70 stories by "Neil Bonner"
Lichfield Garrick Theatre: After last year's sensational Alice in Wonderland musical, few people imagined that Adrian Jackson and Ian Adams, the driving force behind that hit, could eve…
Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent: Local favourite Jonathan Wilkes has topped the bill at the Regent panto for eight of the past nine years and has always been the undoubted star turn. But whil…
Lyceum, Crewe: A version of this show was a hit a couple of years ago but it's been dusted down and revamped to accommodate the undoubted talents of Joe Pasquale as Sherlock Holmes. And…
Repertory Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent: Despite a wealth of books, films and documentaries, this new theatre production is a welcome contribution to helping us understand what made the great Harr…
New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme: As two-handers go, this has to be one of the most challenging plays in modern British theatre. Not only are there multiple roles to tackle but there's a h…
Shugborough Estate, Stafford: For several years director Peter Mimmack toyed with the idea of bringing Bram Stoker's classic gothic thriller to outdoor summer audiences but decided it w…
Garrick Theatre, Lichfield: Tupele Dorgu, known to millions as the mouthy factory worker Kelly Crabtree in Coronation Street, gives an outstanding performance as hairdresser-turned-undergrad…
New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme: The very mention of the title of this Jules Verne classic is likely to bring even seasoned producers out in a cold sweat. After all, how can you possibly do ju…
New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme: While staff and cast at the North Staffordshire theatre in-the-round prepare for their next homegrown production, the New Vic has struck gold with this timeles…
New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme: The endlessly fascinating life and shocking premature death of Ruth Ellis has provided writers with rich pickings for 60 years, and Amanda Whittington's b…
Cannock, Prince of Wales (December 24-31), The Muni, Colne, (January 5-20): Some pantos excel in their song and dance while others revel more in comedy. This one, however, is strong in all a…
Gatehouse, Stafford: For the second successive year the Gatehouse has chosen a rock 'n' roll format for its seasonal run, this time giving Beauty and the Beast the panto and pop cl…
Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent: The prodigal son has returned. For six consecutive years Jonathan Wilkes topped the panto bill in this, his hometown theatre - and how the Potteries audiences…
Pomegranate, Chesterfield: This panto has plenty to commend it, not least the amiable antics of Rik Gaynor as an endearing and energetic Simple Simon. With his natural warmth and cheeky ad-l…
Lyceum, Crewe: If the success of a show can be measured by the ebullient enthusiasm of its audience, then Crewe's Lyceum has a hit on its hands with this production of Cinderella. Autho…
New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme: The New Vic has enjoyed bumper attendances throughout 2012 and a festive offering of this standard can only enhance its reputation.
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Little Wenlock Village Hall, Shropshire: Playing Ebenezer Scrooge is one thing. Playing the complex miser and all the other characters in this seasonal Dickens classic is quite another. Yet …
Pomegranate Theatre, Chesterfield: Stoke Mandeville is no stranger to controversy. Long before its good name was tainted by the Jimmy Savile scandal, the internationally acclaimed spinal inj…
New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme: The New Vic's artistic director, Theresa Heskins, always relishes a challenge. By her own admission she likes to "stage the unstageable". Well, …
New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme: The Vic, as it was then, gained its impressive early reputation largely through its home-produced documentary plays that reflected the lives of ordinary people…
