THEATRE REVIEW: An Ideal Husband starring Frances Barber, Freddie Fox & Edward Fox

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

WHERE: Vaudeville Theatre

WHEN: 20/4, press night 3/5, runs to 14/7/18

There are 3 compelling reasons to see this production: Frances Barber, Freddie Fox (pictured above) and Oscar Wilde.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is the best of Classic Spring’s Wilde season so far

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THEATRE REVIEW: Instructions For Correct Assembly starring Jane Horrocks, Mark Bonnar & Brian Vernel

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Royal Court Theatre

WHEN: 9/4, press night 13/4 runs to 19/5/18

Hari and Max are mourning the loss of their son but have found a novel coping mechanism, they are going to build a flat-pack replacement of him.

  • Read on for reasons including how illusions are used to great effect here

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THEATRE REVIEW: Bat Out Of Hell starring Andrew Polec

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Dominion Theatre

WHEN: 6/4, press night 19/4, runs to 28/7/18

We’d do anything for our love of musical theatre but, given we’re no great fans of Meatloaf, would we do that – and enjoy new Jim Steinman musical Bat Out Of Hell?

  • Read on for reasons including how bats fly over the audience in this new musical

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THEATRE REVIEW: Brief Encounter

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Empire Cinema Haymarket

WHEN: 1/4 (matinee) runs to 2/9/18

The setting is England in 1938 and members of the cast dressed as ushers and usherettes meet us in the foyer of this cinema venue to serenade us to our seats.

  • Read on for reasons including why Rice was right to return to this after the Globe

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THEATRE REVIEW: Strictly Ballroom starring Will Young, Jonny Labey & Zizi Strallen

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE: Piccadilly Theatre

WHEN: 31/3, press night 24/4, runs to 21/7/18

The biggest compliment we can pay this West End production of the 1992 Baz Luhrmann-directed film is that we return to see it in a fortnight – and we couldn’t be more excited to do so.

  • Read on for reasons including how Will Young’s new MC character fits into proceedings

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THEATRE REVIEW: The Way Of The World starring Haydn Gwynne, Geoffrey Streatfeild & Fisayo Akinade

WORTH A LOOK?: **

WHERE: Donmar

WHEN: 30/3, press night 3/4, runs to 26/5/18

We’re here for the casting of Linda Bassett, reviewed on this site in Escaped Alone at the Royal Court, as matriarch Lady Wishfort but she is replaced before previews begin.

  • Read on for reasons including how Bassett’s replacement Haydn Gwynne shapes up

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THEATRE REVIEW: Mirrors starring Siobhan McMillan

WORTH A LOOK?: *

WHERE: Lounge at Leicester Square Theatre

WHEN: (Press ticket) 29/3 runs to 14/4/18

There can be no better time to launch an hour-long monologue written and performed by a woman and encompassing such weighty themes as relationships and mental health.

  • Read on for reflections including how McMillan’s performance is her greatest strength

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THEATRE REVIEW: Misty starring Arinzé Kene

UPDATE: Misty transfers to Trafalgar Studios 8/9 to 17/10 Tickets

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE: Bush Theatre

WHEN: (Press ticket) 26/3 runs to 21/4/18, now extended to 27/4

Arinzé Kene starred with Russell Tovey in our favourite film of 2016, gay footballer storyThe Pass.

  • Read on for reasons including why the Bush Theatre is becoming the go-to venue for the best original writing

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THEATRE REVIEW: Ruthless! The Musical starring Jason Gardiner and Tracie Bennett

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE: Arts Theatre

WHEN: 23/3, press night 27/3, runs to 23/6/18

Last year we shortlisted Tracie Bennett for our Best performance of a song monsta for I’m Still Here from Follies at the National.

  • Read on for reasons including the Britney Spears link to this show

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THEATRE REVIEW: The Inheritance (Part 2) starring Vanessa Redgrave

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE: Young Vic

WHEN: 17/3, press night 28/3 runs to 19/5/18

We leave the auditorium with tears in our eyes at the end of Part 1 to be met by Vanessa Redgrave in the venue lobby who we assume is gauging audience reaction before she debuts in Part 2.

  • Read on for reasons including why we didn’t think Part 2 was the equal of Part 1

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