Category: Film & Theatre

When it comes to the feel good factor, you’ll find it hard to beat ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’, which is at Bournemouth Pavilion until Saturday 10 May.

Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts Review by Janine Pulford This very British orchestra entertains audiences worldwide. What started as a bit of fun for eight ukulele enthusiasts over 30 years ago, has ended up as a way of earning a living. The musicians, in formal attire sit seriously on stage and play ukuleles of…

Breath-taking from start to finish Review by Liz Turner The breath-taking new production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre this week is energetic, colourful and vibrant. The young cast give a masterclass in musical theatre – singing, dancing, somersaults, acrobatics – nothing seems too much of a challenge for them. This…

Regent Centre, Christchurch, 7 September 2013 [divide] Review by Janine Pulford A blinder of a concert. This tribute act (After Midnight) formed 28 years ago and this was their first time playing in Christchurch and only their second appearance in Dorset. Lead guitarist/vocals Mike Hall has an uncanny resemblance to Clapton and has clearly studied…

The 10th Anniversary “A Chance to Dance” Gala Show at Bournemouth’s Pavilion Theatre was outstanding from start to finish.

Regent Centre Review by Janine Pulford This brilliantly written farcical play treated the audience to some of Oscar Wilde’s wittiest lines. The actors delivered with clear diction and the costumes were excellent, but somehow the overall performance lacked lustre. The redeeming character was Merryman the butler, who stole the show. His funny walk, wobbly hands,…

By Laurence Jones  As a stage show, Carnaby Street should be taken at face value. If you go into the theatre hoping to see a masterpiece of musical theatre, you will be disappointed. Carnaby Street is fun, entertaining and largely forgettable fluff. The musical knows its audience and knows what they want – a few solid…

14 March – Bournemouth Pavilion Review by Janine Pulford Directed by award-winning opera producer Ellen Kent, Puccini’s ‘Tosca’ was brought to the stage in Bournemouth and what a treat it was. Faultlessly performed, it also offered jaw-dropping backdrops and opulent costumes. These combined with the wonderful voices of Maria Tonina as Tosca, Sorin Lupu as…

Review by Janine Pulford Dad’s Army performed by the Regent Rep was one of the funniest productions I have seen in a while. Playing to a full house, the three episodes of the classic BBC TV comedy series were re-enacted with a cast of 25 and a full brass ensemble on stage, adding to the…