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Reviews – Acting

The Nutcracker: A Christmas Fairy Tale – The New Vic Theatre – Mausrink the Mouse Queen

“Kaitlin Howard is as wicked as anyone can be…”

Chris Eldon – Staffordshire What’s On, November 2023.

“Kaitlin Howard is the evil Mausrink […] who commands terror in the true style of a panto villain as she vies to find the Sugar Plum Princess.”

Rachel Louise Martin – West End Best Friend, November 2023.

“Kaitlin Howard plays the perfect Christmas villain…”

Sonya Farrell – Baba Baboon, November 2023.

Hamlet – The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival – Player/Musician

“Bringing the audience to attention, we have the prelude of Kaitlin on violin, looking simultaneously very cool and very stern […] Kaitlin is also on violin at other times, such as just after the ‘augury’ speech and before the fight commences at the end. She’s one of the Players too and plays two recorders at the same time… just how multi-talented is this lady? Lordy me, she’ll be turning her hand to directing next.”

Andy Muir, www.a-muir.co.uk, July 2019.

Macbeth – The Epstein Theatre, Liverpool – Lady Macduff/Weird Sister

“… there is a powerful portrayal of Lady Macduff by Kaitlin Howard…”

Peter Grant, The Wirral Globe, March 2019.

“There’s a great trio of Weird Sisters whose prophecies drive the story, and they get their message across with Wagnerian theatricality from behind the murky darkness of a stage gauze, returning periodically to underline the plot.”

Nigel Smith, Good News Liverpool, March 2019.

D’Eon – The Straight Acting Theatre Company – The Chevalier d’Eon de Beaumont

“Crucially, though, it’s emotion that really holds a complex and puzzling story together, largely thanks to the astonishing Kaitlin Howard, who totally owns a quicksilver role that may yet become a new definition for “challenging”.”

Kevin Bourke, The Manchester Theatre Awards, February 2018

“…the production is dominated by a stunning performance from Kaitlin Howard who makes D’Eon an amazing and contrary character – sophisticated but crude, a loyal servant but greedy to the point of corruption and hard as nails but terribly hurt by the slights he/she endured from the government he/she served so well. The sheer physical effort involved in never leaving the stage and performing duels as well must not be overlooked.”

David Cunningham, The Manchester Theatre Awards, February 2018

“In D’Eon, Krupinski has sculpted a deliciously juicy and incredibly challenging female role which Kaitlin Howard seizes with both hands. Commanding the stage for the entire two-hour running time, she is utterly convincing in her portrayal, whether hallucinating within the sickly D’Eon’s living hell, viciously slaying oncoming Prussian soldiers, teasing Holstead’s painfully shy Thomas, or bartering for her recognition, Howard is always magnificently watchable, charting the character’s journey effortlessly and movingly. The light, pleasingly back-and-forth chemistry with Holstead allows the audience to relax into the rather dense but pacy first act and establishes their growing relationship. But superb as she is, this is not just a solo effort, Howard being supported by what is surely the tightest, brightest, and most versatile ensemble in town.”

Amy Brushfield, www.flaneur.me.com, February 2018

“Kaitlin Howard who plays D’Eon is on stage throughout the entire two and a half hour production. She is absolutely superb in the lead role and delivers lots of light and shade to the character – she made us feel sad when D’Eon was sad and happy when D’Eon was happy. Not only that but she had a lot of choreography and stage fighting to contend with too, which she pulled off with ease.”

Brian Madden, www.northwestend.co.uk, February 2018

“The whole play revolves around a very impressive and powerful central performance by Howard.”

David Chadderton, www.britishtheatreguide.info, February 2018

“Kaitlin Howard’s performance as D’Eon is captivating, we are left hanging on her every word […] The chemistry between Howard and William Holstead (who plays Thomas Plummer) is nothing short of electric. Her strength and charisma played against his fear, awkwardness and warmth, whilst delivering a lyrical and straight-talking script keeps this story moving purposefully through what could easily have been a stodgy piece of history.”

Charlotte Maxwell, www.afronalysis.com, February 2018

The Merry Wives of Windsor – The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival – Mistress Ford

“Kaitlin Howard invests the initially downcast Mistress Ford with a hearty spirit, wicked sense of humour and mischievous twinkle in her eye – her scenes with Adam Elms [as Falstaff] as they dance round each other are a joy to behold.”

