Alison Brinkworth
@writeralison.bsky.social
Freelance journalist/writer✍️📚 in Birmingham. News, reviews, theatre.♥️ Wild swimming, museums🏛️. Bylines: Scotsman, Birmingham World, The Mirror, Weekend Notes YouTube: Best Museums In The World https://youtube.com/@bestmuseumsintheworld?si=3NhhN87GO7nhCpCO
The Nutcracker ballet is back at Birmingham Hippodrome & this gem by Birmingham Royal Ballet is truly magical. Peter Wright's mesmerising choreography is perfect with timeless Tchaikovsky music & divine costumes & dancing.
A truly sublime Christmas show that enchants year after year.Til Dec 13⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A truly sublime Christmas show that enchants year after year.Til Dec 13⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
November 22, 2025 at 12:41 PM
The Nutcracker ballet is back at Birmingham Hippodrome & this gem by Birmingham Royal Ballet is truly magical. Peter Wright's mesmerising choreography is perfect with timeless Tchaikovsky music & divine costumes & dancing.
A truly sublime Christmas show that enchants year after year.Til Dec 13⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A truly sublime Christmas show that enchants year after year.Til Dec 13⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I caught Sherlock Holmes & 12 Days of Christmas world premiere at Birmingham Rep & it's ingenious, hilarious murder mystery. Fantastic characters by comics behind Penny Dreadfuls @humphreyker.bsky.social & David Reed. Every festive ingredient in sharp script.Til Jan 18⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #theatresky #reviewsky
November 21, 2025 at 10:40 AM
I caught Sherlock Holmes & 12 Days of Christmas world premiere at Birmingham Rep & it's ingenious, hilarious murder mystery. Fantastic characters by comics behind Penny Dreadfuls @humphreyker.bsky.social & David Reed. Every festive ingredient in sharp script.Til Jan 18⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #theatresky #reviewsky
Fascinating to hear British murder mystery writer Tom Hindle at Bromsgrove Library on how he moved from PR job to get an agent and now has series of gripping crime thrillers. He's fresh talent @penguinbooksuk.bsky.social
with new book out in Jan - A Killer In Paradise set in Costa Rica #booksky
with new book out in Jan - A Killer In Paradise set in Costa Rica #booksky
November 7, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Fascinating to hear British murder mystery writer Tom Hindle at Bromsgrove Library on how he moved from PR job to get an agent and now has series of gripping crime thrillers. He's fresh talent @penguinbooksuk.bsky.social
with new book out in Jan - A Killer In Paradise set in Costa Rica #booksky
with new book out in Jan - A Killer In Paradise set in Costa Rica #booksky
At @the-rsc.bsky.social for Cyrano de Bergerac #pressnight & seen the most staggeringly perfect performance by @adrianlester.bsky.social. Emotional, romantic, funny, this play with Susannah Fielding & Levi Brown has it all. A must-see in Stratford Upon Avon til Nov 15.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky #theatresky
October 7, 2025 at 10:46 PM
At @the-rsc.bsky.social for Cyrano de Bergerac #pressnight & seen the most staggeringly perfect performance by @adrianlester.bsky.social. Emotional, romantic, funny, this play with Susannah Fielding & Levi Brown has it all. A must-see in Stratford Upon Avon til Nov 15.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky #theatresky
Finally seen 2:22 Ghost Story at Malvern Theatres & now understand what the hype is about. It's a lively, clever, slick show with subtle nods to famous thrillers & ghost stories. Keeps you guessing. Charming cast of Stacey Dooley Kevin Clifton Grant Kilburn & Shvorne Marks. Til Sat ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#reviewsky
#reviewsky
September 24, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Finally seen 2:22 Ghost Story at Malvern Theatres & now understand what the hype is about. It's a lively, clever, slick show with subtle nods to famous thrillers & ghost stories. Keeps you guessing. Charming cast of Stacey Dooley Kevin Clifton Grant Kilburn & Shvorne Marks. Til Sat ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#reviewsky
#reviewsky
Saw v satisfying Inspector Morse House Of Ghosts at Birmingham Rep. Gritty case, interesting suspects & intricate plot with Tom Chambers giving good go at role so eponymous with John Thaw. Tachia Newall a likeable Lewis. Murder Mystery fans will love it. Til September 14 #reviewsky #theatresky ⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 4, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Saw v satisfying Inspector Morse House Of Ghosts at Birmingham Rep. Gritty case, interesting suspects & intricate plot with Tom Chambers giving good go at role so eponymous with John Thaw. Tachia Newall a likeable Lewis. Murder Mystery fans will love it. Til September 14 #reviewsky #theatresky ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Saw Pulitzer Prize winning play Fat Ham @the-rsc.bsky.social. So entertaining & clever as modern reworking of Hamlet but far funnier. Set in America's Deep South, playwright James Ijames's work is inciteful but with more eccentric characters with lead gay teen Juicy. Til Sept 13 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#reviewsky
