Reviews Archives - Page 2 of 166

Beyond the Stars!

Dalian Players Woolston Methodist Church, SouthamptonMark Ponsford 31 January 2026 “If we’re going to eat anyone, I suggest we start with the Critic!” Well, when they’ve seated you on the front row, and someone has clearly given the cast a tipoff, such a startling ad-lib is only to be expected, and even though it was nowhere near as chilling as a recent moment at the Plaza, when the Dame asked me directly in front of a full house if I’d “been to the toilet yet”, it’s the sort of moment that keeps you on your guard from then on.

Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs

Castle Players Lytchett Matravers Village HallMichelle Barter 23 January 2026 Despite only living a few miles away I have never encountered the Castle Players, whose home is the Village Hall in Lytchett Matravers, and I hope now to turn up again some time. I was greeted by jovial front of house crew who were friendly and chatty which is lovely when you’ve no idea what the deal is for the set up of the village hall for a show. I discovered the bar for refreshments, always a joy! I had a read of my very well put together program,

Aladdin

Bishopstoke Players Durley Memorial Hall, DurleySusanna Greenwood 22 January 2026 Aladdin marks Bishopstoke Players’ fifth pantomime at Durley Memorial Hall. This lively comic production follows Aladdin, a poor but kind-hearted young man dreaming of a better life. He falls in love with Princess Jasmine and, with the help of a magical lamp containing a powerful Genie, attempts to outwit the evil villain Abanazar Jaffa. Audience interaction is the heart of pantomime, turning the show into a shared, noisy, and joyful experience. It is in these moments – when ad-libbing and responding to heckles from the vocal audience – that

Dick Whittington

The Performing Arts Company Berry Theatre, Hedge EndDavid Putley 22 January 2026 Dick Whittington at the Berry highly entertained its audience with a mix of styles, some bordering Adult Pantomime in some of the more near the knuckle one-liners and others more traditional but with a set of staged musical numbers the vast cast age range performed with great panache. The choreography was off the scale with thought, complexity and skill and top marks to Faye Anteney for using every age group and part of the stage to such a high standard. I particularly enjoyed the big ensemble numbers

Sweeney Todd

SOS Presents Mayflower Studios, SouthamptonGeorgia Rose 21 January 2026 SOS Presents present a bold and atmospheric production of Sweeney Todd, expertly bringing Stephen Sondheim’s dark and demanding musical to life with confidence and character at The Mast Theatre. With the run selling out two months prior to opening, Southampton audiences have eagerly anticipated the arrival of the demon barber of Fleet Street. Under the direction of Rory Blincow, the production achieves a careful balance between macabre humour and chilling drama. Blincow’s vision is apparent throughout, with assured pacing and thoughtful staging that allow both the story and the music to

The Judas Kiss

Chesil Theatre Chesil Theatre, WinchesterMark Ponsford 20 January 2026 One of the most moving interviews I’ve ever seen featured in the 2017 BBC4 documentary Prejudice and Pride, an account and analysis of the changing attitudes, throughout the years, towards the LGBTQI+ community. Susan Calman was speaking with a lesbian couple about their loving and devoted lifetime relationship, intently focused as, with eloquence, quiet dignity and an astonishing lack of any undue bitterness or resentment, they recalled their oft-challenging times prior to the decriminalisation of homosexuality. At the end of the interview, all Calman was able to say – choked with emotion