Reviews

A début from illustrator and writer, Sam Prentice-Jones, Arcana: The Lost Heirs is a tarot-inspired fantasy graphic novel.

Drag queen and amateur sleuth, Misty Divine returns for the second novel in Holly Stars’ cosy, queer mystery series, Missing in Soho

Following a completely sold-out run at The Barbican, London, the three-time Olivier Award-winning production, Fiddler on the Roof, plays at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre for four weeks, direct from the West End.

2026 is fast approaching, and with it comes a new year of great productions in Birmingham and across the Midlands. We've picked just a few of our favourites in theatre, dance, musicals, drag and cabaret that would make great Christmas gifts or, of course, a treat for yourself. ★ Fiddler on the Roof at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham ( 9th December 2025 - 3rd January 2026 ) “Completely sold out at the Barbican in London, this is a rare opportunity to catch this critically ac

Following annual tradition, panto season is back in full swing in Wolverhampton with this year’s production at the Grand Theatre, Sleeping Beauty.

The world premiere of Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas plays at The Rep Theatre, Birmingham this festive season. Penned by Fringe-favourites and the writers behind The Penny Dreadfuls, Humphrey Ker and David Reed, this winter whodunnit also features brand new songs from two renowned musical theatre songwriters and composers, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, working together as a dynamic duo.

Based on the classic beloved holiday movie, Elf: The Musical brings magic and whimsy in musical form to the stage, spreading Christmas cheer for all to hear in Wolverhampton this winter.

Created by Olivier Award winner Jon Brittain and Matt Tedford, Margaret Thatcher – Queen of Soho imagines a world in which, on the eve of the vote on Section 28, Prime Minister Maggie Thatcher gets lost in Soho (the heart of the LGBTQ+ community in London) and accidentally becomes a cabaret superstar. Will her night of glitter and dancing change her mind on this homophobic bill before it’s too late?

Based on the novel by David Nicholls and the film of the same name, Starter for Ten is a new coming-of-age comedy musical set in the colourfully bright 80s.

Becki Jayne Crossley’s début novel, Tart, is a queer coming-of-age, friends-to-lovers story set in small British village where everyone knows everyone, and gossip is hard to avoid.

From the producer of hit musical, Hairspray, and the director of The Full Monty, FRIENDS!: The Musical parody is ‘The One Where They All Sing’, offering a new take on the 1990s sitcom with an entirely original musical score.

Amy Rosenthal’s The Party Girls is a timely new play that explores the true story of the Mitford sisters; an infamous high society family divided by political extremism.

The well-trodden fairy tale of Cinderella meets Bollywood blockbusters in the modern, vibrant, and exciting re-telling of Surinderella, directed by Ameet Channa with music and songs from PBN.

Based on the hit film of the same name, The Bodyguard Musical is a romantic thriller featuring the irresistible music of the great Whitney Houston. Starring international leading lady Sidonie Smith as Rachel Marron and Olivier Award nominee Adam Garcia as Frank Farmer, the musicals tells the story of superstar singer Rachel Marron who needs protecting from an unknown stalker, and finds this and more in the arms of former Secret Service Agent turned bodyguard, Frank.

The whip-cracking classic comedy musical, Calamity Jane, based on the much-loved movie of the same name has ridden over the rolling plains to Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre. Starring the multi-award-winning West End actor and singer, Carrie Hope Fletcher (Cinderella, Les Misérables) as the fabulously fearless, gun slingin’ lead, Calamity Jane, the musical is set during the American gold rush in the dusty settlement of Deadwood.

James Ijames’ Pulitzer prize-winning queer comic tragedy, playing at the RSC’s Swan Theatre is a tale of love, loss, liberation and joy that brings Shakespeare’s Hamlet into the modern-day.

Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian is a queer coming-of-age set in New York City during the height of the HIV pandemic.

London City Ballet, former resident company of Sadler's Well, is making its début at The Rep, Birmingham with 'Momentum'; a brand-new repertoire.

Mary Poppins, the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious adaptation of P.L. Travers’ books and the much-loved Walt Disney film, has flown in to Birmingham Hippodrome for a magical six-week run.

Chicago, the international multi-award-winning musical, is back in Wolverhampton for one week only; starring Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancer, Janette Manrara as Roxie Hart.