Sex and the Three Day Week review " laboured Feydeau rip-off by Alfred Hickling

Playhouse, LiverpoolResurrecting the spirit of the French farcer in 1970s Liverpool isn't a bad idea, but Stephen Sharkey doesn't give his cast much to work with Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 6:53am on December 10, 2014[SHARE]

Anything Goes review " delightful, delicious, de-lovely by Alfred Hickling

Crucible, SheffieldSublime performances and Cole Porter's timeless songs add to the giddy sense of euphoria in Daniel Evans's terrific production Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 9:30am on December 9, 2014[SHARE]

The Sound of Music review " Paul Kerryson says so long with terrific show by Alfred Hickling

Curve, LeicesterAided by an excellent cast, the outgoing Curve director steers clear of camp to present an irresistibly melodic musical in its unadulterated form Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:35am on December 8, 2014[SHARE]

White Christmas review " as fresh as a field of snow by Alfred Hickling

West Yorkshire PlayhouseTaking all the best bits of the Bing Crosby film, this festive-themed jukebox musical is a big-hearted celebration of the genius of Irving BerlinBing Crosby's doleful…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:24am on December 5, 2014[SHARE]

Flying Into Daylight review " a night of tango nirvana by Alfred Hickling

Live theatre, NewcastleThe choreography looks genuinely dangerous in Ron Hutchinson's play about a woman's quest for excitementTango has been described as the vertical expression of horizont…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:37am on December 3, 2014[SHARE]

Not About Heroes review " engaging account of war poetry in the making by Alfred Hickling

Clwyd Theatre Cymru, MoldStephen MacDonald's first world war piece dramatises Siegfried Sassoon's creative impact on Wilfred Owen Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:53am on November 18, 2014[SHARE]

Arcadia review this Stoppard stirs the intellect, but not the heart by Alfred Hickling

Complex scientific theories are made accessible in the characters sharp exchanges, but its all a bit too cerebral Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:37am on November 12, 2014[SHARE]

Horror Souk review former Woolworths hosts sinister show by Alfred Hickling

The Moor, SheffieldThe retail experience is given a creepy immersive theatre makeover, complete with rats and disembodied heads Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:09am on November 11, 2014[SHARE]

Queen Coal review raking the embers of Thatchers bonfire of the mines by Alfred Hickling

Crucible, SheffieldInjustices nursed by a Yorkshire pit community since the 1984-85 strike lurk beneath one womans homecoming in this powerful and evocative play Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 6:25am on November 6, 2014[SHARE]

Death, drugs and survival: DV8 Physical Theatre tells the story of John by Alfred Hickling

Lloyd Newsons latest production uses movement and the spoken word to stage one mans harrowing yet extraordinary life Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 1:55pm on October 29, 2014[SHARE]

Ricky Tomlinson on picketing, prison and new play United We Stand by Alfred Hickling

The Royle Family star was jailed after the national construction workers strike of 1972. As a satirical show about the Shrewsbury 24 arrives in Shropshire, he looks back on the controversial…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 3:00am on October 27, 2014[SHARE]

Early One Morning review harrowing redemption of a Passchendaele deserter by Alfred Hickling

Octagon, BoltonThe story of Private James Smith, executed by his colleagues for desertion in 1917, plays like a classical tragedy in Les Smiths dramatisation Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 6:39am on October 22, 2014[SHARE]

A Farewell to Arms review Hemingway novel becomes multimedia theatre show by Alfred Hickling

Dukes, LancasterThe authors tough-guy take on the first world war is transferred to the stage with outstanding technical and dramatic flair Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:23am on October 16, 2014[SHARE]

This Is My Family review Tim Firth's warm and winning musical by Alfred Hickling

Lyceum, SheffieldEvery song in this hugely enjoyable production, centred on a family camping holiday, has a ring of truth to it Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:20pm on October 15, 2014[SHARE]

The Restoration of Nell Gwyn review a sensitive reconsideration of a misconstrued figure by Alfred Hickling

Theatre Royal, YorkElizabeth Mansfields caustic, cockney Nell has the manners of a costermonger, but tempers her ambition with a winning sense of self-awareness Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:16pm on October 15, 2014[SHARE]

Bright Phoenix review misfits run riot in punky portrait of Liverpool by Alfred Hickling

Everyman, LiverpoolJeff Youngs drama about a gang occupying an abandoned cinema feels not unlike Blue Remembered Hills meets Boys from the Blackstuff Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:22am on October 14, 2014[SHARE]

Crocodiles review family drama and dysfunction in a seaside town by Alfred Hickling

Royal Exchange, ManchesterLee Mattinsons post-apocalyptic domestic tale takes its cue from Punch and Judy, but Ng Choon Pings production could do with a dose of restraint Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:23am on October 7, 2014[SHARE]

The Crucible review Millers Puritan paranoia finds renewed political urgency by Alfred Hickling

This production, which superimposes the era in which the play was written upon the period in which it is set, resonates with our times Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:33am on October 3, 2014[SHARE]

Propaganda Swing review jazzy tale of Nazi-sanctioned big band by Alfred Hickling

Belgrade theatre, CoventryThis fascinating Weimar-era musical is strongest at its most subversive Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:51am on September 29, 2014[SHARE]

Sea Breeze review a phantasmagoric and unforgettable spectacle by Alfred Hickling

Winter Gardens, MorecambeA montage of historical and abstract images plays across the peeling surfaces of a derelict theatre in this haunting tone poem Sea Breeze breathes new life into the …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:52am on September 24, 2014[SHARE]

Antigone review engaging gangland Sophocles by Alfred Hickling

Derby theatreRoy Williamss adaptation of the Greek classic is riotously comic and makes a strong case for its contemporary parallels Roy Williams on Antigone Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:15am on September 23, 2014[SHARE]

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof review revival honours Williamss original vision by Alfred Hickling

Northern Stage, Newcastle upon TyneAfter lead Daragh OMalley took ill, the director and cast stepped in to fill Big Daddys immense shoes with an illuminating production James Dacre: Theatre…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:03am on September 19, 2014[SHARE]

Romeo and Juliet review swimming-pool Shakespeare makes a splash by Alfred Hickling

Victoria Baths, ManchesterAn Edwardian water palace provides an impressive air of genteel if chlorinated decay for Homes innovative promenade performance Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:35am on September 18, 2014[SHARE]

Home Sweet Home review indelible portrait of nursing-home life by Alfred Hickling

Ukrainian Centre, BradfordWith a strong story and a standout ensemble, this community show challenges the stereotypes of old age Stage-struck older people get chance to realise their acting …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:12am on September 17, 2014[SHARE]

Sherlock Holmes: A Working Hypothesis review extended charades are too elementary by Alfred Hickling

Guildhall, YorkThe audience put their detective skills to use in an interactive show that reunites BFFs Holmes and Watson Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 9:11am on September 2, 2014[SHARE]