Month: July 2023

Outside In, the title of Ilaria Passeri’s spoken word performance, suggests an introspective piece. This is not the case. Passeri is a raconteur spinning examples from her life into a twisting but uplifting and very funny tale. Although there are theatrical elements to Outside In, including sound effects and Passeri illustrating her talk with some cheap… Continue reading Outside In

Although he was astonishingly prolific and very popular a century ago, George Bernard Shaw has now become one of those theatrical prophets neglected in his own land. The playwright’s wordy, proselytising style has gone out of fashion, action and brevity being the qualities preferred by most modern audiences. While performances may be few and far… Continue reading Candida

The Hot Ice Show’s 2023 production, Amore Amor Amour, promises to let audiences in on a ‘world of dreams’. Once again, the team behind its dreams deliver in full, thanks to the athleticism and artistry of a world-class cast. The show’s love theme never falters, reflecting the care that goes into director Amanda Thompson OBE’s… Continue reading Hot Ice: Amore Amor Amour

“This isn’t our kind of thing, you know,” Glyndebourne owner John Christie said rather sniffily when Benjamin Britten’s comedy was first performed there in 1947. It was the composer’s second full-blown opera and after Peter Grimes and The Rape of Lucretia, so perhaps not the high-minded sort of stuff that he and his audience expected.… Continue reading Albert Herring

Meeting the parents of your girlfriend is a nerve-racking experience at the best of times. The situation is exacerbated for forklift driver Jack as he is a trans-male. As he prepares for the encounter, Jack cannot help but reflect on the reaction of his parents, workmates and pretty much anyone else he encounters. A disclaimer… Continue reading Transparency

Julie Hall, sole performer in Sacrament, is also a GP practising in Greater Manchester. One wonders how many of the capacity audience at the Seven Oaks Pub have come along in the hope if they hang about after the show, they might get a free consultation. After all, these days GP appointments are as rare as… Continue reading Sacrament

The première of Nabucco at La Scala in Milan in 1842 was a major turning point in the 28-year-old Giuseppe Verdi’s artistic career. The ensembles are a rallying cry and they had a tremendous political impact during Italy’s struggle for independence over the next 30 years. The slogan “Viva VERDI!” was used as an acronym… Continue reading Nabucco