Freelance journalist, campaigner and theatre critic.
The cast recording for the Olivier-nominated musical Amélie is to be released digitally on Friday, 5 June, it has been announced. The musical, which completed its run at The Other Palace … Continue Reading Amélie The Musical announces release date for original London cast recording
The National Theatre’s initiative which sees previous productions live-streamed every week for free on YouTube has raised over £100k for the organisation, it has been confirmed. National Theatre at Home … Continue Reading National Theatre at Home raises over £100k through YouTube livestreams
★★★★ It is to my shame that I’ve only ever come across Robert Louis Stevenson’s epic pirate tale through the lens of Disney’s sci-fi version, Treasure Planet – where Long John Silver … Continue Reading ‘Treasure Island’ online review – Olivier is transformed in magical and mesmerising tale of mutiny
The UK and Ireland tour of James Graham’s play Quiz has been postponed as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it has been confirmed. The drama about the ‘coughing major’ scandal, … Continue Reading ‘Quiz’ UK and Ireland tour postponed due to coronavirus outbreak
★★★ It’s never untimely to make a production exploring the university free speech debate given how often it becomes a news item. It was only two months ago that Education … Continue Reading ‘Bubble’ review – University free speech drama introduces the big ideas
★★★★ Director Sally Cookson adapts Brontë’s enchanting epic with a minimalism which is, at first, surprising, but works wonders in the National’s Lyttelton. As someone who is yet to read … Continue Reading ‘Jane Eyre’ review – A warm, glowing production of Charlotte Brontë’s classic
★★★ Rachel Bright’s unnamed character, inside her own home, tells us about the gators. We never quite know if these clawed creatures are ‘real’ within the context of Philip Ridley’s … Continue Reading ‘Gators’ review – Philip Ridley’s new curious, dystopian monologue
★★★ To the tune of Glory, Glory, Hallelujah, the cast of The Nobodies sing ‘solidarity forever’ whilst handing us all paper goody bags. It’s certainly unconventional, and a mix of … Continue Reading ‘The Nobodies’ review – Punchy political drama shows sudden changes of character
★★★ Productions like Lights Over Tesco Car Park make me miss participatory theatre in these difficult times. Armed with a tub of flying saucers sweets, the quartet behind Poltergeist Theatre, … Continue Reading ‘Lights Over Tesco Car Park’ online review – Space explored in UFO mockumentary
★★★ You’ve missed the play. The start of Lippy is the post-show talk, the moderator – and creator of the whole production – Bush Moukarzal sits down with actor Mark O’Halloran to discuss what … Continue Reading ‘Lippy’ online review – Lipreading investigation leaves a lot to look into
★★★★ The National Theatre at Home series gets off to an outrageous and cheery start with One Man, Two Guvnors. The 2011 production, starring James Corden, still conjures up laughter despite … Continue Reading ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’ online review – James Corden shines in sensational slapstick
★★★★ We see it a lot in spy dramas: a mysterious operative meets a person at threat and on the run, offers them support and the individual often accepts with … Continue Reading ‘Wild’ online review – Mike Bartlett’s hotel room security drama is clever and comedic
★★★★ You aren’t supposed to take Eugenius! seriously. The musical tribute to 80s pop culture, with its many neon costumes and a whinging, baby bottle-sucking villain, is one evil laugh away … Continue Reading ‘Eugenius!’ online review – Galactic 80s homage is good fun
★★ Henry V opens with a plea for the audience to work their “imaginary forces” when watching the play, given the stripped-back nature of the set (in this production, it’s … Continue Reading ‘Henry V’ online review – Conquering king fails to captivate
★★★★ In his portrayal of unsettling characters, Stephen Rea certainly takes it to a whole new level in David Ireland’s Cyprus Avenue. If his role in Dennis Kelly’s ultra-violent TV series Utopia … Continue Reading ‘Cyprus Avenue’ online review – Stephen Rea is haunting in absurd, dark drama
★★★ There is something slightly meta about Hampstead Theatre’s decision to place I and You on Instagram’s portrait video feature, IGTV. Caroline (Maisie Williams), the authoritarian and ‘impossible’ teenage protagonist in … Continue Reading ‘I and You’ online review – Maisie Williams’ perplexing poetry project
