Tag Archives: Rachel Kavanaugh

Writer: Terence Rattigan Director: Rachel Kavanaugh Reviewer: Stephen Bates Like British theatre’s equivalent of a hardy perennial, Terence Rattigan’s 1946 play The Winslow Boy is never long away from our stages. This sturdy touring revival shows again why the story of a 13-year-old boy who is accused falsely of stealing a five shilling postal order continues to intrigue us. It ...

Writer: Terence Rattigan Director: Rachel Kavanaugh Reviewer: Simon Topping A sumptuous Edwardian living room decked out with rich blue walls and plush contrasting furniture, beautifully designed by Michael Taylor, draws the Brighton audience into the theatre. The lights go down and a boy in naval uniform takes the spotlight.  This is the start of Birmingham repertory theatre’s excellent adaption of Terence ...

Writer: Terence Rattigan Director: Rachel Kavanaugh Reviewer: Selwyn Knight Ostensibly based on a true story about a naval cadet accused of stealing a postal order from a friend, The Winslow Boy also looks at the changing world just over a hundred years ago: Britain was living under the threat of a splintering Europe, women were fighting for equality with men, ...

Writer: David Edgar, from the book by Charles Dickens Director: Rachel Kavanaugh Reviewer: James Garrington When Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in 1843, he lived in a country full of great poverty. The Poor Laws allowed people to be sent to the Workhouse to claim relief, debtors were imprisoned – including, for a period, his own father – and even ...

Writer: Julian Fellowes Composer: George Styles Lyricist: Anthony Drewe Director: Rachel Kavanaugh Reviewer: Tom Finch Based on the classic novel by Kenneth Grahame, a new musical adaptation of The Wind in the Willows has opened in the West End for a Summer run. Sticking faithfully to the original source material the show follows Ratty, Moley and Badger as they attempt ...

Writer: Julian Fellowes Music and Lyrics: George Stiles, Andrew Drewe Director: Rachel Kavanaugh Reviewer: David Jobson After more than a century, The Wind in the Willows still enchants children with its charming tale. It has been adapted countless times for stage, movie and TV. Now it’s traipsing the open road with songs to match in this new musical adaptation of ...

Book: Julian Fellowes Music &Lyrics: George Stiles &Anthony Drewe Director: Rachel Kavanaugh Reviewer: John Roberts There is something endearing about Kenneth Grahame’s story of friendship and survival among the animals of the woodland. It’s appeal never seems to weaken as new generations are introduced to the tales of Mole, Ratty, Badger and the eponymous Mr Toad. So it was no ...

Writers: Julian Fellowes (based on an original story by H. G. Wells) Original Music and Lyrics: Beverley Cross and David Heneker New Music and Lyrics: George Stiles and Anthony Drewe Director: Rachel Kavanaugh Choreographer: Andrew Wright Musical Supervisor/Conductor: Graham Hurman Reviewer: Bill Avenell This much-revised version of the 1960s musical, written as a vehicle for Tommy Steele and turned into ...