"Sleeping Beauty A Gothic Romance" by Matthew Bourne's New Adventures.

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

There's something about ballet, for me, that just soothes and relaxes and then takes you to euphoric and dramatic heights. That is what I love so much about Matthew Bourne's New Adventures.

Fairy tales, once you scratch the surface, reveal a dark underbelly and Matthew Bourne brings out that darkness, along with some beautiful story telling, drama and even flashes of comedy.

These dance athletes literally glide over the stage, they soar, they fly, they enthrall and excite their audience.

There is a modern twist to this fairy tale though which involves a vampiric evil fairy who uses Sleeping Beauty's "Prince Charming", here a gardener/gamekeeper, to awaken the slumbering maiden, for his own means.

It's no spoiler to reveal that this does not end well for the dark fairy, danced by Jackson Fisch. Leo, the gamekeeper is danced by Andrew Monaghan and Princess Aurora aka Sleeping Beauty, is danced by Ashley Shaw.

Ballet for me is an ensemble production because every single one of these dancers have to be at the top of their game, especially when you work for someone like Matthew Bourne. Every dancer could understudy for any other part, and that in itself shows how talented you need to be in ballet.

If the story and the incredible dancing is not enough for you, there's also puppetry for the baby Aurora, which is totally mesmerising and expertly managed by members of the Company.

Another thing that I have come to expect with New Adventures is an amazing set design, and that is no difference for Sleeping Beauty. The set, and costume design is by Les Brotherston. The building in the background looks so realistic that you feel as if you can stroll over that hill and pay a visit to that magnificent building, which resembles a certain Nottingham landmark.

I need not say anything about Matthew Bourne because he is number one in his field as Director, Choreographer and scenario. Again he met and exceeded every expectation I had of this wonderful production.

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky has always been one of my favourite composers and as soon as that gorgeous Sleeping Beauty Waltz swept in, it was like being lifted upon a wave. The music tells a story and when combined with the talents that these incredible dancers have for story telling, it makes for one of the best night outs for all ages.

Any show that has the ability to rid you of your stresses and transport you to another world, relating a magical story without uttering a word, is a show that is not to be missed. This show is one not to be missed.

"Sleeping Beauty" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 28 January.

 "SpongeBob The Musical" by The Young Performers.

Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

I've been aware of this musical for a while but have never seen it on stage before. There's a good reason for this, and that is because until now, the license to perform this musical has never been available. The Young Performers are the first, as far as I know, amateur drama group to perform it.

I won't say that this musical is going to be one of my favourite new musicals any time soon, but I can definitely see the appeal, especially of the music; the soundtrack having been written by acts like Cyndi Lauper, David Bowie, John Legend, Sara Bareilles, Steven Tyler and Yolanda Adams to name just a few.

The story is as follows......When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover there is a volcano within their midst, and is ready to erupt and destroy their home, they have to team up to save their underwater world.

With lives and everything that they hold dear to them hanging in the balance, an unexpected hero surfaces, but is it too late to save the inhabitants of Bikini Bottom?

Based on the Nickelodeon television series characters by Steven Hillenberg, written by Kyle Jarrow and conceived by Tina Landau, viewers of this legendary children's TV animated show, will immediately recognise all of the characters, thus breaking down any needed introductions to theatre viewers of a certain age.

The soundtrack to this charming piece of theatre needs a warning to adults that there are several earworm songs that you may find difficult to get rid of for a while. Be prepared to get your Bikini Bottom Boogie on with catchy tunes like "BFF" - which also has a dance that goes with it, "Poor Pirates", "Bikini Bottom Day", "Chop To The Top" and "(I Guess I) Miss You"! You'll need more than a cotton bud to prise these out of your ears.

Eugene Krabb is played by a young actor I'd noted from previous Young Performers shows, Lewis McDowall. Another fun filled character and performance from Lewis.

Pearl Krabb is played by Summer McNorton, and what really hits you about Summer is her voice. What a wonderful voice she has and she shows off her vocals brilliantly in this role. I look forward to seeing Summer in more musicals over the next few years and seeing, and hearing how she develops.

SpongeBob Squarepants is played by another actor who I've seen, and noted before, Finlay Tomlinson. Being the leading man he shows great confidence, and even without a giant sponge for a costume, he looked more and more like Spongebob (from what I can remember), the more the show progressed. Even on the rare occasion he tripped up on his lines, he carried on like the professional he is.

Patrick Star is played by Evan Del Gaudio, and I can see this young man growing into a very talented character actor. The personality he injects into the role made, not only Patrick a star, but Evan a star as well. A really good set of vocals as well.

Sandy Cheeks is played by Neve Johnson, and as with Patrick Star, this character is full of fun and character, and this is brought out by Neve.

