Reviews

Footlights Youth Theatre  The Point, Eastleigh David A Putley 6 March 2025 Beauty And The Beast continues to weave its magic and never more so than under the dedicated direction of Paul Monday and Musical Director Ben Lister, heading a tremendous orchestra of talented musicians. This show, although performed by youngsters, is as writ for the professional stage. All musical numbers are intact with associated scenic and costume needs and all the Team are to be congratulated on putting together such an entertaining show given its staging and musical complexity. As Belle, Maisie Tomey brought warm maturity to the role,

Maskers Theatre Company  Maskers Studio, Shirley, Southampton Anne Waggott 24 February 2025 Notes From A Small Island are the memoires, witty observations and explorations of American travel writer, Bill Bryson, as he sets out on an entertaining tour around the UK, discovering the quirks and eccentricities of its inhabitants and the British way of life. Although I have heard of the famous American non-fiction author, I confess I’ve never actually read any of his books, but that is going to change after seeing Maskers’ production of his much-loved best-seller, adapted for the stage by Tim Whitnall. With over 800 miles

Poulner Players  The Ringwood Waldorf School, Ringwood Chelsea Sherry 20 February 2025 Charlie And The Chocolate Factory began as Roald Dahl’s beloved 1964 novel before being adapted into multiple stage and screen versions. The musical premiered in the West End in 2013, bringing Wonka’s whimsical world to life through song. The story follows young Charlie Bucket, a kind-hearted boy from a poor family who wins a golden ticket to tour Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory. Alongside four other children—each with their own exaggerated flaws—he embarks on a journey through a world of pure imagination. For this production, Poulner Players adapted

Wimborne Drama Productions  Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne Chaz Davenport 20 February 2025   For this production of a play I’d never heard of, I thought I could look up stuff about it beforehand to get some “prep” in, or I could go to the Tivoli, sit back in my seat and let the production tell me the story and see if it gets to me. I went for the latter and I’m glad I did. Obviously, the title does give a little bit of information as to the subject matter, but there are plays aplenty about weddings and such that I

Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre [CPYT]  The Point, Eastleigh Anne Waggott 20 February 2025 February half term at The Point in Eastleigh can only mean one thing… CPYT are back with another sell-out show – and another production full of energy, pizzazz and memorable performances from this extremely talented bunch of youngsters (and those young at heart…)! Charlie Bucket loves chocolate… he dreams about it, he yearns for it, he invents new flavours in his imagination, and he relishes his once-a-year bar of birthday chocolate. So, when he wins one of the five golden tickets to a fabulous trip around the

New Forest Players  Forest Arts Centre, New Milton Jade Morrell 19 February 2025   Talking Heads by Alan Bennett is a highly acclaimed collection of monologues that was first aired on BBC television in 1988 and later followed by a second series in 1998. It has since been adapted for stage and print, cementing its reputation as a modern classic in British drama. There are three monologues performed here. ‘A Lady of Letters’ – A lonely spinster’s obsessive letter-writing lands her in unexpected trouble. ‘A Cream Cracker Under the Settee’– A elderly widow finds solace from her unfulfilling marriage and