#reviewsky
September 2, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Saw Pulitzer Prize winning play Fat Ham @the-rsc.bsky.social. So entertaining & clever as modern reworking of Hamlet but far funnier. Set in America's Deep South, playwright James Ijames's work is inciteful but with more eccentric characters with lead gay teen Juicy. Til Sept 13 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#reviewsky
#reviewsky
At Malvern Theatre tonight to review the atmospheric & haunting stage version of Charles Dickens tale The Signalman by Middle Ground Theatre Company. Chris Walker and John Burton star. It's first class theatre that keeps you guessing with fabulous set & special effects. Til Saturday ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#reviewsky
#reviewsky
August 27, 2025 at 9:02 PM
At Malvern Theatre tonight to review the atmospheric & haunting stage version of Charles Dickens tale The Signalman by Middle Ground Theatre Company. Chris Walker and John Burton star. It's first class theatre that keeps you guessing with fabulous set & special effects. Til Saturday ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#reviewsky
#reviewsky
Dazzled by young talent in Stage Experience West Side Story on at The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham til Sat. Vibrant show & sensational singing by leads Amelie Newton & Cree Henson. Big dance routines & fabulous songs with live orchestra. Joe Lycett started in Stage Experience, now in its 20th year
August 15, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Dazzled by young talent in Stage Experience West Side Story on at The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham til Sat. Vibrant show & sensational singing by leads Amelie Newton & Cree Henson. Big dance routines & fabulous songs with live orchestra. Joe Lycett started in Stage Experience, now in its 20th year
London City Ballet Momentum at Birmingham Rep is expressive #dancing at its best. 4 routines from a Balanchine seen in UK for first time to vivid imaginative ballet about Kandinsky art in Pictures Of An Exhibition, created for @nycballet.bsky.social 2014. Famed ballerina Alina Cojocaru performs ⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 29, 2025 at 10:44 PM
London City Ballet Momentum at Birmingham Rep is expressive #dancing at its best. 4 routines from a Balanchine seen in UK for first time to vivid imaginative ballet about Kandinsky art in Pictures Of An Exhibition, created for @nycballet.bsky.social 2014. Famed ballerina Alina Cojocaru performs ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's press night for Mary Poppins musical at Birmingham Hippodrome & this is THE show of the summer. Sensational effects & dance routines, top cast, nostalgic songs & soo feel-good for all the family. It's practically perfect in every way with wonderful finale.Til Aug 23 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#theatresky #reviewsky
#theatresky #reviewsky
July 18, 2025 at 10:47 PM
It's press night for Mary Poppins musical at Birmingham Hippodrome & this is THE show of the summer. Sensational effects & dance routines, top cast, nostalgic songs & soo feel-good for all the family. It's practically perfect in every way with wonderful finale.Til Aug 23 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#theatresky #reviewsky
#theatresky #reviewsky
Watching powerful Sarah Kane play 4.48 Psychosis @the-rsc.bsky.social Other Place in #stratforduponavon with original cast from 25 years ago. It's fascinating, wry & heartwrenching insight into depression & #mentalhealth by writer who later took her own life. Til July 27 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#theatresky #reviewsky
#theatresky #reviewsky
July 15, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Watching powerful Sarah Kane play 4.48 Psychosis @the-rsc.bsky.social Other Place in #stratforduponavon with original cast from 25 years ago. It's fascinating, wry & heartwrenching insight into depression & #mentalhealth by writer who later took her own life. Til July 27 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#theatresky #reviewsky
#theatresky #reviewsky
I was Elmhurst Ballet School gala show in #Birmingham yest. It's one of the city's treasures - linked to Birmingham Royal Ballet & it's in @disneyplusuk.bsky.social doc Madu about Nigerian teen dancer who trains there. Here's about the talent I saw #reviewsky www.weekendnotes.co.uk/elmhurst-bal...
