Reviews Archive
The Dwarfs by Harold Pinter adapted by Kerry Lee Crabbe. The White Bear Theatre, 138 Kennington Park Road, London SE11 to 5 June 2022. 5*****. William Russell
Superlative performances in a powerful tale of likely lads and a woman.
Oklahoma! by Rogers & Hammerstein. The Young Vic, the Cut, Waterloo, London SE 1 to 25 June 2022. 4 ****. William Russell.,
Exciting, stimulating, provocative - a great musical re-imagined.
The End of the Night by Ben Brown. ParkTheatre, Clifton Terrace, London N4 to 28 May 2022. 3***. William Russell.
An amazing true story but fails to come to life.
Orlando by Virginia Woolf adapted by Sarah Ruhl. Jermyn Street Theatre, 15b Jermyn Street, London SW1 to 28 May 2022. 4****. William Russell.
Sparkling play beautifully performed by a terrific cast
If.Destroyed.Still.True. by Jack Condon. The Hope Theatre, 267 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 to 14 May 2022. 4****. William Russell.
An impressive first play
The Heart of It - Lisa Pulman at the Riverside Studios to 30 April. ****. William Russell
Pulman sings her heart out.
Shiela's Island by Tim Firth. Richmond Theatre, 1 Little Green, Richmond TW9 to 30 April 2022 and on tour. 3***. William Russell.
Stuck on a desert isle
Mary's Seacoal by Jackie Sibblies Drury. The Donmar, 42 Earlham Street, London WC2 to 4 June 2022. 3***. William Russell
A cause for tears
The Corn is Green by Emlyn Williams. The Lyttleton, the National Theatre, London to 11 June 2022. 3***. William Russell
Corn in a valley of song.
Lohengrin by Richard Wagner. The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London WC2. 20 April 2022. 4****. Clare Colvin.
High octane singing in Wagner's mystic melodrama.
The Straw Chair by Sue Glover. The Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 to 14 May 2022. 4****. William Russell.
Beautifully crafted tale of the dreadful fate of Lady Grange.
The 47th by Mike Bartlett. The Old Vic Theatre, The Cut, London SE 1 to 28 May 2022. 4****. William Russell.
Bartlett on form and Carvel delivering his Trump.
Bonnie & Clyde, music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Don Black, book by Ivan Mencher. The Arts Theatre, 6 Great Newport Street, London WC2. 19 April 2022. 1 *. William Russell.
Atrocious
The Paradis Files by Erollyn Wallen; libretto by Nicola Werenowska & Selina Mills 3*** Graeae Theatre Company at Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall then touring. Clare Colvin.
Historical discovery provides food for thought
Scandaltown by Mike Bartlett. The Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, London W6 to 14 May 2022. 3***. William Russell.
Lots of good jokes to enjoy, but ultimately more miss than hit.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Paul Ruders; libretto by Paul Bentley. English National Opera, the Coliseum, London. to 14 April 2022. 4**** Clare Colvin
Serious stuff, superbly staged
I Know I Know I Know by Flora Wilson Brown. Southwark Playhouse, the Little, 79 Newington Causeway, London SE 1 to 16 April 2022. 3***. William Russell.
Promising and instructive first play.
For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide.....by Ryan Calais Cameron. The Royal Court Jerwood Downstairs, Sloane Square, London SW1 to 30 April 2022. 4****. William Russell
Funny, enlightening and unmissable play about black lives
Anyone Can Whistle - Book by Arthur Laurents, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Southwark Playhouse, the Large, 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 to 7 May 2022. 2**. William Russell.
A dire night at the theatre.
The Fever Syndrome by Alexis Zegerman. Hampstead Theatre, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 to 30 April 2022. 4****. William Russell
Well crafted family drama - lots of scenery chewing by the cast.