Saw beautifully compelling The Beekeeper Of Aleppo at Malvern Theatres(on til Sat or UK tour to Jun). Hugely relevant about refugee journey from war in Syria to UK shores & doesn't gloss over uncomfortable questions. Captivating heartfelt storytelling packs an emotional punch ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky

With war raging in Middle East, new version of Henry V by @the-rsc.bsky.social feels acutely relevant. Stirring performance by Alfred Enoch, battles in slow motion, rousing band of brothers speech well balanced with comic moments. Poignant & absorbing on human cost of war. Til Apr 25 #reviewsky ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's #pressnight for Dear England by @Nationaltheatre at Birmingham Hippodrome & it hit the back of the net for drama, sentiment & emotion. Charting Gareth Southgate's managerial journey it's a love letter to England Football team & fans plus state of the nation epic. A must-see. Til sat ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I'm in heaven after press night of dreamy Top Hat Musical UK Tour at Birmingham Hippodrome. Big romantic dance numbers, sets and costumes plus tap dance to die for. Charming show created by Chichester Festival Theatre. Leads Phillip Attmore and Amara Okereke are fabulous. Til Sat ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky

What an adventure! Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson musical at Birmingham Hippodrome is a fun, high energy journey amongst Greek gods to 70s disco underworld. Catchy songs, great special effects & talented likeable cast including @thedannybeard.bsky.social as Mr D. Til Sat. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind balances troubles of climate issues & political corruption with joy. African dance, music & song bring Malawi to life. Real Will in audience at Swan Theatre on press night plus @adrianlester.bsky.social & Chiwetel Ejiofor.Til Mar 28 then Soho Place ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky 2/2

Blown away by world premiere of @the-rsc.bsky.social musical The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind. Life-affirming & heartfelt based on true story of teen William Kamkwamba saving his Malawi village from famine by creating a wind turbine. A rollercoaster of emotions to inspirational finale 1/2 #reviewsky

It's #pressnight for long-awaited The Battle at Birmingham Rep.This fictional account of Blur v Oasis race for no 1 in 1995 is funny, charming and essence of Britpop era even at its most surreal. Fantastic nostalgia, music, pop culture & characterisations.Til Mar 7 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky #theatresky

Robin Hood panto at Birmingham Hippodrome is glitzier than ever. Icon Christopher Biggins steals the show in his 60th panto, Faye Tozer delights with Steps hit & Matt Slack leads madcap irresistible fun with Gok Wan. Crazy costumes, dazzling dance routines & big laughs til Feb 1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky

#pressnight for new @the-rsc.bsky.social family show The BFG & it's truly mesmerising. Brings all the magic, wit & charm of Roald Dahl's classic to life using puppets with actors in similar vein to War Horse. Jaw-dropping effects esp when dream catching. It's a superb must-see #reviewsky ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

V motivated after insightful journalism @nujofficial.bsky.social masterclass today on using Freedom of Information for articles. Run by @severincarrell.bsky.social from @theguardian.com & Rob Edwards of @theferret.scot who have real passion for unearthing public interest stories with FOI like these

I saw The Forsyte Saga @the-rsc.bsky.social showing in 2 parts at Swan Theatre til Jan 10. It's epic tale of love, power & obsession from Victorian England to 1920s. Feels lavish despite minimalist staging. Part 1 has more momentum & drama(can be seen as a standalone) while Part 2 concludes the epic

The Nutcracker ballet is back at Birmingham Hippodrome & this gem by Birmingham Royal Ballet is truly magical. Peter Wright's mesmerising choreography is perfect with timeless Tchaikovsky music & divine costumes & dancing. A truly sublime Christmas show that enchants year after year.Til Dec 13⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I caught Sherlock Holmes & 12 Days of Christmas world premiere at Birmingham Rep & it's ingenious, hilarious murder mystery. Fantastic characters by comics behind Penny Dreadfuls @humphreyker.bsky.social & David Reed. Every festive ingredient in sharp script.Til Jan 18⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #theatresky #reviewsky

Fascinating to hear British murder mystery writer Tom Hindle at Bromsgrove Library on how he moved from PR job to get an agent and now has series of gripping crime thrillers. He's fresh talent @penguinbooksuk.bsky.social with new book out in Jan - A Killer In Paradise set in Costa Rica #booksky

