Writer: John Vanbrugh Director: Phillip Breen Reviewer: James Garrington Lady Brute is bored. She married in haste and her husband has turned out to be a tedious drunk who’d rather spend time with his friends than with her. So, helped by her niece Bellinda, she decides to spice up her love life by having a dalliance with a younger man ...
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Writer: Miguel de Cervantes Adaptor: James Fenton Director: Angus Jackson Reviewer: Richard Maguire Such a triumph in Stratford-Upon-Avon in 2016, the RSC’s production of Don Quixote now comes to the West End, albeit in a version that strips off 20 minutes from the original running time. Cervantes’ novel is over 1,000 pages long, but poet James Fenton’s adaptation manages to preserve ...
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Book: Jonathan Harvey Director: Maria Friedman Reviewer: May Mellstrom "I'm 90 percent smoke and mirrors darling" declares Dusty Springfield, with a glint in her kohl-rimmed eyes as she rejects a marriage proposal and hails a taxi, disappearing into the night. The legendary British singer, born Mary O'Brien in 1939, was famously private however this new musical from acclaimed writer Jonathan ...
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Writer: Noel Coward Director: Sean Foley Reviewer: Bill Avenell What an appropriate choice to open this year’s Chichester Festival programme. A seemingly light concoction but one which beneath the surface is packed full of all the ‘stuff’ of theatre from the pressures of performance, the problems of admirers, the issues of backing and management to the complicated relationships that grow ...
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Writer: Joe Orton Director: Nikolai Foster Reviewer: Claire Hayes 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of Joe Orton’s death, and this brand-new version of What the Butler Saw, a joint production between Theatre Royal Bath and Leicester Curve, commemorates his final full-length play. But as a dark farce, this work is now showing its age; shocking at the time for its anti-establishment ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Writer:Julian Fellowes Music and Lyrics:George Stiles, Andrew Drewe Director: Rachel Kavanaugh Reviewer: Helen Tope The Wind in the Willows is a much-loved classic, entertaining generations of children with stories from the riverbank. The adventures of Rat, Badger, Mole and Toad form a tale of friendship that lends itself to any interpretation. It’s therefore not surprising that The Wind in the ...
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