Category: Brett Herriot Review

**** (4 stars)

“A big splash of a panto!”

Critically acclaimed and award winning panto creator and director Michael Harrison brought The Little Mermaid to life last year at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal and now that awesome production makes its Scottish debut at the home of Glasgow panto The Kings with a new book written by Harry Michaels and Alan McHugh with additional material by Kings legends Elaine C Smith and Johnny Mac. Directed by Kathryn Rooney the Glasgow team deliver a big splash of a panto for the festive season.

The Little Mermaid is most closely associated with the 1989 Disney animation but is actually a fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837 and this panto version leans more to the Disney movie telling the story of life under the ocean waves as Ariel, The Little Mermaid ( Jasmine Jules Andrews) longs to be part of the world above and feel the true love of Prince Eric (The gorgeous Benjamin Lockhart) whom she saved from drowning following his falling overboard on a stormy night at sea. Living in the world of the ocean floor is Queen Mary (The iconic Elaine C Smith) John Crabstix (Johnny Mac and the height of his panto powers) and the mayor of Atlantis (Darren Brownlie who delivers a camp panto masterclass). Queen Mary has a sister, but she has turned to the side of evil due to her unending selfishness, Ursla the Sea Witch! (play to panto villainy perfection by Hannah Jarrett- Scott). When Ariel arrives above the waves to capture the heart of the prince Queen Mary and Johnny Crabstix find themselves in a race against time to save Ariel from the evil Ursla but also to ensure true love comes out on top and help Ariel to find the princess with in.

This is a panto that delivers everything it should and more and performances across the board are universally excellent. Its clear the show is geared to Elaine C Smith and Johnny Mac who are now a beloved part of the King’s panto pantheon whose lineage goes back nearly 65 years. Elaine C Smith proves again why she is the most respected female dame and panto headliner in the country and boy does she still have the vocal chops to belt out the songs with gusto. Johnny Mac is sublime in the lead comic role, a role which he has made all his own and its clear he is enjoying himself every moment he is on stage. The duo is never better than when delivering panto sketches including “Chocolate Bars”, the “trunk of truth” and a fabulous retake on the 12 days of Christmas routine which cleverly uses the under-water world to its full advantage. What stands out most is while Smith and Mac may lead the cast, it’s a team effort and every one of the six strong principal cast get there moment to shine. Special mention must go to Darren Brownlie who channels a remarkable Alan Carr impersonation and shows he isn’t scared to send himself up when Elaine C Smith takes “River City” in her sights to hilarious effect.

The principal cast are joined by a flawless and polished eight strong ensemble who shine especially when delivering Jane McMurtrie’s excellent choreography which often embraces a Scottish flavor to great effect.

Production wise it’s a west end affair Andrew Exeter’s bubble infused set design is wonderful and beautifully lit by Matt Davies beguiling Lighting design. The lighting also brings out the best in the fabulous costume design by Teresa Nalton (with specialty costume design by Mike Coltman and additional costume design by Ron Briggs) that brings a myriad of sea creatures to life in glittery fashion. Greg Clarke’s sound design is pitch perfect and brings on the point balance between musical director Neil MacDonald’s stellar six strong pit orchestra and the cast on stage. The cherry on this panto cake is the stunning special effects from The Twins Fx that sees a sea horse take flight in spectacular style.

The Little Mermaid is a panto that delivers everything it says it should, often delivering so much more but the show comes in at 2 hours 10 minutes including a 20 minute interval and because of the incredible pacing the show feels even shorter to the point it feels like an extra sketch could have been added to make it fully satisfying. The tradeoff is, compared to some years, the Glasgow King’s have a panto with a story at its heart and its truly a magical adventure well worth the ticket price and ensures the Glasgow Kings panto remains the jewel in the crown of Scotland’s biggest city. Pure Panto Magic indeed.

The Little Mermaid, King’s Theatre, Glasgow runs until Saturday 4^th January 2026 for more information and tickets go to: The Little Mermaid (Pantomime) Tickets | King’s Theatre, Glasgow in Glasgow | ATG Tickets

The King’s Theatre Glasgow and Crossroads Pantomimes have confirmed the 2026/27 pantomime will be a spectacular new production of “Aladdin”.

***** (5 stars)

“A Glorious triumph of the human spirit”

Anna Mae Bullock born November 26^th, 1939, in Brownsville Tennessee saw abuse from her earliest years from an uncaring mother and aft violent father this abuse would colour her childhood and journey into adulthood. Anna Mae was blessed with a voice that would transcend the modern musical world. That world would come to know Anna Mae Bullock as the legendary Tina Turner a woman who fought the odds and searing domestic abuse to release herself and find true love and share her vocal gifts with generations of fans.

