Category: Uncategorized

Watermill Theatre, Newbury – until 14th March 2026

Reviewed by Joanna Huggett

5*****

I attended the production with my 14-year-old daughter, and what an absolute treat it was for us both. From the very first moment, we were completely drawn in.

The set beautifully captured what life might have been like in rural Oxfordshire at the end of the nineteenth century — simple yet incredibly effective and wonderfully versatile. We especially loved watching the cast sing while seamlessly moving furniture between scenes; it felt fluid, natural, and added to the charm of the performance.

The characterisation was outstanding. The cast transitioned effortlessly between roles, convincingly portraying characters ranging from very young to very old. Their adaptability and attention to detail made each character feel distinct and believable.

For us, the star of the show was Laura, played by Jessica Temple. She carried the narrative with such grace, guiding us through her story with warmth and authenticity. Her performance was deeply emotive, particularly in the final scene following her brother’s death at war — a moment that was truly moving. We also adored Edmund, played by Alex Wilson, whose comic timing was impeccable. The scene in which he and Godfrey (Zrey Sholapurkar) played the young girl cousins was a particular highlight and had us thoroughly entertained.

We always love visiting the Watermill — such an intimate, quaint theatre with a wonderfully welcoming atmosphere. This production felt perfectly suited to the space.

I had initially wondered whether my 14-year-old might find the show a little slow, but when I asked her afterwards, she replied, “Not at all.” As a young teenager, she really connected with Laura’s journey of self-discovery and finding her place in the world.

A truly delightful and thoroughly engaging production — not to be missed.

Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge – until Saturday 10th February 2026

Reviewed by Steph Lott

3***

As a lifelong fan of the Inspector Morse television series, I approached last night’s performance of “Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts” with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Could the stage truly capture the brooding atmosphere and intellectual depth that made the show so compelling? The answer, I’m afraid, is “not quite.”

The production’s greatest challenge rested on Tom Chambers’ shoulders: could he embody Morse without simply mimicking John Thaw’s iconic portrayal? Chambers opts for his own interpretation, presenting a more vulnerable, romantic, and occasionally lighter version of the character. While this shows admirable courage, his reliance on certain mannerisms became somewhat distracting as the evening progressed. I found myself watching the performance rather than believing in the character—a critical distinction that prevented full immersion in the story.

Alma Cullen, who wrote episodes for the original television series, brings undeniable credentials to the script. The play attempts to capture that familiar intellectual, moody, and nostalgic tone we associate with “Inspector Morse”, but it falls somewhat short of the mark. The deep psychological edge that distinguished the TV series feels diluted here, replaced by something more conventionally theatrical.

Fortunately, the supporting cast provides solid ballast. Tachia Newall delivers an empathetic and grounded performance as DS Lewis, offering a necessary counterpoint to Morse’s eccentricities. Charlotte Randle brings faded amusing glamour to her role as the diva Verity, while Jason Done proves particularly commanding when portraying Lawrence, helping to maintain momentum throughout the production.

The pacing presents significant problems. The first act is slow and dense, establishing atmosphere at the expense of engagement. Then, as if overcorrecting, the second act rushes through revelations at such speed that crucial plot points feel confusing rather than satisfying. This uneven tempo undermines the mystery-solving experience that should be the production’s heart.

The “play within a play” conceit feels forced and distracting rather than clever. More frustratingly, there are characters crucial to the action who are referenced but never appear on stage—a theatrical choice that left me feeling cheated. In a whodunnit, we want all the pieces visible before us; having key players exist only in dialogue feels like a storytelling cop-out.

“Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts” suffers from an identity crisis. If you’re seeking an amusing whodunnit for a pleasant evening out, you’ll likely enjoy yourself. The production has moments of wit, the performances are professional, and the Cambridge Arts Theatre is as always, a great setting. However, if you’re hoping for the melancholy Morse, the philosophical musings, and the emotional depth that characterized the television series, you may leave disappointed.

The play isn’t unsuccessful—it’s simply caught; neither a faithful homage nor a bold reimagining. For devoted fans, that’s perhaps the most unsatisfying mystery of all.

FRANCES BARBER TO LEAD WORLD PREMIERE OF

JEREMY DYSON AND ANDY NYMAN’S

THE PSYCHIC AT YORK THEATRE ROYAL

York Theatre Royal today announces Frances Barber will star as Rosa in the world premiere of The Psychic, a new play by writing duo Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman. After the international success of Ghost Stories, the pair bring their latest dark thriller to York Theatre Royal on 6 May 2026, with previews from 29 April 2026, and running until 23 May 2026. Jeremy Dyson previously worked with Barber on his BAFTA-nominated drama series Funland and the Rose d’Or-winning comedy series Psychobitches.

Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman’s twisty new thriller follows TV psychic Sheila Gold and is brought to the stage by a creative team including Rae Smith (Designer), Chris Fisher (Illusions Designer), Zoe Spurr (Lighting Designer), Nick Manning (Sound Designer), and Arthur Carrington CDG (Casting Director).

Creators Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, said today, “We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with Frances again who is an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind talent. After working together on Funland and Psychobitches, we can’t wait to see her bring Rosa to life in this haunting new play.”

