Pride – Sherman Theatre, Cardiff (28/03/26) ★★★★★

• shermantheatre.co.uk
• ‘Summer, 1984. With miners on strike across the country, 24-year-old activist Mark Ashton tries to rally a disparate group of gay men and lesbians into forming a support group for the beleaguered strikers. Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) quickly finds itself entwined with a small pit village in south Wales.’
• I love the film so much, and being Welsh myself, the Miners’ Strike was very relevant back in the day. I really wanted (needed) to see this with a (South) Welsh audience, and I was right to do that.. Was there with my great theatre friend Cheryl, which made it even better. There were people from those communities in the audience and the lines, setting, and themes were so personal it was genuinely the best audience I’ve ever been part of. The songs were so good and our comments after were that there was nothing that needed changing. Can’t wait to see it again in London. Will probably be play of the year for me
• Main House | Y Brif Theatr: J1 at £39.00 (very nice seat)

Our Town – Grand Theatre, Swansea (29/01/26) ★★★★☆

• welshnationaltheatre.com
• “Grover’s Corners is a quiet little town, full of ordinary folk, living everyday lives. They work, they laugh, they sing, they fall in love and raise their children and grow old. But within those moments of ordinary, everyday life, there are truths that reach out to us all. And a passionate demand to cherish every moment, right now, while we still can.”
• Michael Sheen will get me in a car, on a plane, on a coach to go see him in a play, and that’s what I did to go back to my birthplace of Swansea to see this play of ordinary people in a similar style to Under Milk Wood. Absolutely impressive set and production, with a great cast. Never heard or seen this play before and it was definitely worth the travel. The Grand theatre itself hasn’t probably changed since I went there in 1984 to see Julius Caesar – probably sat in a very similar seat too – but that’s sort of part of its charm.
• Upper Circle: F9, F10 at £35.00 ea. (good view for price)

When We Are Married – Donmar Warehouse, London (18/01/26) ★★★★☆

• donmarwarehouse.com
• “Three couples, highly respected pillars of the Yorkshire community, gather to celebrate their joint silver wedding anniversaries. It’s champagne toasts all round until their evening of pride and self-satisfaction is upended by an unexpected and deeply embarrassing revelation.”
• JB Priestley is like Noel Coward for me – always will try and go and watch the production. So witty, with laugh out loud lines, with underlying social commentary that aren’t right in your face. Excellent evening
• Circle: C41 at £30.00 (Great seat at a favourite theatre)

Dog Day Afternoon – August Wilson Theater, New York (28/03/26) ★★★★☆

• dogdayafternoon.com
• ‘Step back into the sweltering summer of 1972, New York City—a time when the Vietnam War looms large, Watergate headlines flood the news, and one man’s desperate act captivates the nation.’.
• The film and its star loom so large that I was doubtful how successful Jon Bernthal could be, but after five minutes I was totally engaged with his and the rest of the cast’s performance. I was very impressed by his acting and am glad I made the trip.
• Mezzanine Center P 101 for $88.48 (back row but 1 upstairs- so furthest you can get but good view for cost)

Midsommer Murder – Theatre Royal, Glasgow (21/02/26) ★★★☆☆

• midsomeronstage.com
• “Murder comes to the countryside in the theatrical world premiere of the critically acclaimed television favourite Midsomer Murders.”
• As a fan of the cozy murder TV series, seeing this on stage was too good to miss. The story was one of the early episodes – which I didn’t know until watching the play. Nicely enjoyable and a good evening out
• Stalls H 13 – £47.50 (a little too close to where there is no rake, but it was fine)

Please Please Me – Kiln Theatre, London (17/04/26) ★★☆☆☆

• kilntheatre.com
• ‘Please Please Me is the electrifying story of the hidden struggles of Brian Epstein – the unsung, gay legend and ‘Fifth Beatle’.
• Nicely staged, and the cast does a good job of bringing these real-life characters to life. However, the story felt a bit dry; I would have preferred something more sharpened and honed. I do love going to the Kiln though, as I get to see something other than the usual West End fare
• Side Stalls: AA18 (Side facing seat)) at £15.00 (very nice seat with great view near stage)

Indian Ink – Hampstead Theatre, London (31/01/26) ★★☆☆☆

• hampsteadtheatre.com
• ‘If you don’t start learning to take you’ll never be shot of us. Nothing else counts. It’s your country, and we’ve got it. Everything else is bosh’
• A rarely revived Tom Stoppard and had Felicity Kendal in the cast – who I’ve loved since her Good Life days – so how could I resist. It was well acted, but I found myself getting a little impatient for the denouement. The story tried to fit in too many scenes, where a longer, more in-depth one would have been more satisfying. However its always nice to visit this theatre, and it was a treat to see Ms Kendal in person
• Dress Circle B 13 – £55.00 (nice seat)

Man and Boy – Dorfman Theatre, London (30/01/26) ★★☆☆☆

• nationaltheatre.org.uk
• “In 1930s New York City, international financier Gregor Antonescu’s luck has finally run out. As news of a catastrophic business deal ripples across the world, he flees to the apartment of his estranged son Basil.”
• Terence Rattigan and Ben Daniels was the draw for me on this one. It was a great stage design, and the cast made the most of the small set. Ben Daniels was tearing up in his role, very powerful. Unfortunately the rest of the cast seemed a bit theatrical in trying to match his energy. Laurie Kynaston came the closest, and after the interval the story picked up a bit. I enjoyed Daniels and Kynaston but overall it didn’t remain with me for long after I left
• PIT BB 9 – £55.00 (excellent seat)