Theatre Reviews

Our theatre reviews aim to bring you the latest and best performances of plays, dance and music. Ink Pellet celebrates the country’s vibrant regional theatres – from performances of the classics and set texts, to new plays that will inspire and support you.

Once again, we have a merry band of discerning teachers who visit plays in their town (sometimes earning themselves a free programme and interval drink)to review for the magazine.

We’ll also review something you might like – just for sheer pleasure! If you would like to join our panel of reviewers, please join in or email the editor john@inkpellet.co.uk.

  1. THEATRE Review: Shirley Valentine – Marlowe Theatre Canterbury and touring

    THEATRE Review: Shirley Valentine – Marlowe Theatre Canterbury and touring  

    Less well known in schools maybe than Educating Rita which visits the same territory, Willy Russell’s immaculately, tenderly observed portrait of a frustrated (in every sense) 1970s Liverpool housewife is as moving as it is hilarious. And the observation of women’s experience is so acutely observed that it’s hard to believe that this is the work of […]

  2. THEATRE Review: Running Wild – Marlowe Theatre Canterbury and touring

    THEATRE Review:  Running Wild – Marlowe Theatre Canterbury and touring  

    Having dropped in on rehearsals prior to the tour (IP114, Feb/March), I was intrigued to see the production in full and see how the show had evolved from its Regents Park open-air run last year. Although the stage production perhaps lacked the ‘jungle’ feel offered by the open-air surroundings, this touring production more than made […]

  3. THEATRE Review: Adam & Eve… and Steve – Flying Entertainment and AES – King’s Head Theatre

    THEATRE Review: Adam & Eve… and Steve – Flying Entertainment and AES – King’s Head Theatre  

     Can we love two people equally? Is a gay relationship – which won’t generally populate the world – natural or acceptable? This frisky, oddly old fashioned show – which wears its seriousness lightly – did very well at the Edinburgh Fringe last year and it’s easy to see why. A five hander, it wittily explores […]

  4. THEATRE Review : Boys Don’t – A Papertale production in association with Apples and Snakes – Half Moon Theatre

    THEATRE Review : Boys Don’t – A Papertale production in association with Apples and Snakes – Half Moon Theatre  

     Rooted in the concept of performance poetry Boys Don’t presents three gut-wrenching monologues exploring the idea that boys and men really do need to be able to express their feelings – by crying, if necessary. As one of them asserts firmly “Sometimes boys cry”. Each man – yes, it’s an all male cast and justifiably […]

  5. THEATRE Review: The Commitments – Palace Theatre, Manchester

    THEATRE Review: The Commitments – Palace Theatre, Manchester  

    Jamie Lloyd’s production of Roddy Doyle’s smash hit novel-cum-movie hits the road in its first UK tour, following a couple of years at London’s Palace Theatre. Re-directed for the road by Caroline J Ranger, it’s a pretty disappointing evening overall. For the uninitiated, the loose plot follows Dublin music obsessive Jimmy Rabbitte (Andrew Linnie) as […]

  6. THEATRE REVIEW: her – Half Moon Children’s Theatre and touring

    THEATRE REVIEW:  her – Half Moon Children’s Theatre and touring  

    It’s an “issues play” about the experiences of young women across a number of cultures and situations. The intention is to get the audience talking, thinking – and perhaps seeking, or finding ways to help. Everyone gets a list of charities such as Amnesty International and LBTH Violence against Women and Girls at the end. […]

  7. THEATRE REVIEW: RSC: First Encounters With Shakespeare – The Tempest – Springhead Primary School, Talke Pitts, Stoke-on-Trent

    THEATRE REVIEW:  RSC: First Encounters With Shakespeare – The Tempest – Springhead Primary School, Talke Pitts, Stoke-on-Trent  

    This show, which is touring to schools, has developed from the RSC’s recent main house production of The Tempest.  An abridged 90 minute version, it works perfectly. I found it clear, immersive and entertaining as did the Year 4 and Year 6 children I saw it with. Darren Raymond as a charismatic and authoritative Prospero […]

  8. THEATRE REVIEW: School Play – Southwark Playhouse

    THEATRE REVIEW:  School Play – Southwark Playhouse  

    We’re in a primary school head teacher’s office and Anna Reid’s set captures the atmosphere and detail beautifully. The play has a worthy stab at dealing with the dynamics, tension and issues too. Tests dominate the thinking because without certain results the school won’t get the all-vital pupil premium money to fund things such as […]

  9. Theatre Review: Mamma Mia – Novello Theatre

    Theatre Review: Mamma Mia – Novello Theatre  

    Owing to the popularity of the 2008 film, there are no real surprises with the stage version of Mamma Mia; you go expecting – and getting – a thoroughly entertaining night out. Now in its 18th year, the ABBA numbers could almost have been written with this musical in mind, so seamlessly do they weave […]

  10. Theatre Review: Half a Sixpence – Noel Coward Theatre

    Theatre Review: Half a Sixpence – Noel Coward Theatre  

    This comedy of social class and socialism, based on HG Wells novel Kipps, first saw the light of day in 1963, written by Beverley Cross and David Heneker for Tommy Steele who played Arthur Kipps. Now reworked with book refreshed by Julian Fellowes and lots of new Stiles and Drewe songs and lyrics, it’s deliciously […]