Dark of the Moon blends Appalachian folklore, forbidden romance and Americana-inspired music into an ambitious new musical. While atmospheric staging, strong performances and a standout turn from Josie Benson impress, an over-amplified sound design and uneven storytelling prevent the production from fully casting its spell. A fascinating but flawed show that never quite reaches its potential. ★★★

Matthew Lyon’s Player at Riverside Studios is a sharp, inventive satire of the acting industry that balances biting humour with emotional honesty. Fast, witty and brilliantly performed, it captures the insecurity, ambition and persistence required to survive creatively. Funny, raw and hugely entertaining, it’s a masterfully written contemporary production and a genuine 5-star triumph.

There is something deliciously subversive about Churchill’s Urinal, where British politics is turned gloriously inside out. Rosie Holt is superb as a beleaguered Chancellor, balancing razor-sharp wit with moments of real vulnerability, while Michael Lambourne’s vodka-drinking Churchill-voiced urinal is absurdly inspired. Sharp, funny, and unsettlingly timely, this is satire with real bite.

It’s 1890s Paris and Le Chat Noir is reborn. This five‑star immersive dinner‑theatre delivers sensational cabaret, live musicians, exquisite detail and joyful French anarchy. Come dressed to impress, eat well, drink absinthe and leave exhilarated.

Last Sunday night at the Dominion felt more like a glitter‑splashed anniversary party than a standard theatre trip. I loved briefly meeting original cast members and the enthusiastic, funny fan‑club Q&A, with a shy appearance from Peter Hinwood, the original Rocky, who later left acting for an art‑gallery life. The shadow cast was fun and inclusive at first, Little Nell was a joy, but the constant film heckling wore thin. ⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Joyfully chaotic and packed with nostalgia, Biff To The Future is a fast, funny one-man romp led by a superbly energetic Joseph Maudsley. With pitch-perfect sound cue interplay and inspired audience moments (that air guitarist!), it’s playful, irreverent and all the better if you know the films.