuesday 19th January 2016
★★★

Marking my favourite Noel Coward play, Private Lives is back with an all-new touring production directed by Tom Attenborough. The set up is one of pure genius; imagine you are in an explosive marriage, get divorced and then re-marry. However, whilst on your honeymoon you discover your ex-partner is staying in the hotel room next door... also on their honeymoon.

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

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (UK Tour) 
Milton Keynes Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 3rd November 2015
★★★★★

After discovering a dead dog, Christopher Boone decides that he will not rest until he has solved the mystery and unmasked the murderer. Christopher is exceptional at maths but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life; his perfectly innocent investigation throws up one or two hurdles and some shocking revelations. 

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: Mary Poppins (UK Tour) at the Leicester Curve

Mary Poppins (UK Tour) 
Leicester Curve
Reviewed on Wednesday 21st October 2015
★★★★★

It's been over half a decade since Mary Poppins was last seen onstage in the UK; the show is back with an all-new touring production which has launched at the Leicester Curve Theatre. Based on P. L. Travers' book series, Richard Eyre's production is adapted from the beloved 1964 Disney film, with additional musical numbers by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

Review: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (UK Tour) at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (UK Tour)
New Wimbledon Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 20th October 2015
★★★★

Following a year-long West End run, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is now dazzling audiences around the UK. Set in the French Riviera, the musical - which opened on Broadway in 2005 - follows two conmen as they go head to head to pull off their biggest con, whilst fighting for the affections of millionaire soap heiress Christine Colgate.