Your Go-To Theatre Blog For Reviews, News, And Insights On West End Shows,
Regional Theatre, Exhibitions, And Family Days Out.

King Lear at the Royal Exchange Theatre stars David Threlfall in a bold, contemporary production of Shakespeare's tragedy. With outstanding performances, striking staging and some genuinely shocking moments, this four-star production makes a lasting impression.

The Silence of the Lambs at The Lowry transforms the iconic psychological thriller into a dark, atmospheric and utterly gripping theatrical experience. Read our five-star review.

Le Navet Bete bring Greek mythology to life with Oh Zeus! at The Lowry, a fast-paced comedy filled with slapstick humour, inventive staging and outstanding performances from a cast of just three actors. Read our 4-star review.

Our review of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold at The Lowry, starring Ralf Little in the first stage adaptation of John le Carré's classic Cold War spy novel. Discover whether this complex spy drama is worth seeing.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow delivers some of the most astonishing stagecraft I've ever witnessed. While the storytelling didn't always match the extraordinary production surrounding it, the breathtaking visual effects, remarkable performances and sheer technical ambition make this a West End experience that's unlike anything else currently on stage.

Our review of Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts at The Lowry explores this first stage adaptation of the iconic detective, starring Tom Chambers in a compelling but uneven mystery.

Eric & Ern at The Lowry is a nostalgic and heartwarming tribute to Morecambe and Wise, featuring classic sketches, music and strong performances in a charming family-friendly show.

In this The Memory of Water Octagon Theatre Bolton review, I share my thoughts on Shelagh Stephenson’s Olivier Award-winning play — a funny, reflective exploration of grief, memory and sibling relationships.

Murder at Midnight at The Lowry – A Night of Twists, Laughs and Mayhem Performed by Original Theatre, Murder at Midnight is a darkly comic, cross-genre thriller that blends crime, farce and murder mystery, all set against the ticking clock of New Year’s Eve. Written by Torben Betts and directed by Philip Franks, the play follows on from the success of Murder in the Dark , though it very much stands on its own feet. I went into this performance at The Lowry with very few expe

To Kill A Mockingbird at The Lowry Theatre – A Story That Still Demands to Be Heard First published in 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird has become one of the most widely studied and discussed novels of the modern era. Its themes of racial injustice, morality and empathy have ensured its place in classrooms and cultural conversations for over sixty years. This stage adaptation, written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Bartlett Sher, brings the story to the stage with a sharp focus

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – A Spellbinding Night of Magic at The Lowry After falling in love with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at Leeds Playhouse last year, returning to see the production at The Lowry felt like stepping back into something truly special. This beautiful adaptation, directed by Michael Fentiman and originally developed at Leeds Playhouse, has enjoyed a UK tour, a West End run and now continues to captivate audiences with its rich storytelli

The Talented Mr Ripley at The Lowry – A Sharp, Stylish and Cleverly Unsettling Adaptation The Talented Mr Ripley has been adapted many times for screen and stage, but Mark Leipacher’s latest version brings Patricia Highsmith’s psychological thriller into a bold and atmospheric theatrical world. This UK tour stop at The Lowry was my first encounter with the story — I hadn’t read the book or seen any previous adaptations — and I was struck by how accessible and engaging this p

Dancing at Lughnasa – A Tender, Timeless Dance Through Memory at The Royal Exchange Theatre Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa is a masterwork of Irish theatre — a poignant, semi-autobiographical “memory play” that explores family, faith, love, and loss through the hazy recollections of one summer in 1936 Donegal. Now directed by Elizabeth Newman, this production marks a triumphant Manchester debut following its acclaimed run at Sheffield Theatres, where Newman began her new

Review: Myra’s Story – A Raw, Riveting Reflection on Humanity at The Lowry After sold-out runs across Ireland and Scotland, Myra’s Story has brought its powerful one-woman performance to The Lowry in Salford. Written by Derry playwright Brian Foster, the show has been a West End success and an Edinburgh Fringe favourite, resonating deeply with audiences for its unflinching yet compassionate portrayal of homelessness and addiction. At the centre of the production is Fíonna H

Snake in the Grass – A Hauntingly Good Night of Twists, Secrets and Supernatural Thrills Snake in the Grass slithered its way into the Octagon Theatre Bolton this autumn, just in time for spooky season, bringing with it an intoxicating mix of dark humour, ghostly intrigue, and human frailty. Directed by Francesca Goodridge and co-produced with Theatr Clwyd , this chilling three-hander grips its audience from the first rustle of leaves to the final, breath-stealing blackou

The Shawshank Redemption at HOME Manchester – A Powerful Tale of Hope and Humanity It’s not often that a story holds such an enduring...

