Reviews Archive
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.
Ghost – The Musical by Dave Stewart, Glen Ballard & Bruce Joel Rubin; Northcott Theatre - Exeter till 25 January 2020; 4****. Cormac Richards
High quality university production with one important reservation
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
Priscilla Queen of the Desert – The Musical by Stephan Elliott & Allan Scott; Theatre Royal Plymouth till 25 January 2020 and Tour till 23 May 2020; 5*****. Cormac Richards
Performed with energy, verve and a huge dollop of sass - utterly hard to resist.
Lauren Zhang: Royal Concert Hall Nottingham: 19/1/20: 4****. William Ruff
Piano playing of maturity and insight from 18-year-old Lauren Zhang
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
BBC Philharmonic: Royal Concert Hall Nottingham: 15/1/20: 4****. William Ruff
Stephen Johnson’s ear-opening tour of a troubled symphony
Band of Gold Kay Mellors: Theatre Royal Nottingham: Till 18 January 2020 & tour: 3***. Alan Geary
All girls together
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.
Dip The Nib - Making Theatre More Accessible by Cormac Richards
A New Theatre Company hoping to make a difference
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.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Alan McHugh & Matt Slack: Birmingham Hippodrome: till 02 Feb 2020: 4****. Rod Dungate
All the theatrical thrills you could want.
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.