Full casting will be announced at a later date.

A York Theatre Royal production

THE PSYCHIC

Created by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman

29 Apr 2026 – 23 May 2026

Cast includes: Frances Barber (Rosa)

Co-Directors: Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman; Designer: Rae Smith; Illusion Designer: Chris Fisher; Lighting Designer: Zoe Spurr; Sound Designer: Nick Manning; Casting Director: Arthur Carrington CDG

Popular TV psychic Sheila Gold loses a high-profile court case, which brands her a charlatan. It costs her not only her reputation, but a fortune in legal fees. When a wealthy couple ask Sheila to conduct a séance to attempt to make contact with their late child, Sheila senses an opportunity to bleed them for money. What follows makes her question everything she’s ever believed and leads her on a journey into the darkest corners of her life.

This twisted new thriller from the creators of the international smash hit Ghost Stories, brings thrills, laughs and shocks back to the stage – in the world Premiere of this electrifying and unmissable play.

Frances Barber plays Rosa. Her theatre credits include Musik (Wilton’s Music Hall/Leicester Square Theatre/Edinburgh Festival Fringe), The Unfriend (Wyndham’s Theatre/Criterion Theatre/Chichester Festival Theatre), Hamlet (Theatre Royal Windsor), An Ideal Husband (Vaudeville Theatre/Theatre Royal Bath), Madame Rubinstein (Park Theatre), The School for Scandal (Lucille Lortel Theatre, NYC), What the Butler Saw (Mark Taper Forum, LA), Julius Caesar (Donmar Warehouse/St. Ann’s Warehouse, NYC), Les Parents Terribles (Donmar Warehouse at Trafalgar Theatre), That Face (Sheffield Theatres), Afterplay (King’s Theatre, Edinburgh/ The Gate Theatre, Dublin), Madame de Sade (Donmar at Wyndham’s), King Lear, The Seagull (RSC/International tour), The Dead Monkey, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Hamlet (RSC) Antony & Cleopatra (Shakespeare’s Globe), Aladdin (The Old Vic), One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (Gielgud Theatre/Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Tales from Vienna Woods, Pygmalion, The Night of the Iguana (National Theatre), Closer to Heaven (Arts Theatre – WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actress), Closer (Lyric Theatre), Uncle Vanya (Chichester Festival Theatre/UK tour), and Insignificance (Donmar Warehouse). Her television credits include Whitstable Pearl (as series regular Dolly Nolan), The Chelsea Detective, Dreamland, Inside No. 9, Dodger, Cold Feet, Silk, Doctor Who, and The Street; and for film Trick or Treat, Mr. Holmes, Goal!, and Goal II: Living the Dream.

Jeremy Dyson is an award-winning writer and director.His writing credits include Ghost Stories – nomination for Olivier Award for Best Entertainment, The League of Gentlemen are Behind You, The League of Gentlemen: A Local Show for Local People – nomination for Olivier Award for Best Entertainment), and The League of Gentlemen. His co-writing credits for television include Psychobitches – winner of the Rose d’Or for Best TV Comedy and nominations for two British Comedy Awards, The Armstrong & Miller Show – winner of the BAFTA Award for Best Comedy, Billy Goat, Funland – nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Drama Serial, The League of Gentlemen – winner of the BAFTA Award for Best Comedy, Golden Rose of Montreux and RTS Award for Best Entertainment); and his co-writing credits for film include Ghost Stories and The League of Gentlemen’s Apocalypse.

Andy Nyman is an award-winning actor, director and writer. As an actor, his theatre work includes The Producers (Menier Chocolate Factory/Garrick Theatre), Assassins, Terrible Advice (Menier Chocolate Factory), Fiddler on the Roof (Menier Chocolate Factory/Playhouse Theatre – Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical), Abigail’s Party (Menier Chocolate Factory/Wyndham’s Theatre), Hello, Dolly! (The London Palladium), Hangmen (Wyndham’s Theatre/Golden Theatre, NYC), and Ghost Stories (Duke of York’s Theatre/Arts Theatre) – which he starred in, co-wrote and co-directed with Jeremy Dyson – later adapted into a film, in which he also starred. His television credits include Hanna, Wanderlust, The Eichmann Show, Campus, Crooked House, Dead Set, and Peaky Blinders; and for film, Wicked: Part 1, Jungle Cruise, Judy,The Commuter, Death at a Funeral, Kick-Ass 2, Black Death, The Brothers Bloom, Severance and Shut Up & Shoot Me (Best Actor Award at the Cherbourg Film Festival). He has collaborated with Derren Brown for almost 20 years, co-writing and co-creating much of Brown’s early TV work; and his co-writing and directing credits for Brown’s shows include XX , Derren Brown – Something Wicked This Way Comes – winner of the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment, and Derren Brown – Secret (New York Drama Desk Award for Best Unique Theatrical Event.

