Drama

Writer: Mike Leigh Director: Sarah Esdaile Reviewer: Simon Topping A new touring production of Mike Leigh's classic comedy of manners, Abigail's Party, opens in Brighton to a warm reception from a welcoming audience, whose demographic is predominantly fifty plus. From the off laughter fills the auditorium, as we take a trip down memory lane. The stunning period set (wonderfully designed ...

Writer: Katori Hall Director: James Dacre Reviewer: James Garrington Kibeho, a small village in Rwanda, 1981. This is a quiet backwater, a place where nothing really ever happens. Then a schoolgirl, Alphonsine Mumureke, claims that she’s seen a vision of the Blessed Virgin. She is ridiculed and scolded by her friends and teachers – but then a second student says ...

Music and Lyrics: Howard Blake Choreographer: Robert North Director: Bill Alexander Reviewer: Selwyn Knight 2018, was positively awash with anniversaries relating to The Snowman: Raymond Briggs' book was first published in 1978, 40 years ago, and Birmingham REP’s first stage production inspired by the book and animated film of 1982, was first seen in 1993, 25 years ago. And, as the ...

Writer: David Greig Director: Jessica Lazar Reviewer: Stephen Bates The great appeal of David Greig’s Outlying Islands stems from its unpredictability. Audiences are left always uncertain as to whether they are watching a slapstick comedy, a brittle romance or a suspense thriller as the writer skirts around dramatic conventions with canny skill. The play received its London premiere at the ...

Writer: D. H. Lawrence Director: Jack Gamble Reviewer: David Guest Gritty drama from the pen of one of the 20thCentury’s greatest writers is given a riveting reassessment at the Arcola Theatre in one of the best productions in the venue’s history. The Daughter-in-Law by DH Lawrence proved a sell-out success last year when it first appeared downstairs in Studio 2. ...

Writer: Gabriel Gbadamosi Director: Mehmet Ergen Reviewer:  Grace Patrick The insular, slightly claustrophobic atmosphere of the Arcola Theatre’s Studio 2 is perfectly suited to Gabriel Gbadamosi’s Stop And Search. As the lives of the small cast of characters run rings around one another, unable to ever really escape their influence upon one another, the looming spectre of the past fills ...

Creator and Director: Patrick Sims Reviewer: Maryam Philpott Of all the cultural events a new year brings January in London is really dedicated to two important fringe celebrations; while the Vaults Festival under the arches of Waterloo begins its eight-week run shortly, with over 40 years of experience the London International Mime Festival is always the first big event of ...

Writer: Michael Harrison and Alan McHugh, from the book by J.M Barrie Director: Michael Harrison Reviewer: Selwyn Knight It can’t be easy having to step into another performer’s shoes at short notice, especially when the show was written with the original incumbent in mind, but this is exactly what Darren Day has done: the Hippodrome’s panto for 2018/9 was originally ...