Freelance journalist, campaigner and theatre critic.
Writer Jack Thorne proves he is the master of magic in this spectacular spin on Dickens’ classic – ★★★★ Thorne’s (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, His Dark Materials) adaptation … Continue Reading ‘A Christmas Carol’ review – Paterson Joseph glistens in an emotional character study | Gifted
Mischief Theatre may well be back to their old tricks again, but that’s not to say that they don’t have a few more up their sleeve in their latest outing … Continue Reading ‘Magic Goes Wrong’ review – Mischief Theatre and Penn and Teller’s spellbinding slapstick
In one simple sentence, South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon Ho summed up perfectly why captioned films should be celebrated, not shunned. “Once you overcome the one inch tall barrier of … Continue Reading ‘Parasite’ director’s Golden Globes speech captured the beauty of subtitles | Liam O’Dell
Sandi and Jenifer Toksvig shake things up a bit at the Globe with a cheery and engaging Christmas show – ★★★★ Christmas at the (Snow) Globe is a terrific team … Continue Reading ‘Christmas at the (Snow) Globe’ review – Sandi Toksvig conjures a magical celebration of community
Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti’s play on prejudices and expectations sparks several shocking conflicts, but one central idea struggles to ignite – ★★★ A Kind of People follows the fallout from a … Continue Reading ‘A Kind of People’ review – Sharp cultural drama disorientates
Whether they be real or otherworldly, this adaptation captures the spark of stories and adventures – ★★★★★ This mesmerising myth stands proudly alongside The Curious Incident of the Dog in … Continue Reading ‘The Ocean at the End of the Lane’ review – Neil Gaiman’s fairytale is thrilling theatrical fantasy
Actions speak louder than words in Bijan Sheibani’s (The Barbershop Chronicles) sombre sibling reunion – ★★★ Long lost brother Tom strolls back into Samad’s life, but the impact comes a … Continue Reading ‘The Arrival’ review – Fraternal drama is a solid debut
Lydia Wilson and Leo Bill give remarkable performances in this tense, confrontational and somewhat disorientating adaptation of John Webster’s family tragedy – ★★★★ The Duchess of Malfi cleverly sneaks its … Continue Reading ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ review – Rebecca Frecknall’s jet black thriller thinks outside the box
Zia Ahmed brings his poetry to the stage in a powerful and imaginative debut – ★★★★ There is a literal elephant in the room when it comes to Ella and … Continue Reading ‘I Wanna Be Yours’ review – Culture clash relationship explored with magic realism
While having a few glitches of its own, Eve Leigh’s tale is a smart look at Internet freedom – ★★★★ Like a weird, multimedia pick-and-mix, you can choose what meaning … Continue Reading ‘Midnight Movie’ – A meta musing on digital escapism
Arthur Miller’s heartbreaking play is powerfully retold with softness and fragility – ★★★★ Much like its lead actor Willy Loman, after seeing Marianne Elliott and Marina Cromwell’s adaptation of Death … Continue Reading ‘Death of a Salesman’ review – Wendell Pierce and Sharon D. Clarke are devastating in Miller’s delicate drama
This imaginative take on the 2001 romantic comedy is delightfully warm and whimsical – ★★★★★ When a musical adaptation of the five-time Oscar-nominated film Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain opened … Continue Reading ‘Amélie’ review – Parisian romance blossoms in quirky, cosy musical
Although hindered by time constraints, when it comes to eating, drinking and being merry, A Pissedmas Carol cheerily takes the biscuit – or rather, mince pie – ★★★ Call me … Continue Reading ‘Sh!t-Faced Showtime: A Pissedmas Carol’ review – A fine but short evening of Dicken around
A curious friendship just about manages to shine through the chaos in a jolty, drawn-out adaptation – ★★★ Two-part plays are a difficult beast to master, their employment rare unless … Continue Reading ‘My Brilliant Friend’ review – Elena Ferrante’s novels stretch onto the stage
This electrifying rewrite of Romeo and Juliet has more hits than you can shake a spear at – ★★★★★ In many ways, & Juliet is a mix-and-match musical. A centuries-old … Continue Reading ‘& Juliet’ review – Mogul Martin’s thrilling musical takes pop nostalgia to the max
Jacoba Williams gives an energetic and intriguing musing on childhood and relationships – ★★★ A young woman in a bear suit walks on stage before twerking to Katy B’s On … Continue Reading ‘Before I Was A Bear’ review – Eleanor Tindall’s weird and wonderful one-woman comedy
