The Night Ali Died is a solo play written and performed by Chris Sainton-Clark, and brought to the stage by Raising Cain Productions. I reviewed this show on my last night at Ventnor Fringe. Recounting in detail the activities of three other characters – including a mob boss and a detective - as well as the titular Ali, this was a show I was excited to see. Ali is working in a chemistry lab alongside his friend, and he realises, unlike his own life that he perceives as bori

Amy Ambrose’s musical rom-com Dogmum made its debut at Ventnor Fringe and I was pleased to be able to review it. Billed as 'a musical rom-com for anyone whose Prince Charming turned out to be a cockapoo', Amy not only wrote the show but also starred in it herself. As the show was introduced, Amy let us know that she was filming the show to pitch it to a film director, and that most of her band members (who also doubled as actors) “missed their ferry” so she was stuck with s

Brainfools Circus visited Ventnor Fringe and I had the pleasure of reviewing Balance in the Bosco Theatre, which was the perfect venue for this show. Using a combination of acrobatics and theatre, Balance is set in 1940s London, with implied threat from air raid sirens overhead and a radio broadcast to place us firmly in this timezone. There is a story to it, however you can take what you want to from it while you’re watching which is clever – because for some of the younge

Melanie Branton is a former English lecturer and self-confessed linguistics nerd and she has created the show The Full English to share her love of the English language with audiences. It was a pleasure go along and review the show at Pier Street Playhouse, one of the venues at Ventnor Fringe. At the start of her performance, Melanie told us, alongside words, she also loves audience participation. This is a phrase that always makes this introvert’s heart sink and yet for th

Marriage Material is a work in progress, which was also the first show at Ventnor Fringe 2026, and a strong opener at that. The venue for this performance was Pier Street Playhouse which happens to usually be a church – fitting for the subject matter. Opening with a poem was a good move by Charlie Rosse, who is on the hunt for a husband and hoping to find help – or even a husband – from within the audience. The first line instantly engaged the audience and also proved to

Sherlock Holmes and the Napoleon of Crime is a MCS Drama (Magdalen College School) production and I was keen to review it at Oxford Playhouse. On entering the auditorium, my eye was instantly drawn to the stage. The set (Christianna Mason) had a Steampunk theme to it, fitting for the time period of this show. As the play went on, this versatile set, alongside fabulous lighting (Will Hayman) and sound (Dan Parry) transported us to a newspaper office, the banks of the River T

Shakespeare’s little known poem Venus and Adonis, is about Venus the goddess of love, falling for handsome mortal Adonis, who is only interested in hunting. Unlike Shakespeare’s plays, this poem is a straightforward tale, which was been brought to life originally in 2004 by the Royal Shakespeare Company in collaboration with Little Angel Theatre. A revival of this production, directed by Greg Doran, is on a limited UK tour which is currently at Oxford Playhouse. On walking

When I received an invite from Cross Keys Productions to review a new musical, I was thrilled. It’s no secret that I love musicals but seeing one that is still in development is a treat in itself. Going along to Michael Pilch Studio for the first time was an added bonus. On Some Far Shore has been written by Louis Benneyworth, currently a final year student. The fact I got to see it while the city was full of other students celebrating the end of their exams, is something I

I was invited to see The Karate Kid – The Musical at New Theatre Oxford. Directed by Amon Miyamoto, this was of interest to me due to the fact that it raised the question, why has this been reimagined as a musical. I went along to find out. Now is probably the time to admit, in the past, musicals based on earlier films have often not tended to be my favourites to watch. However, what this show does differently to many I have seen in the past, is keep enough of the original

Frankie Goes to Bollywood is a production by Rifco Theatre Company, which platforms British South Asian stories. Currently on tour, I went along to review the show at Oxford Playhouse. Frankie works with her friend Goldy in a theatre in Huddersfield, and is obsessed with Bollywood films. Goldy has always dreamt of being an actress, so when she goes to an audition, Frankie goes along for moral support and somehow Frankie lands the role. From there we are transported to Mu

