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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Fabulous revival of Sweeney Todd at the Birmingham Rep - a must-see show packed with great performances and such a superb musical in its own right. wp.me/pKXAt-dfC ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – Sweeney Todd, Birmingham Rep, 14th July 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

Sondheim's gloriously suspenseful musical given a powerful pared back production with some outstanding performances. A must-see!

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

The new Jesus Christ Superstar at the Palladium is outstanding in many ways and features some terrific performances. A couple of elements don't quite work, but it's well worth your theatre money! wp.me/pKXAt-dek ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – Jesus Christ Superstar, London Palladium, 9th July 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

Sam Ryder and Tyrone Huntley lead the cast in the Palladium production of Jesus Christ Superstar, a strong production with a few minor issues

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

A fascinating premise but a disappointing play - that's #45Years at Chichester's Minerva Theatre. Fortunately Geraldine James and Gabriel Byrne save the day! wp.me/pKXAt-dcZ ⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – 45 Years, Minerva Theatre, Chichester, 17th June 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

Hannah Patterson's stage adaptation of Andrew Haigh's film tentatively examines secrets in a marriage, but doesn't go far enough.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Excellent performances really help Chichester's current production of #Atonement as the first Act in particular feels fragmented and uninteresting. Fortunately its clever twist remains a fascinating puzzle. wp.me/pKXAt-dcQ ⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – Atonement, Chichester Festival Theatre, 17th June 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

Ian McEwan's successful novel now adapted as a play by Christopher Hampton, doesn't find its stride until the 2nd Act - but then it's good!

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Excellent night of comedy at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate yesterday with a mixed bill hosted by Chloe Petts and headlined by Glenn Moore. That's some combo! therealchrisparkle.com/2026/06/12/r...

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Review – Comedy Underground, Royal and Derngate Northampton, 11th June 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

A fun mixed bill at the Royal and Derngate hosted by Chloe Petts, with Jonny Pelham, Tom Lawrinson and headliner Glenn Moore.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Perhaps our expectations were too high, but the revised, extended version of Public the musical, at the Leicester Curve, has lost its edge and its focus. Hopefully it can be revised again to get those elements back! wp.me/pKXAt-dch ⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – Public the Musical, Curve Studio Theatre, Leicester, 10th June 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

Stroud & Notes' five star Edinburgh Fringe show set in a gender-neutral public toilet returns in a less convincing or focussed longer version

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

The first of this year's summer all-dayers courtesy of those nice people at The Comedy Crate in Northampton on Saturday - a true tasting menu of comedy which was great fun as always! wp.me/pKXAt-dbJ

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Review – The Comedy Crate Festival, Northampton, 6th June 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

The first of this year's Comedy Crate All-Dayers saw 21 comedy shows - we saw Ahir Shah, Sooz Kempner, Sara Barron, Glenn Moore and Rhys James

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

The ever powerful #Equus returns to the Menier Chocolate Factory in London with a powerful production and some great performances. Not perfect, but it's a play that's always worth seeing. wp.me/pKXAt-dbj ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – Equus, Menier Chocolate Factory, London, 31st May 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

Peter Shaffer's outstanding play given a smart, atmospheric production with some great performances - not faultless but still riveting.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Late to the game, #Driftwood at The RSC in Stratford (and soon London's Kiln Theatre) is an interesting first play from Martina Laird which could do with some trimming but sports some great performances. wp.me/pKXAt-d9R ⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – Driftwood, Royal Shakespeare Company at The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, 18th May 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

Martina Laird's debut play concerns a family run gentlemen's club in Trinidad in 1956 and the catastrophe of misjudging an illegal situation.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Good acting and characterisations can't conceal the fact that #Magic at the Chichester Festival Theatre lacks substance and content so that a potentially fascinating story never feels fully told. wp.me/pKXAt-d96 ⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – Magic, Chichester Festival Theatre, 9th May 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

David Haig's play about the friendship between Conan Doyle & Houdini & their mutual interest in Spiritualism never takes off & feels slight.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Glorious production of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui at by the RSC at the Swan Theatre Stratford, with Mark Gatiss outstanding as Ui and a brilliant supporting cast. And it's a salutary tale that helps you recognise the dangers all around. wp.me/pKXAt-d8m ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Royal Shakespeare Company at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 21st April 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

Seán Linnen's fantastic production of Brecht's timeless play with superb performances. Riveting throughout and it was a privilege to see it.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Lively and spectacular, #FrankieGoesToBollywood at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate lifts the lid on Bollywood and exposes its misogyny and ruthlessness. Entertaining, but it's a rather clumsy production that needs tightening. wp.me/pKXAt-d7s ⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – Frankie Goes to Bollywood, Royal and Derngate, Northampton, 16th April 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

Pravesh Kumar's ambitious exposé of Bollywood has plenty of spectacle and entertaining acting but suffers from a clumsy and messy staging.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

#KissOfTheSpiderWoman at the Curve Leicester is certainly the best show I've seen this year so far and is an extraordinary production of outstanding skill in every department. Absolutely loved it! wp.me/pKXAt-d6Y ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – Kiss of the Spider Woman, Studio Theatre, Leicester Curve, 13th April 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

One of those rare theatre beasts - a show you know is five stars from the very start. Extraordinary production and performances. A must see.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Another fun night of Screaming Blue Murder at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate hosted by the inimitable Dan Evans and with headliner Jon Long on tremendous form. wp.me/pKXAt-d6I

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Another riotous night of comedy courtesy of those nice people at the comedy crate at Northampton's Charles Bradlaugh, with all the comedians on absolutely top form. wp.me/pKXAt-d6D

