Review: CHINESE BOXING at Ustinov Studio, Bath Theatre Royal Plenty of historical detail to engage and surprise the audience ★★★☆☆ t.co/BMTtdokuCX @UstinovStudio

Review: BUDDY:The Buddy Holly Story at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham A fitting tribute to Buddy Holly’s musical legacy ★★★★☆ t.co/FSz6QEbuQo @EverymanChelt

Review: THE RIVALS at Theatre Royal, Bath The undoubted ‘saviour’ of the play is the eccentric character of Mrs Malaprop. ★★★☆☆ t.co/oN8wXxvXYU @TheatreRBath

Review: Living Spit's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Tobacco Factory Theatres The quick-fire changes of character are worthy of being compared to classic silent comedy skits. ★★★★★ t.co/X43mVetlJm @tftheatres

Review: THE SPY WHO LOVED ME TENDER at The Wardrobe Theatre It is scrappy, affectionate and frequently very funny. ★★★☆☆ t.co/pXpwcQ21js @WardrobeTheatre

Review: SHERLOCK HOLMES: The Hunt For Moriarty at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham The return of Holmes is exciting, engaging…..and far from elementary ★★★★☆ t.co/U2ylXyJ3ZB @EverymanChelt

Review: MACBETH ALONE at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham A visceral reimagining of Shakespeare’s most haunting tragedy ★★★★☆ t.co/zbuhhAzSqV @EverymanChelt

Review: LOST ATOMS at Bristol Old Vic I would have preferred a more nuanced account of their attempts to make sense of their love. ★★★☆☆ t.co/j1kDUTo90S @BristolOldVic

Review: HOW DO YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT? at Bristol Old Vic Weston Studio Yes, the world might have gone to s**t but we’ve got the energy and will to do something about it. ★★★★☆ t.co/xuDHTeL1xV @BristolOldVic

Review: MACBETH/LADY MACBETH at Alma Tavern Theatre Well meaning, however for a theatrical performance something more is required. t.co/gHeNfUz27G @AlmaBristol

OUR REVIEW OF THE YEAR THAT WAS StageTalk's 2025 Highlights

Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Bath Theatre Royal A brilliant bringing to life of a seminal text done as Dickens himself would have undoubtedly approved. ★★★★★

Review: The Further Adventures Of PETER PAN at Theatre Royal Bath The show is a colourful dose of seasonal cheer with a timely message for young smartphone lovers ★★★★☆ t.co/Myk0QpMCHB @TheatreRBath

Review: JACK AND THE BEANSTALK at Festival Theatre, Malvern Déjà vu, but still just as much fun as last time. ★★★★☆ t.co/VDAUxrPVfh @MalvernTheatres

Review: TREASURE ISLAND: A New Musical Adventure at Bristol Old Vic A show that exudes joyful exuberance at every turn. ★★★★★ t.co/kubZgAVpYN @BristolOldVic

Review: ANTARCTICA at The Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic A gently bonkers polar adventure of Owlarbears and low-tech magic. ★★★★☆ t.co/8KRxCffbR0 @BristolOldVic

Review: JACK AND THE BEANSTALK at Bristol Hippodrome The show is a colourful extravaganza full of Christmas panto silliness and seasonal joy. ★★★★☆ t.co/ICzJYQ6g2b @BristolHipp

Review: Roald Dahl's THE BFG at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Dazzling theatrical enchantment; brilliant puppetry, a kaleidoscope of colour and a strong cast of human actors ★★★★★ t.co/izw3xRXNpb @TheRSC

Review: Roald Dahl's THE BFG at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Dazzling theatrical enchantment; brilliant puppetry, a kaleidoscope of colour and a strong cast of human actors ★★★★★ t.co/CDxu4QsGo5 @TheRSC

Review: JACK AND THE BEANSTALK at Bristol Hippodrome The show is a colourful extravaganza full of Christmas panto silliness and seasonal joy. ★★★★☆ t.co/LxKIfudL4v @BristolHipp

Review: A DICKENS CHRISTMAS at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham A festive fusion of lesser-known Dickensian tales ★★★★☆ t.co/VZSXVqlAoF @EverymanChelt

Review: THE FORSYTE SAGA Parts 1 & 2 at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon John Galsworthy’s famous saga expertly distilled ★★★★☆ t.co/by6uFi1xcE @TheRSC

Review: ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRY MEN at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham Mirth, mayhem and merriment with Robin and his merry men. ★★★★☆ t.co/hMdu8CYPlk @EverymanChelt

Review: SLEEPING BEAUTY at The Swan Theatre, Worcester A colourful blast of Christmas cheer ★★★★☆

Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at The Barn Theatre, Cirencester An enchanting reimagining of Dickens’ classic festive tale. ★★★★★ t.co/C9TRPy40Lg @theBarnTheatre