LISTINGS 

THE PSYCHIC
York Theatre Royal
St Leonard’s Place, York YO1 7HD
www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Box Office: 01904 623568

THE LAST PICTURE

York Theatre Royal

5 February – 14 February 2026

www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

HOME, Manchester
18 – 21 February 2026

www.homemcr.org

Bristol Old Vic, Bristol
24 – 28 February 2026
www.bristololdvic.org.uk

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
5 – 7 March 2026

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

THE SECRET GARDEN – THE MUSICAL

17 March – 4 April 2026

THE PSYCHIC
29 April – 23 May 2026

Tickets from £15

BSL Interpreted performance                    Friday 15 May at 7:30pm
Audio Described performance                  Saturday 16 May at 2:30pm
Captioned performance                             Saturday 23 May at 2:30pm

THE ORIGINAL AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTION OF

RETURNS FOR A NATIONAL TOUR
OPENING AT

SUNDERLAND EMPIRE

FROM 4 NOVEMBER 2026

WITH A

LIMITED WEST END SEASON

AT

LONDON’S ADELPHI THEATRE

FROM 12 FEBRUARY – 31 JULY 2027

SIGN UPS ARE NOW OPEN FOR EXCLUSIVE

PRE-SALE ACCESS

TICKETS ON SALE 9 MARCH 2026 AT 10.00AM

Universal Theatrical Group and Working Title Filmsare delighted to announce a national tour of the original award-winning production of BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL opening at Sunderland Empire on 4 November 2026 where it will play until 28 November 2026 and its first return to the West End in over 10 years, playing a limited West End season at the Adelphi Theatre from 12 February – 31 July 2027.

Following its run in Sunderland, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICALwill visit the Palace Theatre Manchester (2 December 2026 – 9 January 2027) and Edinburgh Playhouse (19 January – 6 February 2027). Further touring dates and casting to be announced soon.

Sign up for exclusive pre-sale access to BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL across all announced venues here: billyelliotthemusical.com

Tickets go on sale for Sunderland, Manchester, Edinburgh and London on 9 March 2026 at 10.00am.

Composer Elton John and Director Stephen Daldry said today, “Creating Billy Elliot the Musical was one of the most joyous and inspiring moments of our careers, so to bring the show back for a UK tour and a season in the West End for the first time in over a decade is both incredibly emotional and exciting. It’s bold, it’s British, it’s full of heart and the story feels more relevant than ever. We can’t wait for a whole new generation to experience it!”

Based on the highly successful film, the show is set in a northern mining town against the background of the 1984/’85 miners’ strike and follows Billy’s journey from the boxing ring to the ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever.

Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL has been seen by just over 12 million people across five continents and is the recipient of over 80 awards internationally, including ten Tony Awards and five Olivier Awards. In 2006, Liam Mower, James Lomas and George Maguire, the first three boys to play the title role, became the youngest performers ever to have won the Olivier Award for Best Actor with the show also picking up the Best Musical prize. In total, over 125 boys have now played the iconic title role on stage worldwide.

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL is brought to life by the multiple award-winning creative team behind the film including writer Lee Hall (book and lyrics), director Stephen Daldry and choreographer, Peter Darling, joined by Elton John who composed the show’s score. The production features scenic design by Ian MacNeil, costume design is by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher, sound design by Paul Arditti and hair, wig and make up design by Campbell Young. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch. The tour director is Simon Pollard and the associate choreographer is Jeroen Luiten. Adult casting is by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG and children’s casting is by Nick Hockaday CDG for Jessica Ronane Casting.

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL is presented by Universal Theatrical Group and Working Title Films and is based on the Universal Pictures/Studio Canal film. The show is produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Jon Finn. David Furnish and Angela Morrison are executive producers.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL

billyelliotthemusical.com

Instagram – billyelliotuk

TikTok – billyelliotuk

Facebook – Billy Elliot the Musical

YouTube – BillyElliotMusicalUK

4 – 28 NOVEMBER 2026

SUNDERLAND EMPIRE

atgtickets.com/sunderland

TICKETS ON SALE 9 MARCH 2026

2 DECEMBER 2026 – 9 JANUARY 2027

PALACE THEATRE MANCHESTER

atgtickets.com/manchester

TICKETS ON SALE 9 MARCH 2026

19 JANUARY – 6 FEBRUARY 2027

EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE

atgtickets.com/edinburgh

TICKETS ON SALE 9 MARCH 2026

12 FEBRUARY – 31 JULY 2027

ADELPHI THEATRE, LONDON
lwtickets.co.uk

TICKETS ON SALE 9 MARCH 2026

FURTHER DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON

Holy Trinity Church, Guildford – until 28th February 2026 

Reviewed by Carly 

5***** 

Guildford Shakespeare Company brings you the story of David Copperfield adapted and directed by Abigail Pickard Price. A story that takes you through the stages of his life over the years and across many separate places of travel. The highs and the lows of relationships and friendships along the way, as well as ones lost. Finding love and experiencing hurt all shaping him into the man and author that he later becomes. This production was done exceptionally well, very quick paced with only three actors taking on nineteen roles all in total. Which was so much fun to watch, pure brilliance, exceptional energy and excitement throughout the whole show! 

Eddy Payne who only plays the part of David Copperfield and does he fantastically well. Takes you through his whole story, starting from the very beginning as a newborn baby. He transformed himself into his role. He was authentic and provided an emotional experience throughout, drawing the audience in with his great acting skills as well as bringing much laughter to the show also. 

