Friday 1st May 2026
“So Mark Gatiss can act a bit, then.”, said Brian at the interval. Indeed, though, arguably Maawan Rizwan was even better.
Brecht is rather patronising, not trusting the audience to understand his point without very clear signposting. However, this was a wonderful production - bright, colourful, modern, sharp and with brilliant music by Placebo.
Reviewed for The Recs here: https://therecs.co.uk/the-resistible-rise-of-arturo-ui/
14th April 2026
Great to see Clara and have a new theatre-buddy but a shame we weren't seeing something better. A lovely venue, with press drinks in the Redgrave bar at half time - just a tad embarrassing to be asked if we were enjoying it!. Eek.
Full review for The Recs here: https://therecs.co.uk/double-indemnity-touring/
Wednesday 1st April 2026
A mesmerizing performance. Brian got quite nervous as I read his the pre-visit materials but was entranced once it started.
Full review for the Recs here: https://therecs.co.uk/under-milk-wood-theatr-clwyd/
Yet again, the age of the audience was illustrated by an interruption to carry one of their number out! Once again, the cast responded superbly.
Thursday 19th March 2026
My first Tom Stoppard (I think!).
Really enjoyable, simply stage in the round, well-acted; in this production, two times and worlds pass within a hairs-breadth of each other in a simple room furnished with a round table, some chairs, benches and a tortoise.
Intelligent, complex and riveting, it reminded me (in my reaction to it) of Donna Tartt's Secret History - inspiring admiration for the mind that could conjure a country house mystery and comedy out of geometry, poetry, botany and academia and a desire to see everything else he ever wrote. Although this seems to be widely considered his finest work so, in another parallel to the Secret History, the following works, even though they would appear genius encountered first, may be disappointing following the "greatest".)
Sunday 8th March 2026
Well, we got to the pub before opening, got sent away and returned a little late so the pub-ish seats were taken and we were on a high bench. It meant a bit of squirming to see as much as possible and a race involving some stuffed cats was out of my line of vision but this was quirky and enjoyable pub theatre in a unique staging, and we were fortunately away from the risk of audience participation.
Robert Bathurst was convincing and endearing. The play was funny and ultimately kind about a flawed character. Enjoyable but not mind-blowing.
Tuesday 24th February 2026
Our second official press night for The Recs included a free drink in the bar so, naturally, we liked the venue.
A beautifully staged (albeit a stage that malfunctioned!), though I was glad to have researched the plot beforehand as I may not have followed it otherwise.
Friday 30th January 2026
The latest installment of Kate and my Rattigan productions, this time at the National Theatre on the first night of the previews.
The show was interrupted by an audience member being taken ill. I initially thought, watching people prod their motionless frame, that they might have died but they made it out on their own feet. The cast resumed seamlessly. Looking around at the audience of the National Theatre, one might conclude this is an event they rehearse for as an occupational hazard.
Steve sat on my review until press night. https://therecs.co.uk/man-and-boy-national-theatre/
Saturday 24th January 2026
The inaugural production from Michael Sheen's new Welsh National Theatre, obviously had to be watched with the Welshbirds!
If we hadn't been so well-organized, I might have swung press night tickets from The Recs. As it was, this was a Saturday matinee, late in the run. But, as the only Wales correspondent (!), I reviewed it for them in any event. https://therecs.co.uk/our-town-welsh-national-theatre/
Tuesday 13th January 2026
My first press night for The Recs was a pedestrian but enjoyable show.
Thursday 4th December 2025
Press night with Iain.
Oh my days, absolutely marvelous: filthy, hilarious and sweetly endearing. There ain't nothing like this dame. What a star.
How sad that it's behind me. Would I go again? Oh yes I would!
