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TWO UKRAINIAN PLAYS – ⭐️⭐️⭐️ – it’s a show of two halves
TWO UKRAINIAN PLAYS TAKE THE RUBBISH OUT, SASHA ⭐️⭐️ by Natal’ya Vorozhbit, translated by Sasha Dugdale directed by Svetlana Dimcovic PUSSYCAT IN MEMORY OF DARKNESS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ by Neda Nezhdana, translated by John Farndon directed by Polly Creed Finborough Theatre – until 3 September 2022 https://finboroughtheatre.co.uk/production/two-ukrainian-plays/ As the UK lurches into chaos and chronic heat, the […]
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SOUTH PACIFIC – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – it’s a soul-soaring triumph
SOUTH PACIFC Music by Richard Rodgers Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan Adapted from “Tales of the South Pacific” by James A Michener Directed by Daniel Evans Sadlers Wells Theatre – until 28 August 2022, then on national tour https://southpacificshow.com Following an aggressively revisionist, critically lauded Young Vic […]
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ALL OF US – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A compelling, important new play with a lot on it’s mind
ALL OF US by Francesca Martinez Directed by Ian Rickson National Theatre/Dorfman – until 24 September 2022 https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/all-of-us It would be unsurprising, indeed completely understandable, for a new state-of-the-nation play focusing on the treatment of, and opportunities for, disabled people in present-day UK, to fetch up on stage as a furious, ranty polemic. Francesca Martinez’s […]
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QUENTIN CRISP: NAKED HOPE -⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- the icon lives!
QUENTIN CRISP: NAKED HOPE written and performed by Mark Farrelly Directed by Linda Marlowe Kings Head Theatre – until 27 August 2022 https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/quentin-crisp-naked-hope Another night at the Kings Head, another feat of astonishing transformation by the chameleonic actor-writer Mark Farrelly. Because delivering one bravura turn as a gay icon isn’t enough apparently (his utterly brilliant […]
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JARMAN – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – a gorgeous tribute: if only all history lessons were this engaging
JARMAN written and performed by Mark Farrelly Directed by Sarah-Louise Young Kings Head Theatre – until 26 August 2022 https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/jarman “Be astonishing” are the final words of this 75 minute distillation of the life, death, work and preoccupations of Derek Jarman, one of the most iconoclastic artists of the late twentieth century. It’s an instruction […]
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MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING -⭐️⭐️⭐️- it’s a visual feast
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING by William Shakespeare Directed by Simon Godwin National Theatre/Lyttelton – until 10 September 2022 https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/much-ado-about-nothing It’s probably fair to state that Much Ado About Nothing is generally considered to be one of the most accessible, “user friendly” of all Shakespeare’s comedies: the sparring of Beatrice and Benedick, while barbed, has real […]
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PENNYROYAL – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – it’s true: good things come in small packages
PENNYROYAL by Lucy Roslyn Directed by Josh Roche Finborough Theatre – until 6 August https://finboroughtheatre.co.uk/production/pennyroyal/ For the second time this year, the first being Sophie Swithinbank’s sensational Bacon back in the Spring, the tiny Finborough punches up with a new work that lays a strong claim to be considered best play of the year. Lucy […]
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JACK ABSOLUTE FLIES AGAIN – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- the National has a joyous, big fat summer hit
JACK ABSOLUTE FLIES AGAIN by Richard Bean and Oliver Chris based on Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s The Rivals Directed by Emily Burns National Theatre/Olivier – until 3 September 2022 https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/jack-absolute-flies-again Watching Richard Bean and Oliver Chris’s breezily funny, good-hearted variation on Sheridan’s evergreen comedy, it’s hard to shake the feeling that the National has found a […]
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MAD HOUSE -⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Harbour and Pullman are a devastating double act
MAD HOUSE by Theresa Rebeck Directed by Morris von Stuelpnagel Ambassadors Theatre -until 4th September 2022 https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/mad-house/ambassadors-theatre/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpbOvjOrU-AIVC4BQBh2vvgLGEAAYAiAAEgIGjPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds If conflict be the essence of great drama, then American writer Theresa Rebeck is serving up something akin to a modern masterpiece with this world premiere. While not a masterpiece perhaps – there is a jarring gear change […]
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FOR YOU I’D WAIT – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – exciting new talent and an engaging new musical
FOR YOU I’D WAIT Book, music and lyrics by Sophie Golby and Thomas West Directed by Samantha Pears and Elsa Strachan Union Theatre – until 18 June 2022 https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=union+theatre&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari This is clearly a labour of love: a tuneful, heartfelt response to an unfathomable atrocity. The terrorist attacks on Paris that took place on 13th November […]