Reviews Archive
A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare. Wilton's Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley, London E1 to 15 February 2020. 3***. William Russell.
A delightful trip into the woods with star crossed lovers and a funny female Bottom.
Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Wilton's Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley, London E1 to 8 February 2020. 2**. William Russell
The Scottish play lives up to its reputation in a stylish but poorly spoken production.
Devoted and Disgruntled 15, an invitation: Battersea Arts Centre, London:8th-10th February 2020.
Devoted and Disgruntled: An unmissable weekend discussing the future of Theatre 8th-9th February 2020 - and we are all invited!
Scenes with Girls by Miriam Battye. Jerwood Upstairs, Royal Court Theatre, London SW1 to 22 February 2020. 4****. William Russell.
Hugely entertaining beautifully written, if a little too long, play about girls talking about men, sex, and the tedium of it all.
You Stupid Darkness! by Sam Steiner. Southwark Playhouse, 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 to 22 February 2020. 3***. William Russell.
Four help line volunteers in the 1980s try to keep the spirits of callers up as the world faces collapse. Interesting play but fizzles out.
The Canary & the Crow by Daniel Ward. The Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E* to 8 February 2020. 4****. William Russell.
A stimulating, challenging evening abouta young black schoolboy facing up to life at a posh school as a scholarship boy - terrific politically motivated gig
Falling in Love Again by Ron Elisha. King's Head Theatre, 115 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 to 8 February 2020. 2**. William Russell
Dietrich tries to stop Edward V111 from abdicating in this pleasant enough theatrical trifle.
Cops by Tony Tortora: Southwark Playhouse, London: to 1st February 2020: **. Mark Courtice
Watching the detectives - cops' problems and relationships in a 50s throwback.
Beckett Triple Bill, Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London SW1 to 8 February 2020. 4****. William Russell.
Very well acted Beckett triple bill
Rags -Book by Joseph Stein revised by David Thompson, Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Stephen Scwartz. The Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, London N4 to 8 February 2020. 2**. William Russell.
Precious few riches in this rehash of an ancient Broadway show about Jewish immigrants in the New York rag trade in 1911.
Off the Top with Jason Kravits. Crazy Coqs, 24 Sherwood Street, London W1 to 19 January 2020. 4****. William Russell.
A master class in the art of improv - or how to conjure a show up before your very eyes from your suggestions.
Once - book by Enda Walsh, Music & Lyrics by Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova. On tour starting Liverpool Everyman 20 January 2020. 4****. William Russell.
One to see not once but twice - an enchanting show splendidly performaed and sung.
Scrounger by Athena Stevens. The Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 to 1 February 2020. 4 ****. Willliam Russell.
A kick in the teeth polemic to relish.
Lullabies for the Lost by Rosalind Blessed. The Old Red Lion Theatre, 418 St John Street, London EC1V to 1 February 2020. 4 ****. William Russell
People with problems and man's best friend - a rewarding play.
Tom Brown's School Days by Thomas Hughes updated by Phil Willmott. The Union theatre, Southwark, London to 2 February 2020. 3***. William Russell.
The playing fields of Rugby provide the warriors of the Battle of Britain in this updated version of the classic tale of Flashman and Tom.
Lexicon - The Roundhouse, London NW1 to 18 January 2020. 4****. William Russell.
Death defying and daring - prepare to have your breath taken.
The year gone by - William Russell
Next time you come to town give the West End a miss and take a tube or bus to some of London's fine fringe theatres
Forty Second Street - Music by Harry Warren, Lyrics by Al Dubin, Book by Michael Stewart. Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village, London N6 to 26 January 20020. 4****. William Russell.
Watch those tap dancing feet and be swept away as Peggy Sawyer becomes a star in this cast iron hit of a show.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens adapted by Lydia Vie. the Playground Theatre, Latimer Road, London W10 to 29 December 2019. 4****. William Russell
A superbly staged production of one of Dickens' best loved novels.
The Invisible Man by HG Wells adapted by Derek Webb. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 4 January 2020. 4****. William Russell.
A sight for sore eyes you could say. HG Wells classic tale comes up good as new in this sparkling holiday show.