Will Leeman, www.flaneur.me.com, August 2017

“Falstaff’s double act with Mistress Ford, played by Kaitlin Howard, was just fabulous. They had a tremendous onstage chemistry, and the audience was in hysterics at it. […] If you saw Kaitlin play The Countess in All’s Well That Ends Well in the first half of the Festival then you will not be surprised to hear her Mistress Ford comes with dignity, control and more than a little humour but also, at the end, with quite a lot of love. I mentioned that her interactions with Adam Elms as Falstaff were just electrifying, they really were quite something together, it was almost unbearable how good they were together. […] I could talk of Adam Elms and Kaitlin Howard all night, they were both magnificent.”

Andy Muir, Shakespeare In Cambridge Review (audio transcription), August 2017

All’s Well That Ends Well – The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival – The Countess

“Bertram’s mother was magnificent […] The interchanges between Helena and The Countess at the beginning were sparkling, and they worked together very well. They really seemed how I imagined Helena and The Countess to be and now I simply cannot imagine anyone else playing those characters. I saw a production some years ago at The Globe and for the life of me cannot remember what the The Countess looked like; when I think of The Countess I will now always just think of Kaitlin.”

Andy Muir, Shakespeare In Cambridge Review (audio transcription), July 2017

Treasure Island – Birmingham Rep – Joan The Goat

“For all their murderousness, Silver’s crew are largely comical, though […] Kaitlin Howard cuts a rather tragic figure as a brain-damaged Joan the Goat with a pot lid fused to her skull, perpertually tormented by the noises in her head.”

Heather Kincaid, What’s On, November 2016

Mother Goose – Oldham Coliseum – Fairy Feathers

“Kaitlin Howard as Fairy Feathers brings out the comic aspects of her role to great acclaim.”

Brenda Kean, www.theatre-reviews.co.uk, November 2015

The Alphabet Girl – Moxie Under Fire – The Winners

“…this one-woman, one-hour, all-emotion tour de force […] is performed by local actress Kaitlin Howard — usually a regular in the Coliseum’s famous pantomimes, and here stretching her acting muscles to the limit. The play has been around for a while and has already won several awards, including Manchester Theatre Awards and Manchester Fringe trophies. […] Howard makes three convincingly different women; outwardly bright and businesslike, seemingly sex-obsessed Lily; randy and uncaring Maisie and utterly misplaced Ivy, for whom getting back to some sort of track would be something of a miracle […] this is entertaining material, delivered with power and energy.”

Paul Genty, The Oldham Chronicle, September 2015

“This monologue play by Renny Krupinski serves as an excellent showcase for actress Kaitlin Howard while offering a good share of character insights, surprises and comedy as well […] It’s a slight piece, but one full enough of surprises to keep you always alert and entertained, with the added pleasure of watching Kaitlin Howard’s expressive range as an actress.”

Gerald Berkowitz, www.theatreguide.london, August 2015

“In this one woman play [Kaitlin Howard] produces an astonishing performance. […] this is an interesting play with great acting and well worth checking out.”

Dave Cox, Darkchat, August 2015

“Kaitlin Howard puts on a good performance, switching between the characters with minimalistic costume changes. Her stand-out role would be that of the middle generation, playing the thoroughly screwed-over mother and daughter superbly. Her anxiety and haughtiness contrast nicely with the grandmother’s Cockney roots and the daughter’s peppy attitude when recounting the family history. Howard works well to jump between the three different monologues.”

Louise Jones, Broadway Baby, August 2015

“Actor Kaitlin Howard is great, portraying each character as convincingly rounded.”

Gemma Scott, ThreeWeeks, August 2015

“Kaitlin Howard is a brave, subtle and versatile actor – she plays all three characters with conviction. First on stage is Ivy who appears naive and wide-eyed, talking into a camera mounted on a tripod, she describes her mother and grandmother. A leopard print faux fur jacket later and Howard transforms into grandmother Maisie – her face hardened and her hands shaking, ravaged by drink and bitterness. A particular highlight is Lily, a well-spoken and deeply intimidating character who addresses the audience directly and holds their gaze for slightly longer than is comfortable. And it is through this that Howard succeeds in creating a chilling, mysterious and heightened theatrical experience”

Kristy Stott, Upstaged Manchester, August 2015

“Kaitlin Howard delivers a bravura performance in a difficult series of roles.”

