Who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it with dew. Cover it with chocolate and a miracle or two? The Candy Man? Oh wait, no BBLOC can. 

After their toe tapping spectacular of 42nd Street, Bournemouth and Boscombe Light Opera Company (or BBLOC for short) are taking audiences to a world of pure imagination with their staging of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

It's been over 70 years since Singin' In The Rain took to the screens. It is a classic musical that is the stuff of legends. Originally a big screen movie that took the world by storm, this show has been adapted time and time again and wowed audiences the world over.  

Whenever an am-dram theatre group say they are putting on a show as technical as this, I always wonder whether they will pull it off. Will the rain fall, and will the singin' happen? Well, BMT Productions have taken on this mammoth task, and let me tell you that this was nothing short of spectacular. 

What happens when a soulful singer meets some nuns in a church? Well it's not the start of a joke, but the plot of the classic film Sister Act. Having since been turned into a musical, it's the turn of the Milton Musical Society to see if they can raise the Regent Centre roof and bring joy into the hearts of the audience. 

 For a tale based on mistaken identity, The Importance of Being Earnest is a fantastic show to take and turn on it's head into a brilliantly madcap immersive theatre experience. The theatre company Say It Again, Sorry? have pushed the boundaries of theatre to create something where no two shows are the same and the term audience interaction is taken to the extreme. 

Reminiscent of other comedic troupes such as Mischief Theatre, Le Navet Bete, and Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare, this slapstick, comedic version of the classic tale is a hilarious night out that everyone would enjoy. Whilst currently on a UK tour and ending it's tour in London, ...Earnest? is currently gracing the MAST Mayflower stage for a few nights only. 

What do you get when you find a cult film that's a hit musical and has millions of adoring fans? Why you get Rocky Horror of course! It's back on tour to tantalise and entertain audiences across the UK and has hit the shores of Bournemouth to take you to another dimension. 

For those that are unaware of the story of Rocky Horror, let me tell you a tale...

Whilst January isn't normally the season for a pantomime, I truly feel that it brings light and laughter to those cold, dreary days. Highcliffe Charity Players have delighted local Dorset audiences since the 70's and their pantomime has become one of the highlights of the calendar year after year. 

Filled with local performers that showcase some of the best talent in the area, this years offering was no exception. Goldilocks and the Three Bears will take you on a whistle-stop adventure through the woods to the circus to entertain and entrance audiences young and old.  

 The Sherling Studio Christmas shows at the Lighthouse Theatre in Poole are a huge past of the festive season for local theatre goers. Not only is it often a young person's first exposure to theatre, but the shows they put on are magical and capture imaginations. 

This year, the show gracing the studio's stage is The Glass Slippers by Tutti Frutti Productions. A reimagined version of the classic tale of Cinderella, with plenty a twist and turns. The show is aimed at younger audiences (suitable from age 3+), with a running time of 60 minutes, so I tasked my wonderful 5 year old princess obsessed reporter to let me know what she thought!

There is nothing better to get you in the festive spirit than attending a Pantomime. Layered in British tradition, the Panto is nothing but pure escapism for a couple of hours. It entertains everyone of all ages whilst not taking itself seriously to allow the audience to revel in hilarity and glee. 

The Bournemouth Panto is one highlight of the year for many locals. With familiar faces returning to the stages year after year, and local jokes that keep everyone amused, it's easy to see why it's a hit year after year. This year, the tale of choice was Jack and the Beanstalk. Whilst having some local competition with this show (which they even made a nod too); it had the audience engaged from the first "Boo" too the last "He's behind you!". 

 Picture the scene. You are a child settling down to watch your favourite show. An earnest young woman springs onto the screen and welcomes you into a world of diversity, colour, and magic. That show is Play Away, and that young woman is Floella Benjamin. Now imagine you are sat in the theatre, a TV screen bigger than you could have ever imagined is in front of you, and that very same young, animated woman has come to life on stage. The giddiness overcomes you and you feel transported to childhood. 

