Beautiful or Beastly? Beauty and the Beast at The Albany Theatre
Alex Hargreaves as The Beast - Production Photograph from the Albany Theatre Beauty and the Beast, performed at the Albany Theatre, Coventry from 6 December 2025 to 4 January 2026 Review by David Court I’m usually a fan of fresh and distinctive takes on classic material, and Beauty and the Beast is certainly a bold retelling of the Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve story. In Theresa Heskins’ stage adaptation, the Goblin Queen Ranjhildre is finally captured by the Warrio
David Court
3 hours ago1 min read
Ebenezer Goode? Ebenezer "Great"!
Paul Nolan in A Christmas Carol - Photograph by Conor Nolan A Christmas Carol, performed by Paul Nolan at the Charterhouse, 10 December 2025 Review by David Court Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ remains as beloved a festive staple today as it was upon its triumphant debut in 1843. The tale is woven into our cultural DNA, having been brought to life by some of the greatest names in stage and screen (from Patrick Stewart and Simon Callow to Michael Caine—supported, of cour
David Court
1 day ago2 min read
All Is But Fantasy
The cast of All Is But Fantasy: Juliette Crosbie as Desdemona/Juliet; Daniel Krikler as Man; Renée Lamb as First Witch; Georgina Onuorah as Second Witch; Timmika Ramsay as Third Witch and Whitney White as Woman. Photo by Nicola Young Photography. All Is But Fantasy written and composed by Whitney White at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 21 January to 21 February 2026 (Lady Macbeth, Emelia) and 28 January to 21 February 2026 (Juliet,
ann-evans
1 day ago3 min read
Fizzbanging perfect puppetry!
John Leader and puppeteers. Photo by Marc Brenner. Roald Dahl’s The BFG at the RSC until 7 February 2026. Adapted by Tom Wells with additional material by Jenny Worton. Directed by Daniel Evans. Review by Hilary Hopker At some point as a child or a parent, you will have read Roald Dahl’s magical tale of a Big Friendly Giant, who spends his time catching dreams. Looking at last night’s audience the very many adults and children were driven to come see the performance by the l
Hilary Hopker
2 days ago2 min read
Festive Fun for all the family at Macready Theatre Rugby
Kings International Ballet, The Nutcracker. Photo courtesy of Macready Theatre. There's still time to enjoy Festive Fun at Macready Theatre. There's the festive favourite The Nutcracker performed by Kings International Ballet. Stuff and Nonsense Theatre along with Macready bring you the children's favourite The Gingerbread Man. And for those aged 18 and over, a fabulous Gin and Jive Christmas Special. Here's the details: Kings International Ballet presents The Nutcracker at
ann-evans
3 days ago3 min read
The BMM's 12 Cars of Christmas
Have some Christmas fun at the British Motor Museum. Photo courtesy of the BMM. Step into a Christmas to remember at the British Motor Museum from the 5 to 30 December. From their brand-new 12 Cars of Christmas trail to a hands-on sleigh-building workshop, there's festive fun for everyone to enjoy! The 12 Cars of Christmas sees six mischievous elves hiding in historic motors and six festively decorated cars making up the 12 Cars of Christmas! Children can help find the elf-cu
Tanya Aspinwall
4 days ago2 min read
Laughter all the way with Peter Pan
JP McCue, Charlie Smart andSean Dodds. Photo courtesy of Royal Leamington Spa. Peter Pan presented by Imagine Theatre at The Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, from Friday 5 December to Sunday 4 January 2026. Review by Ann Cee. Leamington’s Peter Pan Panto is a whole lot of fun from beginning to end so limber up your tonsils and throw yourself into the party. Two hours of festive family time will kick off your Christmas season with all the right kind of silliness, songs and s
Ann Cee
5 days ago1 min read
Talisman Theatre welcomes Baginton Fields Academy back for a behind-the-scenes tour of Robinson Crusoe
Baginton Fields Academy students go behind the scenes. Photo courtesy of Talisman Theatre. Kenilworth’s Talisman Theatre is thrilled to continue its commitment to accessibility and inclusion by offering a Relaxed Performance for the 2025 pantomime, Robinson Crusoe, written by Stephen Duckham. Following the success of last year’s introduction of a relaxed performance, this special showing is designed to create a welcoming environment for families and individuals with senso
Sharon Sully
5 days ago2 min read
Passion, wealth, family - The Forsyte Saga. Parts 1 and 2.
Fiona Hampton, Andy Rush and Company. Photo by Cam Harle. The Forsyte Saga, Part 1 and Part 2. Royal Shakespeare Company, The Swan Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon. Running until 10 January 2026. Directed by Josh Roche. Review by Ann Cee Does passion rule our lives? Is love ever lasting? Is it weakness or strength to remain in a loveless marriage? Is it wrong to yearn for your one true love even after they've married someone else? Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan explore these
Ann Cee
6 days ago2 min read
The Bear Pit does more than justice to this popular story.
