Paul Vale – London Theatre Critic

Selected reviews by Paul Vale, London based arts writer and theatre critic.

Paul Vale has written for a number of publications, including writing reviews and features for The Stage for over 20 years.

More about Paul Vale:

The Stage Bio & Articles | Twitter | LinkedIn | MuckRack | Facebook


It’s Headed Straight Towards Us at the Park Theatre (2023)

★★★★
"Pitch-perfect" "Well-appointed revival that roots its comedy in the tragedy of the human condition" "In this pitch-perfect production directed by…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of It’s Headed Straight Towards Us

Rebecca at the Charing Cross Theatre (2023)

★★
"Lacks imagination" "Poorly staged adaptation of the Daphne du Maurier classic replaces subtlety and suspense with bombast and romantic melodrama"…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of Rebecca

Ride - A New Musical at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant / Charing Cross Theatre (2023)

★★★★
"Liv Andrusier delivers a barnstorming performance" (Charing Cross Theatre) "Emotionally rich new musical biopic featuring two intense, entertaining performers" "The…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of Ride - A New Musical

In Dreams at the Leeds Playhouse (2023)

★★★
"Roy Orbison's music fuels a grown-up jukebox musical" "Roy Orbison’s back catalogue provides a poignant backdrop to David West Read’s…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of In Dreams

The Wizard of Oz - UK & Ireland Tour at the London Palladium (2023)

★★
"Efficient rather than inspired" "Confused revival lacks magic but is saved by star performances" "Foster’s production, with souped-up orchestrations adapted…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of The Wizard of Oz - UK & Ireland Tour

Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image The Musical at the Phoenix Theatre (2023)

★★★
"Funny and a little nostalgic" "Ambitious stage outing for the familiar puppets with every bar raised except perhaps the satirical"…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image The Musical

Bleak Expectations at the Criterion Theatre (2023)

★★★
"Dickensian spoof is entertaining but runs out of steam" "Amusing stage adaptation of the award-winning radio comedy wears thin surprisingly…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of Bleak Expectations

Glory Ride at the Charing Cross Theatre (2023)

★★
"Lacks dramatic texture" "Old-fashioned and underpowered production saluting the heroic Italian cyclist Gino Bartali" "Unfortunately, this fully staged world premiere…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of Glory Ride

The Way Old Friends Do at the Park Theatre (2023)

★★★★
"Full of heart (Park Theatre)" "Affectionate new comedy exploring the highs and lows of friendships and fandom" "Among all the…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of The Way Old Friends Do

Women, Beware The Devil at the Almeida Theatre (2023)

★★
"Vaguely satirical romp" "Nebulous diabolical drama is frustratingly muddled but sumptuously staged" "Lulu Raczka’s new play sounded so enticing –…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of Women, Beware The Devil

Steel Magnolias at the UK Tour (2023)

★★★
"Brings new depths to a modern classic" "Thoughtful reassessment of a modern classic, clarified by a pitch-perfect ensemble" "The film…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of Steel Magnolias

George Takei's Allegiance at the Charing Cross Theatre (2023)

★★★
"Intense, busy production" "Earnest if unbalanced musical illuminates a dark period of American history" "The book by Marc Acito, Jay…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of George Takei's Allegiance

Jack and the Beanstalk at the London Palladium (2022)

★★★★
"Lavish taster menu of a pantomime" "Spectacular, star-studded pantomime with a hit-and-miss line-up of traditional routines" "Producer and director Michael…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of Jack and the Beanstalk

Mother Goose at the Duke of York's Theatre (2022)

★★★★★
"A solid gold hit" "Flawless writing, excellent design and matchless performances" "The musical numbers veer from classic Broadway to Boomshakalaka…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of Mother Goose

Jack and the Beanstalk at the Lyric Hammersmith (2022)

★★★★
"Emmanuel Akwafo brings the house down" "Entertaining and appropriately defiant pantomime that puts community at its heart" "Christian and Jalaly’s…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of Jack and the Beanstalk

Elf The Musical at the Dominion Theatre (2022)

★★★
"Riot of colour, comedy and magic" "Infectiously upbeat musical adaptation of the Will Ferrell movie" "... this revival of the…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of Elf The Musical

Gary Barlow - A Different Stage at the Duke of York's Theatre (2022)

★★★
"Barlow's star quality shines when he sings" "Gary Barlow’s autobiographical show is engaging enough but sadly lacking in songs" "While…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of Gary Barlow - A Different Stage

Zorro The Musical at the Charing Cross Theatre (2022)

★★★★
"Energy, talent and excitement" "Durham’s production is a celebration of storytelling and he has gathered a diverse and multi-talented cast…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of Zorro The Musical

Thriller Live at the Lyric Theatre (2009)

★★★★
"Quite literally, thrilling" "This is very much an ensemble company and the dance team here deserve a special mention. The…
The Stage
Read the review
More reviews of Thriller Live



📷 Main photo: Paul Vale

Related What's On guides

More >

Latest News

More >

Leave a Review or Comment

Comments and reviews are subject to our participation guidelines policy, which can be viewed here. Our policy is for readers to use their REAL NAMES when commenting.