Reviews

Studio Theatre    Studio Theatre, SalisburyLloyd Perry 17 February 2026 Four individuals based on a remote Scottish island is probably not the greatest pull into amateur theatre on a cold February night but Studio Theatre, Salisbury hit all the right notes in this brilliantly staged production written by David Greig. Outlying Islands is set in 1939, on the eve of the Second World War. Two young ornithologists, Robert and John, are sent to a remote island in the Outer Hebrides to conduct a survey of seabirds. They are accompanied by Ellen, the niece of the island’s elderly owner, Kirk. What begins

New Forest Players    Ballard School, New MiltonBethany Sivewright 17 February 2026 If you’ve read the title Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial on a promotional poster, you may well have conjured up images of gossiping wives, a suspenseful courtroom drama or a tense penalty shootout. While there are no actual footballs in this production, you’ll certainly be treated to a plethora of clever footballing references and no end of gossip and drama in the courtroom! The play depicts the true story of the £4 million libel case brought by Rebekha Vardy against Coleen Rooney in 2022, adapted by Liv

Chesil Youth Theatre    Chesil Theatre, WinchesterMark Ponsford 12 February 2026 One of the many commendable aspects of the Chesil Theatre is its emphasis on strong and commendable teamwork, surely a part of the reason for its continual and ongoing eminence as a society. Leading performers (of whom the Chesil can boast an enviable quota) are just as likely to be found, on subsequent occasions, running and manning the Front of House operations, and it’s a level of dedication that serves as a fine example throughout. So, it’s heartening indeed to see those same levels of care and attention to

Sturminster Newton Amateur Dramatic Society    The Exchange, Sturminster NewtonSusanna Greenwood 11 February 2026 It was a pleasure to review SNADS at The Exchange this evening. With a proud history in the local arts community dating back to 1930, staging pantomimes, plays and musical productions that showcase local talent, the group continues to play a vital role in keeping amateur theatre thriving in Sturminster Newton. Their ongoing presence at this warm and welcoming venue highlights a deep commitment to live performance in the area. Mother Goose is one of the oldest traditional British pantomimes, dating back to the early nineteenth century. The

Lymington Players    The Malt Theatre, LymingtonCarole Gadsby 02 February 2026 I must mention the warm reception I received from the Front of House staff, the Producer, Kate Hall, and the Director, Ed Funnell, both took the time to greet me; I felt very welcome. This is one play of Noel Coward’s I had never seen, therefore I needed to do a bit of research. I’ll Leave it to You is his first ever solo play that gave the 20-year-old Coward his first taste of West End success as a playwright over 100 years ago and still delighting theatre goers all

Maskers Theatre Company    Maskers Studio, SouthamptonJohn Sivewright 02 February 2026 It takes a brave amateur dramatics group to take on any two-hander.  You need two actors that can hold an audience’s attention for around two hours, a director that can help bring the characters to life and keep the pace up and a design team that can ensure the piece is visually interesting.  Maskers Theatre more than ticks all of these boxes and their bravery pays off with a superb rendition of Willy Russell’s classic Educating Rita; you’d struggle to see a better local play this year, I’d expect.