The Tina Turner story is one of finding hope in a hopeless situation, strength, sheer human will to survive and discovering the true power of believing in oneself. Tina, The Tina Turner Musical which is produced by the late Tina Turner herself is musical which tells Tina’s life warts, and all accompanied by the songs which brought her fame and coloured her life. Its also a musical which corrects many of the “dramatic effect” changes used in the 1993 motion picture “What’s Love Got To Do With It?”. Its rare musical that pulls no punches but delivers the truth thanks to incredible performances and skilfully written book by Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins.

Directed by the great Phyllida Lloyd and featuring a stellar cast this is a musical thats truly a glorious triumph of the human spirit and that’s thanks to the central performance of Jochabel Ohene MacCarthy as Tina (she alternates with Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi) McCarthy’s performance is nothing less than faultless and finely nuanced as she lives Tina’s life on stage in front of your eyes its truly beguiling to watch. The moment “Tina” discovers her inner strength to fight back is awe inspiring and touches the heart in an overwhelming way. Credit must also go to David King-Yombo who has the unenviable task of bringing “Ike Turner” to life, a clearly violent and insecure man dealing with his own demons but allows his own selfish desires to excuse his vile behaviour. Its King -Yombo’s incredible talent that allows him to turn in a performance that’s breath taking in its range, eschewing panto villain for the truth the Ike was a very flawed human being. The principals are joined by an excellent 25 strong ensemble who brings Tina’s world across the decades to life with ease. Although on the odd occasion there are couple of instances of vocals being over pushed but it doesn’t detract enough to lose a star. While there is a few vocal bubbles the company deliver Anthony Van Laast’s sublime Choreography with passion and procession in equal measure

Production wise this is a west end production on tour with Mark Thompson’s set and costume design delivering in spades as Tina’s fifty-year journey is brought vividly to life. Bruno Poet’s lighting design is faultless and the moment half a dozen mirror balls spring to life is a stroke of genius that bedecks the massive playhouse auditorium with shimmering stars. This is boosted by Jeff Sugg’s inventive and capturing projection design which adds a rich layer of depth to the overall show.

Newin Steinberg’s sound design is of the highest quality balancing the performers with musical director Sarah Burrell’s ten strong onstage bad with ease. Musically this show is everything you could want and so much more with all of Tina’s hits from Nutbush City Limits to Simply the Best being delivered in style. It’s also wonderful to see Tina’s lesser-known hits including “I don’t want to fight no more” being use in a powerful exploration of storytelling.

Phyllida Lloyd has delivered a musical that transcends the Genre and always keeps the truth of Tina Turner’s life at the centre point of the story. This musical has become the enduring legacy for the late Tina Turner and stands as testament to everything this incredible lady brought to the world.

As the curtain fell to a rousing standing ovation and the audience get there chance to sing and dance along to a mega mix its shines through that the great Tina Turner truly was Simply the Best! Wonderful stuff indeed!

Tina, The Tina Turner Musical, Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh runs until Saturday 22nd November for more information and tickets go to: TINA – The Tina Turner Musical Tickets | Edinburgh Playhouse in Edinburgh | ATG TicketsTina, The Tina Turner Musical UK Tour continues until April 2026

“A Banger of a Show!”

**** 4 Stars

The sixty fourth annual Edinburgh Gang Show makes its fourth and final appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre this week with a new generation of the gang delivering a feast of variety entertainment, from comedy to ballet to big west end numbers the gang  deliver a banger of a show as they bow out of the Festival Theatre in wonderful style.

Co-Directed by Andy Johnston and Louise Neal (with Johnston also writing the bulk of the material), Co Choregraphed by Louise Williamson and Jemma Crawford and Co Musically directed by Andrew Thomson and Fraser Hume (with Hume making his debut conducting the polished 12-piece gang show pit orchestra).

The Gang set there stall out early with a blistering opening section featuring the traditional Jamboree Overture and a stellar opening section title “The big Time” using the titular song from “Mack and Mabel” performed with gusto by Ellie Budd. This then flows into “Why do we do it” a section that expands on the self-belief that Gang Show is the best in Edinburgh and allows the gang to take pot shots at the local Edinburgh theatre companies to great comic effect. Variety is the name of game and director, and writer Johnston has now perfected the formula that shows the Gang off to their best advantage.

