Tag Archives: Oliver Cotton

Writer and Director: Dictynna Hood Reviewer: Maryam Philpott A dysfunctional family gather for a birthday party to finally reveal all the dark secrets that for reasons no one can fathom have never been revealed before at any number of parties the family have previously attended together. So goes the oh so standard narrative treatment which Dictynna Hood applies to her ...

Writer: Tom Kempinski Director: Robin Lefevre Reviewer: Gareth Davies A problem shared is a problem halved, as the old mantra would have it, and in that vein Tom Kempinski’s 1980 play puts the therapeutic relationship firmly in the spotlight, as a world-class musician (Belinda Lang) seeks treatment from a Teutonic psychiatrist (Oliver Cotton). And so society’s fascination with the contentious ...

Writer: Tom Kempinski Director: Robin Lefevre Reviewer: Selwyn Knight Stephanie, a brilliant violinist at the peak of her career, is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. As the disease progresses, she gradually becomes unable to play or even walk reliably. Her husband, also a brilliant musician and composer, has suggested she see Dr Feldman, a psychiatrist, to help her cope with her ...

Writer: Oliver Cotton Director: Trevor Nunn Reviewer: Karl O’Doherty We’re reeling through a tough and tense socio-economic period now where there’s anger, desperate misunderstanding and snake-oil being peddled as medicine for the country’s woes. That anger exists on all sides of a class and political spectrum. It’s fuelling some incredible educational, political and journalistic work – and its creative expression ...

Writer: Oliver Cotton Director: David Grindley Reviewer: Christopher Hong   An unexpected visit late in the evening disrupts the ballroom dancing and retired life of Joe and Ellie. While Ellie, played by Maureen Lipman, is away at her sister’s, Joe’s brother Billy arrives at their New York home with a twelve course Chinese meal, having disappeared without a trace thirty ...

Writer: Oliver Cotton Director: David Grindley Reviewer: Selwyn Knight [rating:5] It’s winter, 1986. On entering the theatre one is struck by Ben Stones’ detailed set, the lounge of a Brooklyn apartment, which evokes the era with its massive video recorder and stereo record player. This is the home of respectable semi-retired accountant Joe Zimmerman (Harry Shearer) and his wife Elli ...