All stories by Neil Bonner on BroadwayStars

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Cinderella review at Buxton Opera House – ‘warm and charming’ by Neil Bonner

With years of experience presenting shows at Buxton Opera House, writer and director Philip Dart knows what Buxton audiences want and he

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 07:19AM

Peter Pan review at Lyceum Theatre, Crewe – ‘vibrant and exciting’ by Neil Bonner

This Qdos production of Peter Pan manages to intertwine all the elements of modern pantomime with a surprisingly dramatic and colourful telling

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 07:14AM
Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Peter Pan review at Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford – ‘high-energy pantomime’ by Neil Bonner

After several successful years of rock’n’roll pantomimes at the Gatehouse, new production company Prime Pantomimes rings the changes with a return to

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 08:40AM

Cinderella review at Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock – ‘imaginative storytelling and gentle humour’ by Neil Bonner

There are no real weaknesses to the Prince of Wales Theatre’s Cinderella, all the leading players demonstrate fine singing voices and acting.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 08:32AM
Monday, December 23, 2019

Jack and the Beanstalk review at Pomegranate Theatre, Chesterfield – ‘a fine cast’ by Neil Bonner

This is the best pantomime to be staged at the Pomegranate in many years. It’s a high quality show blessed with a fine

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 11:04AM
Thursday, December 19, 2019

Christmas Carol Casebook: Away in a Danger review at Lichfield Garrick – ‘warm, wacky and witty’ by Neil Bonner

The Lichfield Garrick’s pantomime alternative is a fantastic, pun-laden affair that hits the all the right comic spots. Under Sean Turner’s crisp

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 12:10PM
Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Cinderella review at Lichfield Garrick – ‘high production values’ by Neil Bonner

In this entertaining production, Cinderella sets off to the ball in a beautiful horse-drawn carriage that actually flies through the air. This,

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 05:16AM
Tuesday, July 9, 2019

The Merchant of Venice review at Stafford Castle – ‘a mesmerising performance elevates an unexciting production’ by Neil Bonner

This is the first time in its 29-year history that Stafford Borough Council’s annual Shakespeare festival has featured The Merchant of Venice.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 10:19AM
Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Cinderella review at Pomegranate Theatre, Chesterfield – ‘enjoyable and stylish’ by Neil Bonner

The X Factor discovery and West End star Rhydian Roberts has a fine singing voice. It’s just as shame that he’s so

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 07:27AM
Thursday, December 27, 2018

Dick Whittington review at Garrick Theatre, Lichfield – ‘warmth, wit and charm’ by Neil Bonner

The Garrick’s panto might not be the most innovative around but it boasts high production values and a fine pair of comic performances.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 11:34AM

Dick Whittington review at Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock – ‘makes the most of limited resources’ by Neil Bonner

In terms of monetary outlay, it’s fair to say that PMA Productions is at the other end of the scale to big

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 11:19AM
Friday, December 21, 2018

Crimes of the Christmas Pudding review at Garrick Theatre, Lichfield – ‘clever festive fun’ by Neil Bonner

New Old Friends has a growing reputation for producing comedy murder mysteries to die for and Crimes of the Christmas Pudding can

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 09:18AM
Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Robin Hood review at Regent Theatre, Hanley – ‘a comic caper’ by Neil Bonner

Local hero Jonathan Wilkes can do little wrong in his hometown theatre. He’s been performing panto here for the past 13 years.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 11:08AM
Thursday, December 13, 2018

Dick Whittington review at the Gatehouse, Stafford – ‘sensational songs, limp script’ by Neil Bonner

The rock and roll panto format as become a seasonal fixture at the Stafford Gatehouse. This year’s offering is as pop-tastic as

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 01:05PM
Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Dick Whittington review at Buxton Opera House – ‘full of genuine warmth’ by Neil Bonner

Buxton Opera House’s pantomime may be low on big name stars and special effects but it’s high in on humour and full

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 12:59PM
Friday, July 6, 2018

