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Reviews
Don’t Destroy Me by Michael Hastings. The Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 to 03 February 2024. 3***: William Russell.
“Half forgotten Michael Hasting’s first play written when he was 18 is resurrected.”
Photo Credit Philip Gammon
Jenùfa by Leoš Janácek, London Symphony Orchestra, Barbican Hall, London EC2. 5*****: Clare Colvin.
“Powerfully vivid performance of Janácek’s most moving opera.”
Photo Credit: Barbican.
The Good John Proctor by Talena Monahon. Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London SW1 to 27 January 2024. 4****: William Russell.
“A disturbing, perceptive look at the girls who dreamt up the witches of Salem.”
Photo credit : Jack Sain.
The Boys in the Boat (2024), Dir George Clooney, Warner Bros. Pictures. 4****: Matthew Alicoon
“Immersive camera work well in this intense drama.”
Waiting for Hate Mail by Mark Akrill. Seven Dials Playhouse, Tower Street, London to 20 January 2024. 3***: William Russell.
“A tale of love and hate mail and betrayal dazzlingly told.”
Photo Credit : Steve Gregson.
1979 by Michael Healey. The Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 to 27 January 2024. 2**: William Russell.
“Turgid drama about Canadian politics.”
Photo Credit: Simon Annand.
Fair Maid of the West Isobel McArthur, after Thomas Heywood, RSC, The Swan, Stratford Upon Avon, till 14 January 2024. 4****: Roderick Dungate.
“A Seasonal Rom Oozing with Good Will and Good Cheer.”
Photo: Courtesy of RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon.
The National Youth Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 05 January 2024. 5*****: William Ruff:
“The NYO’s spectacular playing bodes well for the future of classical music.”
Goldilocks & The Three Bears,Theatre Royal Plymouth until 13 Jan 2024. 4****: Cormac Richards.
“Colourful, fun and refreshingly different.”
This Much I know by Jonathan Spector. Hampstead Downstairs, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London to 27 January 2024. 4****: William Russell.
“Bewildering but intriguing and well performed last play of the year.”
Photo Credit:The Other Richard.
Tenebrae, A Christmas Conversation, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 19 December 2023. 5*****: William Ruff.
“Tenebrae create an uplifting fusion of Christmas words and music.”
A Christmas Celebration, Southwell Music Festival 2023, Southwell Minster, 18 December 2023. 5*****: William Ruff.
“Music and words that probe deeply into the Christmas spirit.”
Photo Credit: ChrisMaguire.
The Motive and The Cue by Jack Thorne, The Noel Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London to 23 March 2024. 4****: William Russell.
“Mark Gatiss and Johnny Flynn magnificent account of how Richard Burton’s Hamlet reached the stage.”
Production Photo: Mark Douet.
Jack and the Beanstalk, The Bull Hotel, Bridport – (touring). 4****: Cormac Richards.
“A pocket-sized panto for everyone.”
Yu Kosuge (piano), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 17 December 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
“Piano playing of depth, concentration and sharp focus.”
Photo Credit: Marco Borggreve.
Sleeping Beauty, until 01 January 2024, Exeter Corn Exchange. 2**: Cormac Richards.
“An enthusiastic cast can’t revive a dire script.”
Little Red Riding Hood by Katherine Chandler, The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, to 06 Jan 2024. Birmingham B1 2EP. 4****: Joanna Jarvis.
“Bad can be good!”
Photo Credit: Chris Askey.
Your’re a Good Man,Charlie Brown. Book, Music & Lyrics by Clark Gesner. Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village, London to 14 January 2024. 3***: William Russell.
“Snoopy steals the show.”
Photo Credit : Simon Jackson.
Rock ‘N’ Roll by Tom Stoppard. Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3. 3***: William Russell.
“Strongly cast revival of a play which for all its interest time has maybe not been kind to.”
Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan.
Dick Whittington By Alan McHugh. Additional material by Paul Merton. Richmond Theatre, The Green, Richmond, TW9 1QJ to 07 January 2024. 4****: William Russell.
“Paul Merton is a magnificent dame in a first rate pantomime.”
Photo Credit: Craig Sugden.