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Reviews
Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle adapted by Nick Lane. 2✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“The real mystery is why this Conan Doyle novel was made into a play.”
Photo credit: Alex Harvey-Brown.
The Dream of a Ridiculous Man by Fyodor Dostoyevsky adapted by Laurence Boswell. The Marylebone Theatre, 36 Park Road, London NW1 to 30 April 2025. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Greg Hicks stunning as the ridiculous man.”
Photo Credit: Mark Senior.
The Divine Mrs S by April De Angelis. Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 to 27 April 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A sparkling performance from Rachael Stirling in a very funny play.”
Photo Credit: Credit Johan Persson.
Don’t. Make. Tea. by Rob Drummond. The Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1 to 06 April 2024 & then on tour. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A chillingly funny look at life on disability benefits.”
Photo Credit: Andy Catlin.
Opening Night. Book by Ivo Van Hove. Music & Lyric by Rufus Wainwright. The Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London to 27 July 2024. 1✩ Review: William Russell.
“A mind bogglingly terrible car crash of a show.”
Photo Credit: Jan Versweyveld.
Foam by Harry McDonald. The Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 to13 April 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Powerful, disturbing, violent and not for the faint hearted.”
Photo Credit: Craig Fuller.
Faith Healer by Brian Friel. The Lyric Theatre, King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 to 13 April 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A spell binding revival of a very fine play.”
Photo Credit: Marc Brenner.
The Essence of Audrey by Helen Anker. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 16 March 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Audrey Hepburn brought vividly to life.”
Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, London E1. 3✩✩✩ Review: Clare Colvin.
“Barber of Seville goes Way out West.”
Photo: Bill Knight.
Frank’s Closet. Book, music and lyrics by Stuart Wood. The Union theatre, 229 Union Street, Southwark, London SE1 to 30 March 2024. 2✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Great legs but not much in the closet.”
Photo Credit: Danny Kaan.
London Zoo by Farine Clarke. Southwark Playhouse, the Little, 77 Newington Causeway, London to 30 March 2024. 2✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A drama about the slow death of newspapers – the problem is the play is dead.”
Photo Credit: Linda Crisafulli.
Casserole by James Alexandrou, Kate Kelly-Flood & Dominic Morgan. The Arcola, Studio 2, 24 Ashwin Street, Dalston, London E8 to 30 March 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Impressive performances in a play about marital troubles and bereavement”
Photo Credit: Kit Mackenzie
The Lonely Londoners by Roy Williams based on the novel by Sam Selvon. Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London SW1Y to 6 April 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A powerful finely acted but hard to follow at times play about the Windrush Generation.”
Photo Credit: Alex Brenner.
Stitches by Jonathan Blakeley. The Hope Theatre, 207 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 to 07 March 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A lifelong friendship memorably told by a Teddy Bear.”
Photo Credit: Zak Fenning.
Marry Me A Little. Songs by Stephen Sondheim. Conceived by Craig Lucas & Norman Rene. The Stage Door Theatre, 150 Drury Lane, London WC2b to 13 April 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“An enchanting evening beautifully sung”
Photo Credit: Peter Davies.
The Sobcentre by Benedict Crosby, written by Guy Woods. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 02 March 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
"A well acted and intriguing play about inmates of a clinic for sad people.”
Photo Credit: Jessy Winchester
Standing at the Sky’s Edge. Book by Chris Bush, Music & Lyrics by Richard Hawley. The Gillian Lynne Theatre, 166 Drury Lane, London WC2B booking to 31 April 2024. 5*****: William Russell.
“One of the best musicals in years.”
Photo credit: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg
The Human Body by Lucy Kirkwood. The Donmar Warehouse, 41 Earlham Street, London WC2H to 13 April 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Keely Hawes magnificent in an overlong, overstuffed play set during the creation of the National Health Service.”
Photo Credit: Marc Brenner.
Manon Lescaut by Giacomo Puccini, English Touring Opera, Hackney Empire, London E8, then touring till 28 May. 2✩✩ Review: Clare Colvin.
“Tragedy as a surreal nightmare.”
Photo Credit: Richard Hubert Smith
JAB by James McDermott. The Finborough Theatre,118 Finborough Road, London SW10 to 16 March. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A finely written account of a marriage falling apart under the strains of lockdown brilliantly acted.”
Photo Credit: Steve Gregson