Reviews Archive
The King's Singers. Nottingham Trent University. November 10 2021. 5*****. William Ruff
Still at the top of their game
Value Engineering, scenes from the Grenfell Inquiry by Richard Norton Taylor. The Tabernacle, London to 13 November 2021. Birmingham Rep 16 November to 20 November 2021. William Russell.
Powerful, devastating, shaming.
Giuseppe Guarrera. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. November 7 2021. 5*****. William Ruff
Vivid detail amid the fistfuls of notes
Spencer (2021), Dir Pablo Larrain : 4****: Dana Archer
Haunting, sublime and upsetting.
Footfalls & Rockaby by Samuel Beckett. Jermyn Street Theatre, London to 20 November 2021. Theatre Royal, Bath 24 Movember to 4 December 2021. 4****. William Russell.
A sad but deeply rewarding evening.
The Sugar House by Alana Valentine. The Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10. 3***. William Russell.
A lengthy saga set in Sydney
Pride & Prejudice (*Sort Of) by Isobel McArthur. The Criterion Theatre, London W1. 5*****. William Russell
Pride, prejudice and perfection.
Not: Lady Chatterley's Lover by Lawrence Russell after D.H. Lawrence. Greenwich Theatre, London & on tour. 5*****. William Russell
Filthiest, funniest show around
White Noise by Suzan-Lori Parks. The Bridge theatre, 3 Potters Field Park, London SE 1. 4 ****. William Russell
A wake up call, savage satire on racial discrimination
'night, Mother by Marsha Norman. Hampstead Theatre, London to 11 December 2021. 3***. William Russell.
Channing is worth seeing in anything.
Last Night In Soho (2021), Dir Edgar Wright, Universal Pictures: 5*****: Matthew Alicoon
One of the most brilliantly crafted stories of the year.
Regeneration by Pat Barker adapted for the stage by Nicholas Wright. The Brockley Jack Studio, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4. 4**** stars. William Russell
A love story in a time of war
Romeo and Juliet; Birmingham Royal Ballet, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 4**** Cormac Richards
Excellent revival of much loved ballet
Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), Dir Andy Serkis, Sony Pictures Releasing: 3.5***: Matthew Alicoon
A brilliantly entertaining but flawed 90 minute film.
The Empty Man (2020), Dir David Prior, Platform Disney +: 1*: Dana Archer
Ghastly, boring and pointless.
Vanara - The Legend. Book by Michael Conley, Lyrics by Andrew Whelan, Music by Gianluca Cucchiara. Hackney Empire, Mare Street, London to 31 October 2021. 2**. William Russell.
One to marvel at
Fifty Years of David Fanshawe's African Sanctus
A fresh, new, modern take on a well-loved classic
The Barber of Seville, WNO - Birmingham Hippodrome - 4****(+) David H & Paul J Gray
WNO's Barber delivers on gags and vocal fireworks
The Dresser, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 4****, Cormac Richards
A lovely production of a superb period piece
The Last Duel (2021), Dir Sir Ridley Scott, 20th Century Studios: 5*****: Matthew Alicoon
One of the most underrated gems from 2021.