Freelance journalist, campaigner and theatre critic.
★★★★ 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
★★★★ Good grief, Black Mirror‘s Rafe Spall is astonishing in the loud and chaotic Death of England, Roy Williams and Clint Dyer’s vivid tale of Cockney geezer Michael Fletcher processing … Continue Reading ‘Death of England’ review – Rafe Spall triumphs in riotous reflection on identity
Maxine Peake commands a strong cast in a shouty courtroom drama which is indecisive about what it wants to be – ★★★ Both the 12 women at the heart of … Continue Reading ‘The Welkin’ review – ‘12 Angry Men’ goes domestic
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
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
The most intriguing story in Annie Baker’s elaborate boardroom tale is the one that’s left unspoken – ★★★ We all appreciate the need for stories in our present society (or … Continue Reading ‘The Antipodes’ review – Storytelling roundtable is a brainstorm in a teacup
Cecilia Noble delivers another powerful National performance in a play about what keeps us going when everything around us falls apart – ★★★★ The Dorfman Theatre, incredibly intimate and minimalist, … Continue Reading ‘Faith, Hope and Charity’ review – Striking look at community in austerity Britain
Lucian Msamati and Hummad Animashaun are the perfect pairing in Athol Fugard’s slow drama with a devastating crescendo – ★★★ As rain poured down on the set of Master Harold… … Continue Reading ‘Master Harold… and the Boys’ review – Ballroom dancing in Apartheid South Africa
Lindsay Duncan and Alex Jennings argue with piercing precision in this fierce war of words – ★★★★ Political confrontation alone is not enough for theatre, as something we have already … Continue Reading ‘Hansard’ review – Section 28 debate dismantled in devastating domestic
The Sydney Theatre Company deliver powerful performances in this adaptation of Kate Grenville’s award-winning novel – ★★★★ The opening night of The Secret River‘s London run was moving and poignant. … Continue Reading ‘The Secret River’ review – a chilling look into Australia’s dark history
This striking version of late Andrea Levy’s prize-winning novel is a landmark production for the National – ★★★★★ Levy’s Small Island turns monumental in Helen Edmundson’s stage adaptation. A saga … Continue Reading ‘Small Island’ review – Andrea Levy’s Windrush bestseller receives charming and candid staging
The Young Chekhov star shines in a whimsical modern adaptation as confused as its protagonist – ★★★★ David Hare is a master of the slow-burner. His last production for the … Continue Reading ‘Peter Gynt’ review – James McArdle is fascinating in this dreamy adaptation
Skyfall‘s Sam Mendes directs a poetic production rich with acting talent – ★★★★½ In hindsight, my review of The Lehman Trilogy during its National Theatre run seems rather disingenuous. A … Continue Reading ‘The Lehman Trilogy’ West End review – Imaginative cinematic epic chronicles a centenary of capitalism
Creative sound design elevates an otherwise mediocre play from The Writer‘s Ella Hickson – ★★★ The audience is all ears for the National Theatre’s latest Dorfman production. Listening in through … Continue Reading ‘ANNA’ review – Secrets revealed in ambitious audio-visual thriller
★★★★ – Victimisation and punishment are closely examined in this unsettling, thought-provoking and intense co-production from Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the National Theatre. ‘Enjoyable’ is certainly not the best word … Continue Reading ‘Downstate’ review – A tough, challenging and powerful test of humanity and sympathy
After a sold-out run at the National Theatre last year, Stephen Sondheim’s classic returns in a marvellous spectacle full of life, pizazz and soul – ★★★★½ In a sense, Sondheim’s … Continue Reading ‘Follies’ review – Sondheim’s musical returns to the National with glamour and charisma
