Diane Parkes
@dianeparkes.bsky.social
Freelance writer and journalist based in Brum writing largely about the arts. Love theatre, dance, great books and fab friends.
"This is a Carmen like no other. Acosta Danza is part contemporary, part classical and part Cuban. All of that is fused into Carmen - and audiences love that.” Carlos Acosta on the upcoming tour of his Carmen: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/carlos-acost...
Carlos Acosta's Carmen - UK Tour
www.weekendnotes.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 5:01 PM
"This is a Carmen like no other. Acosta Danza is part contemporary, part classical and part Cuban. All of that is fused into Carmen - and audiences love that.” Carlos Acosta on the upcoming tour of his Carmen: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/carlos-acost...
It's ⭐⭐⭐⭐for Birmingham Hippodrome's panto Robin Hood - packed full of personality, fun, laughter and magic.
www.whatsonstage.com/news/robin-h...
www.whatsonstage.com/news/robin-h...
Robin Hood pantomime at Birmingham Hippodrome – review
Matt Slack, Gok Wan, Faye Tozer, Matt Cardle, Christopher Biggins and more star in this year’s festive production
www.whatsonstage.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:51 PM
It's ⭐⭐⭐⭐for Birmingham Hippodrome's panto Robin Hood - packed full of personality, fun, laughter and magic.
www.whatsonstage.com/news/robin-h...
www.whatsonstage.com/news/robin-h...
'An important aspect about dance is how it can connect you to your being, to reality. It kind of forces you into life.' Michael Keegan-Dolan discusses his show MÁM which comes to Birmingham Hippodrome next spring: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/teac-damsa-u...
Teac Damsa UK Tour of MAM
www.weekendnotes.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
'An important aspect about dance is how it can connect you to your being, to reality. It kind of forces you into life.' Michael Keegan-Dolan discusses his show MÁM which comes to Birmingham Hippodrome next spring: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/teac-damsa-u...
I loved this show when I first saw it and now it's back - Birmingham Royal Ballet's Don Quixote kicks off a UK tour in Birmingham in February: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/birmingham-r...
Birmingham Royal Ballet UK Tour of Don Quixote
www.weekendnotes.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 1:48 PM
I loved this show when I first saw it and now it's back - Birmingham Royal Ballet's Don Quixote kicks off a UK tour in Birmingham in February: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/birmingham-r...
⭐⭐⭐⭐ for No Such Thing As Wolves at Birmingham Hippodrome in WhatsOnStage review.
'No Such Thing As Wolves is a delightful show for little children'
www.whatsonstage.com/news/no-such...
'No Such Thing As Wolves is a delightful show for little children'
www.whatsonstage.com/news/no-such...
No Such Thing As Wolves musical at Birmingham Hippodrome – review
Gerard Foster and Richie Webb’s family-friendly show runs in the Patrick Studio until 4 January
www.whatsonstage.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:32 AM
⭐⭐⭐⭐ for No Such Thing As Wolves at Birmingham Hippodrome in WhatsOnStage review.
'No Such Thing As Wolves is a delightful show for little children'
www.whatsonstage.com/news/no-such...
'No Such Thing As Wolves is a delightful show for little children'
www.whatsonstage.com/news/no-such...
This is a great little show for little 'uns - No Such Thing As Wolves at Birmingham Hippodrome: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/no-such-thin...
No Such Thing As Wolves at Birmingham Hippodrome - Review
www.weekendnotes.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 10:59 AM
This is a great little show for little 'uns - No Such Thing As Wolves at Birmingham Hippodrome: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/no-such-thin...
We've had some wonderful theatre in our region in the past year while there have also been some amazing West End shows.
The WhatsonStage awards give US the chance to give those amazing shows a pat on the back.
To vote click: awards.whatsonstage.com
The WhatsonStage awards give US the chance to give those amazing shows a pat on the back.
To vote click: awards.whatsonstage.com
WhatsOnStage Awards
Now in their 26th year, the WhatsOnStage Awards are considered one of the top highlights of the theatrical calendar, saluting the best of UK theatre. On the night, as well as seeing the winners crowne...
awards.whatsonstage.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:01 AM
We've had some wonderful theatre in our region in the past year while there have also been some amazing West End shows.
The WhatsonStage awards give US the chance to give those amazing shows a pat on the back.
To vote click: awards.whatsonstage.com
The WhatsonStage awards give US the chance to give those amazing shows a pat on the back.
To vote click: awards.whatsonstage.com
It's back @theheathbookshop Literature and Music Festival returns next April. Get it in your diaries. www.weekendnotes.co.uk/the-heath-bo...
The Heath Bookshop Literature and Music Festival 2026
www.weekendnotes.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 9:43 AM
It's back @theheathbookshop Literature and Music Festival returns next April. Get it in your diaries. www.weekendnotes.co.uk/the-heath-bo...
I was at the panto again last night, oh yes I was - this time a Sleeping Beauty full of sparkle at Wolves Grand: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/sleeping-bea...
December 4, 2025 at 9:54 AM
I was at the panto again last night, oh yes I was - this time a Sleeping Beauty full of sparkle at Wolves Grand: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/sleeping-bea...
