Inside Giovanni’s Room – Reviews Are In
20 Mar 2025
We’re delighted to share some of our top reviews from the first leg of our Spring 2025 tour of our brand new production Inside Giovanni’s Room.
We’ve loved being back on the road again, sharing our new narrative work based on James Baldwin‘s seminal novel Giovanni’s Room. Following the World Premiere in our home city of Leeds at Leeds Playhouse, and our performances in Dundee and Newcastle, we’re excited to head back to Birmingham and Liverpool before ending the tour with a 5 show run at newly opened Sadler’s Wells East in London.
Read some of the top reviews from our Spring tour so far:
5 ★★★★★- “Inside Giovanni’s Room is more than a performance, it’s a powerful meditation on identity, shame, and the universal desire to be seen and loved. A triumph in every sense.” – The Spy in the Stalls
5 ★★★★★ – “Inside Giovanni’s Room was a thought-provoking and enjoyable experience that showcased amazing talent on and off the stage.” – Northern Arts Review
5 ★★★★★ – “… moving, engaging, gripping and thought provoking from beginning to end” – Fairy Powered Productions
5 ★★★★★ – “Inside Giovanni’s room is an electric adaptation of James Baldwin’s novel, with captivating performances and fresh, exciting choreography that bring this modern classic squarely into the present day.” – Everything Theatre
4 ★★★★ – “This bold new version of James Baldwin’s landmark novel is intimate and expressive” – The Times
4 ★★★★ – “…compelling storytelling and strong dancing, joy mixed in with sex and heartbreak.” – Reviews Hub
4 ★★★★ – “Phoenix, led by Teige Bisnought (as David) and Dylan Springer (as Giovanni) have never looked better.” – Financial Times
4 ★★★★ – “Characters astound with abundant dimensional nuance” – The Morning Star
4 ★★★★ “A fearless and tender dance adaptation that confronts queer desire, shame, and selfhood with aching vulnerability.” – ArtsHub
4 ★★★★ “Important, urgent and beautiful, Phoenix Dance Theatre have created a show that will leave a lasting image in your mind.” – The Indiependent
4 ★★★★ “…an emotional and gripping story of sexuality and shame.” – North West End UK
4 ★★★★ – “streamlined and hard-hitting dance” – Ballet Position
“Inside Giovanni’s Room is a serious, well-produced, meaningful piece..” – British Theatre Guide
“Phoenix Dance Theatre’s artistic director Marcus Jarrell Willis brings an urgency and groove to a tale of hunger, tenderness and sexual identity” – The Guardian
“Throughout the entire performance, each creative aspect worked seamlessly as a unit with others; nothing appeared to be an afterthought… Phoenix Dance Theatre has proved once again the limitless boundaries of dance performance and will surely inspire audiences with this innovative adaptation.” – Leeds Living
“… one of the most amazing pieces of theatre I have ever seen..” – Tyke It To The Limit
“The dancers of Phoenix Dance Theatre rise to the challenges of this highly charged piece with passion and stamina and have rarely looked better.” – Dance Europe
“Willis’ choreography is tight down to the last detail” Weekend Notes