Reviews Archive
Dark Sublime by Michael Dennis. Trafalgar Studio 2, London SW1A to 3 August. 3***. William Russell
A frequently very funny and moving look at the perils of associating with fans, the nature of friendship and television sci fi series.
Present Laughter by Noel Coward. The Old Vic, the Cut, London SE1 to 10 August. 5*****. William Russell
Andrew Scott dazzles as matinee idol Garry Essendine in this very funny, slightly dated Coward comedy.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare. St Paul's Church, Covent Garden, London WC2. to 27 July. 3***. William Russell
Interesting take on Hamlet played by Jenet La Lacheur but this promenade performance is going nowhere.
Summer Rolls by Tuyen Do. Park Theatre - Park 90, London N4 to 13 July. 3***. William Russell
A fascinating look at an unfamiliar world: Vietnamese family struggles to fit in to life in Britain and secrets from the past are revealed.
Bitter Wheat by David Mamet. The Garrick theatre, London WC2 to 21 September. 2**. William Russell
John Malkovich returns to the stage in a deeply unpleasant David Mamet play unworthy of their talents.
After Dark by Dion Boucicault, The Finborough Theatre, London SW10 to 6 July. 5*****. William Russell
Splendidly directed Victorian melodrama with laughter, thrills, maidens in peril, dashing heroes and dastardly villains.
The Flies by Jean Paul Sartre. The Bunker, Southwark Street, London SE1 to 6 July. 1*. William Russell
Sartre's 1943 play about Orestes and Elektra retold as being all about fake news.
Napoli, Brooklyn by Meghan Kennedy. Park Theatre 200, Finsbury Park, London N4. 2**. William Russell
Unfocused and tedious family drama in which three sisters try to escape a tyrannical father.
THE PORTRAIT OF DORIAN GRAY by Oscar Wilde adapted by Lucy Shaw. Jermyn Street theatre, London SW1. 3*** William Russell
Four intriguing well performed role swapping versions of the famous story of the picture in the attic,
AFTERGLOW by S Asher Gelman. Southwark PLayhouse, London SE1 6BD. 2**. William Russell
Three young actors bare all and do their best to rescue a dismal tale of gay love in and outside marriage.
FLAT OUT by Jennifer Selway. Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London. 4****. William Russell
A very funny new farce of which the master of the genre Ray Cooney would surely approve.
F*ck You, Pay Me by Joana Nastari, The Bunker, 4****, Veronica Stein
Sex work can be gritty, can be fabulous...and can be both. The underbelly explored.
Vincent River,Trafalgar Studios,2**,Ken Deed
A Thousands Splendid Suns, Birmingham REP, 4****; Rod Dungate
Strong, compelling, disturbing.
Small Island by Helen Edmundson based on the novel by Andrea Levy. National Theatre, London SE 19. 5*****. William Russell
A splendid adaptation of Andrea Levy's novel superbly directed by Rufus Norris. Watch and feel ashamed for the sins of our forefathers.
Rosmersholm by Henrik Ibsen, The Duke of York's Theatre, St Martin's Lane, London WC2N. 4****. William Russell.
Hayley Atwell dazzles in this very fine revival directed by Ian Rickson of one of Ibsen's less frequently performed plays.
Man of La Mancha by Mitch Leigh, Joe Darion & Dale Wasserman. London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, WC2. 2**. William Russell . The London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane WC2. 2** William Russell
A dire revival of a show not seen for half a century.
Miss Julie & Creditors by August Strindberg in new versions by Howard Brenton. Jermyn Street Theatre, London SW1. 4****. William Russell.
Two celebrated Strindberg plays written in 1888 when he was suffering from mental strain in new versions by Howard Brenton played in repertory.
Jane Clegg by St John Ervine. The Finborough theatre, London SW10. 4****. William Russell
An interesting resurrection of the play which made Sybil Thorndike's name as a wife who defies the conventions of 1913 - he slams the door.
Market Boy by David Eldridge. The Union Theatre, London SE1. 4****. William Russell
Losing one's cherry in Romford - a first rate revival of a play about Thatcher's Britain.