Our Entertainment Blog

  Just a 3 minute walk from Richmond station stands the splendour of renowned theatre architect, Frank Matcham's masterpiece. The grade II listed Richmond Theatre opened on 18 September 1899 and boasts a decent view from every seat inside the splendour of the spectacular auditorium. We were delighted to take the tour with our tour guide, Ethan , and learn of the stories, secrets and ghostly sightings at one of our favourite London theatres.  Our tour began outside the glorious Edwardian building where we turned to face the green where the remains of Richmond palace can be seen. We were intrigued to discover that sightings of the late Queen Elizabeth I have been reported, often on the anniversary of her death. This was the first of our ghostly discoveries as our tour continued indoors. I personally feel that entering through the double doors of the majestic-looking theatre is akin to stepping back in time. The experience starts before you enter the auditorium and find your se...

  Rehearsal images have been released for the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), in association with Kiln Theatre, for the world premiere of  Driftwood , a powerful new play by  Martina Laird. ALMA promises its guests a comfortable environment to relax and indulge. Owned by Englishman Mansion, it's governed by Pearl and coveted by beguiling Ruby. Then Diamond drifts in. His impetuous deal with a corrupt US Marine imperils ALMA, and all their lives are collateral damage. One wrong move and everything could shatter. Driftwood  is the first play by  Martina Laird . Directed by Chichester Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director  Justin Audibert  and set in 1950s Caribbean, it’s a deeply evocative story of self-determination and the search for family and belonging. DRIFTWOOD By Martina Laird Royal Shakespeare Company in association with Kiln Theatre The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon 17 April – 30 May 2026 Press Night: Tuesday 28 April 2026 Creative Team Talk:...

  Mahesh Parmar, Kadiff Kirwan, Samuel Nunes De Souza & Mark Gatiss. Image by Marc Brenner Rehearsal images have been released for the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC)’s 2026 production of Bertolt Brecht’s  The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui   starring double Olivier award-winning actor  Mark Gatiss  in the title role of the notorious gangster and small-time crook, with big boss ambitions. The production sees BAFTA award-winning actor and comedian  Mawaan Rizwan  make his RSC debut in the role of violent gang member Giri, alongside  Kadiff Kirwan  as Arturo Ui’s faithful henchman Roma. They will be joined by double Olivier award-winner  Janie Dee  as Betty Dullfeet,  Christopher Godwin  as Dogsborough and  LJ Parkinson  in the role of master manipulator Givola. Janie Dee - image by Marc Brenner The full cast includes  Joe Alessi  (Butcher/Dullfeet/Prosecution) ,  Valerie Antwi  (Ensemble/Swin...

  Agatha Christie has long been a favourite author of mine, I've watched many of her stories on stage too - however, Death On The Nile is one that I've not yet managed to enjoy. Next month, Connor and I will be watching Ken Ludwig's adaptation at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham . It'll be Connor's first experience of Agatha Christie's work and I don't think he could start with a better production. To prepare for our much anticipated evening at the theatre, we have both loved reading and would like to share with you this wonderful syndicated interview given by a few members of the cast.  Mark Hadfield plays Hercule Poirot, the much-loved Belgian detective, I've seen Mark on stage before in a number of different plays.  Bob Barrett  stars as Colonel Race,  Bob  has been on my television screen on numerous occasions in the much-missed  BBC  drama,  Holby City . Dr Sacha Levy was one of my favourite characters and I can't wait to wa...

  Wednesday 25 February 2026 Reviewed by Helen McWilliams  Star rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Midsomer Murders , is one of ITV's so-called cosy murder mystery television programmes based on the novels of Caroline Graham . Although if you've watched them all (I have!) then you'll know only too well that the setting may be cosy, however the body count per episode and the brutal nature of many of the murders makes for a far from cosy ambience. I'm shuddering as I type upon recalling the fate of a character called Mike Spicer in series 8 who was played by one of my all-time favourite actors, Robert Daws . Then there's the suicidal leap from the church roof for the late, great Richard Briers as Stephen Wentworth in series two. I was already familiar with The Killings At Badger's Drift as it is the very first episode of the highly successful and much loved TV drama. Would it translate on stage? I was keen to find out and my plus one on this occasion was my 12 year old son. ...

Saturday 7 February 2026 Reviewed by Helen McWilliams  Star rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 This is a belated review due to 2026 and its challenges, however its an absolute pleasure to review such an exceptional piece of theatre and hopefully encourage more theatre-goers to go and see the Roald Dahl's masterpiece at  Chichester Festival Theatre . The BFG has long been my favourite story from Dahl's extraordinary cornucopia of magnificent novels. Having read the book as a child and not being able to put it down, I am immediately drawn in when a production of any description closely resembles the magical treat I devoured on multiple occasions years ago. In The RSC's adaptation, which has been  a dapted by Tom Wells in collaboration with the additional material provided by dramaturg Jenny Worton , the scene is set simply and effectively as pictured above ( photo credit: Connor McWilliams ) and allows the imagination to wander before the action unfolds.  If you are...