July 9, 2025 at 2:53 PM
I was Elmhurst Ballet School gala show in #Birmingham yest. It's one of the city's treasures - linked to Birmingham Royal Ballet & it's in @disneyplusuk.bsky.social doc Madu about Nigerian teen dancer who trains there. Here's about the talent I saw #reviewsky www.weekendnotes.co.uk/elmhurst-bal...
By Royal Appointment is Malvern Theatres til Sat & it's elegant homage to late #QueenElizabethII. This gentle drama retells key moments of HRH life through outfits & chats with her dresser, clothes designer & hat maker. Sumptuous staging stars Caroline Quentin & Anne Reid #theatresky #reviewsky
July 3, 2025 at 8:14 AM
By Royal Appointment is Malvern Theatres til Sat & it's elegant homage to late #QueenElizabethII. This gentle drama retells key moments of HRH life through outfits & chats with her dresser, clothes designer & hat maker. Sumptuous staging stars Caroline Quentin & Anne Reid #theatresky #reviewsky
Saw The Constant Wife with Rose Leslie @the-rsc.bsky.social Swan Theatre. Breezy, sparkling comedy reworks Somerset Maugham play into fast-paced, feminist delight. Set in 1920s with modern wit about wife who takes unusual approach to husband's infidelity. Fab art deco set & costumes Til Aug 2⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 1, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Saw The Constant Wife with Rose Leslie @the-rsc.bsky.social Swan Theatre. Breezy, sparkling comedy reworks Somerset Maugham play into fast-paced, feminist delight. Set in 1920s with modern wit about wife who takes unusual approach to husband's infidelity. Fab art deco set & costumes Til Aug 2⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Unusual week from seeing Sharon Osbourne open world exclusive @ozzyosbourneoffi.bsky.social exhibition in #Birmingham ahead of Black Sabbath final gig to given rose by inimitable Bill Murray at his music show in Symphony Hall. Effortless comedy too with moral message. What a week!
#bsmuseums ❤️🦴🏺🏛️
#bsmuseums ❤️🦴🏺🏛️
June 28, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Unusual week from seeing Sharon Osbourne open world exclusive @ozzyosbourneoffi.bsky.social exhibition in #Birmingham ahead of Black Sabbath final gig to given rose by inimitable Bill Murray at his music show in Symphony Hall. Effortless comedy too with moral message. What a week!
#bsmuseums ❤️🦴🏺🏛️
#bsmuseums ❤️🦴🏺🏛️
Wonderful Kiefer/Van Gogh exhibition opens in #london at Royal Academy of Arts today & runs til Oct 26. Van Gogh had profound influence on German painter Kiefer & their works with similar themes of sunflowers, portraits & fields are side by side although Van Gogh's intricate detail shines bright
June 28, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Wonderful Kiefer/Van Gogh exhibition opens in #london at Royal Academy of Arts today & runs til Oct 26. Van Gogh had profound influence on German painter Kiefer & their works with similar themes of sunflowers, portraits & fields are side by side although Van Gogh's intricate detail shines bright
First swim of Summer back at Droitwich Spa Lido and it felt glorious with birds overhead. It's 90 years old this year, opened 1935 with lovely art deco remnants all around. It uses natural salt water from the Worcestershire town too. Near Birmingham UK if ever looking to swim
✈️🗺️ #travel #suggestsky
✈️🗺️ #travel #suggestsky
June 18, 2025 at 8:30 AM
First swim of Summer back at Droitwich Spa Lido and it felt glorious with birds overhead. It's 90 years old this year, opened 1935 with lovely art deco remnants all around. It uses natural salt water from the Worcestershire town too. Near Birmingham UK if ever looking to swim
✈️🗺️ #travel #suggestsky
✈️🗺️ #travel #suggestsky
Saw RSC collab with @Radiohead - Hamlet Hail To The Thief. Everything about it is remarkable.Briefer Hamlet with Radiohead music orchestrated by Thom Yorke to perfectly fit. Dance fills gaps to a backdrop of speakers & guitar amplifiers.Electrifying must-see in #stratforduponavon til June 28 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