Act 1 was a little stilted on opening night, something which will tighten up naturally as the run beds in but Act 2 is when the show becomes a real four-star affair. Especially so in “Rolling” where Eliza Finlay displays remarkable vocal skill taking on Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” she has a vocal maturity that belies her years. “The Story of Tonight” brings raw emotion and pathos to the show as Rory Pickin, Molly Haddow, Ewan Arnold and Jessica Hicks perform the Ben Platt and Lin Manuel Miranda musical crossover mash up “Found Tonight” that blends Hamilton with Dear Evan Hansen. This is a spine-tingling moment that brings the 250 strong gang together and showcases the power the gang have too not only entertain but move their audiences.

The Choreographers also deliver a variety of dance styles from pop to jive and even Core Du Ballet and the dance ensemble shine every moment there on stage. Musically the show is on sound footing with conductor Fraser Hume keeping the 250 strong cast and 12 strong orchestra together with ease. Special mention must also go to Alan Hunter and his wardrobe team who deliver a plethora of costumes running into the 100’s that befit the beguiling variety theme with ease.

Production wise James Gow’s and Andy Johnston’s lighting design delivers in spades from a riot of colour to 70’s disco chutzpah and even intimate moments that capture the eye. This is boosted by Lee Murphy’s inspired video design. Sadly, there were major issues with sound on opening night that blighted most of the show with popping a plenty and some vocals rendered inaudible there was also some balance issues. The Gang show does have a tight window in which to achieve there get in and technically set up the show but its clear that serious work on sound is needed to give the Gang the sound design they deserve.

The finale of the 2025 show is a loving farewell to the Festival Theatre but also an emotionally driven moment as the gang announces there going home for the 2026 show following the renovation of the Edinburgh King’s Theatre. It made all the more potent in that the cast of the 2026 show will have never performed in the company’s traditional home. As the curtain fell its clear that the Gang are going to continue to reinvent themselves while embracing their lineage long may they do so as they continue to roll along on a crest of a wave delivering the biggest and best variety show in the capital.

Edinburgh Gang Show 2025, Festival Theatre, Runs until Saturday 8^th November for tickets go to: Edinburgh Gang Show 2025 – Capital Theatres

***** (5 stars)

“A Triumphant Reinterpretation!”

Thirty-six years after debuting in London’s west end at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and coming on the 50^th anniversary of the fall of Saigon in 1975 critically acclaimed producers Sir Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Harrison have joined forces to bring a new production of the critically acclaimed Miss Saigon to the stages of the UK and my word what a triumphant reinterpretation it is.

Miss Saigon with Book and Lyrics by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg and additional Lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr and Michael Mahler is a sung through musical retelling of Giacomo Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly. Setting the action across three years from 1975 to 1978 in Saigon at the culmination of the Vietnam War which would see the fall of Saigon. Modern era GI “Chris” a capturing performance imbued with strength and honesty from Jack Kane, meets and falls in love with Saigon Native “Kim”, a remarkable professional debut from Julianne Pundan while visiting a Saigon strip bar run by a manipulative “Engineer” the simply show stealing Seann Miley Moore, who is clinging to his American dream at all costs. Kim and Chris are thrown back together in Bangkok, but time has moved on and Chris comes with a wife “Ellen”, an assured and emotional performance from Emily Langham and Kim has secrets and truths to reveal herself which sets the stage for a story that looks at the fragility of love and how far one woman will go to make a better world for herself and those she loves.

This production of the show is subtitled “The Legend Reborn” and Director Jean-Pierre Van Der Spuy and his team have truly delivered on that promise. This is a thrilling and emotionally charged version of the show just waiting to be embraced by a new generation of audiences across the country. Performances from the 22 strong ensemble cast are uniformly excellent and the lead artists are outstanding. Special mention must go to Dom Hartley-Harris in the role of “John” who gives a powerhouse rendition of “Bui Doi” and brings a strong truth to the role. Pundan’s performance as “Kim” is truly remarkable, her voice feels like it belongs to someone far older than her years. Jack Kane’s “Chris” is everything and more and delivered flawlessly. However, the true standout is Seann Riley Moore’s “Engineer” his performance truly redefines the character and he must surely by the consummate “Engineer” of his generation, pulsating physicality, a hint of nastiness and the perfect blend of queerness it’s an outstanding performance from start to finish. The remaining cast bring equal levels of commitment to character and vocal performances, and they deliver Chrissie Cartwright and Carrie-Anne Ingrouille’s inspired choreography with great skill and polish.

