Now, I’ve always been a big fan of the “Back to the Future” movies. Growing up, Marty McFly and Doc Brown were like heroes to me. So when I heard there was a musical, I knew I had to see how they managed to fit a DeLorean on stage. I dragged my wife along with ..read more

Is there still a place for compassion in politics? This question looms large during the current heated election season, making Joe Penhall’s incisive new play, ‘The Constituent,’ particularly relevant. Marking the return of James Corden to the British stage after his acclaimed performance in ‘One Man, Two Guvnors,’ the play delves into pressing issues of mental health and political extremism. Corden portrays Alec, a former soldier turned security worker, who, after installing security measures for backbench MP Monica, begins to confide in her. Struggling through a divorce and facing custody is ..read more

After 15 years, ‘Next to Normal’ has finally made its way from Broadway to the West End, yet its poignant insights into mental health and its treatment remain as relevant as ever. Written by Tom Kitt (music) and Brian Yorkey (book and lyrics), ‘Next to Normal’ garnered the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and three Tony Awards. This year, it has earned four Olivier nominations, bolstered by its heart-wrenching narrative centered around Diana Goodman, portrayed superbly by Caissie Levy, a role she originated at the Donmar Warehouse in 2023. Levy leads an exceptional ensemble cast who reprise their role ..read more

Get in, loser—we’re finally heading to “Mean Girls” in the West End! After a six-year wait since the stage musical adaptation of the 2004 film comedy premiered on Broadway, Tina Fey’s brilliant script has made a triumphant theatrical debut, and this dedicated production totally makes fetch happen. The story remains largely unchanged, but now features an effective framing device. Theatre kid Damian and his artist best friend Janis narrate a cautionary tale to the new freshman class: how home-schooled Cady Heron moved from Africa, confronted high school cliques, and infiltrated “The Plastics,” l ..read more

The Open Air Theatre’s production of “The Secret Garden” had its opening night on a gloriously warm summer evening, with no wuthering to be heard. It’s surprising that this enchanting venue hasn’t adapted Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 novel before, as the setting feels practically tailor-made for it. The natural surroundings even allow for the possibility of a real robin joining the performance. This new adaptation by Holly Robinson and Anna Himali Howard (who also directs) retains the Edwardian setting while introducing thoughtful revisions. Mary Lennox (Hannah Khalique-Brown), the young her ..read more

The past both informs and threatens to upend the present in “My Father’s Fable,” a play from Olivier-nominated performer Faith Omole (“Standing at the Sky’s Edge”). This production premieres at west London’s Bush Theatre, which last year hosted “Elephant” by fellow Olivier nominee Anoushka Lucas. The Bush Theatre is renowned for nurturing young talent and engaging audiences. Time and again, this venue attracts a notably diverse audience that enhances the performance with their energy. “My Father’s Fable” is no exception, adding another triumph to the theatre’s repertoire. While it may not be a ..read more

Forty years after its West End debut, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe’s “Starlight Express” returns to London in a breathtaking immersive production by Luke Sheppard. The entire venue is now dedicated to this spectacular show, featuring a foyer adorned with disco balls and a fully transformed auditorium. A massive racing track, designed by Tim Hatley, winds through the expansive space. Two semi-circular ramps descend to form a ring around part of the audience, extending to the seats behind. Sitting trackside, I experienced the thrill of actors zooming past on roller skates at exhilarat ..read more

2019 production images Local boy Jack Wilcox is disco dynamite, strutting his stuff as cock of the walk Tony Manero in the new UK tour of Saturday Night Fever that opened last night at Milton Keynes Theatre. He bumps and grinds, pops, thrusts and gyrates to The Bee Gees’ infectious soundtrack that had the audience jiggling in their seats. It’s hard to sit still when You Should Be Dancing. Producer & director Bill Kenwright has taken the iconic film that made John Travolta a star and come up with a surefire hit jukebox musical. And this revival of his 2019 production is a real crowd-please ..read more

The Royal & Derngate Northampton, one of the country’s major producing houses, has announced its upcoming season of 18 productions covering the next 12 months. Its Made in Northampton season encompasses plays, musicals, a feature film, on-demand theatre, podcasts and a new interactive digital work.  The season engages over 400 artists and visits 45 theatres across the UK, with 10 productions transferring to London.  Newly announced world premieres include mainstage productions of Playtime, Unexpected Twist, Wuthering Heights, Henry V and And Then There Were None. Jo Gordon, chi ..read more

Ian Hislop and writing partner Nick Newman’s new comedy drama, Spike (now on tour), tells the story of the young Spike Milligan. Here they tell Stage Review how the show was created. Nick Newman [NN]: We wanted to write something about Spike to coincide with the centenary of his birth –we didn’t quite hit that deadline, but we made it for his 104th!  From the outset, we wanted it to be a celebration. There are too many biopics of comedians that tell the ‘tears of a clown’ story. And while you can’t escape Spike’s mental health issues, for us that was something that we saw as powering hi ..read more