top of page



Heathers the Musical coming to the Belgrade
Heathers the Musical coming to The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry from 15 – 19 September. Preview Following smash hit runs in London and New York, the WhatsOnStage ‘Best New Musical’ winner, Heathers the Musical is coming to Coventry. Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day. But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel

ann-evans
5 hours ago1 min read


Terrific summer entertainment for all the family
Abigail Drennan. Photo courtesy of The Attic. Wind in the Willows. Performed by Tread the Boards at The Attic Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon. On until 23 August 2026. Adapted and directed by Jasmine Arden-Brown. Review by Charles Essex We are less than three weeks into the long summer school holiday. The children are already complaining of being bored. What to do? Easy! Take them to this terrific production of Wind in the Willows at The Attic. This is ideal theatre for

Charles Essex
1 day ago2 min read


Casa Atletica Italiana to showcase Italian excellence from the Marche region – across sport, fashion, design & food
To mark the European Athletics Championships, Casa Atletica Italiana is organising a two-day networking event celebrating all things Italian, and in particular the Marche region, taking place at the Hotel Du Vin in Birmingham, on 10-11 August. Over three focussed sessions, you’ll have the chance to learn more about Italy’s hidden gem, the Marche, hear about its outstanding design, fashion & sport offering, and network with local businesses. Participants can expect to hear

ann-evans
2 days ago2 min read


Bridge House Theatre announces Christmas productions
Andrew Margerison in A Christmas Carol. Photo by Ben Guest. The Bridge House Theatre, Warwick present three plays around Christmastime. A Christmas Carol: Being a Ghost Story of Christmas on Saturday 28 November, Wind in the Willows on Friday 18 December and The Twelve Days of Christmas on Monday 21 December. Preview by Charles Essex If someone were to say there were only 140 shopping days to Christmas there would probably be a collective groan, as most people would prefer t

Charles Essex
2 days ago2 min read


Crybabies: The Scaring to premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Crybabies haunt Greyfriars Kirkyard. Photo credit DuncanMcGlynn. Francesca Moody Productions in association with Plosive Live present Crybabies: The Scaring, directed by Jon Brittain. Premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe at Pleasance Two. Preview Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominees Crybabies (Michael Clarke, James Gault, Ed Jones) join forces with Olivier Award-winning Fleabag and Baby Reindeer producers Francesca Moody Productions and director Jon Brittain

ann-evans
3 days ago3 min read


Pipe Dreams Pack a Perfect Punch
Photo credit Arts Insight. Arts Insight Theatre Group present Pipe Dream, a jukebox musical, written and directed by Laura Berridge at Rother Street Arts House, Stratford-upon-Avon. Review by Ann Cee Heart, humour and stonking pop tunes from the shoulder-padded '80s pack out this musical extravaganza performed by Arts Insight at Rother Street Arts House, Stratford Upon Avon. Were you busy being a Material Girl, or crooning with Wet Wet Wet, or bopping to the Eurythmics as

Ann Cee
4 days ago2 min read


First Look: Character Portrait released for George R. R. Martin’s Game Of Thrones: The Mad King
George R.R.Martin's Game of Thrones: The Mad King. Photo by Seamus Ryan © RSC. Ahead of the official opening for the world premiere of George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones: The Mad King, a new play based on novels by George R. R. Martin, adapted by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke, the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) releases a group portrait introducing members of the company in character for the first time. The release marks the 30-year anniversary for the

ann-evans
5 days ago2 min read


Animal Farm - a solo performance
Animal Farm, a solo performance by Sam Blythe on Monday 21 September at Macready Theatre, Lawrence Sheriff Street, Rugby. Adapted and directed by Guy Masterson (with original direction by Tonly Boncza). From the book by George Orwell. Preview George Orwell's timeless masterpiece comes to life in this internationally acclaimed one-man adaptation. A spellbinding performance packed with unforgettable characters, sharp wit and a message that resonates more powerfully than ever.

ann-evans
6 days ago1 min read


Sister Act raises the roof at Rugby Theatre
Sister Act. Photo by Martin Pulley. Sister Act: The Musical, at Rugby Theatre from 29 July - 2 August 2026. Director Janet Devenish, Murical Director Jonathan Rees. Review by Ann Evans Rugby Theatre’s Youth Project have done it again! These talented young singers. dancers and actors aged between 10 and 21 have produced another brilliant show after just 10 days of rehearsals. Sister Act: The Musical is packed with humour, high energy, fabulous characterisation and sensationa

ann-evans
Jul 313 min read


Branagh outstanding, but Orchard doesn’t fully blossom
Guy Henry as Pishchik, Esther Smith as Varya, Kenneth Branagh as Lopakhin, Amber Gadd as Dunyasha. Photo by Johan Perrson. The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov in a new version by Laura Wade, directed by Co-Artistic Director Tamara Harvey, at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon until 29 August 2026. Review by Wynne Lang. Chekhov wrote The Cherry Orchard in1903, two years before the first Russian Revolution. He considered it a comedy, though Stanislavski later directed it a
Wynne Lang
Jul 313 min read


