Maidenhead Advertiser - Archive Theatre Reviews

REVIEW; (This is not a) Happy Room at the Theatre Royal Windsor

Putting the fun into dysfunctionality, not to mention a funeral, this sharply fresh comedy is set at what was meant to be a wedding which then becomes a wake so as not to ‘waste the venue.’ The Hendersons have been reluctantly dragged to a hotel in ...

19 May 2025 at 16:51

Review: Rock of Ages a story of 'young love, bad hair and power chords'

Despite some first night jitters and tiny tech issues, and a smallish audience that needed a bit of time to warm up, the East Berkshire Operatic Society eventually rocked The Wilde Theatre with their power production of ‘Rock of Ages’. This story ...

15 May 2025 at 18:32

Review: Alan Ayckbourn's 'Just Between Ourselves' at Theatre Royal Windsor

There is a kind of ache with an Alan Ayckbourn play: when you laugh there’s an undertow of tension, when you’re pained there’s still a splash of humour. Just Between Ourselves is classic Ayckbourn, full of undercurrents which swirl and collide ...

04 Apr 2025 at 16:27

Review: The Unknown and The Unforgettable unearths hidden gems

The last time I went to an East Berkshire Operatic Society musical cabaret night of popular and not immediately recognisable songs from the musicals, I discovered ‘Come From Away’, which is now one of my favourite shows, so I was open to more ...

31 Mar 2025 at 17:41

REVIEW: Far From the Madding Crowd at the Theatre Royal Windsor

Bringing Far From the Madding Crowd to the stage is quite an undertaking. Thomas Hardy’s novel encompasses love, disaster, passion, fire, betrayal, storms and an epic landscape. The Sussex-based Conn Artists (resident company at the ...

13 Mar 2025 at 18:25

REVIEW: 'Secrets, lies and unconvincing disguises' in It Runs in the Family

Deep Chesterfield armchairs, heavy wooden desk, sash windows, curtains, a windowseat built into a bay – the doctors’ common room fittings and fixtures look solid and dependable, just like the medics who use it, surely? We are at St ...

28 Feb 2025 at 13:29

Review: Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort of) at the Theatre Royal Windsor

In want of a wife or more laughter in your life? Get lost in Austen with this madcap take on the beloved tale of the Bennet family and their five matchless daughters. Told by the long-suffering servants of various big houses, an ...

19 Feb 2025 at 15:08

Review: Boys from the Blackstuff a 'revelation on stage'

The boys are back in town. And the town is Toxteth, Liverpool 8, an area known for the activism of its working-class inhabitants – though working is a problem for Chrissie, Loggo, George, Snowy, Dixie and Yosser. Alan ...

03 Feb 2025 at 15:47

Review: Aladdin an 'unmissable festive highlight' at Wycombe Swan

The Wycombe Swan Theatre’s production of Aladdin this holiday season delivers a spectacularly fun-filled pantomime, bursting with energy, humour, and unforgettable performances, writes Holly Clarke. Starring TV and ...

20 Dec 2024 at 16:31

Big laughs for kids and adults alike as Cinderella goes to the ball in Braywick

If you're looking for a frolickingly good fun pantomime this Christmas look no further than Cinderella at the Braywick Leisure Centre. If you're an adult you may want to take some ear defenders with you, however, ...

20 Dec 2024 at 14:55

Norden Farm's inventive and cleverly staged re-imagining of the Pinocchio tale

Norden Farm are encouraging you to ‘invest in your child's imagination and playfulness’ by taking them to see Pinocchio this Christmas, a heart-warming reimagining of a classic tale by production company Stuff ...

19 Dec 2024 at 22:41

Review: 'Fun and creative take' on the legend of Sherwood Forest

There was something of a retro feel to this year’s South Hill Park family pantomime, when we were invited to party like it was 1999, with Robin Hood and his gang, and a magic arrow and a squirrel in need of ...

10 Dec 2024 at 11:41

Review: Dick Whittington offers 'heartwarming' experience

The pantomime Dick Whittington at Windsor’s Theatre Royal offers an entertaining and heartwarming experience for audiences of all ages. The show cleverly blends traditional panto humour with modern ...

10 Dec 2024 at 10:51

Review: Dreaming of a white Christmas? Sonning might be the place to find it

Dreaming of a white Christmas? Sonning might just be the place to find it. This year’s winter musical at The Mill is Irving Berlin’s sugarplum of a show. Filled with catchy numbers like Sisters, ...

09 Dec 2024 at 16:29

Review: A Christmas Carol - On Air brings classic text to life

It seems that everyone from Bill Murray to ballet companies to the Muppets has done some sort of version of A Christmas Carol. I was thrilled by a fantastic one-man version by Clive Francis at ...

14 Nov 2024 at 13:08

Review: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Director and choreographer Natalie Hayllor, wow! Musical director, Anton Gwilt, wow! Micheal Brenkley, Lighting designer, wow! Set designer, Duncan Bruce, wow! Luke Robinson as Joseph, wow! ...

08 Nov 2024 at 14:08

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