Barrie Theobald

Peter Pan On Ice

From the opening scene in Kensington Park and through all the main tableaux from the book - the bedroom to which Peter Pan flies in search of his shadow; Tinkerbell and the Lost Boys' encampment, the Indians in their Reserve and, of course, the Pirate Crew led by Captain Hook and his nemesis the Crocodile (in this case, a very athletic one!) - the Russian Ice Stars presented a series of thrilling and spectacular sequences.

Review: Copacabana at The Watermill, Bagnor

THE compact stage of The Watermill is hardly the place one would think of to stage Barry Manilow's glitzy musical, yet by sticking to a format that has served the theatre so well in the past it succeeds by again only using a small cast of talented actors/musicians.

Review: Gypsy at Shinfield Players Theatre

BASED on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the play revolves around the efforts of her pushing Mother, Madame Rose (Annette Chishick) to advance the theatrical careers of her two girls, June (Marion Hancock) and Louise (Caroline Kennedy).

Review: A Doll's House at Wokingham Theatre

THE ending of Henrik Ibsen's famous play caused much controversy when first published - wives were not expected to walk away from their marriage and families despite oppressions at home.

Review: Ladies Day at The Oakwood Centre, Woodley

MANY readers will recall when a Royal Ascot meeting was transferred to York Racecourse while the new grandstand was rebuilt.

Review: Absent Friends at Pinewood Theatre

HOW does one cheer up a mutual friend recovering from the loss of his recently-drowned girlfriend?

Review: Love From A Stranger

LOUISE Page's adaptation of Agatha Christie's short story Philomel Cottage did not need the services of a Belgian detective or busy-body spinster to solve the plot.

Review: Fascinating Aida at The Hexagon, Reading.

WHILE I am sure the last time I saw this talented trio perform it was billed as their 'farewell tour', it was sheer delight to welcome them back again with some more of their clever satirical songs and humour.

Review: The Importance Of Being Earnest at Progress Theatre

THIS play is probably the best comedy in the English language and the young members of Progress Youth Theatre performers did themselves proud with their portrayals of the characters from Wilde's masterpiece.

Review: Spring And Port Wine at Shinfield Players' Theatre

BILL Naughton's play first appeared in 1967, a time when many households up and down the country still lived in awe of domineering father figures and Nigel Dawes gave an outstanding portrayal as Rafe, the bigoted head of the Crompton family.

Review: Moscow City Ballet's Cinderella at The Hexagon

WHAT a pleasant change to watch something different to the usual fare of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty which, delightful as they are, seem to be the regular repertoire when ballet companies visit Reading.

Review: If That's All There Is at South Street

THE zany Inspector Sands company returned to Reading last week with their latest inspired programme.

Review: Progress Theatre's A Couple Of Poor English Speaking Poles

THE two principal actors, Nadine (Izzy Townend) and Blighty (Matt Drury) were already on stage as we took our seats, depicting the drug-fueled state we found them in at the start of the piece when, posing as penniless Poles, they were accused by several minor characters of various petty offences before hijacking the driver (Chris Bertrand), forcing him to drive them to Chippenham.

Review: Terra Nova at The Oakwood Centre, Woodley

WHILE Ted Tally's work takes many liberties with the actual events surrounding Robert Falcon Scott's fatal attempt to be the first man to reach the South Pole it is, nevertheless, a gripping tale and Woodley Theatre's production kept us riveted to our seats as the play unfolded.

Review: We'll Always Have Paris

SUPER play, super set and super performances from all five members of the cast. I could almost finish the review there and hope that everyone rushes to see Jill Hyem's new play for themselves!

Review: Mixed Doubles at Pinewood Theatre

THIS production, performed by students at The Rep College, was a clever entertainment portraying marriage at different stages of life, interspersed with a series of monologues by characters likely to be encountered by married couples at some stage of their time together; some were very humorous, some gave us food for thought.

Review: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at The Hexagon, Sunday, January 24

A LARGE and appreciative audience greeted the first concert in the Classical Music Alive series at The Hexagon - and what an enjoyable evening.

Review: Veronica's Room at Wokingham Theatre, Friday, January 22

IF ever there was a need to stress the old adage 'never speak to strangers', then Ira Levin's play clearly explains why!

Review: Snow White at the Shinfield Players Theatre, Friday, January 15

PANTOMIME time is the one occasion in the Shinfield Players' calendar when all age groups within the theatre join forces.

Review: It's Never All Right On The Night at The Mill At Sonning, Saturday, January 16

AS A playwright, Simon Williams is no stranger to The Mill, where all his plays received their premiers.