Redcliffe is a new musical by Jordan Luke Gage who is responsible for writing the book, music and lyrics and playing the lead role in the show. Directed by Paul Foster, the narrative was inspired by two men who lived in Redcliffe in the 1700s. This is a story of community, family, fear, and forbidden love. The theatre space was set with seats on 3 sides, a wooden stage with a water along the end of it and a striking wooden fitting above the perimeter of the stage (Andrew Ex

Our House is a musical, written by Tim Firth, with music and lyrics by Madness. This production is by Cross Keys Productions, a University of Oxford theatre company. I was interested to see it at Oxford Playhouse, and went along to review on opening night. The show opens with a medley of Madness music. This was a good chance to hear the band playing without distraction, and the musicians were superb. It was also good to see the musicians onstage when the curtain rose. I per

I was invited to review William Street at the Burton Taylor Studio by The Fifth Act Company, a student founded theatre company. The performance I saw of William Street was the first of the run. It was interesting to walk into the studio space and see a different layout to those for recent shows I’ve seen in this venue, one that worked particularly well for this show. The set consisted of a family’s living space which instantly transported us to the 1970s with furniture and

When I saw the information about Perfect Show for Rachel on a poster at the theatre, it was apparent that this was a show that would be unique. A collaboration between Zoo Co and Improbable, I was keen to review it, and who better to go with me than my friend Rachel. At the beginning, Flo O’Mahony, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Zoo Co, but more importantly, Rachel’s little sister, takes to the stage for her allotted 5 minutes to introduce the concept. She is going rel

The Beekeeper of Aleppo was inspired by Christy Lefteri’s bestselling novel of the same name. Adapted for the stage by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler, I was excited to see the show at Oxford Playhouse. I should note that despite having a copy of the novel, I have yet to read it so I can’t compare the two. What follows is based entirely on the stage show. Nuri and his wife Afra have been forced to flee from Syria after war takes hold. With Nuri a beekeeper in their hom

Below are personal recommendations of shows I have seen or seen other shows by the same creative team, and this post will be updated with more shows in the weeks to come. Apparently Ugly (5-31 August) Apparently Ugly is a brand new musical that features Cinderella's step-sisters and how things move on for them once they've witnessed the wedding of Cinderella to her prince. Packed with humour and catchy music, this is a family show for all ages. Read my five star review here.

Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift (based on the book by Caroline Graham) is currently on tour, and I was delighted to be invited to review the show at the New Theatre in Oxford. The Killings at Badger’s Drift was in fact the very first story that appeared as part of the ongoing Midsomer Murders series on TV in 1997. The play was set in the exact same year. With my hometown being one of the frequently used filming locations for the series, it’s embarrassing to

When I saw the title An Adequate Abridgement of Boarding School Life as a Homo, I didn’t read anything else about it but just thought ‘that sounds like it will be funny' and put it on my list of shows I’d like to see. I was pleased to review this Choir Boy Productions show at the Burton Taylor Studio in Oxford. Written by Ned Blackburn, who also plays Johnny in the show, this play is exactly what you would expect it to be about from the title. Within seconds of it starting

Oxford Theatre Guild’s Murder in the Cathedral is currently showing at Oxford Playhouse. The information on the website gave insight that this was to be a retelling of the final days of Thomas Becket, after he returned home from exile. With no prior knowledge of the book by T.S. Eliot, I was keen to go along and see it. The opening consisted of a musical treat as a choir sang, instantly setting the scene in a cathedral, alongside the large cross suspended over the centre of

Evangeline is a new musical by Nia Williams, produced by Three Chairs and a Hat, which was at the Burton Taylor Studio in Oxford for three nights earlier this month. I went along to review the show on the sold out first night of the run. The show is about Evangeline, a showbiz survivor, and in an hour manages to cover her experiences from being abandoned in a cardboard box, to a career peak on a West End stage, followed by self-sabotage and eventually her “late youth” as s