Modern Theatre Reviews (2010)

I enjoy the good fortune of living in an area which is well blessed for good quality theatre. In less than a twenty minute journey from my home I can reach the Bradford Alhambra Theatre, Leeds Grand Theatre, and the West Yorkshire Playhouse (with two auditoria, based in Leeds City Centre). Extend that journey to forty minutes and I can also take in the Halifax Victoria Theatre, Huddersfield Lawrence Batley Theatre and the Wakefield Royal Opera House. Consequently, I visit one or other of these theatres fairly regularly and I thought it would be good to share my impressions from these outings with visitors to this website.

The scores given below are intended to reflect my own overall level of satisfaction with, and/or enjoyment of, the show concerned (based of course upon my own personal tastes). They are not intended to be necessarily indicative of the technical and/or artistic merits of the particular production concerned. I am not a professional critic or reviewer, and pay full price to see all of these shows for my own entertainment. Consequently, I have no vested interest nor any axe to grind, but neither do I pay to see shows which prima facie do not have a good reputation or do not appeal to me. These then are my own honest opinions. Note that only shows scoring 60% or less do I consider a disappointment, and 50% or less not worth seeing.

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Key to Genres

Comedy

Drama

Tragedy

Thriller

Mystery

Musical

Opera

Ballet

Dance

Ice
Dance

Variety
/Other

Click on the production title for a detailed review

Production

Genre

Date / Venue / Produced by

Score

Ruddigore

12th February 2010
Grand Theatre, Leeds

 

Review will be posted after production.

Moscow State Circus

10th February 2010
Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

 

Review will be posted after production.

The History Boys

5th February, 2010
WY Playhouse, Leeds

WY Playhouse and Theatre Royal Bath

78%

A funny, dramatic and at times pointedly acerbic exercise in subjunctive history - a slightly raw, occasionally maudlin, but mostly romantic revision of times gone by.

The Eva Cassidy Story: Over the Rainbow

22nd January, 2010
Theatre Royal, Wakefield

Theatre Productions Ltd

74%

A not wholly successful fusion of great music with flawed drama, but never-the-less a treat for all Eva Cassidy fans.

Hallé - New Year Viennese Concert

3rd January, 2010
St. Georges Hall, Bradford

Hallé Orchestra with Natasha Marsh

88%

Fabulous music played and sung to perfection. A brilliant musical start to the New Year.

Amateur Productions

Summer Holiday

29th January, 2010
St. Georges Hall, Bradford

Buttershaw St. Pauls AODS

82%

The swingingest rock and roll musical ever. A great nostalgia fest for those who remember the period but with enough verve and energy to appeal to all ages.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead

28th January, 2010
The Carriageworks, Leeds

Leeds Arts Centre

70%

An interesting and, at times, very funny alternative take on the Hamlet story seen through the eyes of two of it's minor characters.