Macbeth review at Stafford Castle – ‘breathtakingly atmospheric’ by Neil Bonner

This year’s Stafford Festival Shakespeare production provides a breathtaking insight into the Scottish medieval world. Designer Simon Kenny’s castle ruins blend brilliantly

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 08:35AM
Thursday, June 21, 2018

Table review at New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme – ‘elevated by the calibre of its cast’ by Neil Bonner

The sturdy star of this time-travelling drama gives a wooden performance. Tanya Ronder’s 2013 play Table centres on the eponymous piece of furniture.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 12:51PM
Friday, April 20, 2018

Educating Rita review at New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme – ‘totally absorbing’ by Neil Bonner

Any preconceptions that this might simply be a tired rehash of an all-too-familiar play are quickly dispelled the moment our cast of

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 04:31AM
Monday, January 1, 2018

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs review at Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock – ‘family-friendly’ by Neil Bonner

This success of this Snow White owes much to the creative talents of George Critchley who not only directs but produces it

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 07:07AM
Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs review at Lyceum Theatre, Crewe – ‘the Cannon and Ball show’ by Neil Bonner

Back for a second year as the Lyceum’s hilarious panto bill-toppers, Cannon and Ball quickly get the audience on side. Theirs may

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 05:51AM
Saturday, December 23, 2017

Aladdin review at Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent – ‘a seasonal treat’ by Neil Bonner

This Qdos production of Aladdin is the Regent’s best panto for years. It oozes quality and with local hero Jonathan Wilkes in

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 06:34AM
Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood review at Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford – ‘questionable comedy’ by Neil Bonner

The rock ‘n’ roll panto format has served the Stafford Gatehouse well for several years now. This year it delivers the goods

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 11:59AM
Friday, December 15, 2017

Sleeping Beauty review at Buxton Opera House – ‘wittily scripted’ by Neil Bonner

Johnathan Tweedie is a brilliant baddie. His Maleficent is magnificent. His delivery is faultless, his singing voice fine and his performance a

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 10:56AM
Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Aladdin review at Lichfield Garrick Theatre – ‘top-notch comedy’ by Neil Bonner

The creative team behind last year’s hugely entertaining Sleeping Beauty return to the Lichfield Garrick with a production of a similarly high

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 10:54AM
Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Peter Pan review at Pomegranate Theatre, Chesterfield – ‘Smee steals the show’ by Neil Bonner

With his razor-sharp ad-libs and genuinely amusing persona, James Percy is the star of this generally pleasing pantomime. He steals the show.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 12:01PM
Friday, September 22, 2017

The Pitmen Painters review at New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme – ‘superb performances, dull staging’ by Neil Bonner

The Ashington Group, a real-life art collective made up of hardened Northumbrian coalminers, achieved a great deal in its relatively short existence.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 12:31PM
Friday, June 23, 2017

The Tempest review at Stafford Castle – ‘outstanding, magical production’ by Neil Bonner

  Now in its 27th year and long established as one of Europe’s leading Shakespeare productions, Stafford Gatehouse’s annual tribute to the

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 05:44AM
Monday, June 5, 2017

Anna of the Five Towns review at New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme – ‘a patchy revival’ by Neil Bonner

It’s fitting that 150 years after the birth of Stoke-on-Trent’s most famous literary son, Arnold Bennett should have his classic novel Anna

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 10:48AM
Friday, May 5, 2017

Dial M for Murder review at New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme – ‘a tense, engaging revival’ by Neil Bonner

Hitchcock’s classic 1954 murder mystery, Dial M for Murder began life as a BBC television play, that was also performed on the

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 07:24AM
Friday, April 28, 2017

Macbeth review at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury – ‘a skilful in-house production’ by Neil Bonner

Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn has taken the brave step of mounting its first in-house production. It has temporarily converted the intimate Walker studio

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 06:24AM
Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Cyrano review at New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme – ‘delightful and passionate’ by Neil Bonner

Deborah McAndrew’s lively reworking of Edmond Rostand’s romantic tragi-comedy Cyrano de Bergerac is a largely satisfying affair. The standard of acting is

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 09:51AM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards