Reviews Archive
The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk by Daniel Jamieson. Kneehigh Theatre on demand until 18th December 2020: **** Mark Courtice
Proper theatre, sure footed, layered, with a moving love story at its heart
Ten Soldiers by Rosie Kay: Rosie Kay Dance Company on line, Part of Army at the Virtual Fringe 2020: Until 19th August 2020. *** Mark Courtice
What's dance got to do with the Army, and what's the Army got to do with dance?
Jekyll and Hyde Drew McOnie, inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson: Old Vic on line until 12th August 2020: 3***. Mark Courtice
Dance shocker is gruesome fun - but not subtle
Dadderrs The Lockdown Telly Show: by Frauke Requardt & Daniel Oliver: The Place on line until 21st August 2020 *** Mark Courtice
11short episodes, meandering, but moreish.
Traces of Antigone by Christina Ouzounidis, ODT Ensemble at Electric Dreams Festival on line until 30th July 2020 **** Mark Courtice
Rich and suggestive performance, wild, enthralling, and often mad.
Rich Kids: A History of Shopping Malls in Tehran Co-created by Javaad Alipoor and Kirsty Housley: Electric Dreams Festival online: various dates until 14th August 2020. **** Mark Courtice
Intelligent, clever and ambitious show explores politics, history, economics and ecology.
My White Best Friend (and Other Letters Left Unsaid): Co-curated by Rachel De-Lahay and Milli Bhatia: Royal Court at Home: Until 17th July 2020: ****4 Mark Courtice
A most important and urgent evening mixes the personal and political
Invisible Music by Platform 4: on line at Platform 4 until 15th August 2020: 4****. Mark Courtice
An intriguing meditation on hearing loss is meandering and sinuous but often sharply surprising
The Deep Blue Sea by by Terence Rattigan: National Theatre at Home online until 16th July 2020. *** Mark Courtice
There's a wonderful performance at the heart of this production
Splendid Isolation: Lockdown Drama, Lyric Theatre Belfast, on BBC iPlayer until 25th June 2021. **** Mark Courtice
7 short plays from Northern ireland. Big hearted writing with performances to match
Coriolanus by William Shakespeare, Donmar Warehouse on National Theatre at Home to 11th June 2020. *** Mark Courtice
Stripped down and dark, it's all about the characters.
What the Butler Saw by Joe Orton: Curve Theatre, The Show Must Go Online; until the end of lockdown 2020. 4****. Mark Courtice
Joe Orton still has got what it takes - to shock and amuse
Caretaker by Hester Chillingworth, Royal Court Theatre Downstairs, London until the end of lockdown 2020. 4**** Mark Courtice
Brilliantly current response to lockdown – not much happens but there’s a lot going on.
It’s True, It’s True, It’s True: Breach Theatre on line until 17th May 2020: 4****: Mark Courtice
Ingenious recreation of a renaissance scandal is very good; upsetting, direct, furious and brave.
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare: National Theatre at Home until 30th April 2020. 4****. Mark Courtice
Funny, moving and very well acted - a reminder of why our theatres matter.
Crongton Knights, By Alex Wheatle, adapted by Emteaz Hussain: Pilot Theatre webcast until 9th May 2020. 4**** Mark Courtice
Alex Wheatle’s Young Adult novel is given a wonderfully energetic, fluid production.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, adapted by Arthur Pita: Royal Opera House on line to 17th May 2020: 5***** Mark Courtice
Kafka’s frightening story turned into astonishing theatre
Drawing the Line by Howard Brenton: Hampstead Theatre at home and The Guardian to April 19th 2020. 3***. Review Mark Courtice
Howard Brenton’s knotty play definitely gives us something else to think about.
Jane Eyre: based on the novel by Charlotte Bronte: National Theatre at Home to 15th April 2020. 5*****. Mark Courtice
A wonderful, creative treat for the lockdown
Wonderland by Beth Steel: Hampstead Theatre at home: until 12th April 2020: 3***: Mark Courtice
2014 play seems a bit old-fashioned now, but some interesting performances and skilled direction