Wolf Alice – Definitely Made it OK

Fanfare / Front Row / 3rd December, 2025

Ellie the face of Wolf Alice strutted onto the stage at precisely 9.10 pm and delivered on cue a perfect pitch as she smacked hard and fast into Thorns from the latest album The Clearing. Willowy and attired in nothing more than a daring white polka dot beige leotard, black tights with calf high …More»

A Tryal Of Witches ….

Front Row / 21st March, 2025

Not the Witches of Eastwick but the Witches of Bury St Edmunds (Cromwellian era ) based on true events as WitchFinder General Mathews Hopkins hunts down his prey in 1664.

The production is an all female cast with many playing dual roles- the stand outs were the 2 older members of the cast -Claire Storey …More»

The Tempest, Sadly A Little Dreary

Front Row / 12th December, 2024

The Tempest Drury Lane

The best takeaway was the marvellous restoration of the famous Drury Lane Theatre which has undergone a splendid metamorphosis. It was simply stunning, unlike this production of Shakespeare last play The Tempest, with Sigourney Weaver taking the lead as Prospero. The Hollywood actor was wooden throughout and imparted as much impact as …More»

Latin Spectacle In Soho..

Front Row / 8th October, 2024

Aleph Aguiar a Venezuelan jazz guitarist was front man as part of a septet at Pizza Express in Soho. He has Elton John on his CV and is the man wearing the hat!

It restored my memories of the Gypsy Kings at the Albert Hall all those years ago with the Great Greville.

Pizza Express Soho Jazz …More»

Van Helsing in Bury

Front Row / 27th September, 2024

Minimal stage set for Bram Stokers famous gothic horror interpreted by Blackeyed Theatre.

No blood or gore.

More a philosophical encounter not just about the supernatural but an exploration of Dracula as the anti-hero, the dismissive role women played in society in Victorian times and a reminder of the ghastly nature of colonialism.

Wonderfully acted and we …More»

To be or not to be a Villain

Front Row / 26th April, 2024

Richard my Richard was an amazing triumph. Philippa Gregory life’s work has been to locate Richard’s burial site – finally unearthed in a Leicestershire car park, but with this play she investigates if he really was the villain depicted by Shakespeare and history.

Evidence is scarce after all these years but the intrigue is spell …More»

Bizet Buzz

Front Row / 2nd April, 2024

Sadlers Wells hosted the ENB production with a stunning modern stark presentation with a stage set of 3D doors, a clear cipher, that were moved cleverly around to depict and support different scenarios.

The never ending suffering was perfectly executed with rolling ghost bodies moving incessantly across the stage like Sisyphus, forever condemned to pushing …More»

Dead Man Painting

Front Row / 26th October, 2023

Local amateur dramatics performing  in Hadleigh an Agatha Christie style who dunnit  Some small echos of Oscar Wilde and Dorian Grey

Good fun.

Forte family AAS & Friend – 26th October
Written & published 14th March 2024