William Mellor plays Sheldon J Plankton. One thing that you notice with all of these young actors is the energy that they put into their roles and William is another wonderful character driven young actor.

Ella Charlesworth plays Squidward Q Tentacles. I love the costume for this character, which looked really weird to start with until I understood the character and then it all made sense. Ella also took the lead in the tap dance section, and I love a tap section; and I loved this section of the show.

The radio announcer, Perch Perkins, is played by Drew Boswell. Loved this role and I loved the energy put into this fun role by Drew.

James S Pedrick, who played The Mayor, is yet another confident young actor I've seen on several occasions. Again, he delivers and gets to wear a very eye catching suit!

Old Man Jenkins is played by Alex Povey. Every time that I've seen Alex on stage, he always gives 110%. He is full of energy and an excellent character actor. Alex is another one to look out for in future productions.

There's also a large ensemble of undersea characters. Millie Weston (Karen), Freddie Cutts (Patchy), Louis Dexter (Larry), Emily Wilkins, Lucy Coulson-Jones and Polly Snape (The Electric Skates), Sophie Dexter (Buster Bluetang), Lucie Artiss (Mrs Puff), Dillan Brookes (Johnny Bartender), Izzy Pickering and Sophie Longcroft (Sardines), Finlay Boswell (Foley Fish), Keeley Rickerby (Blob Fish), Catly Gaunt (Cowboy Fish), Elouise Ludlow (Clowne Fish), Avaani Babra, Erin Gill, Jess Henshaw and A J Chamberlain (Painted Gobys).

Directed by Zak Charlesworth, he has done a wonderful job with an enormous cast and created a fun filled and fast paced show that has again highlighted loads of young talent. Zak is assisted by Neve Saxton.

George Parkinson is the Musical Director for this show, and you'd have thought, if you didn't know that this was a recorded backing track, the sound was so slick.

Brilliant Set Design by Roydon Charlesworth, which also included a climbable section of the volcano on stage and bubbles.

Sound design is by Dave Dallard and Lighting design by Dave Martin. There were a few missed spotlights on actors and a few mics that weren't on when the script was delivered but on the whole, everything ran smoothly in both departments

The costumes, which were an explosion of colour and great fun, are by Sarah, Roydon, Raj and Victoria.

Choreography for this show is by Vicky Byrne, and there is a lot of choreography here, and as I said earlier, I love the tap dance section. That and the lovely fun dance for "BFF" and the rest of the energy fuelled dances made this musical an energetic tour de force. Vicky was assisted by Emilia Buxton.

If the size of the audience were anything to go by, this show is going to be a success, because it was near full, mainly with a younger age group, but apart from panto, there's not that many theatre pieces aimed at a younger age group, so good on The Young Performers for getting the licence for this show and giving fans of the cartoon series a real treat. This may also attract new members to the stage when they see the fun that can be had.

"SpongeBob The Musical" can be seen at The Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton until Saturday 21 January.

 "Cheshire Cats" by Bonington Players.

Bonington Theatre Arnold.

This is another new play for me, so what's it all about?

"Cheshire Cats" are a group of speed walkers, Hilary, Siobhan, Vicky, Yvonne and Maggie who are fund raising in the Moonwalk Marathon; walking thirteen miles across London in record time in their decorated bras and trainers. There is a sixth member of the group though who does not quite fit the required physical criteria for this fund raising mission!

Hilary is the bombastic team leader of the Cheshire Cats, played by Abigail Hemmings.

Siobhan is the diplomatic and caring friend of Hilary's and played by Gennie Price.

Helen Holbrook plays Vicky, an artistic and glamorous, middle aged divorcee.

Maggie is a younger mum who replaces one of the walkers at the last minute. Maggie, who always has a plaster on hand for a blister and has put herself forward to lose a few pounds, weight wise, is played by Laura Harding.

Yvonne is a stressed out, over-worked mum, and friend of Hilary's and played by Jenny Adams.

Andrew, played by Matt Davies, is the young, fit toyboy who joins the walkers to raise money and has also found love, thinly disguised as lust, but there's another reason why he is keen to take part in the moonlight walk.

The aerobics instructor is played by Ben Nipper, who also doubles as the Policeman, is great fun as he warms the ladies up with exercise routines before the walk.

The part of a handsome drunk, encountered by two of the Cats whilst on the walk, is played by Nick Hill.

Madge and Ethel are elderly, cockney marshals and are played by Karen James and Gail Tomlinson respectively, and provide even more humour as they keep the walkers' spirits up at the nine mile mark.

Other parts are played by Alex Brimelow, Carol Hill, Eddie Januszczyk, Luke Richardson and Tony Tomlinson.

