Reviews

Broadstone Players   War Memorial Hall, BroadstoneJohn Sivewright 26 May 2026 Broadstone Players’ latest offering, Ghost Writer, a haunting comedy thriller by David Tristram, is a real treat for theatre fans, providing some much-needed gaiety in the middle of this sweltering heat wave!  Mr. Tristram’s plays are immensely popular on the am-dram circuit and it’s no wonder, as he weaves interesting, often intricate plots with memorable characters and zinging one-liners. Ghost Writer sees recently widowed playwright, Edward, living in an alcoholic stupor in a dingy bedsit, suddenly visited by the ghost of his wife, Ruby, who, being allowed three visits from

Chesil Theatre  Chesil Theatre, WinchesterJon Cockeram 23 May 2026 Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White, Rumplestiltskin; these fairy tales and many more were compiled by the Brothers Grimm in order to preserve the tales that were told in Germany, and later became popularised and, in many cases, sanitised as well. Chesil Theatre have prepared for your delight and wonderment an adaptation of Phillip Pullman’s (yes, that Phillip Pullman, who wrote the His Dark Materials books) version of the Grimm Tales, bringing you four of the much less widely known stories. It is sometimes said that theatre is magic and magic is theatre, and after tonight I

Castle Players  Village Hall, Lytchett MatraversJon Cockeram 21 May 2026 What happens to those who dwell in the spotlight when their star fades with the inevitable advance of time? For Reggie, Cissy and Wilf, they now live in a retirement home for former singers and musicians where time passes much as it always does, with their performance as a trio at the upcoming celebration of Verdi’s birthday the bright spot on the horizon. The sudden arrival of Jean, Reggie’s ex-wife and the star that shone brightest of them all, throws their unchanging daily existence off balance and, perhaps, will allow

Poole and Parkstone Productions   Lighthouse, PooleMichelle Barter 20 May 2026 We Will Rock You originally opened at The Dominion Theatre in 2002 and has indeed been rocking theatres ever since.  The original tune being a hit from 1977, written by Brian May, and features the iconic three beat procession that you absolutely have to join in with if you hear it.  The musical, however, isn’t a Queen biopic with Freddie’s story being told across their success, but rather a futuristic and dystopian version of Earth called iPlanet run by Globalsoft (where do they get these names from?).  Live music is

Sturminster Newton Amateur Dramatic Society The Exchange, Sturminster NewtonChaz Davenport 16 May 2026 The first thing that jumped out at me when asked to review this was the tag line – “A Fractured Mirror Still Reflects”.   This had me thinking that this is theatre right up my street.  And, I wasn’t wrong.  This is experimental, leftfield, thought provoking and snappy theatre which explores the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) either when recognised and treated, or when untreated. The story explores the inner goings on of the mind of “Thomas”, who, we find out, witnessed the love of his life

Redlynch Players  Redlynch Village Hall, RedlynchJon Cockeram 13 May 2026 If I was to say “1970s” to you, you’d probably be thinking psychedelic patterns, bellbottom trousers and platform shoes, David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust and more disco than you can shake a stick at. Redlynch Players have brought us an evening of one act plays all set in this decade with their production A Touch of 70s Nostalgia. First up was Bus Stop by Rae Shirley, and you won’t win any prizes for guessing where this one is set. Five minutes before the play was due to start, Ali Silver came