Joseph Frerichs. Photo by Chris Clarke. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. At The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 5 to 14 December 2025. Directed by Emily Myerscough. Review by Charles Essex Adrian Mitchell’s dramatisation of CS Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , the allegory of the Gospel story, gave The Bear Pit’s cast and crew a challenge which they met in spades. The four main roles of Peter (Harry Sinclair). Susan (Georgia Hood), Edmund (Hal
Charles Essex
6 days ago2 min read
A Pop Culture Extravaganza!
Father and daughter get dressed up for the show. Photo by Rob Tysall Pro Photographer. If you went along to the MCM Comic Con show at the Birmingham NEC last weekend (28 – 30 November) I think you will agree that it was an outstanding event. This year was the biggest MCM Birmingham ever, with the show’s footprint at the NEC almost doubling and 55,000 attendees coming through the doors over the three days! Saw this fella! Photo by Rob Tysall Pro Photographer. The show was a r
ann-evans
7 days ago4 min read
Dancing at Lughnasa
Dancing at Lughnasa. Photo by Richard Smith Photography. Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel at The Loft Theatre, from Wednesday 3 December to Saturday 13 December 2025. Review by Ashley Hayward Set in rural Ireland in the 1930’s this powerful and moving play by Brian Friel is semi- autobiographical as the story teller, ‘Michael’, recalls events when he was 7 years old and living with his unmarried mother and her four sisters during a time of immense political, social and e
Ashley Hayward
Dec 53 min read
Ahoy There! Talisman Theatre sets sail for adventure with this year’s Panto, Robinson Crusoe
Dame Clarissa (Ben Ionoff) with Robinson Crusoe R (Harry Bowser) & Billy Crusoe L (Jack Ives). Photo by Robert Warner. Robinson Crusoe, written by Stephen Duckham, directed by Gill Halford at The Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth from 20 December to 3 January 2026. Preview The Talisman Theatre is delighted to announce this year’s festive family pantomime: Robinson Crusoe, written by Stephen Duckham. Packed with swashbuckling fun, colourful characters, and plenty of laugh-out-lo
Sharon Sully
Dec 42 min read
"A Christmas Carol" Returns to Coventry in a Historic Setting
Paul Nolan in "A Christmas Carol" - Photograph credit: Conor Nolan Paul Nolan presents A Christmas Carol at The Charterhouse, London Road, Coventry, CV1 2JR - December 10-21 Preview This year Paul Nolan presents his unique adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Playing all of the well-known characters and not straying too far from the original narrative and text, this intimate theatrical experience is ensured to delight and enthrall its audience in the setting of a 14th century Car
David Court
Dec 32 min read
University of Warwick and Belgrade Theatre join forces to explore community co-creation
Emma Rogerson. Photo credit Nat Argent. Warwick and the Belgrade have appointed a new PhD researcher to explore how theatres can work hand-in-hand with their local communities to create art that reflects, challenges, and inspires civic life. The 3.5-year research project will examine how ‘co-creation’ – a collaborative process in which artists, cultural institutions, and community members share creative control – can bring artists and local communities together into a mutuall
ann-evans
Dec 22 min read
Stratford Butterfly Farm set to sparkle!
The Blue Morpho Butterfly. Photo courtesy of Stratford Butterfly Farm. This festive season, Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm is set to sparkle with an extraordinary sight, an abundance of dazzling ‘Blue Morpho’ butterflies. Known for their iridescent, shimmering wings, the Blue Morpho is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful butterfly species in the world! Visitors will be able to experience them in greater numbers than ever throughout the Christmas period. From mid-Dec
Tanya Aspinwall
Dec 12 min read
Introducing The ‘Big Friendly Giant’ On Stage
L-R: Elisa de Grey, Shaun McCourt, Aki Nakagawa, Ben Thompson, John Leader, Ailsa Dalling and Onioluwa Taiwo. Photo credit Seamus Ryan. Opening in The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon From 25 November a Royal Shakespeare Company, Chichester Festival Theatre, Singapore Repertory Theatre - Esplanade Theatres On The Bay, and Roald Dahl Story Company Production. Featuring Puppetry Design by Toby Olié in a magical new production directed by RSC Co-Artistic Director
ann-evans
Nov 303 min read
Albany Theatre puts on a classic beauty of a show
Beauty and the Beast at the Albany Theatre, Coventry from 6 December to 4 January 2026. Preview. A Coventry theatre will take cues from its 90-year history as it prepares to host its biggest ever Christmas show. The Albany Theatre’s festive adaptation of Beauty and the Beast will hit the stage on December 6, with a combination of the Midland’s finest theatrical talent and national theatre stars reimagining the beloved tale for the festive season. Hannah Victoria, who recently
ann-evans
Nov 292 min read
RSC announces six new playwrights in residence for 2025/26
L-R: Pamela Carter, Vinay Patel, James Fritz, Laura Lomos, Karim Khan, Natasha Gordon. Photo by Nicola Young Photography. The RSC has announced Pamela Carter, James Fritz, Natasha Gordon, Karim Khan, Laura Lomas and Vinay Patel as the six playwrights taking part in its 2026 COHORT programme: an artist-led playwriting scheme offering six of the UK’s most exciting playwrights the opportunity to be commissioned by the company as part of a nine-month programme of peer-to-peer sup
ann-evans
Nov 282 min read