Luke Barton who takes on nine separate roles, some including Peggotty, Mr Wickfield, Mr Dick and many more. Does this with pure brilliance and is just mesmerising to watch as he jumps from character to character upon the stage. His ability to memorize lines, switch voices and change his mannerisms in seconds as well as costume, was just exceptional he offered so much to the play and had the audience laughing on many occasions. Just done fantastically well and was such a pleasure to watch. 

Louise Beresford who also takes on nine characters including David Copperfield’s mum, Miss Betsey, Emily and more makes the audience forget that they are watching the same person with her ability to transform entirely to a different role using great posture movement and voice throughout. Done flawlessly again with the seriousness needed for certain roles and bringing the laughs with the funnier roles just magical. 

The stage was simple but highly effective. With small props achieving so much upon the platform bringing the whole story to life. 

There were suitcases that turned into carriages for travel, chairs, stairs and even beds with the use of a blanket for a fuller effect. Storages chests were also very cleverly used for hiding props, making them easy to access. The chests were also used for rocks on the sea, being jumped across by the actors on the stage and material of blue being unravelled from a dress to mimic the waves. A small boat being held in the air to look at in the distance. The simplicity of a paper kite on wire being flown in the air. The use of clever signs to keep the audience grounded as to where the story was, due to its fast pace. This was a very well though out stage, simplistic but offered so much detail and description throughout. 

This production was a pleasure to watch what a great storyline, exceptional acting throughout was exciting and funny a great evening out and one not to miss.  

The setting was a beautiful Church which gave the whole production an amazing feel. The staff were also lovely, welcoming, and there to help making the evening one to remember. 

SYDNIE CHRISTMAS and MADALENA ALBERTO  

complete the star line-up for 

To Maury, With Love

Danielle Tarento is proud to announce

SYDNIE CHRISTMAS
and
MADALENA ALBERTO

complete the star line-up joining
RAMIN KARIMLOO
GRAHAM BICKLEY
ROB HOUCHEN
KELLY MATHIESON
in
To Maury, With Love
A celebration of the works of Maury Yeston on the occasion of his 80th birthday
Sunday February 22, 2026 at 7.30pm
Theatre Royal Drury Lane,
Catherine St, London WC2B 5JF

Sydnie Christmas (the first female vocalist to win Britain’s Got Talent) and Madalena Alberto (Eva Perón in Evita and Fantine in the 25th Anniversary production of Les Misérables) complete the star line-up joining Ramin Karimloo, Graham Bickley, Ron Houchen and Kelly Mathieson to celebrate multi-Tony Award winning composer Maury Yeston’s 80th birthday.

To Maury, With Love is a concert of his most well know and loved music, directed by Thom Southerland  and produced by Danielle Tarento.

Tarento and Southerland have collaborated previously on several of Yeston’s shows in the UK, including the London premieres of Titanic the Musical and Death Takes a Holiday and a critically acclaimed revival of Grand Hotel.

These musicals will be represented in the concert, along with music from Nine, Phantom (Maury’s 1991 version of The Phantom of the Opera has received over 1,000 productions globally) and many others, including never-before heard songs and an overture written especially for the occasion.

Sydnie Christmas captured the nation’s heart as the first female vocalist to win Britain’s Got Talent. Her Golden Buzzer audition of “Tomorrow” from Annie amassed over 50 million views worldwide. She went on to win the competition with spellbinding performances of “My Way” and “Over the Rainbow.” Sydnie starred as Cruella de Vil in Disney’s 101 Dalmatians: The Musical (Eventim Apollo) and starred in the West End premiere of Oscar-winning lyricist Don Black’s musical revue, From the Heart at the Fortune Theatre.

Madalena Alberto is best known for playing Eva Perón in Evita (Dominion Theatre) and Gloria Fajardo in Gloria Estefan’s musical On Your Feet! (London Coliseum). Her other West End roles include Fantine in the 25th Anniversary production of Les Misérables (Barbican), Grizabella in Cats and Zorro the Musical She played Alice Beane in Maury Yeston’s Titanic, when it toured mainland Republic of China.

West End and Broadway star Ramin Karimloo is no stranger to Yeston’s work,  Karimloo played Barrett in the recent Encores production of Titanic the Musical at NYCityCenter and Guido Contini in Nine in Concert for Hope Mill Theatre at The Lowry.

Graham Bickley made his West End debut in 1981 in They’re Playing Our Song. His other West End credits include The Pirates of Penzance, Metropolis, Which Witch, Maddie, The Pajama Game (Best Actor nomination, Toronto), Les Misérables (as Enjolras and Marius), Miss Saigon (as Chris), and Sunset Boulevard (as Joe Gillis, playing opposite Petula Clark). He played Tateh in the 2003 London premiere of Ragtime (nominated for the Laurence Olivier and The Whatsonstage Award for Best Actor in a Musical). In 2023, he toured the UK as Captain EJ Smith in Maury Yeston’s Titanic the Musical.