Production wise this Miss Saigon is nothing less than a true west end production on tour with Andrew D Edwards Set and Costume design giving the show a whole new world to inhabit and its stunning in its detail and yes that magical moment with a helicopter is still very much there. Edwards design is boosted by the most emotional projection design by George Reeve which gives the over all show a rich cinematic feel. Bruno Poet delivers an award-winning lighting design that brings out the show’s darkest moments as well as the Broadway glitter of “The American Dream”. Adam Fisher’s sound design is the cherry on the cake with an inventive surround sound feel that reaches into the soul of the audience. The balance between performers at the outstanding 12 strong pit orchestra under the baton of Musical Director Ben Mark Tuner is faultless and the score has never sounded my lush or intricate as does now.

Miss Saigon: The Legend Reborn delivers on its promise in spectacular style allowing the show to inhabit a new world that grips current fans but also opens the show to a more modern world and reaffirms the musicals’ ability to both move, educate and entertain in equal measure. When the time comes many years from now for Miss Saigon to be revived or reinvented once more it will be hard to beat this production. So, head to the playhouse for the very few tickets that remain as the heat is very much on in Miss Saigon.

Michael Harrison in association with Cameron Mackintosh Presents Miss Saigon, Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh runs until Saturday 1^st November for more information and tickets go to: Miss Saigon Tickets | Edinburgh Playhouse in Edinburgh | ATG Tickets

Miss Saigon UK Tour Continues, and the production will call at His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen from Tuesday 3^rd March to Saturday 7^th March 2026 and the King’s Theatre Glasgow from Tuesday 9^th to Saturday 20^th June 2026.

***** (5 stars)

“Beguiling and Enthralling”

Created as a rock opera concept album in 1970,Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s and Sir Tim Rice’s retelling of the last week in the life of Jesus Christ would debut on stage in 1971 in New York on Broadway at the Mark Hellinger Theatre before coming to London’s west end at the Palace Theatre the following year. Loosely based on the gospel accounts of the passion of the Christ the musical focuses on Jesus and Judas and the world that surrounds them. Dealing with control, manipulation, truth, divine power and humanity its powerful material which continues to capture audiences to this day.

Falkirk Bohemians directed by Calum Campbell, musical direction by Crawford Moyes and Choreography by Natalie Tedesco deliver the finest local production of the show to be seen, it’s a show that’s beguiling and enthralling in equal measure. Callum Campbell clearly knows his source material as his vision delivers a stripped back production set in a dystopian netherworld and the show is packed with peerless performances across the board.

Alex Wheeler as “Jesus” turns in an astonishing take on the lead role that captures from the off and he has the vocal chops to deliver ever single note with power and clarity that rings around the town hall auditorium. He is matched in style by Paul Allison’s “Judas”, Addison truly gets under the skin of the conflicted apostle and his performance of “Judas’s Death” brings the audience to a wrapped silence with its spine-tingling power. Hannah Parsons “Mary” also shines with a true understanding of the character and gorgeous honey soak vocals to match. Jamie Montieth “Caiaphas” has a simply outstanding vocal range, and his bass notes rock the foundations of the venue. Special mention must go to Kenny Walker as “Herod” a character that’s too often parodied against either Rik Mayall’s or Julian Clary’s turns. Walker makes the role his own in a simpering and seething motherload of camp and baby tantrums! Wonderful stuff.

The team and MM Sound and Lighting have outdone themselves with an incredible multi layered Set featuring steel towers and trussing that’s beautifully lit and captures the heart of this rock opera. This is bolstered by great sound design, although there was a blimp in act 2 it was soon back on form.

The 11 strong orchestra under the baton of musical director Crawford Moyes are faultless and deliver the score with polished perfection so much so that the music feels like it’s a full symphonic orchestra at work. Given the musicians are cascaded across the set on those steel towers makes it even more remarkable the quality of the music that has delivered.

The 35 strong ensemble company shine brightly when delivering Natalie Tedesco’s inventive and richly envisioned choreography which is boosted by Kristin Campbell and Rebecca Harding’s fitting costume design.

Falkirk Bohemians have brought a production of the show which takes it back to its true heart allowing incredible performances to shine equally allowing the story to speak to a new generation of theatre goers.

You won’t see a better local production of Jesus Christ Superstar so do what you must to grab the last remaining tickets before crucifixion ends for good.

Falkirk Bohemians Presents Jesus Christ Superstar, Grangemouth Town Hall, Grangemouth runs until Saturday 1^st November for more information and tickets go to: Home | Falkirk Bohemians