Review: RAPUNZEL: A HAIRY TALE at Tobacco Factory Theatres Rapunzel is a clever story with contemporary relevance presented with wit, charm and dazzling inventiveness. ★★★★☆ t.co/izvMJgMWks @tftheatres

Review: THE WOMAN IN BLACK at Bath Theatre Royal Though we are fully aware of all the layers of unreality the magic of theatre still works. ★★★★☆ t.co/KyEgmTXsiU @TheatreRBath

Review: THE LITTLE MERMAID at The Watermill Theatre, Newbury A touching and magical production brings a contemporary twist to the much loved fairy story ★★★★☆

Review: A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES by the Emma Rice Company at The Lucky Chance Theatre, Frome A magical jewellery box of a show. ★★★★★

Review: MOULIN SCROOGE at The Wardrobe Theatre A quasi jukebox musical that hits you right in the Dickens! ★★★★☆ t.co/kCJWmgSqP5 @WardrobeTheatre

Review: THE GREATEST FANTASY TRILOGY at Alma Tavern Theatre An unpretentious, affectionate parody that will appeal to any Tolkien enthusiasts with a liking for knockabout gags. t.co/VD1Brym41p @AlmaBristol

Review: DEPARTURE at Bristol Old Vic Weston Studio A multi-sensory ritual that lets grief move rather than speak. ★★★★☆ t.co/kjMS6zLa5z @BristolOldVic

Review: THE RIVER at Alma Tavern Theatre The pace, perhaps in keeping with the leisurely riverside retreat setting, is slow and meandering. ★★★☆☆ t.co/2UPyqCgrSP @AlmaBristol

Review: THE LEGENDS OF THEM at Bristol Old Vic Weston Studio An electrifying self-exploration of the legends that shape us. ★★★★☆ t.co/Y03fn0klIf @BristolOldVic

Review: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at Theatre Royal, Bath A rare treat to see an adaptation of a novel that adds rather than subtracts. ★★★★☆ t.co/AX76botsXM @TheatreRBath

Review: THAT KNAVE, RALEIGH at Bath's Ustinov Studio Andrew Margerison keeps us engaged right up to the the executioner’s block. ★★★★☆ t.co/zXRPIHRlb0 @UstinovStudio

Review: GREAT EXPECTATIONS at The Anglican Chapel, Arnos Vale Cemetery A marvellously spirited production which will satisfy Dickens purists and still set the heart racing and blood boiling. ★★★★☆

Review: BALLET RAMBERT: KISMET at Bath Theatre Royal An evening of astonishing craft, wit and grace. ★★★★☆ t.co/vh5g7olkdG @TheatreRBath

Review: GURT HAUNTED at Bristol Old Vic Weston Studio A supernatural send-up that’s short on scares but full of Bristolian charm ★★★☆☆ t.co/N6lt4bBlfN @BristolOldVic

Review: INSPECTOR MORSE: HOUSE OF GHOSTS at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham Morse’s stage reincarnation shows plenty of endeavour ★★★☆☆ t.co/PNrTMe8dja @EverymanChelt

Review: English Touring Opera's 'THE RAPE OF LUCRETIA' at Bath Theatre Royal Although the opera refers to a passed epoch there are enough contemporary echoes to give it a thoroughly modern feel. ★★★★☆ t.co/2kdVyu8Eu9 @TheatreRBath

Review: PRIVATE LIVES at Bristol Old Vic The intentionally diverse casting for this production has created new challenges. ★★★☆☆ t.co/Hh4v5cX5kF @BristolOldVic

Review: LITTLE WOMEN at Bath Theatre Royal A tender, beautifully staged adaptation rich in craft and heart. ★★★★☆ t.co/9UKa3qAxlh @TheatreRBath

Review: TERRY'S: An American Tragedy About Cars, Customers, and Selling Cars To Customers at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham A quirky and distinctive vehicle which has real power under its bonnet ★★★★☆ t.co/o0r8sFBpdV @EverymanChelt

Review: Living Spit's TOO MANY GREEK MYTHS at Tobacco Factory Theatres Like silly King Midas, everything Living Spit touches turns into gold. ★★★★★ t.co/8seEiHTfzB @tftheatres

Review: THE BOOK OF MORMON at Bristol Hippodrome Gloriously irreverent and outrageously funny. ★★★★★ t.co/v0iscTSyhO @BristolHipp

Review: YIPPEE KI YAY at Bristol Old VIC A smart, sweet, very British crowd-pleaser that earns its heart. ★★★★☆

Review: DEATH ON THE NILE at Theatre Royal, Bath A classy production which does well to stop the Karnak running aground on the mud of familiarity. ★★★☆☆

Review: THE LAST FIVE YEARS at The Barn Theatre, Cirencester Energetic and whole-hearted performances give shape and feeling to this unusual musical ★★★★☆

Review: Welsh National Opera's TOSCA at Bristol Hippodrome A tour de force in all respects. ★★★★★ t.co/aheDndu3Z1 @BristolHipp