Reviews Archive
The Provoked Wife, RSC Stratford Upon Avon, 4****; Rod Dungate
Life under the microscope, forensic laughter.
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 5*****: by William Ruff
Aida (Opera North), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 4****: by William Ruff
Sonic thrills abound in Verdi’s Technicolor opera
A Thousands Splendid Suns, Birmingham REP, 4****; Rod Dungate
Strong, compelling, disturbing.
The Memory of Water by Shelagh Stephenson, Nottingham Playhouse, till 18 May, 4****: Alan Geary
Heart-wrenching tragedy and blackest of black humour
Annie, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 5*****, Cormac Richards
An top-notch production with an first-class cast. Terrific.
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.
The Three Musketeers, Northcott Theatre, Exeter, 4****, Cormac Richards
A fun-packed bonkers show for the whole family
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.
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 5*****: by William Ruff
Keep on Walking Federico, Bristol, Tobacco Factory Theatres - The Spielman Theatre, 5*****, Cormac Richards
An honest and evocative piece of riveting storytelling
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.
Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 5*****: by William Ruff
The stuff of musical legends as youth and deep experience combine
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.
Ain't Misbehavin' - by Murray Horwitz & Richard Maltby Jr. Southwark Playhouse, London SE 1. 5*****. William Russell
The joint was quite literally jumpin' (for joy) at this superbly performed Fats Waller musical.
Hair - The Musical, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 3***, Cormac Richards
Well performed version of a flawed but fascinating piece of musical theatre.
The Half God of Rainfall, 3***, BirminghamRep: Rod Dungate
A window into a different world
Tumulus by Christopher Adams. Soho Theatre Upstairs, 21 Dean Street, London W1. 2**. William Russell
Good intentions do not make good theatre but this drama about gay chemsex is well played and has its moments.