Reviews Archive
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.
God's Creatures (2023), Directors Saella Davis and Anna Rose Holmer, A24, 4.5****: Matthew Alicoon
Can A24 keep Paul Mescal?
Around The World in 80 Days adapted by Juliet Forster, Exeter Northcott Theatre and touring, 2**, Cormac Richards
Interesting concept but fails on two important levels
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.
Romeo & Juliet, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wednesday 15 March 2023. 4**** David & Paul Gray
Lush romanticism and moments of power
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
ASMF Chamber Ensemble. NTU Hall. 21 March 2023. 5*****. William Ruff
An hour of concentrated loveliness from the ASMF
Monteverdi Vespers of 1610, Hereford Cathedral, Hereford Choral Society, 18 March 2023, 4****. David Gray & Paul Gray
A performance of great technical accomplishment and power
Death Drop Back in the Habit, The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, 14 March to 18 March 2023, 4****. David Gray & Paul Gray
Simply hilarious
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
Ariadne auf Naxos. Theatre Royal, Nottingham. 17 March 2023. 4****. William Ruff
Strauss’s Ariadne may be bonkers but it’s beautiful too
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.
Amatis Trio, Lakeside, Nottingham. 16 March 2023. 5*****. William Ruff
The Amatis Trio are outstanding advocates of two masterpieces of the repertoire
Pearl (2023) vs Scream VI (2023), Slasher of the Week: Matthew Alicoon
Two slashers fight it out. Read to see my horror film of the week.
Farm Hall by Katherine Moar. Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London W1 to 8 April 2023. 4****. William Russell.
Gripping true story about the aftermath of the first atomic bomb and the German scientists who failed to build one.
Guys and Dolls. Music & Lyrics by Frank Loesser. Book by Jo Swerling & Abe Burrows. The Bridge Theatre, 1 Potters Field, London SE1 to 2 September 2023. 4****. William Russell.
A sure fire hit.