Reviews Archive
The Good Person of Szechuan by Bertolt Brecht in a new version by Nina Segal. Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith to 13 May 2023. 3 *** . William Russell.
80 years on a Brecht's assault on capitalism remains as potent today as it was in the time of Weimar.
The Sun, the Mountain and Me by Jack Fairey. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE 4 to 29 April 2023. 4****. William Russell.
An impressive account of a young man in the throes of a breakdown.
The Makings of a Murderer. Adelphi Theatre, The Strand, London WC2 on 18 April 2023 and then on a 100 date tour of one night stands. 2**. William Russell.
Possibly more than you need to know about serial killers by MacVera.
Private Lives by Noel Coward. The Donmar, 41 Earlham Street, London WC2 to 27 May 2023. ***stars. William Russell.
Private Lives with overdone battles - a fitfully funny production.
Quality Street. Richmond Theatre, Little Green, Richmond TW9 to 15 April 2023 and then on tour. 4****. William Russell.
Delicious rom com set in Regency days
The Only White by Gail Louw. Chelsea Theatre, World's End, London SW10 to 22 April 2023. 4****. William Russell.
A true and disturbing tale.
The Dry House by Eugene O'Hare. Marylebone Theatre, 35 Park Road, London NW1 to 6 May 2023. 4****. William Russell.
A long day's journey possibly into light
Mamma Mia! Music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus. Book by Catherine Johnson. Novello Theatre, Aldwych, London is 24 today 6 April 2023.
A 24th birthday to celebrate.
Betty Blue Eyes. Book by Ron Cowne & Daniel Lipman. Music & Lyrics by George Stiles & Anthony Drew. The Union Theatre, 229 Union Street, London SE1 to 22 April 2023. **stars. William Russell.
Betty is a true delight, a rival in the porcine glamour stakes to Miss Piggy.
Sea Creatures by Cordelia Lynn. Hampstead Theatre Downstairs, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 to 29 April 2023. 3***. William Russell.
Fascinating, puzzling tale of selkies and a family living by the sea.
Sugar Coat by Joel Samuels & Lilly Pollard. Southwark Playhouse, the Little, 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 to 29 April 2023. 5*****. William Russell.
A fabulous evening of laughter,tears and sex.
The Dead City (Die tote Stadt) by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. English National Opera: The Coliseum, London WC2. 4****. Clare Colvin.
Brilliantly directed staging of Korngold’s 1920s cult classic opera on exploration of loss
Astoria by Tony Britten. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 408 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 15 April 2023. 3***. William Russell.
A life worth learning about.
Hay Fever by Noel Coward. The Mill at Sonning, Reading RG4 to 13 May 2023. 2**. William Russell.
The weekend from hell with the Bliss family.
BLACK SUPERHERO by Danny Lee Wynter. Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court, Sloane Square, London to 29 April 2023. 4****. William Russell.
A splendid first play by Danny Lee Wynter - funnyand provocative
Akhnaten by Philip Glass. English National Opera, The Coliseum, London WC2. 4**** Clare Colvin
Visionary staging of Philip Glass’s Egyptian classic
Leaving Vietnam by Richard Vergette. Park2000, 13 Clifton Terrace, London N4 to 8 April 2023. 4****. William Russell
A powerful immaculately performed monologue.
Marjorie Prime by Jordan Harrison. The Menier Chocolate Factory, 53 Southwark Street, London SE1 to 6 May 2023. 3*** stars. William Russell.
Impeccably performed piece about where artificial intelligence could lead us.
Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo and Franca Rame adapted by Tom Basden. The Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, London W6 to 8 April 2023. 5*****. William Russell.
A scintillating production which deserves to draw the town and pulls no punches
Further than the Furthest Thing by Zinnie Harris. The Young Vic Theatre, 66 The Cut, London SE1 to 29 April 2023. 3***. William Russell.
Interesting well acted revival now with climate change overtones.