Rob Houchen played Jack in the West End premiere of Titanique. He made his West End debut in Les Misérables (as Marius Pontmercy) and later played Marius in the staged concert version of Les Misérables at the Gielgud Theatre. He was Lieutenant Joseph Cable in the Chichester  Festival Theatre production of South Pacific (Manchester Opera House, Sadler’s Wells and UK tour). He was Frederick Fleet in the Maury Yeston’s Titanic the Musical at Charing Cross Theatre.

Kelly Mathieson made her name in the musical theatre industry when she landed the lead role of Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera in the West End. During her nearly three-year, award-winning run as Christine, Kelly also built a flourishing concert career, performing as a soloist at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Concert Hall Glasgow, and Cadogan Hall, where she played Tonia in the UK premiere of Dr Zhivago. 
The concert will feature a 30-piece London Musical Theatre Orchestra and a 30-strong choir of this year’s graduating MA Musical Theatre students from the Royal Academy of Music, under the baton of Mark Aspinall.

Tarento said “My working relationship and friendship with Maury is one of the great joys of my life. His musicals resonate so deeply with me and have framed so much of the past 15 years of my career. To be able to celebrate his 80th birthday in such a significant way is a privilege and an honour.”

The concert is raising funds for Bowel Cancer UK.

Maury Yeston is one of Broadway’s most celebrated composer lyricists. In addition to winning a Tony Award for Best Score for Titanic the Musical (which won another four Tonys including Best Musical), Yeston won a Tony Award and two Drama Desk Awards for his music and lyrics to Nine (based on Fellini’s 1963 movie 8½). That production also won four additional Tonys including Best Musical. The Broadway revival of Nine, starring Antonio Banderas, won the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival. Yeston’s contribution to the score for Grand Hotel was nominated for a Tony and two Drama Desk Awards, and the Donmar Warehouse production won an Olivier Award. His score for Phantom has received national and international acclaim. More recently, he wrote music and lyrics to Death Takes A Holiday, which was nominated for 11 Drama Desk Awards, the first entirely American full length ballet, Tom Sawyer: A Ballet In Three Acts, which premiered in Kansas City and Anything Can Happen in The Theater – The Musical World of Maury Yeston, a new musical revue conceived and directed by Gerard Alessandrini which premièred in March 2020 at Manhattan’s York Theater Company.  

In 2009, Nine was adapted into a film with a screenplay by Anthony Minghella and Michael Tolkin, directed by Rob Marshall and featuring Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Dame Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Fergie, and Sophia Loren. It was nominated for five Golden Globes and four Academy Awards. Yeston was nominated for a Critics Choice and Golden Globe for Best Original Song, Cinema Italiano, and an Academy Award for Best Original Song, “Take It All”.  

Other works include: Cello Concerto, premièred by Yo Yo Ma; the concert album Goya – A Life In Song, featuring Placido Domingo and Gloria Estefan; December Songs, a song cycle commissioned by Carnegie Hall for its centennial celebration; An American Cantata – 2000 Voices, a choral symphony in three movements for the National Symphony Orchestra and 2000 singers  commissioned by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.LISTINGS INFO

Danielle Tarento
presents

To Maury, With Love

Directed by
Thom Southerland

Orchestrated and Conducted by
Mark Aspinall
Lighting Designed by Howard Hudson
Sound Designed by Andrew Johnson

Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Catherine St,
London
WC2B 5JF

Sunday February 22, 2026
at 7.30pm

Running time: to be confirmed

Age recommendation: PG

Tickets from £25 (booking fees apply)

Booking link:
https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/maury-yeston-80th-birthday/

Lyceum, Sheffield – until 14th February 2026

Reviewed by Alison Beaumont

5*****

The Bodyguard the Musical is based on the 1992 movie which featured the iconic Whitney Houston and her songs. It tells the story of Rachel Marron a famous singer who is being stalked and receiving death threats. Former Secret Service Agent Frank Farmer is hired to protect Rachel. Initially Rachel does not like Frank’s strict security measures, but their professional relationship soon turns to romance.

The shows starts off with a bang and when I say a bang I literally mean a loud gunshot bang which then leads straight into the opening song “Queen Of The Night”, with great singing, dancing, amazing costumes and flashes of fire. This certainly set you up for a wonderful performance.

Rachel is played by Sidonie Smith who absolutely smashed the role. Her voice was powerful and filled with emotion. It is difficult to step into the role of the famous Whitney Houston, and her songs are without doubt difficult to sing but Sidonie rose to the task showing confidence and delivering a good performance.

Adam Garcia gave a grounded and strong acting performance as Frank Farmer. He was so funny in the scene at the Karaoke bar. I could relate to the 3 girls singing (in their not so tuneful vocals) on a night out.

Sasha Monique took on the role of Nikki Marron, Rachel’s sister and really stood out for me, she had wonderful vocals, and I could listen to her sing all day, I could see her playing the role of Rachel extremely well. A highlight for me was when Sidonie and Sasha sang the duet “Run to You”, their harmonies were brilliant.

Fletcher (Rachel’s son) will be played by four different actors and on this occasion, I had the pleasure of seeing 10 year old Prince Conteh. He was such an adorable character and gave an outstanding performance.

I also must give a shout out to all the ensemble who were all very talented and made the dance moves, flips and somersaults look effortless.

The musical finished with “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” which had all the audience up on their feet dancing and singing along.

