Culture reviews - Birmingham Post

Steve Hackett at Birmingham Symphony Hall May 17 2013

The Kinks once sang ‘give the people want they want’ – and it’s clearly an adage that Steve Hackett believes in.Read

Review: CBSO, at Birmingham Symphony Hall May 09 2013

No cause for alarm, but last Wednesday Andris Nelsons stopped conducting the CBSO. Not all the time, I stress, but frequently enough for us to appreciate the trust that exists between him and his beloved players.Read

Review: The Orphan of Zhao, Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Nov 09 2012

Originally attributed to the obscure 13th-century dramatist Ji Junxiang, but better known in a revised version from 1616, The Orphan of Zhao was the first Chinese play, or opera, to be performed in Europe.Read

REVIEW: Swan Lake, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Hippodrome Oct 03 2012

It has long been said that this production of Swan Lake, (created originally by Peter Wright and the former ballerina Galina Samsova in 1981 for Birmingham Royal Ballet, at that time Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet) is world class and the current revival at Birmingham Hippodrome completely justifies this claim.Read

Post Life in the June 14-21 Birmingham Post Jun 15 2012

Front page of Post Life supplement in the June 14-20 edition of the Birmingham Post. Read

Diminutive Dolly Parton brings sparkle to Birmingham LG Arena Sep 03 2011

BIRMINGHAM’S LG Arena was awash with pink as reigning Queen of Country Dolly Parton rolled into town.Read

Review: CBSO at Symphony Hall Dec 09 2010

The assertion might be dangerous, but it can be argued that the greater the work, the greater the number of possible interpretations, and in Louis Lortie's reading of Beethoven's Emperor Concerto we certainly found fresh insights.Read

Music Review: Gorillaz at NIA Nov 18 2010

On their only previous UK tour, Damon Albarn’s Gorillaz hid behind a screen for the entire show. Read

Review: Sixties Gold at Birmingham Symphony Hall Nov 18 2010

Imagine Dante’s Inferno set in Butlins Holiday Camp, within the subdued palatial splendour of the countries most elegant performance venue, and you may perceive the incongruity of this night’s experience. It is a lovely venue hosting shows by music legends, but not all has survived completely intact.Read

Review: CBSO 90th anniversary concert Nov 11 2010

So the CBSO has reached 90, but is performing with all the spirit, vigour and adrenaline of a teenager. Read

Guns n' Roses at Birmingham LG Arena - Review and setlist Oct 18 2010

IT’S 9.15pm, half an hour after the band is due onstage – and flamboyant frontman Axl Rose has yet to touch down at nearby Birmingham International Airport in his helicopter. Nothing changes on planet Guns N’ Roses.Read

Review: Will Young at NIA Birmingham Dec 02 2009

DESPITE the yearly churning out of X Factor wannabes and other talent show winners, there is no suggestion that Will Young’s star has faded.Read

Review: The Nutcracker at Birmingham Hippodrome Nov 30 2009

You know Christmas is upon you and the cards should be written, pudding stirred and sprouts on whenever Birmingham Royal Ballet delivers its festive treat The Nutcracker.Read