Writer: Caryl Churchill Director: James Macdonald Reviewer: Richard Maguire Greek myths and the plots of Shakespeare give substance to Caryl Churchill’s new plays currently at the Royal Court. Over three short plays, each lasting around 15 minutes, and one play lasting about an hour, Churchill questions whether we can live our own lives or whether we are governed by fate. ...
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Music/Lyrics: Ray Davies Book: Joe Penhall Director: Edward Hall Reviewer: Karen Bussell While Keith Moon drove his Bentley into a swimming pool, England lifted the World Cup and the excesses of the flower power era were embodied by Beatlemania and hallucinogens, now-Sir Ray Davies was a quiet voice of satire, churning out exquisitely ironic commentary on all things British. With ...
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Writer: Caryl Churchill Director: James Macdonald Reviewer: Claire Hayes It’s all too easy to dismiss four women of 70 years or more, sitting in a garden on a summer’s afternoon. At this time of life, women are often condemned to a cloak of creeping invisibility – good for a little childcare, but otherwise functionally irrelevant. In a compelling 50 minutes, ...
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Writer: Caryl Churchill Director: James Macdonald Reviewer: Jay Nuttall Caryl Churchill’s new play, produced by The Royal Court in London, is venturing on a small tour after playing two sold out runs in London. A small tour it may be – taking in Salford, Cambridge and Bristol – but it has just returned from a visit stateside after two weeks ...
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Book: Joe Penhall Music/Lyrics: Ray Davies Director: Edward Hall Reviewer: John Roberts The Kinks are regarded as one of the biggest names in British popular music history. It’s not hard to see why when you look over their massive cavern of hits including; You Really Got Me, All Day and All of the Night, Waterloo Sunset, Dedicated Follower To Fashion, ...
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Writer: Joe Penhall Music: Ray Davies Director: Edward Hall Reviewer: Jacqui Onions Do not dismiss this as another jukebox musical. Sunny Afternoon uses the music of The Kinks to tell the band’s story from the perspective of singer/song writer Ray Davies (Ryan O’Donnell). The Kinks have an interesting story to tell, from on stage fights to being banned from touring ...
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Book: Joe Penhall Music and Lyrics: Ray Davies Director: Edward Hall Reviewer: Natasha Hegarty The Kinks is a band that defined 1960s Britain and one which is still just as influential today. Sunny Afternoon tells the story of how one of Britain’s most iconic bands rose to stardom while the country was battling a huge political and social upheaval. This ...
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Book: Joe Penhall Original Story: Ray Davies Music and Lyrics: Ray Davies Director: Edward Hall Reviewer: Dan English The music of The Kinks warms the winter evenings as Sunny Afternoon reaches Dartford’s Orchard Theatre as part of its UK tour. Stepping off the West End, this musical transports audiences backs to the 1960s, following the emergence of The Kinks, tracking their ...
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