Trains and boats and planes - toys that is!
Barry Potter (left) with his family team at a recent toy fair at the NEC. Photo Rob Tysall Pro Photography. Being interested in toys isn’t just for kids! Adults of all ages are enjoying the hobby of collecting toys of all types. For some its model trains, others go for diecasts such as Dinky, Corgi and the many other models and manufacturers. For some it’s the distant past when tin plate was all you could buy; or it might be dolls and teddies, and the ever-popular TV, film an

ann-evans
Jul 303 min read


Pipe Dream - a 1980s jukebox musical
Arts Insight Theatre Group present Pipe Dream, a jukebox musical, at Rother Street Arts House, Stratford-upon-Avon from Thursday 30 July to Saturday 1 August, 3 matinee and 3 evening shows. Preview Neon lights, nostalgic beats, and a legendary tune gone rogue. In this reimagining of The Pied Piper, five friends are forced to navigate a new world swept up in greed, corruption, and image. Set in a British town in the late 1980s, the children begin to notice something strange:

ann-evans
Jul 281 min read


In The Night Garden Live coming to the Belgrade
The BAFTA Award-Winning CBeebies Children’s TV Show In the Night Garden Live is coming to the Belgrade Theatre on Friday 31 July – Saturday 1 August 2026. Preview Celebrating its 17th Birthday, the smash-hit In the Night Garden Live will be back on stage in 2026, with a seventh major tour of UK theatres, including Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre. Take a spectacular journey into the magical world of In the Night Garden and experience the UK’s favourite family show with all the

ann-evans
Jul 272 min read


Stan's Cafe - River Tours: The Avon
3m long tapestry traces the river’s path. Photo courtesy of Stan's Cafe. Midlands-based theatre company Stan’s Cafe have announced the dates for their latest production, River Tours: The Avon - with performances across Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Birmingham (1-16 Aug 2026), including a visit to the Royal Shakespeare Company, in Stratford-upon-Avon. The poetic production floats visitors through centuries of history, folklore and wildlife, from the River Avon’s source in N

ann-evans
Jul 263 min read


Summer Family Activities at the BMM
Family with Jim. Photo courtesy of the BMM. Summer has officially arrived at the British Motor Museum with a wealth of family activities, running from 17 July – 2 September, focused on two incredible feature exhibitions, both packed with fascinating cars and stories. First there’s Forza Horizon 6: The Experience, where visitors can discover a fantastic line-up of cars from the game, and get behind the wheel of a state-of-the-art racing simulator to test their mettle in the di

Tanya Aspinwall
Jul 253 min read


CBSO in the City returns, taking the orchestra out of the concert hall and into Birmingham's trams, shopping centres, station and public spaces
CBSO in the Bull Ring Birmingham, photo credit Jonathan Ferro. Free performances for thousands of residents and Symphony Hall tickets for just £1. From Thursday 27 to Monday 31 August, CBSO in the City returns for its third year, with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s (CBSO) musicians performing for free to tens of thousands of residents across Birmingham. The CBSO will fill the city with music, popping up in unexpected spaces and for anyone attending the performanc

ann-evans
Jul 244 min read


Heavenly Music next up at Rugby Theatre
The entire assembly. Photo by Martin Pulley. Sister Act: The Musical, at Rugby Theatre from 29 July - 2 August 2026. Performed by Rugby Theatre's Youth Project, Preview by Annette Kinsella. Holy habits! Packed with humour, heart and high energy, the musical comedy Sister Act is next up on Rugby Theatre’s historic stage. Performed as Rugby Theatre’s Youth Project, Sister Act: The Musical follows disco diva Deloris Van Cartier, whose life takes an unexpected turn when she i

Rosie Fuller
Jul 222 min read


Greg Abate Trio appearing at the Anglican Chapel
Greg Abate Trio, at the Anglican Chapel, London Road Cemetery, Coventry, on Thursday 30 July, doors open at 7pm, show starts at 7.30 pm. Preview A summer evening of jazz with one of America's best contemporary alto saxophonists - accompanied by Tim Amann (keyboard) and Tom Marsh (bass). For many years Greg has been recognised as one of America’s top saxophonists, playing with Ray Charles from 1972-73 and later featured in the Artie Shaw band. He has recorded two well-receiv

ann-evans
Jul 213 min read


The Time Machine coming to the Anglican Chapel!
The Time Machine by H G Wells at the Anglican Chapel, London Road Cemetery, Coventry, on Friday 24 July at 7pm. Presented by Don’t Go Into The Cellar…Dread the Boards. Preview Acclaimed actor Jonathan Goodwin plays the Time Traveller in this original one-man adaptation of the classic H.G. Wells scientific romance. Plunging hundreds of thousands of years into the future, far from being some Utopian paradise, London has instead become a wasteland populated by the ineffectual

ann-evans
Jul 201 min read

Archives
Our critics have been looking back on the highlights and lowlights of their role in the theatre ......
bottom of page


