Reviews Archive
Dangerous Corner, Manor Pavilion - Sidmouth, 5*****, Cormac Richards
An exceptional production of the Priestley classic
Lunatic 19's - a deportational road trip by Tegan McLeod. The Finborough Theatre, London SW 10 to 3 August. 4****. William Russell
An illegal Latino immigrant living in the United States is taken for deportation in this fascinating road trip play.
Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Rona Munro based on the novel by Louis de Bernieres. Harold Pinter Theatre, London SW1 Y to 31 August. 2**. William Russell
Turgid adaptation of Louis de Bernieres' celebrated novel done as well as the cast can manage in the circumstances but it does go on and on..and on.
Kinky Boots, Theatre Royal Plymouth, to 20 July and touring. 5*****, Cormac Richards
Top-notch production of joyful & moving show
Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner by Jasmine Lee-Jones. Jerwood Upstairs, Royal Court Theatre, London SW1 to 27 July. 4****. William Russell.
A twitter storm of a play which both infuriates and dazzles as Cleo, a young black woman, devises ever more grotesque forms of killing.
Bare: A Pop Opera by Jon Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolo, The Vaults,to 4 August. 3***, Veronica Stein
Grin and 'Bare' it: the new production at the vaults is stunning- the material is not.
The Pirates of Portishead, Long Ashton - Bristol, 1*, Cormac Richards
New pantomime found wanting throughout
Wife Begins at 40, Sidmouth, 3***, Cormac Richards
Good production - dated writing
Private Lives by Noel Coward. The Mill at Sonning, Reading to 3 August. 4****. William Russell.
Elyot and Amanda battle it out once again in Tam Williams' solid, well directed revival of one of Coward's most stylish plays.
Fiver by Alex James Ellison & Tom Lees. Southwark Playhouse, London SE1 to 20 July. 3***. William Russell
A musical about an errant £5 and how it affects the lives of those who acquire it - a promising work in progress.
The End of History by Jack Thorne. Royal Court Theatre, London SW1W to 10 August. 3 ***. William Russell.
Lesley Sharp and David Morrissey and a fine cast shine in an intriguing but ultimately unsatisfying play about a left wing family coping with change.
Merrily We Roll Along by Steven Sondheim & George Furth. Silk Street Theatre, Barbican, London EC2Y to 10 July. 4****. William Russsell
Guildhall final year students in slickly staged and very well performed tale of friendship told in reverse directed by Martin Connor.
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.
The King's Speech, Manor Pavilion Theatre Sidmouth, 5*****, Cormac Richards
An outstanding production of a complex play
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.
Educating Rita, Northcott Theatre Exeter, 4****, Cormac Richards
Excellent play, superbly performed.
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.
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Bristol Old Vic, 3***, Cormac Richards
A production to be admired, but one with flaws.
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.