Reviews

Chesil Theatre    Chesil Theatre, Winchester Mark Ponsford 29 September 2025 Having been on an absolute roll throughout their 2024/5 season, the opening production of the Chesil’s 2025/6 season maintains the enviable standards we have come to expect from this dynamic company. The play itself would make a cracking start to any season, grabbing our attention right from the outset – in fact, even BEFORE the outset, if we look closely at that quirky title… not to mention the set, which bears close examination. Look at the main playing area…. and then look further upstage. Something is definitely a-kilter, and as

Christchurch G&S Society    Regent Centre, Christchurch KD Johnson 25 September 2025   Compared to this Society’s recent productions of The Pirates Of Penzance and HMS Pinafore, The Yeomen Of The Guard is one of the Savoy Operas that gets performed less often. However, this comic opera of 1888 is regarded as one of Sir Arthur Sullivan’s best scores and the libretto by WS Gilbert is slightly less nonsensical than usual. It certainly went down well with tonight’s audience. When so many amateur societies are stuck with no live musicians and having to perform from relentless backing tracks (I write from

Broadstone Players War Memorial Hall, BroadstoneSteve O’Neill 5 September 2025 Once again, the Broadstone Players Theatre Company has delivered a thoroughly entertaining evening with their annual Plays ‘n’ Chips production at the Broadstone War Memorial Hall. Where else are you going to get a whole evening’s entertainment and a delicious supper for £15? Talk about value for money! This year’s line-up features three very diverse plays: I Haven’t The Foggiest, a self-penned play written by and starring Malcolm Miller, The Rats by the ever-reliable Agatha Christie, and Last Tango In Corfe Mullen by the brilliant David Tristram. Each play brings something

Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre [CPYT] The Arch, Chandlers FordDavid A Putley  14 August 2025 Those who have tickets for this now sellout show, presented by the ever-innovative CYPT Team, are in for a treat as they take on the Disney Moana. Not having any children of my own, Disney films such as this passed me by a long time ago, and I was therefore, this evening, watching a completely new-to-me story unfold with the music and lyrics of Hamilton composer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, to boot. A bare stage and pre-recorded backing tracks were sufficient to bring this story to life, since

All Saints Dramatic Society  Bournemouth Life Centre, Moordown, BournemouthKD Johnson 31 July 2025 There seem to be a few of these stage shows derived from classic sitcoms around – notably including one from Dad’s Army and another from ‘Allo ‘Allo. They are very popular on the amateur circuit – being familiar to both actors and audience from their respective television shows. This is the first time I have seen this one. Hi-De-Hi! was created by the comedy writing team of Jimmy Perry and David Croft, creators of Dad’s Army, but this stage show was written by Paul Carpenter and Ian

Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre [CPYT]    The Point, Eastleigh Georgia Rose 30 July 2025   Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre [CPYT] are lighting up The Point with a fabulously bold production of Kinky Boots, running until Saturday 2 August. Overflowing with energy, heart, and enough glitter to outshine any grey day, this youth version proves that big talent knows no age. The passion and commitment from every member of the cast are immediately apparent, creating an atmosphere that is both electric and deeply moving. As someone who’s loved this show for years, and having just seen the most recent UK tour, I can