Reviews

'Daphne du Maurier stole my life' proclaims the central character of Rose Tremain’s latest novel, The Housekeeper. Mrs Danowski, known affectionately as Danni, is the housekeeper of Manderville Hall on the coast of Cornwall. When Daphne du Maurier visits in search of inspiration for her latest novel – which fans of the novelist will know to be the bestseller, Rebecca – she draws Danni into a secret and intense affair.

Playing at the RSC’s The Other Place Driftwood is a vibrant work set in 1950s Caribbean. The first play from Martina Laird, the production is directed by Chichester Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Justin Audibert, presenting a tale of family, belonging, and identity.

A play based on the 90s psychological thriller of the same name, Single White Female is a world premiere stage production offering a modern take on the bestselling book (SWF Seeks Same by John Lutz) and hit movie.

Birmingham Rep’s new production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream breathes contemporary Brummie life into the mystical play of trickster fairies and humorous misdirection.

The Castle of Stories makes for a great queer summer read. Sunsets and olive groves underpin a sweet tale of queer love, pride, healing and connection.

Based on Patricia Highsmith's iconic psychological thriller novel, which also inspired the acclaimed film and Netflix series of the same name, The Talented Mr. Ripley is a new stage adaptation that draws audiences into a world of deadly deceptions and desires.

“Real love is nothing like the movies’ in PJ Ellis’ split-timeline romantic comedy, We Could Be Heroes.

Based on Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, this Hercule Poirot tale is adapted for stage by writer Ken Ludwig, and directed by Lucy Bailey. When a couple's idyllic honeymoon onboard a luxurious cruise is cut short following a murder, it is up to world-famous dectect Hercule Poirot to uncover secrets buried in the Egyptian sands, untangle the complicated web of lies and solve another crime.

Based on Andrea Levy’s award-winning novel, Small Island is a play adapted for stage by Helen Edmundson, and directed by Matthew Xia. Taking audiences on a journey from Jamaica to 1940s London, the production is an exploration of empire and the Windrush generation, belonging and identity, and hope

‘Letters to My Younger Queer Self: Inspiring, influential voices from the LGBTQIA+ community’ is a book curated by journalist, Daniel Harding.

Based on Malorie Blackman’s acclaimed novel, Noughts and Crosses, Pilot Theatre in association with Northern Stage presents this adaptation at The Rep Theatre, Birmingham. Depicting an alternate history, Noughts and Crosses is a dramatic tale of love, revolution, and the fraught experience of growing up in a such a divided world.

Olivier Award-winning Best New Musical, Operation Mincemeat, air-drops in to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre for one week only. Based on an unbelievably true WWII story, the year is 1943 and Britain might be losing the war but Intelligence have a wild plan that might just save the day.

Here & Now: The Steps Musical is an original new British musical, created using the pop classics from platinum album, multi-million record-selling dance-pop group, Steps (Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Ian ‘H’ Watkins, Lee Latchford-Evans, and Lisa Scott-Lee). Following its world premiere in Birmingham (2024), the musical is embarking on its UK tour, currently running at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre.

Set in the mid-1980s, Natalie Adler’s Waiting on a Friend centres Renata, a lesbian living in New York’s East Village.

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.