Writer: Terry Johnson Director: Terry Johnson Reviewer: Tom Ralphs You may not have heard of Jack Cardiff, but you’ve probably seen some of his work. As a cinematographer and director, he worked on many classic, and some not so-classic, movies over a career that spanned six decades. Contrary to the promotional blurb that says Prism is ‘the astonishing true story ...

Based on the work of Mary Shelley Writer: Stewart Ennis Director: Peter Clarke Reviewer: Dominic Corr For those searching for something beyond the cheap thrills or slap-dash effects of traditional horror productions, The Monster & Mary Shelley is a precise biography of Shelley, without resorting to page-by-page recitation. Enveloping her story in a less than linear narrative, we instead experience ...

Writer: Inua Ellams Director: Bijan Sheibani Reviewer: Dominic Corr We incessantly talk to three people; the barman, perhaps a priest, but always your barber. From the outset, there’s catalytic energy bouncing around, flinging us from Africa to the barbers of Catford, Lewisham or Brixton in a showcase of sensational world-building. Poetic in construct, Inua Ellams’ Barber Shop Chronicles is the height of ...

Writer:  Oliver Emanuel Director: Gareth Nicholls Reviewer: Dominic Corr Choking, claustrophobic, Mag’s cabin exists in an idyllic retreat many would desire, but others would suffocate within its freedom. Where the subject of nature vs. nurture arises, the concept of a monstrous mother is by no means recent. Oliver Emanuel’s The Monstrous Heart entwines nature so integrally with the narrative, as ...

Adapted for the stage by: Rona Munro Director: Patricia Benecke Reviewer:  Tom Ralphs Does the world need another adaptation of Frankenstein? Is there anything new that can be added to the story? Any contemporary relevance that can be brought out of it or any element of it that has not been explored in previous versions? These are no doubt some of ...

Writer: Christopher York Director: Paul Robinson Reviewer: Dominic Corr We’ve all been there, falling for the D.J, or at least mismanaging our time when we should be studying. Taken in by the appeal of the dancefloor, those choice beats and a posh postcode, Yasmin strikes up a relationship of sorts with Danny. It all seems to be going rather well, ...

Writer: Sarah Waters Adapted for the stage by: Hattie Naylor Director: Alastair Whatley Reviewer: Tom Ralphs The desire to turn every successful book by every successful author into a film, TV series or stage play is arguably as much about milking a franchise than it is about bringing the writer or the writing to a new audience. While it can ...

Writer: Jenni Fagan Director: Debbie Hannan Reviewer: Dominic Corr Panopticon: noun. A historical building, most often a windowed prison turning in on itself, allowing a sense of visual connection. The inhabitants are on view at all times. Never really themselves, their thoughts the only thing kept apart from their keepers. It is also the titular building in which Jenni Fagan’s ...