Reviews Archive
Beneatha's Place by Kwame Kwei-Armah. The Young Vic, 66 The Cut, London SE1 to 5 August 2023. 3***. William Russell.
Stimulating, challenging piece abut race relations today and the white colonial past
Song From Far Away by Simon Stephens and Mark Eitzel. Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, London NW3 to 22 July 2023. 3***. William Russell.
Go see Will Young on top form - not so sure about the play/
Dear England by James Graham. The National Theatre, Southbank, London SE1 to 11 August 2023. 4****. William Russell
A stirring evening even for those who know little about football and could not care less what England bring home with at its heart a fine performance by Joseph Fiennes.
The Third Man. Book & Lyrics by Don Black & Christopher Hampton. Music by Don Black. The Menier Chocolate Factory, 53 Southwark Street, London SE 1 to 9 September 2023. 2**. William Russell.
The worst musical of the year, possibly of any year - an inexplicable translation from film to stage.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller. The Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1 to 2 September 2023. 4****. William Russell.
A fine production of Miller's 1953 play which still has a message for our times - there may be no witches but there are witch hunts still - social media.
The Return of Benjamin Lay by Naomi Wallace & Marcus Rediker. The Finborough theatre, 118 Finborough Rd, London SW10 to 8 July 2023. 4****. William Russell.
Mark Povinelli, himself a small person, brings to life the strange story of a most unusual small person
When Winston Went To War With The Wireless by Jack Thorne. The Donmarwarehouse, 47 Earlham Street, London WC2 to 2023. 4****. William Russell.
Fascinating and splendidly performed battle for the freedom of the airways, one still being waged.
Fury and Elysium. Music and Lyrics by Calista Kazuko Georget. Book by Stephanie Martin. The Other Palace Studio, 12 Palace Street, London SW1 to 18 June 2023. 3***. William Russell.
Come to another cabaret.....
Three Poems by Alistair McDowall. The Jerwood Downstairs, the Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London SW1 to 17 June 2023. 4****. William Russell.
Three astonishing and breathtaking performances by Kate O'Flynn
Grindr - the Opera - book, music and Lyrics by Erik Ransom. The Union Theatre, 229 Union Street, London SE1 to 8 July 2023. 4****. William Russell.
Good to look at, funny, perceptive and very well performed.
Yours Unfaithfully by Miles Malleson. Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London SW1 to 1 July 2023. 5*****.William Russell.
A comedy about open marriage written in 1932 getting its first performance and turning out to sparkle, surprise and delight.
Gypsy. Book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne,lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The Mill at Sonning Eye near Reading until 15 July 2023. 4****. William Russell
Rebecca Thornhill dazzles with a 5**** performance in a 4**** production.
Night Light by Tom Chandler & Maeve O'Haire. Upstairs at the Gatehouse, 1 North Road, Highgate Village, London N6 to 10 June 2023. 4****. William Russsell.
Twenty somethings growing up a little in a diverting comedy.
Re-Member Me by Dickie Beau. Hampstead theatre, Eton Avenue, London NW3 to 17 June 2023. 4****. William Russell.
A stunning not to be missed evening spent looking at Hamlet with Dickie Beau.
Under the Kunde Tree by Clarisse Makundul. Southwark Playhouse - the Little, 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 to 17 June 2023. 4****. William Russell.
Powerful performances in a play about women in a war for independence in the Cameroons.
Macready! Dickens' Theatrical Friend by Mark Stratford. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 27 May 2034. 4****. William Russell.
A great actor manager rediscovered.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser. Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock & Willie Gilbert. Southwark Playhouse, the Large, 77 Newington Causeway, London SE 1 to 17 June 2023. 4****. William Russell.
Loesser's other great show gets a pared down updated staging.
F**king Men by Joe Dipietro. Waterloo East Theatre, Brad Street, London SE1 to 18 June 2023. 4****. William Russell.
Take a heartwarming and illuminating trip on love's merry gay round.
Jules and Jim by Timberlake Wertenbaker based on the novel by Henri-Pierre Roche. Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London W1 to 27 May 2023. 4****. William Russell.
Fine performances in a first rate production of a terrific play.
Animal by Jon Bradfield. Park 200, 13 Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 to 20 May 2023. 5*****. William Russell.
Memorable, moving play about sex, disability, friendship,predators and surviving.