Bitter Lemons, Park Theatre, review: Gripping exploration of gender politics September 5, 2024 Bitter Lemons at the Park Theatre, review and star rating: ★★★★ Lemons are lively little things, reminiscent of far-flung exotic destinations. And yet in Lucy Hayes’ Bitter Lemons, the citrus dons a more sinister disguise as it becomes a symbol of female frustration and discontentment. Two women, complete strangers, are struggling with pressures of cosmic [...]
A Night with Janis Joplin review: Too loud, but exquisite melancholia August 29, 2024 A Night with Janis Joplin review and star rating: ★★★★ “They said the bad thing about women is that they don’t think before they speak – but that’s the best thing,” says Mary Bridget Davies as Janis Joplin in this musical celebration of the rock ‘n’ roll singer, who died from a heroin dose in [...]
Shifters play review: Idris Elba is right to back this fresh love story August 21, 2024 Shifters play review and star rating: ★★★ Benedict Lombe’s Shifters is only the third piece ever by a Black female playwright to make it to the West End. If that sounds unbelievable, let it sink in. Execs clearly want to shout about its arrival at the Duke of York’s after a run at the Bush; [...]
The 39 Steps play review: This bonkers show is infectious August 20, 2024 The 39 Steps Play review and star rating: ★★★★ Patrick Barlow’s adaptation of thriller The 39 Steps became the fifth longest-running show in the West End during its last run. It’s easy to understand why: it has a gorgeously imaginative, handmade feel to it that is rare to experience on a major West End stage, [...]
Hello, Dolly! review: Palladium whoops for Imelda Staunton in role of a lifetime July 24, 2024 Imelda Staunton shines in Hello Dolly at the London Palladium
James Corden is let down by script and direction in The Constituent at the Old Vic – review June 26, 2024 James Corden's return to the London stage doesn't go very well
The Taming of the Shrew: Weirdness doesn’t solve the problem of misogyny June 19, 2024 Any director bold enough to tackle Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew is faced with a pretty big problem. The plot – and title – depicts a headstrong woman who is “tamed” by a man into submissiveness. Whatever the Bard’s intention, his script plays on the dichotomy between two sisters – one perfectly docile, the [...]
Old Vic Theatre: £20m needed to keep historic London venue running ‘a challenge’ June 12, 2024 The Old Vic Theatre said it faces a challenge to raise the more than £20m needed to keep its historic Waterloo home in working order, as it battles to create a financial model robust enough - despite the success of its record breaking musical Groundhog Day.
Tom Holland isn’t the problem with Jamie Lloyd’s Romeo & Juliet – review May 25, 2024 Tom Holland is exceptional in Romeo & Juliet - but the production lets him down.