In my late teens I had an interview, along with some school friends to appear on the quiz Blockbusters. It was a disaster and, needless to say I never got the chance to ask ‘can I have a p please Bob?’ The memory though, has never left. New musical  Starter For Ten had its press night at The Rep, Birmingham last night and tells the story of Brian, and his quest to appear on the legendary quiz University Challenge, whilst simultaneously winning the girl of his dreams. It is a warm and witty tribute to that most difficult, and beloved of quizzes, and this failed quiz contestant absolutely loved it!…

So I’ll start with a true story. I first saw Priscilla the Musical around 10 years ago in the West End. I sat so high up that I virtually got a nose bleed and couldn’t see the bus (aka Priscilla) but what I could see, and hear, was great, so I was really looking forward to seeing it again at the Wolves Grand last night. I can happily say, that in the hands of the talented Bilston Operatic Company it is just fabulous. Full of great performances, with an incredible set and those iconic disco hits, Priscilla Queen of the Desert may just be the perfect night out. Synopsis Priscilla tells…

Emma Woodhouse is one of literature most infuriating heroines. Lively and charming, she is also meddling and just a little bit snobbish, and definitely believes that she always knows best. Now, in a wonderful new adaptation by Ryan Craig, the life Jane Austen’s memorable Emma is brought to life on the stage in a glorious slice of theatre that had it’s press night at the Birmingham Rep Theatre last night. The Plot Emma Woodhouse is a matchmaker to everyone but herself, but her mismatched meddling causes problems for those around her. She often ignores true love, and can’t see that her own perfect match is right under her nose. Her…

It was a classic crime thriller. Then it became an iconic 1990s movie. Now Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr Ripley has been adapted by Mark Leipacher into an unmissable theatre experience, one with an astounding titular performance from Ed McVey. Tom Ripley is a nearly man, a nobody you would pass without a second glance on the street. His life is going nowhere until he is tracked to a New York bar by Herbert Greenleaf (Christopher Bianci). Herbert wants Tom to help him persuade his son Dickie to return from Italy to America. He mistakenly feels that Tom could help in this, when, in truth, Tom barely knows Dickie. Unable…

A missing woman. The family that Lock Stock forgot. A hapless policeman trying to solve a case and save his career, whilst not getting involved with a leggy blonde who may just be a killer. And Robbie Williams, lots of Robbie Williams. This is the premise for the utterly hilarious Murder at Midnight, a comedy thriller from Torben Betts that is currently showing at the Birmingham Rep and is one of the funniest things you will see in theatre in this, or any other year. Jason Durr is Johnny, a one eyed gangster masquerading as a pig farmer. He lives with his mother Shirley, who is all kinds of crazy…