At @the-rsc.bsky.social for Cyrano de Bergerac #pressnight & seen the most staggeringly perfect performance by @adrianlester.bsky.social. Emotional, romantic, funny, this play with Susannah Fielding & Levi Brown has it all. A must-see in Stratford Upon Avon til Nov 15.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky #theatresky

Finally seen 2:22 Ghost Story at Malvern Theatres & now understand what the hype is about. It's a lively, clever, slick show with subtle nods to famous thrillers & ghost stories. Keeps you guessing. Charming cast of Stacey Dooley Kevin Clifton Grant Kilburn & Shvorne Marks. Til Sat ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky

Saw v satisfying Inspector Morse House Of Ghosts at Birmingham Rep. Gritty case, interesting suspects & intricate plot with Tom Chambers giving good go at role so eponymous with John Thaw. Tachia Newall a likeable Lewis. Murder Mystery fans will love it. Til September 14 #reviewsky #theatresky ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Saw Pulitzer Prize winning play Fat Ham @the-rsc.bsky.social. So entertaining & clever as modern reworking of Hamlet but far funnier. Set in America's Deep South, playwright James Ijames's work is inciteful but with more eccentric characters with lead gay teen Juicy. Til Sept 13 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky

At Malvern Theatre tonight to review the atmospheric & haunting stage version of Charles Dickens tale The Signalman by Middle Ground Theatre Company. Chris Walker and John Burton star. It's first class theatre that keeps you guessing with fabulous set & special effects. Til Saturday ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky

Dazzled by young talent in Stage Experience West Side Story on at The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham til Sat. Vibrant show & sensational singing by leads Amelie Newton & Cree Henson. Big dance routines & fabulous songs with live orchestra. Joe Lycett started in Stage Experience, now in its 20th year

London City Ballet Momentum at Birmingham Rep is expressive #dancing at its best. 4 routines from a Balanchine seen in UK for first time to vivid imaginative ballet about Kandinsky art in Pictures Of An Exhibition, created for @nycballet.bsky.social 2014. Famed ballerina Alina Cojocaru performs ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's press night for Mary Poppins musical at Birmingham Hippodrome & this is THE show of the summer. Sensational effects & dance routines, top cast, nostalgic songs & soo feel-good for all the family. It's practically perfect in every way with wonderful finale.Til Aug 23 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #theatresky #reviewsky

Watching powerful Sarah Kane play 4.48 Psychosis @the-rsc.bsky.social Other Place in #stratforduponavon with original cast from 25 years ago. It's fascinating, wry & heartwrenching insight into depression & #mentalhealth by writer who later took her own life. Til July 27 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #theatresky #reviewsky

I was Elmhurst Ballet School gala show in #Birmingham yest. It's one of the city's treasures - linked to Birmingham Royal Ballet & it's in @disneyplusuk.bsky.social doc Madu about Nigerian teen dancer who trains there. Here's about the talent I saw #reviewsky www.weekendnotes.co.uk/elmhurst-bal...

By Royal Appointment is Malvern Theatres til Sat & it's elegant homage to late #QueenElizabethII. This gentle drama retells key moments of HRH life through outfits & chats with her dresser, clothes designer & hat maker. Sumptuous staging stars Caroline Quentin & Anne Reid #theatresky #reviewsky

Saw The Constant Wife with Rose Leslie @the-rsc.bsky.social Swan Theatre. Breezy, sparkling comedy reworks Somerset Maugham play into fast-paced, feminist delight. Set in 1920s with modern wit about wife who takes unusual approach to husband's infidelity. Fab art deco set & costumes Til Aug 2⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Unusual week from seeing Sharon Osbourne open world exclusive @ozzyosbourneoffi.bsky.social exhibition in #Birmingham ahead of Black Sabbath final gig to given rose by inimitable Bill Murray at his music show in Symphony Hall. Effortless comedy too with moral message. What a week! #bsmuseums ❤️🦴🏺🏛️

Wonderful Kiefer/Van Gogh exhibition opens in #london at Royal Academy of Arts today & runs til Oct 26. Van Gogh had profound influence on German painter Kiefer & their works with similar themes of sunflowers, portraits & fields are side by side although Van Gogh's intricate detail shines bright

First swim of Summer back at Droitwich Spa Lido and it felt glorious with birds overhead. It's 90 years old this year, opened 1935 with lovely art deco remnants all around. It uses natural salt water from the Worcestershire town too. Near Birmingham UK if ever looking to swim ✈️🗺️ #travel #suggestsky