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Review – Comedy Crate at the Charles Bradlaugh, Northampton, 9th April 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

Brilliant night of riotous comedy with everyone on top form - Kelly Convey, Jack Gleadow, Darius Davies and Spencer Jones.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

David Hare's Teeth 'n' Smiles, currently at the Duke of York's Theatre London, is disappointingly dated and not even the well performed musical elements can rescue it! wp.me/pKXAt-d5R ⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – Teeth ‘n’ Smiles, Duke of York’s Theatre, London, 1st April 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

Daniel Raggett's revival of Hare's 1975 play about a wayward band at a Cambridge Ball recreates the music element well but the play is dated.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Outstanding, exciting, powerful, technically brilliant. Yet there's still so much more to Top Gs Like Me at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate until March 7th. wp.me/pKXAt-d3e ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – Top Gs Like Me, Royal and Derngate, Northampton, 26th February 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

Samson Hawkins' powerful and insightful play examining toxic masculinity receives an exciting, innovative production with great performances.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Lively and heartwarming, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind at the RSC in Stratford is an invigorating show but the presentation is liable to be messy and chaotic - nevertheless, the lead actors are superb! wp.me/pKXAt-d2k ⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Royal Shakespeare Company at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 19th February 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

William Kamkwamba's teenage achievement tof bringing water and electricity to his Malawi village is now a lively, if patchy, musical.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Fantastic afternoon concert yesterday from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate, and their Valentine's Opera Gala. Brilliant singing and wonderful work from the orchestra, in a truly entertaining programme. wp.me/pKXAt-d1J ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Valentine’s Opera Gala, Royal and Derngate, Northampton, 15th February 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

A gorgeously entertaining afternoon of Opera's greatest hits - and some less well known pieces too - with Jordan de Souza conducting the RPO

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Marcus Chown @marcuschown.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Be in no doubt: the far right in the UK - Reform, Farage, Tommy Robinson and their supporters - are looking at what is happening in the US and saying: “That’s what we must have here.”

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

The fascinating Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo at the Young Vic is a complicated and sometimes difficult watch, but it asks deep questions about war - and the Iraqi war in particular. wp.me/pKXAt-d01 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Young Vic, London, 21st January 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

Rajiv Joseph's complex look at the Iraqi war is a mix of intellectual challenge and surreal comedy - especially from Peter Forbes' Tiger.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Now closed, the Sheffield Crucible's Christmas show, A Christmas Carol, used the tradition of local carols to excellent effect and was a charming and enjoyable production. wp.me/pKXAt-cZn ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – A Christmas Carol, Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, 3rd January 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

Highly enjoyable and well performed adaptation of Dickens' classic gives it a Sheffield identity with its tradition of local carols

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

You just can't beat the Sheffield Lyceum Panto, so there's no point trying! This year's Aladdin, with Damian Williams and Kevin Clifton was just sheer joy from start to finish - as always. wp.me/pKXAt-cZd ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – Aladdin, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield, 2nd January 2026 - The Real Chrisparkle

Nothing beats the Lyceum Sheffield annual panto, and this year's, with Damian Williams and Kevin Clifton, was among the best.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Ivo van Hove's production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons at London’s Wyndham's Theatre is a terrific piece of blistering theatre, with some superb performances to match. wp.me/pKXAt-cZ3 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐from me!

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Review – All My Sons, Wyndham’s Theatre, London, 30th December 2025 - The Real Chrisparkle

Van Hove's blistering production of Miller's play features powerful performances from Bryan Cranston, Paapa Essiedu & Marianne Jean-Baptiste

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Playboy of the Western World at the National Theatre is a very authentic and reverent production; the strong accents are a barrier to communication for a London audience and it didn't really get the essence of the play across. wp.me/pKXAt-cYO ⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – The Playboy of the Western World, Lyttelton Theatre, National Theatre, London, 29th December 2025 - The Real Chrisparkle

In its attempt to recreate the authencity of the setting for Synge's remarkable play, this production sadly overlooks its essence and comedy.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Always a treat to see the panto at the London Palladium, and Catherine Tate is brilliant in this year's Sleeping Beauty. The nostalgia about ten years of panto at the Palladium goes on a bit though! wp.me/pKXAt-cYp ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – Sleeping Beauty, London Palladium, 28th December 2025 - The Real Chrisparkle

A massive Palladium Panto spectactular with Catherine Tate a brilliant guest star - loads to enjoy as always, but the nostalgia is a bit much!

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Brian @bwianair.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

I don't generally condone violence but happy Andrew Tate Getting Battered Day.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

The panto at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate this year is #PeterPan and is a lively, funny and extremely musical production for all the family. The perfect Christmas show! wp.me/pKXAt-cWC ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – The All New Adventures of Peter Pan, Royal and Derngate, Northampton 7th December 2025 - The Real Chrisparkle

This marvellous traditional pantomime is especially strong in its music and dancing, and is a great show for all the family.

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Chris Poppe @chrispoppe.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

A beautifully produced five hour epic of theatre, The RSC at Stratford with their two-part #ForsyteSaga has fantastic performances and brilliant storytelling. The second play can't quite keep up the momentum of the first, but it's still outstanding. wp.me/pKXAt-cW9 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Review – The Forsyte Saga, Parts One and Two, Royal Shakespeare Company at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 5th December 2025 - The Real Chrisparkle

Glorious production of this still relevant tale of a ruthless, monied family, with a stunning central performance by Joseph Millson as Soames.

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