This really is a show not to be missed.

Half a millennium apart: West End’s Anne Boleyn meets her 1583 likeness

On the eve of the opening of a major new exhibition, the actress who currently portrays Anne Boleyn in the West End stepped into the ill-fated Queen’s childhood home of Hever Castle, to come face-to-face with one of her earliest surviving images.

Thảo Therese Nguyễn, who currently plays Anne Boleyn in the hit West End musical Six, had a sneak peak of the newly re-dated Hever ‘Rose’ portrait at Hever Castle, ahead of the exhibition’s opening on Wednesday 11 February. Painted in 1583, the Hever ‘Rose’ portrait is one of the very few likenesses to depict Anne’s hands, and a ground-breaking new exhibition argues it was probably painted this way to disprove the idea she was a witch, and to prove she had five digits. 

The portrait features in Hever Castle’s Capturing a Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn, a landmark exhibition bringing together over 30 likenesses and depictions of Anne from the 16th century to the present day.

Dressed in her striking Six the Musical costume, Thảo Therese Nguyễn was there to see the curatorial team hang the 16th-century portrait ahead of the exhibition that seeks to explore how Anne Boleyn’s likeness has been continually re-imagined over time by politics, art, fashion, and popular culture from Tudor portraits to modern interpretations on stage and screen.  

Two women separated by 500 years yet bound by one of history’s most powerful stories.

Thảo Therese Nguyễn said: (To be amended and adapted by Thao and Arabella)

“Standing in Anne Boleyn’s childhood home, centuries after her death, coming face-to-face with Anne via this set of likenesses, and seeing the amazing Hever ‘Rose’ portrait, was incredibly moving. I play Anne every night on stage but being here at Hever Castle where her story truly began as a child, brought Anne home to me. It felt like meeting her across half a millennium. Meeting her this way via the new exhibition definitely underlined what I knew of Anne and how powerfully her image and her voice still speak to us today.”

The curatorial team at Hever Castle said:

“Anne Boleyn has never stopped being re-interpreted. Each generation reshapes her image through its own lens – from her own daughter Elizabeth’s use of her image to writers, directors and actors today who share her through print, literature, film or on stage. This exhibition shows how Anne’s likeness has evolved with the times, and her cultural significance has only grown. Seeing Thảo, a modern Anne, meet her 16th-century image perfectly captures that continuing conversation across history.”

Capturing a Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn opens on 11 February to the public at Hever Castle in Kent www.hevercastle.co.uk.

Six the Musical is currently playing at the Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End. https://sixthemusical.com/london/

BROADWAY INTERNATIONAL GROUP

MARC ROUTH  SIMONE GENATT

HY CULTURE COMPANY     CHINA ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT GROUP 

   MANUEL AND WILLETTE KLAUSNER TRUST    DOUGLAS L. MEYER

AND BROADWAY ASIA

PRESENT
 

THE NEW MUSICAL

WORLD’S GREATEST LOVER

BOYBAND AND X FACTOR WINNERS UNITE

FOR LONDON PREMIERE OF POP ROCK MUSICAL

WORLD’S GREATEST LOVER

DIRECT FROM NEW YORK DEBUT AND AWARD-WINNING EDINBURGH FRINGE RUN

STARRING X FACTOR WINNERS MATT TERRY & DALTON HARRIS WITH UNION J’S JAYMI HENSLEY, 17:28’S JOAQUIN PEDRO VALDES, WITH LEONARDO VIEIRA AND ALEX HAYDEN

THE OTHER PALACE

12 APRIL – 7 JUNE 2026

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW

WGLMUSICAL.COM

[Tuesday 10 February 2026] Following its New York debut and an acclaimed, award-winning run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025, the electrifying pop-rock musical World’s Greatest Lover transfers to London this spring. The production opens at The Other Palace on Sunday 12 April 2026, playing until Sunday 7 June 2026, with a national press night on Wednesday 22 April.

Tickets go on sale today, 10 February, as the full London cast is announced, led by X Factor winners Matt Terry and Dalton Harris, alongside Union J star Jaymi Hensley and West End favourites Joaquin Pedro Valdes, Leonardo Vieira and Alex Hayden.

A bold, high-energy pop-rock musical, World’s Greatest Lover features music and book by Julien Salvia with lyrics and book by Ludovic-Alexandre Vidal. The long-standing writing partnership has created award-winning and record-breaking shows seen around the world for over 15 years, including the Marius Award-winning The Prince & The Pauper and the Trophées de la Comédie Musical-nominated The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Their work extends beyond the stage to screenwriting on Living with Dad (M6), with their most recent songwriting credit being the Luxembourg’s 2025 Eurovision Song Finalist.

The production is directed and choreographed by Broadway’s Joshua Bergasse, Emmy Award winner for his choreography on Smash and Tony and Astaire Award nominee for the 2014 Broadway revival of On The Town, with set design by Beowulf Boritt  (Act One, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), costume design by David Woolard (West Side Story, First Date) and lighting design by Jason Lyons (Bring It On: The Musical, Hand to God) Casting by Rob Kelly ( Hades Town ,This Bitter Earth), General Management by Thomas Hopkins Productions

World’s Greatest Lover brings together the most iconic romantics in history in a witty, irreverent and unexpectedly heartfelt exploration of love, desire and identity, asking what it truly means to be the greatest lover of all time.

