Opera

Tosca
at Glyndebourne

Articles

Tosca review – Puccini’s high-octane bloodbath bonanza makes for a shocking festival kick-off
and
‘Really entertaining in a horrible way’: the indestructible appeal of Tosca
by Flora Willson (from the Guardian)

I'm going to see this production next month. Sounds like it's gonna be good.

TV

Biggest Night of Musicals
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]

Not Going Out
14x04 Oasis
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]

Theatre

Macbeth
at the Minack Theatre

The draw here was as much the Minack Theatre itself as the production — the latter was very good, but it was a fortunate coincidence that was what was on when we wanted to visit the Minack, rather than us wanting to see the play and then choosing a venue. To that end, we arrived early to also be able to tour the theatre, which includes an interesting exhibition on the site's creation and history. An incredible place, and a perfect setting for something as dramatic as Macbeth.

As the play reached the point of the murders, night had fallen and a blood-red moon rose over the horizon behind the open-air stage. It couldn't have been better planned if it had been stage managed. You don't get effects like that in any old venue!

Theatre

The Merchant of Venice 1936
at Theatre Royal Bath

Films

Macbeth (2025)
[#13 in The 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2025]

The filmed stage production starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo. Counting it as a film because, well, I saw it in a cinema, so...

Theatre

Hamilton
UK & Ireland Tour at Wales Millennium Centre
I was due to see this back in early December, but a storm happened to blow through that weekend and travelling wasn't worth the risk — especially as we were able to re-book for today in (slightly) better seats at a lower price.

Opera

Carmen
at Glyndebourne

Articles

The film’s the thing: Ian McKellen’s new Hamlet shows the screen can outdo the stage
by Michael Billington (from the Guardian)

I was interested in seeing this anyway, but this review has swayed me even more. Not sure I'll bother going to the cinema for it though, because there's a Blu-ray out before too long (early April) that's the same price as a regular adult ticket at my local cinema (who don't seem to be showing it anyway).

TV

Big Night of Musicals 2024 by the National Lottery
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]

TV

David Tennant Remembers Hamlet
This Hamlet (and the stage production it was based upon), not, like, the original one or something.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]

Gregory Doran Remembers Shakespeare Live! From the RSC
Never got round to watching the production Doran is reminiscing about, which aired back in 2016. I've had it downloaded since then, and it's back on iPlayer now, so really I just need to find the time and make the effort.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]

Music

Tim Minchin and the Heritage Orchestra: Live at the Royal Albert Hall
[2nd watch]

Almost four years later, the promised rewatch — yes, from my Blu-ray copy this time. Still a great show; probably Minchin's best all-round one to date.

TV

Detectorists
4x00 Special
Detectorists is such a consistently lovely series that any revisit is almost a worry — what if it breaks the spell? Thankfully, this special is as magnificently low-key funny, heartwarming, and fundamentally nice as ever, while also managing to tell a story worthy of the “Detectorists: The Movie” route they did-but-didn’t-quite go down with it.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]

His Dark Materials
3x06 The Abyss
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]

How I Met Your Father
1x08 The Perfect Shot

The Play What I Wrote
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]

Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x08 Week 2: Wednesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]

Theatre

The Lion King
UK & Ireland Tour at Wales Millennium Centre
Finally seen this super-acclaimed and -popular show. I thought the songs added beyond the film were mostly a bit lacklustre, but the costumes and puppetry were incredible. I can see why it's a stage spectacle that's been enduringly popular for decades now.

Theatre

Les Misérables
UK & Ireland Tour at Bristol Hippodrome
I've seen Les Mis on stage before — before this blog began, in 2006 (if I remember rightly). This was a 'new' staging ('new' in 2009), which was pretty impressive. The film is good 'n' all, but I think the show plays best on stage.

Theatre

Hamlet
Starring Maxine Peake. I've been wanting to see this version for years, which possibly did it no favours; or maybe I just wasn't in the right mood today (I watched it because my Digital Theatre free trial was expiring rather than through any burning desire to spend 3 hours on Shakespeare this afternoon). Whatever the reason, I found this a bit of a slog; and though Peake is a great actress, to be sure, I found her interpretation a bit… shouty.
[Watch it (again) on Digital Theatre.]

Theatre

The Hound of the Baskervilles
Enthusiastic performances and a breathless pace can’t disguise the fact that there simply aren’t enough gags in this comedic adaptation of Sherlock Holmes’ most famous adventure — although they do mean that, when one does land, it’s momentarily delightful.
[Watch it (again) on Original Theatre Online.]

Theatre

Much Ado About Nothing
The version starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate. I've wanted to see this since it was announced (over a decade ago, apparently!), so it's great to finally have had the chance.
[Watch it (again) on Digital Theatre.]

TV

Anything Goes
I suppose I could count this as a film, as it was screened in cinemas, but it does feel like a filmed stage production (cf. One Man, Two Guvnors, Hamilton). Whatever you count it as, it's really good fun.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]

Richard Osman's House of Games
5x37 Week 8: Tuesday
5x38 Week 8: Wednesday
5x39 Week 8: Thursday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]

TV

Musicals: The Greatest Show
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]