TRADGE THE THEATRE GEEK

Reimagined classic dazzles 'em and makes 'em laugh ----- This musical theatre staple has reached such a status of iconicity, one could be easily forgiven for not realising that it actually took over 30 years before the original movie musical, produced by MGM studios in 1952, was adapted to the stage. It is however fair to say that, certainly in this country, we have more than made up for lost time, with no fewer than five separate, subsequent London productions having been st

Confused, stagnant re-staging of Dickens classic tale misses the mark ----- We have tentatively crossed the threshold into the hotly anticipated festive season, so naturally our focus turns to the plethora of holiday themed productions that descend on us like the trio of Christmas spirits with which one Ebeneezer Scrooge comes into contact, and I’m not talking about your the standard glass of mulled wine, brandy or eggnog. Such is the popularity of arguably Charles Dickens ’

Bold, barmy and marvellously macabre, the Cyclone is a wild ride you can't miss! ----- A rollercoaster is different things to different people, to some it's a fun, adrenaline-fuelled thrill ride, for others a terrifying, scream-inducing death trap, though for the six ill-fated members of the St. Cassian High School Chamber Choir, one would not be remiss in stating that both are easily applicable; that's the situation in which we find ourselves, every single character in a mus

Encores revival is gloriously gruesome ----- Before giving us the musical theatre juggernauts that are " Legally Blonde " and " Heathers ", composer Laurence O'Keefe emerged with a bang onto the scene in the 90s with his surrealist piece that tells of a half bat, half human hybrid child found in a cave in Hope Falls, West Virginia. Based on a fictional 1992 story from the satirical tabloid paper Weekly World News , known for its largely made up media based on the supernatura

Muddled but meaningful new musical challenges our perceptions of sexuality and psychology ----- It is remarkable, and thoroughly disheartening, to know that in this day and age, there still exists such stigma regarding being your most authentic self, without fear of condemnation or ridicule; this is especially true when it comes to getting by in school, an environment where conforming to the status quo and trying to fit in are seen as being of paramount importance, and then o

Though the art of physical letter-writing is something of an archaic practice in this day and age, having largely been replaced by instant messengers, wifi calling and video chats, the basic fundamentals of forming bonds and maintaining a friendship have not changed, and however you choose to keep in contact, you both need to maintain an open line of communication. Perhaps it's the lengthy gaps in between correspondences that make the age old act of writing letters to one ano

Wyld by name, wyld by nature, Isabel Renner is an effervescent treat ----- We all know that traversing adult life can be an absolute minefield of potential stress-inducing triggers, with many of us making it up as we go along, be it workplace politics, trying to make friends, or tackling modern dating. Enter: social anxiety, the enemy of many a millennial and Gen Z just trying to make it from day to day in the world, though perhaps few to quite the same degree as Isabel Renne

University Challenge musical proves funny, albeit formulaic and cliched ----- Since its first TV broadcast in 1962, University Challenge has become nothing short of a British institution, having now run for over six decades and 54 series, spawning various spin-offs, a 2003 novel by David Nicholls , its subsequent film adaptation starring James McEvoy and Benedict Cumberbatch , and now, finally, a stage musical. First premiering in Bristol last year, this joint project betwe

English National Opera kick off their debut Salford season with a bang ----- Almost 50 years after his death, it's fair to say that Benjamin Britten is firmly cemented as one of the foremost 20th century British composers, especially when it comes to his operatic exploits, as well as his work with his two closest collaborators, the tenor Peter Pears , and librettist Eric Crozier , the latter with whom he teamed up to write the three-act comic opera " Albert Herring " in the

Winston-directed revival of Mel Brooks' second symphony is electrifying! ----- Following up from a gargantuan hit like The Producers is enough to send any writer for the stage or screen into a frenzied panic, and much like when the musical first premiered in 2008, we are in a similar situation in the present, with an enormously successful London revival of Mel Brooks ' magnum opus having preceded this major return of his second musical " Young Frankenstein ", and inevitably t

Latest Old Joint Stock production takes us on a rocky yet riveting joy ride The folly of youth, in many cases, provides ample opportunity...

Latest in-house production brilliantly reimagines beloved Shakespeare comedy It has arguably become one of the greatest challenges in...

Sorkin and Sher magnificently adapt Harper Lee’s magnum opus When one sees books banned by various governments and educational...

Studio Ghibli brought to life on stage in the most magical way possible If you are looking for engaging, enchanting tales of childish...

Experience sea shanties like never before with some of the best vocalists you'll hear at the fringe After a critically acclaimed sellout...

It goes without saying that there are a LOT of shows performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, and for many of them, budget constraints often...

Fun, frenzied, yet confusing new show brings musicals into the digital age Have you ever asked yourself what life would be like if it...

Slick, screwy and unashamedly brash, American cops have never been funnier! Police parody media is certainly not a new concept, with...

American writing duo display uneven storytelling, but plenty of heart As far as fringe theatre goes, never is its true heart and soul on...

Fun, frenzied fever dream of a musical drives us crazy in the best way It is difficult to go wrong with a dark comedy when it comes to...