With explosive choreography and a sensational pop-powered score, Romeo, Casanova, Cyrano de Bergerac and the Marquis de Sade collide in a wildly entertaining, no-holds-barred battle to uncover the truth about love.

Seductive, hilarious and surprisingly moving, World’s Greatest Lover is as heartfelt as it is outrageous.

Prepare to be seduced…

Matt Terry will star as ‘CDB’. An X Factor winner and chart-topping singer-songwriter, Matt has amassed more than 250 million artist streams and over one billion streams as a songwriter. His theatre credits include Rock of Ages, Madagascar and The Grinch, direct from Broadway.

Dalton Harris will star as ‘Val’. Dalton is the winner of The X Factor and a chart-topping recording artist whose winning duet reached No.1 in the UK. A powerful vocalist and songwriter with millions of streams worldwide, his stage credits include the UK tour of The Drifters Girl, alongside film and documentary work exploring his life and activism.

Jaymi Hensley will star as ‘Sade’: Best known as a member of boyband Union J, Jaymi rose to fame on The X Factor before signing to Sony Music and releasing two studio albums. On stage he starred as Joseph in the UK tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and has appeared widely across TV and radio, including co-hosting CBBC’s Got What It Takes. He has recently toured internationally performing to audiences around the world.

Joaquin Pedro Valdes will star as ‘Romeo’. A London-based theatre performer and recording artist, Joaquin’s credits span the West End and international productions including The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Death Note in Concert, Heathers, The Baker’s Wife, Pacific Overtures and Alfred Hitchcock Presents: The Musical. He was previously a member of Philippine boyband 17:28 before launching his solo recording career.

Leonardo Vieira will star as ‘Caz’. Trained at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Leonardo’s credits include Bat Out of Hell (UK & Ireland Tour), Burn the Floor, Godspell in Concert and Aladdin.

Alex Hayden completes the company as an off-stage Swing. Alex trained at ArtsEd and recently appeared in The Book of Mormon on its UK and International Tour. His credits also include Sweet Charity, RENT and the Olivier Awards 2024 concert.

This London production brings the show’s infectious score, muscular choreography and razor-sharp wit to the capital.

Direct from New York, produced by Broadway International Group, Marc Routh and Simone Genatt, WORLD’S GREATEST LOVER is a smart, funny and irresistible new show about romance, reputation, and what happens when the greatest lovers of all time discover they may not understand love at all.

Marc Routh, President of Broadway Asia, is one of the most prolific producers on Broadway, with recent productions being Back To The Future, Winter Garden and The Roommate Starring Mia Farrow and Pattie LuPone, Booth Theatre. He is a seven-time Tony Award winner for Oklahoma!, Angels In America, The Band’s Visit, The Norman Conquests, Company, Hairspray, and The Producers.

Alongside his Broadway endeavours, Routh is the producer of off-Broadway’s Drama Desk and Obie Award-Winning Stomp and the legendary award-winning nightclub 54 Below.

Simone Genatt, Chairperson and Co-Founder of Broadway International Group and Broadway Asia, has been responsible for shows in over 60 countries including recent productions of An American in Paris, Anastasia, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Beetlejuice, COOKIN’ and The Sound of Music with Le Grand Theatre de Geneve, Theatre du Chatelet; Fuji TV; Shanghai Culture Square, Warner Bros Theatricals and Rodgers & Hammerstein among many others.  With a commitment to presenting live theatrical entertainment to cultures throughout the world, Simone Genatt remains focused on expanding the boundaries of entertainment and communication throughout the global markets.

Broadway International Group is among the largest production, management, distribution, licensing and touring companies of live entertainment throughout the Asia Pacific region, and its founders, Simone Genatt and Marc Routh, are two of the most active commercial Broadway producers throughout the global markets. Over the last 30 years, theatrical productions by the Broadway International Group and Broadway Asia partners have garnered more than 50 global theatrical awards through its many collaborations. Select productions include many Tony and Olivier Award-winning musicals and other live action spectacular entertainment productions.

Producers Marc Routh and Simone Genatt said, “World’s Greatest Lover is a wildly entertaining showdown among the hottest lovers of all time.  The premise is wonderfully absurd and witty punctuated by sizzling choreography by Joshua Bergasse with a powerful boyband pop score.  This new musical is seductive and electric and just might make you fall in love all over again.  We’re absolutely thrilled to be bringing World’s Greatest Lover to the Other Palace this Spring.”

@WGLmusical on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X

SAPLING BY GEORGINA DUNCAN WINS

THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR PLAYWRITING 2025

Sapling by Georgina Duncan is today announced as the winning script for The Women’s Prize for Playwriting 2025. Produced by Ellie Keel Productions and Paines Plough, the Prize is the only national award dedicated to championing and supporting exceptional playwrights who identify as female or non-binary.

