theatre
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A Christmas Carol Is Just Exquisite At Birmingham Rep
A Christmas Carol is the perennial Christmas classic. Many people believe that all our modern origins of Christmas stem back to this very story, written by the legendary Charles Dickens and giving us the unforgettable Ebenezer Scrooge. This year, Mark Gattiss, always the lover of a Christmas ghost story, has transferred his highly acclaimed adaptation ‘ A Christmas Carol – A ghost story’ to the stage of the Birmingham Rep for the festive season, and it has become the must see ticket this December, with the ability to delight and chill in equal measure. It’s a cold Christmas Eve and mean-spirited miser Ebenezer Scrooge has an unexpected visit from the…
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A Shimmering Beauty And The Beast Sparkles At The Wolves Grand
The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s Panto has always been special, but in recent years, they have really bowled it out of the park. This year, they have made the unusual choice of staging Beauty and the Beast, and, it may just be their best panto yet. Honestly, I don’t think you will see a better panto this Christmas, it is an absolute triumph that literally delivers on all levels. Beauty and the Beast is the must see this Christmas! Everything about this panto is perfect. The cast is incredible, with not one weak link. We have the Grand’s favourite duo, Tam Ryan and Ian Adams returning with laughter and merriment as…
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Christmas Magic From The Wizard Of Oz
Unless you want to upset the Wicked Witch of the West (Midlands) then you really need to get yourself a ticket to The Old Rep‘s Christmas offering, The Wizard of Oz. Blending the classic story with all the fun of panto, this version of the perennial favourite is funny, sweet and super entertaining. I went along on Saturday and can honestly say that I (and my family) absolutely loved it. It is exactly what Christmas entertainment is all about. The story is the classic story of Dorothy Gale, who, during a twister, is transported, with her dog Toto, from Kansas to a wonderful land called OZ. Everyone in Oz looks…
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The Nutcracker: Bringing Its Magic Back To Birmingham
The Birmingham Royal Ballet returned to the stage of the Birmingham Hippodrome last night with, what has to be the most magical and exquisite Ballet of them all. Yes, I’m talking about Sir Peter Wright’s masterpiece, The Nutcracker, which traditionally brings Christmas officially to Birmingham. Forget the German market, when Tchaikovsky’s overture begins, Christmas is truly here. Tchaikovsky’s classic Christmas tale of magic and mystery that takes place on Christmas Eve is a festive staple. And after taking a break last year for the marvellous, and sometimes hilarious Cinderella, The Nutcracker made a welcome return with what may be its most beautiful staging ever. The story is a simple one,…
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Sparkle And Shine! It’s Nativity The Musical
After the triumph that was last years Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Bilston Operatic Company returned to the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre last night with the sparkliest, shiniest musical of them. Even the uber critic that is Patrick Burns would’ve agreed that this is one show that is definitely worthy of 5 stars. I am talking, of course, about the wonderful Nativity, the feelgood Christmas musical that has a heart of gold and will register a never ending smile from even the worst of Scrooges. It has incredible sets, glorious songs and a cast that is just perfect. In short, it is Christmas and it is wonderful! We all remember Nativity…