June 17, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Saw RSC collab with @Radiohead - Hamlet Hail To The Thief. Everything about it is remarkable.Briefer Hamlet with Radiohead music orchestrated by Thom Yorke to perfectly fit. Dance fills gaps to a backdrop of speakers & guitar amplifiers.Electrifying must-see in #stratforduponavon til June 28 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just heading back from Bulgaria. My first time there & it was way more glorious, friendly and beautiful than I'd imagined. So much history too & immaculately clean. A lesser known gem in Eastern Europe if looking for ✈️🗺️ #travel ideas #traveladdict #wanderlust
June 12, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Just heading back from Bulgaria. My first time there & it was way more glorious, friendly and beautiful than I'd imagined. So much history too & immaculately clean. A lesser known gem in Eastern Europe if looking for ✈️🗺️ #travel ideas #traveladdict #wanderlust
Hilarious improv fun with a musicals twist in Showstoppers! at Birmingham Rep tonight. Only one more chance to catch this joyous, ingenious comedy that changes every show. They created funniest tale on Brum's bin strikes tonight. Only in #Birmingham til tomorrow(May 13) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 12, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Hilarious improv fun with a musicals twist in Showstoppers! at Birmingham Rep tonight. Only one more chance to catch this joyous, ingenious comedy that changes every show. They created funniest tale on Brum's bin strikes tonight. Only in #Birmingham til tomorrow(May 13) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Caught Much Ado About Nothing @the-rsc.bsky.social in Stratford upon Avon. It's feel-good, fresh, relevant & cleverly adapted to world of professional footballers. Freema Agyeman & Nick Blood have sizzling chemistry amid glam parties & social media but faithful to original. Must-see til May 24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 9, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Caught Much Ado About Nothing @the-rsc.bsky.social in Stratford upon Avon. It's feel-good, fresh, relevant & cleverly adapted to world of professional footballers. Freema Agyeman & Nick Blood have sizzling chemistry amid glam parties & social media but faithful to original. Must-see til May 24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Saw rehearsal of hard-hitting dance show Bibi Rukiya's Reckless Daughter. Amina Khayyam Dance Company created it with real life stories from Asian women. Premieres Birmingham Hippodrome May 22.About how women enforce coercive control on daughters due to conditioned patriarchy #theatresky #suggestsky
May 9, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Saw rehearsal of hard-hitting dance show Bibi Rukiya's Reckless Daughter. Amina Khayyam Dance Company created it with real life stories from Asian women. Premieres Birmingham Hippodrome May 22.About how women enforce coercive control on daughters due to conditioned patriarchy #theatresky #suggestsky
Saw Shakespeare's bloodiest play Titus Andronicus at RSC. Memorable & chilling with choirboy, tiger mummy & menacing electric pulley. Award-winners Simon Russell Beale is understated Titus & director Max Webster did acclaimed Macbeth with David Tennant. See it til June7 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #theatresky #reviewsky
May 7, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Saw Shakespeare's bloodiest play Titus Andronicus at RSC. Memorable & chilling with choirboy, tiger mummy & menacing electric pulley. Award-winners Simon Russell Beale is understated Titus & director Max Webster did acclaimed Macbeth with David Tennant. See it til June7 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #theatresky #reviewsky
Wonderful to see a new generation of talent from Birmingham Royal Ballet dancing in a gala programme created by Carlos Acosta at Birmingham Hippodrome tonight. Enchanting performances of Sergei Diaghilev's distinctive dances, full of energy and enthusiasm. Next @sadlerswells.bsky.social East Fri-Sat
May 6, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Wonderful to see a new generation of talent from Birmingham Royal Ballet dancing in a gala programme created by Carlos Acosta at Birmingham Hippodrome tonight. Enchanting performances of Sergei Diaghilev's distinctive dances, full of energy and enthusiasm. Next @sadlerswells.bsky.social East Fri-Sat