We're all looking forward to the release of the movie of #Hamnet but nowhere more so than the Shakespeare houses in Stratford-upon-Avon - www.weekendnotes.co.uk/hamnet-scree...
Hamnet Screening + Q&A - Stratford-upon-Avon Everyman Cinema
www.weekendnotes.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 10:53 AM
We're all looking forward to the release of the movie of #Hamnet but nowhere more so than the Shakespeare houses in Stratford-upon-Avon - www.weekendnotes.co.uk/hamnet-scree...
First panto of the year and its full of family fun - Cinderella at the Old Rep Theatre: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/boa-groups-p...
BOA Group's Pantomime Cinderella at Birmingham Old Rep - Review
www.weekendnotes.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 9:38 AM
First panto of the year and its full of family fun - Cinderella at the Old Rep Theatre: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/boa-groups-p...
I caught BRB's Nutcracker this evening. I've seen it so many times yet it's still wonderful.
November 25, 2025 at 11:04 PM
I caught BRB's Nutcracker this evening. I've seen it so many times yet it's still wonderful.
'So many aspects of the show are brimming with imagination and fun that you could watch it again and again and see something new each time.'
Review of #Sherlock Holmes and The 12 Days of Christmas @therepbirmingham
www.weekendnotes.co.uk/sherlock-hol...
What did you think?
Review of #Sherlock Holmes and The 12 Days of Christmas @therepbirmingham
www.weekendnotes.co.uk/sherlock-hol...
What did you think?
Sherlock Holmes and The 12 Days of Christmas at Birmingham Rep
www.weekendnotes.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 8:47 AM
'So many aspects of the show are brimming with imagination and fun that you could watch it again and again and see something new each time.'
Review of #Sherlock Holmes and The 12 Days of Christmas @therepbirmingham
www.weekendnotes.co.uk/sherlock-hol...
What did you think?
Review of #Sherlock Holmes and The 12 Days of Christmas @therepbirmingham
www.weekendnotes.co.uk/sherlock-hol...
What did you think?
I was at Miss Saigon at the Alex last night. Such wonderful songs and some great performances all round.
November 20, 2025 at 10:32 AM
I was at Miss Saigon at the Alex last night. Such wonderful songs and some great performances all round.
A Birmingham gem - BRB's Nutcracker opens this weekend: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/the-nutcrack...
November 18, 2025 at 9:55 AM
A Birmingham gem - BRB's Nutcracker opens this weekend: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/the-nutcrack...
Brilliant Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition at Wolverhampton Museum and Art Gallery: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/wildlife-pho...
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery
www.weekendnotes.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Brilliant Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition at Wolverhampton Museum and Art Gallery: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/wildlife-pho...
The clowns have come to town with Slava's Snow Show at Birmingham Alex.
November 12, 2025 at 9:57 PM
The clowns have come to town with Slava's Snow Show at Birmingham Alex.
Lots of festive cheer and it's only November! Elf The Musical comes to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre:
Full review here: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/elf-the-musi...
Full review here: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/elf-the-musi...
Elf The Musical at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - Review
www.weekendnotes.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Lots of festive cheer and it's only November! Elf The Musical comes to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre:
Full review here: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/elf-the-musi...
Full review here: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/elf-the-musi...
Looking forward to Slava's Snowshow which returns to Birmingham this week. I interviewed Slava earlier this year at his home outside Paris and found out how the show takes us all back to childhood: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/slavas-snows...
Slava's Snowshow - Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
www.weekendnotes.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Looking forward to Slava's Snowshow which returns to Birmingham this week. I interviewed Slava earlier this year at his home outside Paris and found out how the show takes us all back to childhood: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/slavas-snows...
Calling all theatre fans - you can vote in the WhatsOnStage annual awards so let's support our local theatres to gain national recognition: www.whatsonstage.com/news/nominat...
Nominations open for the 26th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards
The process begins now – who will you pick?
www.whatsonstage.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Calling all theatre fans - you can vote in the WhatsOnStage annual awards so let's support our local theatres to gain national recognition: www.whatsonstage.com/news/nominat...
Brum Hippodrome turned into Paris' famous club - Moulin Rouge.
November 5, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Brum Hippodrome turned into Paris' famous club - Moulin Rouge.
Local actors take to the stage in the hit musical Fiddler on the Roof when it opens at Birmingham Alex for Christmas: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/fiddler-on-t...
Fiddler on the Roof at Birmingham Alexandra Theatre
www.weekendnotes.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Local actors take to the stage in the hit musical Fiddler on the Roof when it opens at Birmingham Alex for Christmas: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/fiddler-on-t...
It's daft and fun - Starter for Ten at Birmingham Rep: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/starter-for-...
Starter for Ten at Birmingham Rep - Review
www.weekendnotes.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 9:44 AM
It's daft and fun - Starter for Ten at Birmingham Rep: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/starter-for-...
Lots of Kinks hits at Sunny Afternoon at the Alex.
October 21, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Lots of Kinks hits at Sunny Afternoon at the Alex.