Floella Benjamin's award winning book of her move from Trinidad to England has now been created into a masterpiece of a play that is set to take the UK by storm. Coming to England has been adapted by David Wood and directed by Denzel Westley Sanderson for the stage and wowed audiences in the town where Floella took her first steps on British soil. 

Two households, both alike in dignity is where the story of Romeo and Juliet begins. A tale written by the Bard about star crossed lovers and their untimely fate is a story that has transcended across stages, screens, and novels to entertain audiences across the world. In fact, in recent times there has been a musical, a play, and now a ballet to enthral. And whilst this tale may be told countless times, it still is a tale that never grows old. 

The ballet powerhouses at Northern Ballet have reignited their rendition of this Shakespeare tale. Having lost most of the set and costuming to a flood in the early 90's, they have worked tirelessly to restore this timeless classic to it's former glory and allow it to capture the hearts of audience's again. 

Who doesn't love a show that is filled with soulful disco music, glitz and glamour, and nuns? Well the last one may be a tad different, but combined together you are left with Sister Act, the phenomenal musical based on the film of the same name. And let me tell you, this sparkle filled show is worth a visit as it takes the UK by storm. 

Currently at the Bournemouth Pavilion, I was invited along to see this all singing, all dancing show that had the whole audience entertained from curtain up to curtain call. Let's just say, take me to heaven because Sister Act was fabulous baby!

 Come along and listen to, the wonderful performances of Bournemouth and Boscombe's Light Opera Company (BBLOC)'s latest show, 42nd Street. It's not an easy feat to take on a mammoth show such as 42nd Street. With dancing, singing, huge characters, and did I mention the constant dancing? It's a show that is fast paced, full of bright lights, catchy songs, and fantastic costumes. But by George did this company bring the house down and create a show that rivalled the latest west end version!

The Wedding Singer is a musical that has passed me by far too many times. I don't know why I've never sat in a seat and watched it as I've always really enjoyed the hilarious and heartwarming film, but the opportunity never crossed my path. That was until Dorset based Highcliffe Charity Players announced it as their latest offering at the Regent, Christchurch. I for one know how good a Players show is, so I was excited to be given an invite. It's time to party like it's 1985 as the band are in place and ready to rock the room!

Based on the film of the same name, The Wedding Singer tells the tale of Robbie Hart a wedding singer who isn't that good at love himself despite singing about it all the time. After a chance meeting with waitress Julia, his life takes some unexpected turns and what he thought he future might entail isn't quite how it ends up. With some big hit songs, big costumes, and even bigger hair, this show is one to remember. 

High energy, incredible talent, inspiring choreography and performances that make you want to give a standing ovation? It can only mean it's the Leaf Studio end of year celebration. This year with the aptly titled 'Rhythm Is Gonna Get You', there's more crammed in than ever before and before you can say yeah you are dancing in your seat and wishing the show wouldn't end.

 There's something special about youth theatre. It's something that I have been passionate about since I was young and in shows myself. To see young talent being nurtured by brilliant creatives and coming together to create spellbinding shows is something absolutely wonderful. BIGLITTLE Theatre School are just one of those brilliant schools in the Bournemouth area to grow and develop talented individuals that belong on the stage. 

2024 marks another year of their Broadway Showtunes showcases. A medley of songs and shows that are familiar and new, brought together by an impressive cast of over 160 young people. And Mamma Mia was it a show to enjoy! 

When Jamie Lloyd announced that his latest production would be Romeo and Juliet and star Tom Holland in one of the title roles, the hype around this show was like nothing I had seen before with a piece of theatre. Getting a ticket was reminiscent of getting one of Wonka's Golden Ticket's and somehow I was successful in scoring one of these sought after tickets; albeit in what was dubbed as a slight restricted view. But would the hype of Spiderman taking on another iconic role truly win me over, or would it be a case of a show not living up to the Olivier Award winning older sister (Sunset Boulevard).