Written by Gail Young, she combines all the fun of a group of girls on a night out with the sensitivity and emotion that is involved in these kind of charity walks for breast cancer. This was Gail's first full length play, written in 2005, and first performed in 2006 at the Edinburgh Fringe.

It has that lovely Fringe feel and is written with a lovely natural feel about it. The cast deliver Gail's script with the natural feel intended by the writer, making the play such an easy watch. By doing this, when certain parts in the play are reached, it makes these sections very poignant.

I feel that Gail may have been influenced by Jon Godber's "Shakers" as there are parts where the spotlight falls on our Cheshire Cats and they deliver a monologue. Sometimes comic, mostly emotional, after which the lights pan out to resume the scene leading up to the character monologue.

Directed by Chris Gardner, who has brought out that very naturalistic feel of the script through this cast. Chris is assisted by Eddie Januszczyk. Not restricting the cast to just the stage, they pop up from all parts of the theatre.

Sound, lighting and the videography is all done by David Goatham. The video design takes us from a park setting via a train station to the streets of London. The sound design is equally excellent, and adds its' own comedic side at the train station with the announcements. Peter Hodgkinson is in charge of operating the lighting.

The costumes are great fun, and provided by Carol Hill and Gail Tomlinson.

I've deliberately not picked any of the cast out for special mention because this is truly an ensemble piece and that is how the cast should be seen as an ensemble who worked together to deliver a comic play that will also tug at your heart strings.

"Cheshire Cats" is at Bonington Theatre in Arnold until Saturday 21 January.

 "An Inspector Calls" by J B Priestley

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

Written at the end of the Second World War and set before the First, "An Inspector Calls" is a compelling thriller with plenty of dramatic moments. The story begins when Inspector Goole arrives unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home. Their dinner party is shattered by his investigations into the death of a young woman. His revelations shake the very foundations of their lives but wait for the final twist, which tops all previous twists and revelations!

Liam Brennan as Inspector Goole; cool, calm and collected with a mysterious air.

Christine Kavanagh is Sybil Birling, the matriarch of the Birlings. Here is a character that could have been left over from "Downton Abbey", especially with those fantastic clothes.

Jeffrey Harmer as Arthur Birling. The Birling boss man.

Simon Cotton as Gerald Croft. We first see Croft as he is celebrating with the Birlings, his engagement to Shelia Birling.

Chloe Orrock plays Sheila Birling, a very classy young woman.

George Rowlands as Eric Birling, the youngest of the Birling children, who likes a drink or ten.

Frances Campbell as Edna. Edna is the Birling's maid. Just watching her face gives you everything you need to know about this character. She knows exactly where she needs to be and what she needs to do at any given time.

The children are played by Tyen Tailor-Bird, Evie Hood and Vincent Oliver.

The cast is completed by Philip Stewart, Beth Tuckey, Maceo Cortezz and Rue Blenkinsop.

I've deliberately not given more details about these characters because all members of the family, as well as those on the outside, have secrets revealed about their past actions, and what those actions, and reactions, collaborate towards the suicide of a young girl that had touched their lives at some time in their past. Or are they involved?

Directed by Stephen Daldry, In the 30-years since its first performance at the National Theatre in 1992, Stephen Daldry’s production of "An Inspector Calls" has won a total of 19 awards, including four Tony Awards and three Olivier Awards, and has played to more than 5 million theatregoers worldwide. "An Inspector Calls" is the most internationally-lauded production in the National Theatre’s history.

I've seen this play a few times in the past, and still find new things to see in the productions, and the story still enthralls me.

Set Designer is Ian MacNeil. This set is one of the most memorable of set designs and the house design also parallels what happens with the family. I'll say no more than that. There's rain, mist as well as mystery in this spooky tale and the set design really enhances the advancement of the story.

Lighting Design is by Rick Fisher, it's dark and brooding, creating that uneasy air, giving you the feeling that all may not be as it first seems.

The music for the production has been composed by Stephen Warbeck. Take away the sea of crisp and chocolate biscuit wrappers, the popping of fizzy pop cans, squeaky chairs, mobile ring tones and mutterings, and the music takes you back to those B Movie Sunday afternoon films; dramatic and startling that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention and gives you the urge to look behind you!

The costumes for all characters are gorgeous and have a host of wardrobe people that have created them.

I mentioned the drama that is in this show, and one part involves a slap to one of the characters from another, and that really looked, and sounded so real, it created a vast intake of breath by much of the audience. The fight choreography was also very tight. I'd love to go into more detail but I really don't want to give too much away and spoil anything for anyone who already has tickets for the play, or may want to see it.

