Willy Russell | Belgrade Theatre | Directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright

Willy Russell’s multi-award-winning musical about twins separated at birth is the stuff of theatre legend. Directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright, the latest touring production, which opened in Coventry last night (and will also visit Cheltenham, Sheffield, Chelmsford, Bristol and Brighton) confirms why: it is a timeless and moving show which never fails to bring audiences to their feet. It lived up to its affectionate title of the ‘Standing Ovation Musical’ at the Belgrade’s opening night after stunning performances from the whole talented cast.

William Shakespeare | Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company | Directed by Leni Robson

The high quality of acting is consistent across the whole cast, Shakespeare’s words being delivered with exactly what you’d expect from a company specialising in the Bard: an understanding of the rhythms and poetry of the language.

Duncan Abel & Rachel Wagstaff | The Crescent Theatre | Directed by Rod Natkiel

The stage adaptation of Paula Hawkins’ bestselling 2015 novel is proving to be a popular choice for amateur theatre companies. I reviewed a production of ‘The Girl on the Train’ at Sutton Arts Theatre back in September 2022 so was looking forward to seeing how the Crescent Theatre’s latest main house production tackled this challenging story of mystery and suspense.

Shelagh Delaney | The Crescent Theatre | Directed by Colin Judges

Confession time: this was my first ‘A Taste of Honey’. Shelagh Delaney’s taboo-shattering play, first performed in 1958, has long been on my ‘must-see’ list but for some reason it’s escaped me. Until now.

David McGillivray & Walter Zerlin Jr | Highbury Theatre | Directed by Rob Phillips

How I have been an avid theatregoer for decades and never come across the fictional Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society is a mystery. I’d never even heard of it before being kindly invited along to see the latest production at Sutton Coldfield’s Highbury Theatre, directed by Rob Phillips. It’s a hoot. A farcical evening of high jinks delivered with a knowing nod to the sheer ridiculousness of staging a play.

Neil LaBute | The Crescent Theatre | Directed by Robyn Dickinson

Imagine: you work in New York’s World Trade Centre and wake up on the morning of September 12^th 2001 in your lover’s bed. You were not at work yesterday. Your wife and children think you might be dead. The opportunity to disappear is there for the taking. Do you answer the constant phone calls from home or ignore them and start a new life? What sort of person even contemplates such a question?

William Shakespeare | The National Theatre | Directed by Clint Dyer

Having reflected since seeing the play, I suppose my main gripe is that I simply didn’t believe in Othello and Desdemona’s connection. It lacked the passion and intensity which an audience must surely buy into to underline the tragic ending. I just didn’t care: that’s what it boils down to. A shame because the violence, when it comes, is both menacing and shocking.

Robert Louis Stevenson, adapted by Nick Lane | Highbury Theatre Centre | Directed by Paul Steventon-Marks

Directed by and starring Paul Steventon-Marks, this production of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde brilliantly brings to life a murky Victorian underworld of masks, mayhem and murder on the Highbury Theatre Centre stage. It looks and sounds fantastic and is not for the faint-hearted. As the mystery unfolds, prepare for more than a few gory surprises.

Mel Brooks | Brewhouse Arts Centre | Directed by John Bowness

Burton’s Little Theatre Company bring Transylvania mania to the Brewhouse in a slick production of Mel Brooks’ joyfully silly musical Young Frankenstein, directed by John Bowness.

John Webster | The Crescent Theatre | Directed by Andrew Cowie

Webster’s tale of violence and the abuse of power is surely the most famous of the Jacobean revenge tragedies. In the latest studio production from The Crescent Theatre in Birmingham it is brought to blood-soaked life in all its chilling glory.