Private Lives at the Octagon – When Love and Wit Collide, Sparks Fly Noël Coward’s Private Lives first premiered in 1930 and has...

By Royal Appointment at The Lowry – A Warm and Witty Tale Sewn with Heart Setting the Scene: A Royal Comedy Begins Daisy Goodwin, best...

Pride & Prejudice at Octagon Theatre Bolton – A High-Energy Rom-Com with Regency Flair It’s a truth universally acknowledged that Pride &...

A Thousand Splendid Suns at Leeds Playhouse — A Powerful Journey of Courage and Resilience Following in the footsteps of The Kite Runner...

Dear England at The Lowry – A Goal-Scoring Drama For Theatre Fans and Football Skeptics Alike When I heard there was a play about...

“Suitcases, spies and showbiz flair – Hitchcock like you’ve never seen before!” Emma Rice, known for her boundary-breaking theatrical...

Death of a Salesman is widely regarded as one of the most iconic plays of the 20th century. Written by American playwright Arthur Miller...

Even if you’ve never seen the original 1982 TV series, Boys from the Blackstuff carries a reputation that precedes it. Created by...

Originally penned by John Buchan in 1915 and famously adapted for the screen by Alfred Hitchcock in 1935, The 39 Steps has enjoyed a...

Peter James’ thrilling crime novels have long captivated readers and television audiences alike, and the DSI Roy Grace series continues...

Kim’s Convenience , the award-winning play by Ins Choi that sparked a beloved Netflix series, has returned to its theatrical roots with a...

Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women has stood the test of time as one of literature’s most beloved coming-of-age stories. Now, in a fresh...

Tambo & Bones, written by award-winning poet and playwright Dave Harris, is a bold and provocative satire that takes a deep dive into the...

John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is a literary classic that has captivated readers for generations with its poignant exploration of...

Malorie Blackman’s Pig Heart Boy is a beloved novel that has captivated readers for decades with its thought-provoking exploration of...

There have been countless adaptations of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, but few dare to shake up the formula quite like Pride and...

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a political allegory that remains strikingly relevant, depicting how revolutions can descend into...

First performed in 1947, A Streetcar Named Desire cemented Tennessee Williams' reputation as one of America’s greatest playwrights. The...

Since its debut in 2010, Ghost Stories has been thrilling audiences worldwide with its unique blend of psychological horror and...

Written by BAFTA winner Jane Thornton and Martha Godber, One Punch is a compelling new drama from the John Godber Company. The play,...

Some stories never lose their sparkle, and Shirley Valentine is one of them. Willy Russell’s iconic one-woman play first graced the...

Based on Paula Hawkins' international bestseller, The Girl on the Train has captivated audiences worldwide in both novel and film form....

Floella Benjamin’s Coming to England is a heartfelt and inspiring story that has touched readers for over 25 years. Originally published...

As Jaws celebrates its 50th anniversary, The Shark Is Broken takes audiences behind the scenes of one of the most iconic films of all...

For 80 years, George Orwell’s Animal Farm has captivated audiences with its powerful exploration of power dynamics and societal change....

Returning to Leeds Playhouse after a triumphant UK tour and a six-month run in the West End, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is...

“Wonder Boy," a powerful play by Ross Willis and directed by Sally Cookson, centers on the journey of a young boy navigating the...

Run Rebel arrives at The Lowry as a powerful adaptation of Manjeet Mann’s novel, capturing a poignant story about courage, rebellion,...

Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House has long been regarded as a groundbreaking play, challenging the social norms of its time with its...

Dizzy is a thought-provoking and inventive collaboration between Sheffield Theatres and Theatre Centre, written by Olivier-nominated...

A Raisin in the Sun , originally written by Lorraine Hansberry, was the first play by an African American woman to be performed on...

Le Navet Bete, known for their high-energy physical comedy, return with their latest production, King Arthur , bringing slapstick,...

War Horse has long been celebrated as one of the most remarkable productions in modern theatre. Based on Michael Morpurgo’s poignant...

Agatha Christie’s legendary Murder on the Orient Express has found a new life on stage at The Lowry, in this captivating adaptation by...