Here is a thriller that, if you've not seen it before, is one that you need to tick off your thriller list. It's uneasy feeling, nerve tingling and oppressed feel will make this thriller one that you will not forget in a hurry. It also has a message to deliver to today's audience that we should all embrace.

"An Inspector Calls" will be at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 21 January.

 "Zak Scott & Friends - Role Of A Lifetime"

Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

First of all, let me say that I hate this group of young people on the stage tonight. They are good looking, they can sing, they have more talent in their little finger nails than I have in my whole body, and they are all so smooth. Don't you just hate young people who house this much talent? Ok, I'm kidding!

If you've ever seen a travelling theatre show called "Through The Barricades", which is a bunch of West End performers who travel the country and perform songs from the musicals, well this is the same as that show, at a fraction of the price of the "Through The Barricades" touring show.

Sara, Ella, Richard, Millen, Kate, Louise, Erin and Zak seamlessly took centre stage and enthralled their audience with a selection of songs from musical theatre; some well known, some not so well known; all perfectly executed.

There were teasers for upcoming shows at the Duchess, like the opener, "Dare" from "Calendar Girls", which was the weakest link for me, mainly because there were no microphones for the singers, and the words were lost after the first few rows. After this though, the performers had hand held microphones and we heard every single syllable. The clarity was spectacular and every nuance from the wonderful lyrics were heard right to the back of the theatre.

We were treated to selections from "Waitress", "Les Miserables", "Little Shop Of Horrors", "Hamilton", "Dear Evan Hansen", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Follies", "We Will Rock You", "Beetlejuice", "Love Never Dies", "Amelie", "Merrily We Roll Along" and many more.

This collection of performers gave my follicles a workout tonight, not knowing when to stand on end and when to relax. Richard's performance of "Till I Hear You Sing" from "Love Never Dies"showcased his wonderfully operatic voice. He then countered with the fun "You'll Be Back" from "Hamilton", and I loved the Evan Hansen/Hamilton mash up of "You Will Be Loved/Tonight" duet with Zak.

Millen's "Somebody To Love" from "We Will Rock You" - another musical that will be performed at the Duchess Theatre in the near future - showed her control and power in her vocals. Her duet with Zak on "Suddenly Seymour" from "Little Shop Of Horrors" showed their wonderful harmonies and timing.

It's always an education at events like these and I always end up coming away with songs that I end up searching for at home. Tonight it is a piece performed by Louise called "Altos Lament" from something called "The Marcy & Zina Show" (yes, me neither), but it was so funny and performed so well by Louise.

Kate and Louise performed a note perfect version of "For Good" from "Wicked", and we heard more from that musical with Richard and Sarah's version of "As Long As You're Mine".

One of my musical theatre guilty pleasures is the song "Losing My Mind", which Liza Minnelli had a chart disco hit with backed by The Pet Shop Boys, but Kate's version of that song gave me goosebumps. Her passionate and emotive rendition really brought out the fragility of "Follies" most well known song. The irony was not lost on me with this year's chosen charity for this concert was YoungMinds who work with young people with mental health issues.

Zak, as many people will know, is one of my favourite performers; the only person I have seen to receive two standing ovations in one production of "Les Miserables" at Derby Theatre. "She Used To Be Mine" from "Waitress", "Out There" reprised his Quasimodo role last year at the Nottingham Theatre Royal in "Hunchback", "Waving Through A Window" from "Evan Hansen", "Role Of A Lifetime" from one of the emotional musicals I've ever seen, "Bare - A Pop Musical" all shone a virtual spotlight on that voice that he has been nurturing for well over a decade.

David Allen kept the show rolling as MC for the night and providing a selection of jokes. Being a cmpere is not easy - I know, I've been there - but David's relaxed manner and his compendium of jokes won over the audience, not that they needed any winning over.

This is the ninth year that he has hosted "Zak & Friends", 2024 will see the tenth; and I can remember him saying after the first show, "never again", well that certainly came back to bite him on the bum.

Zak has amazingly talented friends who give up their time to support him, the show and entertain us, all for free. The sound and light team likewise. A wonderful light show and, after the first song, the sound was as clear as crystal cut glass.

After Zak's final closing solo song, I spotted a smile on his face as he left the stage. A smile that confirmed that he knew that the night had been a success, and he was right to allow himself that self-satisfied smile. I only wish that after the final group song, "Louder Than Words" from "Tick Tick Boom", which is also being performed at the Duchess in the coming months, they had all returned to the stage as I was so poised to get to my feet to show my appreciation of the talent that was on show on Saturday night.

This show is how all showcases should be done, and it's also raised a lot of money for a brilliant charity.

Thank you Zak and friends for a wonderful evening of superb music and entertainment.