Kevin Bourke, The Manchester Theatre Awards, September 2014

“We have one performer, Kaitlin Howard, taking on the three roles of Grandmother, Mother, and Daughter […] a considerable challenge for Howard who […] smoothly takes charge of all three. […] Not every actor would or could take on these demands. […] However we should consider no fellow cast members for back-up, few costume changes for character, and no interval for respite. Kaitlin Howard bravely copes with it all.”

Diana Stenson, The Manchester Theatre Awards, September 2014

“Kaitlin Howard gives a remarkable performance creating three very different characters. The rather gushing and somewhat naïve Ivy gives way to the embittered Maisy whose love life is described as never getting above tepid yet who regarded her courtship as the happiest days of her life. Lily is a particular triumph; Howard adopts an accent that shows no trace of her humble origins and makes Lily’s defensive use of her body and brittle nature frightening rather than eccentric. The characters draw sympathy being depicted sharing the urge to escape, whether from a squalid home life or an inappropriate sexuality, but Howard ensures that the sneaky and sly self-justification of the deceiver is also apparent […] a powerful play with a superb central performance.”

David Cunningham, The Manchester Theatre Awards, September 2014

The Carlton Colliers – Badapple Theatre – Nina

“What it has immediately to its advantage is a cast familiar with each other from Gold Tops duty and consequently able to steer to calm waters through complete confidence in each other […] Nuggety northern humour, the borrowed football sayings (courtesy of the likes of Bill Shankly) and love in its myriad forms are delivered in typically enjoyable performances by Angell, Brooks and Howard, in particular.”

Charles Hutchinson, The York Press, November 2013

Lights Out Land Girls! – Badapple Theatre – Biddy

“…cheeky Scouser Buff and and no-nonsense, strapping Yorkshire lass Biddy, are a sort of double act, such is the instant rapport of company newcomer Zoe Land and the returning Kaitlin Howard. Their scene on a bike, bumping across the Yorkshire landscape, is an immediate classic.”

Charles Hutchinson, The York Press, April 2013

Eddie and The Gold Tops – Badapple Theatre – Marion/Lilly/Camille/Lindsey/Velda

“The cast of three performers show great talent, versatility and stamina in playing all of the roles, particularly as all are also required to sing […] Kaitlin Howard plays Edwin’s girlfriend Marion along with several other contrasting roles and is able to show off her vocals in several standout numbers.”

Mark Clegg, www.thepublicreviews.com, October 2012

BARE – BareBack Theatre – Val/Chrissie/Blythe

“There are strong performances from Paul Michael Giblin as the honourable young man with only one way to support his family and Kaitlin Howard doing more than you might expect with the Adrian role of the fighter’s wife.”

Gerald Berkowitz, The Stage, August 2010

King Lear – 2B Theatre – Regan

“Kaitlin Howard was an excellent Regan.”

Adrian Bhagat, Left Lion, February 2009

Much Ado About Nothing – Oddsocks Productions – Beatrice

“Beatrice and Benedick, the bickering pair of not-yet-lovers, were played by Kaitlin Howard and Phil Yarrow and their dialogue was just as slick and barbed as it should be.”

Deborah Soper, The Guernsey Press, August 2008

“This was a madcap and hilarious romp through one of Shakespeare’s much loved plays. The cast were witty and engaged the audience with their seemingly “off the cuff banter” and made the play totally accessible to all watching […] The performance of Yarrow and Howard arguing and exchanging insults was one of the many highlights of this unique production.”

Mark Edwards, Harrogate Advertiser, August 2008

“We were presented with a very fine Beatrice and Benedick, as good as any I’ve seen on posher stages in recent years. Kaitlin Howard was a finely spoken and feisty Beatrice with a beautiful singing voice and a clear grasp of martial arts.”

Peter Lewis, The Hexham Courant, July 2008

Echoes From One to Another – Rudi Arapahoe [Label – Symbolic Interaction] – Spoken Vocals

“The fleeting elfin-chanteuse vocals of Kaitlin Howard only add to the mystique surrounding this release.”

Michael Henaghan, AngryApe, June 2008