What could be more cheering in 2020 than to be back in a theatre at Christmas?

After several years of clashing diaries and missed opportunities, I finally made it to the legendary Wilton’s Music Hall in Whitechapel. John Wilton’s magnificent music hall was opened in 1859, and has survived the obligatory fire and demolition notice on several occasions since then. It eventually acquired Grade II status and reopened as a theatrical venue in 1997. We are deep in Jack the Ripper territory and a huge Victorian brass lamp announces the venue in Graces Alley. The interior ...

Pros: Lively, lovely and wonderfully funny. Cons: Hard to find any. No, really, it’s very good! The Mikado can be a challenging production. An opera set in Japan but written by two Caucasian Britons in 1885, which has actors running around with names like “Nanki-Poo” and “Pooh-Bah” clearly suggests an outdated and imperial approach (even if its original intention was to satirise British politics). But don’t let that daunt you when it comes to Sasha Regan’s excellent all-male interpretation at the ...

The Charles Court Opera Company nail this production with finesse. It is lots of fun and will put a smile on your face!

An enjoyable revival of an old classic with tunes you’ll be whistling on your way home, but definitely not everybody’s cup of tea.

A very enjoyable, well executed performance, highly recommended if you are looking for a good laugh. If you haven't been to an opera before, this is a great one to start with.