The winner was announced at an awards ceremony held on 9 February 2026 at @sohoplace,in front of an audience of invited guests and leading figures from the UK theatre industry. This year’s Prize received a record-breaking 1,275 submissions which were judged by Director of the National Theatre Indhu Rubasingham (Chair); directors Milli Bhatia and Alice Hamilton; actress Romola Garai; literary agent Mel Kenyon; playwright and screenwriter Morgan Lloyd Malcolm; Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic Nancy Medina; Literary & Development Associate at Wessex Grove Kat Pierce; the National Theatre’s Director of New Work Nina Steiger; and Guardian Editor-in-Chief Katharine Viner.

Also announced today, Kristin Scott Thomas is the winner of WPP’s inaugural Leading Light award, a lifetime achievement prize recognising a leading female in the arts industry for their enduring influence, distinguished body of work, and outstanding contribution to culture. The ceremony also featured a special monologue – written by Abi Morgan with contributions from the longlisted writers – performed by Dame Meera Syal, celebrating the legacy and continuing impact of women shaping British theatre.

Ellie Keel Founder Director of the Women’s Prize for Playwriting today said, “Sapling is the rare kind of play that producers dream of discovering and audiences yearn to watch: gripping, fearless, and profoundly moving. Georgie’s writing is full of heart and vivid energy, matching its extraordinary craft in every scene. The judges’ meeting was particularly rigorous this year, reflecting the impressive standard of all our Final Five plays, which were selected from our highest number of submissions yet. These plays and writers have incredible futures on big stages and I can’t wait to follow their journeys. It’s a privilege to be at the helm of the Women’s Prize for Playwriting as we continue to grow and reach more writers, and champion the wealth of female and non-binary talent we all know is out there, but is sometimes overlooked or compromised by old-guard gatekeepers. The future for big plays by women is getting brighter all the time, but we need to keep our foot on the pedal.”

Katie Posner and Charlotte Bennett, Joint Artistic Directors of Paines Plough, and Debo Adebayo Deputy Artistic Director added, “We are prouder each year of the growing impact of this prize and the very real difference it makes to female and non-binary writers. This was the most competitive year yet, with the highest number of submissions so far, and an incredibly difficult decision for the judges to choose just one from the incredible Final Five. A huge congratulations to all five finalists, whose work was such a privilege to read. Georgina’s winning script is a deeply assured piece of storytelling: a tender, powerful portrait of a family and community living in the long shadow of grief, written with confidence, skill, care and love. Since the prize began, we’ve produced three winning plays – bringing them to over 35,000 audience members in 31 locations nationwide – and we’re so excited to see Sapling grow and connect with audiences on that same scale.”

Elizabeth Newman, Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres, commented, “Sheffield Theatres is so proud to be the new venue partner of the Women’s Prize for Playwriting, we are so immensely proud to be working alongside Ellie and WPP Team and Katie and Charlotte at Paines Plough. We are already deeply involved in planning a future production of Georgina Duncan’s Sapling. As a national organisation, this powerful partnership represents our deep commitment to champion bold new writing across the country and ensuring that exceptional work by women is not only celebrated, but brought to life on stage.”

Founded in 2019, the prize has championed female and non-binary playwrights, and campaigns for their plays to be presented on national stages in the UK and Ireland. Open to English-language plays running over 60 minutes, the prize offers its First Prize winner £20,000 alongside an option for Ellie Keel Productions, Paines Plough, and Sheffield Theatres to co-produce the work. The prize is sponsored by Samuel French Ltd, a Concord Theatricals company, the official publishing partner of the prize.

Previous winners of the prize include Amy Trigg (Reasons You Should(n’t) Love Me), Ahlam (You Bury Me), and Karis Kelly (Consumed). Their plays have gone on to critical success and major productions, with Consumed recently completing a hit UK tour and sell-out run at the Traverse as part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe, ahead of transfers to Lyric Belfast and Park Theatre in Spring 2026. The most recent winner, Sarah Grochala, is developing her play Intelligence with Paines Plough and Ellie Keel Productions.

SAPLING

By Georgina Duncan

Conor Flynn’s murder at the hands of another child sends shockwaves through a community already scarred by years of violence.

A decade later, 16 year old Gerry Flynn is striving for normality in Belfast during the last gasps of The Troubles. Despite a deteriorating home-life, the pains of adolescence, and the lingering shadow of a brother who never grew up, he’s just about keeping it together – until the events of one day shatter everything.

His brother’s memorial garden is destroyed, his killer released from prison, and the arrival of a charismatic stranger, Ryan, forces Gerry to confront the haunting dilemma: is Ryan the solution to his problems or the reason they exist in the first place?

Sapling is a tender and darkly funny story about what grows when deep-rooted pain is left untended.

Georgina Duncan is a working class writer and actor from East Lancashire, now based in London. As a playwright, her work has been both shortlisted and longlisted for various playwriting competitions including BOLD Theatre, Theatre Royal Haymarket, Papatango, Theatre503 International Prize and Druid Theatre. In 2024 she was commissioned to write a new play, Penalty for Improper Use, for LAMDA’s MishMash Festival. The play was then subsequently selected to have a rehearsed reading at Theatre503. Georgina debuted and performed her one woman show ASBO BOZO at Riverside Studios.

www.womensprizeforplaywriting.co.uk

Instagram: @womensprize_forplaywriting