Reviews

Scaplen’s Community Players  Bournemouth Little Theatre, BournemouthSuzanne Viney 01 May 2026 150 years ago, the brutal crimes of a serial killer, dubbed Jack the Ripper, cast shadows across the London district of Whitechapel. Despite extensive investigations, these heinous murders remained unsolved; the Ripper became synonymous with all that is depraved and diabolical about humanity. Inspector Frederick Abberline, a Dorset man (born in Blandford and later residing in Bournemouth), was the officer assigned the onerous task of apprehending the Beast of Whitechapel. Ironically, one of the prime suspects for the murders, Montague Druitt, also hailed from Dorset and was laid to

Milton Musical Society   Regent Centre, ChristchurchSusanna Greenwood 30 April 2026 There’s something deliciously defiant and inspiring about Funny Girl, a musical that begins with a woman who doesn’t quite fit the chorus line and ends with her owning the entire stage. Based on the true story of Fanny Brice, a talented but unconventional young woman who dreamt of making it big in show business, despite not fitting the typical “showgirl” mould. Funny Girl delivers show-stopping tunes such as Don’t Rain on My Parade, while also poking fun at the superficial world of show business. Its message remains strikingly relevant for young women

Maskers Theatre Company  Maskers Studio, Shirley, SouthamptonDavid A Putley 27 April 2026 Well, for once in my reviewing life I am flumoxed. That is F L U M O X E D. The reason? I came to this play completely blind to content, author, cast or subject matter and I am so glad I did. So, I am a little loathed to destroy that for any other attendees. I will quote from the programme and you may then understand my dilemma. The play functions as a direct need to be in control of a play’s meaning. By refusing to give us a

Cheriton Players  Cheriton Village HallJohn Sivewright 23 April 2026 Cheriton Players have staged a real love letter to the theatre this week with their production of Gareth Armstrong’s Fondly Remembered.  This gentle comedy sees four luvvies (well, three luvvies and a retired Stage Manager) reunite after many years to participate in a memorial service (not a funeral!) for their former director, Douglas, at a church in East London.  As the players reminisce, prompted by the non-stipendiary vicar (don’t worry, that technical term is thoroughly explained during the show!), we are reminded that we humans are a complicated folk; Douglas was a genius

Lyndhurst Drama and Musical Society  Vernon Theatre, LyndhurstDarren Funnell 19 April 2026 There’s something instantly comforting about settling in for a stage version of The Good Life. You arrive already knowing the world: the veg patches, the social awkwardness, and that quietly tempting fantasy of telling your job you’re off to raise piglets instead. This adaptation by Jeremy Same, directed by Phil Rainforth, sensibly avoids trying to recreate the TV show line-for-line and instead lets it feel like a piece of theatre. Which is a relief, because two hours of impersonations would feel less like drama and more like a tribute night at

Dorsetborn Theatre   Lighthouse, PooleAndrea Pellegrini 15 April 2026 Having never seen a one-hander before on the stage I really didn’t know what to expect.  Would I get bored?  Would it drag on?  Would one actress be able to keep the audience engaged for 75 mins?  The answers are NO, NO and YES! Cam is a secondary school teacher leading a double life as an Only Fans model for extra money, but what happens when she moves to countryside to start a new life and meets the man of her dreams… Barbara Smith was excellent as Cam/Crystal and every other character