Tag Archives: New Theatre Cardiff

English Youth Ballet Music:  Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Original Choreography: Marius Petipa Adaptor: Janet Lewis Reviewer: Barbara Michaels One of the most popular of full-length classical ballet, and technically most demanding, Swan Lake has been performed countless times by world-famous companies such the Bolshoi, Kirov, and The Royal Ballet.  To dance the ballet, even in an adaptation, is a considerable challenge ...

Northern Ballet with The National Ballet of Canada Choreography, Direction and Scenario: Cathy Marston Music: Philip Feeney Reviewer; Barbara Michaels The recent spate of Victoria TV series and documentaries – to be expected in celebration of the bicentenary of the monarch’s birth – works in some respects as a precursor for a portrayal in another genre, so to some extent ...

Novel by Agatha Christie Adapted for the stage by Rachel Wagstaff Director: Melly Still Reviewer: Barbara Michaels The name Agatha Christie is synonymous with thrillers that hold their appeal through the years – think The Mousetrap now entering its 67th record-breaking year on stage and still going strong.  But a first-ever stage adaptation of one of Christie’s mystery novels is ...

Play by Simon Reade, after Arthur Conan Doyle Director: David Grindley Reviewer: Barbara Michaels This new production from the estimable Theatre Royal Bath brings together two experienced actors who have performed together many times over the years:  Robert Powell, who, at the age of 74 is still remembered for his iconic portrayal of Jesus of Nazareth in the 1977 Franco ...

Writer: Henry James Adapted by Tim Luscombe Director: Daniel Buckroyd Reviewer: Barbara Michaels Delving deep into the psyche, Henry James’ horror novella Turn of the Screw has, over the years since it was first published in 1898 as a magazine serial, engendered much discussion and shivers down the spines of critics and audiences alike. Those who have read the book ...

Writer: Charlotte Brontë Choreographer: Cathy Marston  Reviewer: Barbara Michaels For those of us familiar with one of literature’s most well-known heroines, it is not difficult to comprehend why the rightly praised Northern Ballet Company have transformed Charlotte Brontë’s novel into a ballet. While Brontë may have baulked at some of choreographer Cathy Marston’s more erotic interpretations, it has to be ...

Author: Agatha Christie Adaptation: Frank Vosper Director: Lucy Bailey Reviewer: Barbara Michaels The Grande Dame of thrillers and murder mysteries would no doubt be amused by the recent upsurge of performances, both on TV and one stage, of her work. Amused – and maybe not always too pleased (think BBC TV’s screening of Ordeal by Innocence which deviated so far ...

Writer: Craig Warner Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith Director: Anthony Banks Reviewer: Barbara Michaels A gripping psycho-thriller by the crime novelist Patricia Highsmith, Strangers on a Train is one to keep you on the edge of your seats. Small wonder then that it was made into a highly successful film by that master of suspense and nastiness Alfred ...