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Reviews
Self - Raising by Mike Kenny & Jenny Sealey. Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1 to 17 February 2024. 4****: William Russell.
“An indomitable woman talks about her life, family secrets and lies – and being deaf.”
Photo Credit: Tiu Makkonen.
Sex and the City – Candace Bushnell at the London Palladium for one night only – 7 February 2024 - and then on tour. 5*****: William Russell.
“Candace comes to town and holds a fabulous hen night.”
Metamorphosis by Lemn Sissay based on the story by Franz Kafka. The Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith to 2 March 2024. 3***: William Russell.
“Kafka’s famous story told in a thrilling if overlong version.”
Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton.
The Project by Shannon Kurlander. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE 4 to 3 February 2024. 4****: William Russell.
“What Katie did next – worth finding out.”
Photo Credit: Greatest Hits Productions.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, adapted by Mark Stratford. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, London SE4 to 27 January 2024. 4****: William Russell.
“A classic horror story skilfully told.”
Photo Credit: Dan Bridge.
Blood on Your Hands by Grace Joy Howarth. Southwark Playhouse, the Little, 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 to 03 February 2024. 2** William Russell.
“There is blood all over the place in this slaughterhouse drama.’”
Photo Credit: Charles Flint.
Afterglow by S Asher Gelmann, Southwark Playhouse, the Large, 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 to 10 February 2024. 3***: William Russell.
“Things that come in threes seldom end well.”
Photo Credit: Darren Bell.
Leaves of Glass by Philip Ridley. Park 90, 19 Jan to 10 Feb 2024. 5****: William Russell.
“That ‘other country’ that is the past devastatingly exposed.”
Photo credit: Mark Senior.
Cowbois by Charlie Josephine. The Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London SW1 to 10 February 2024. 3***: William Russell.
“A right carry on set in the wild west with lots to say about gender.”
Photo Credit: Ali Wright.
Don’t Destroy Me by Michael Hastings. The Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 to 03 February 2024. 3***: William Russell.
“Half forgotten Michael Hasting’s first play written when he was 18 is resurrected.”
Photo Credit Philip Gammon
The Good John Proctor by Talena Monahon. Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London SW1 to 27 January 2024. 4****: William Russell.
“A disturbing, perceptive look at the girls who dreamt up the witches of Salem.”
Photo credit : Jack Sain.
Waiting for Hate Mail by Mark Akrill. Seven Dials Playhouse, Tower Street, London to 20 January 2024. 3***: William Russell.
“A tale of love and hate mail and betrayal dazzlingly told.”
Photo Credit : Steve Gregson.
1979 by Michael Healey. The Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 to 27 January 2024. 2**: William Russell.
“Turgid drama about Canadian politics.”
Photo Credit: Simon Annand.
Fair Maid of the West Isobel McArthur, after Thomas Heywood, RSC, The Swan, Stratford Upon Avon, till 14 January 2024. 4****: Roderick Dungate.
“A Seasonal Rom Oozing with Good Will and Good Cheer.”
Photo: Courtesy of RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon.
This Much I know by Jonathan Spector. Hampstead Downstairs, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London to 27 January 2024. 4****: William Russell.
“Bewildering but intriguing and well performed last play of the year.”
Photo Credit:The Other Richard.
The Motive and The Cue by Jack Thorne, The Noel Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London to 23 March 2024. 4****: William Russell.
“Mark Gatiss and Johnny Flynn magnificent account of how Richard Burton’s Hamlet reached the stage.”
Production Photo: Mark Douet.
Rock ‘N’ Roll by Tom Stoppard. Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3. 3***: William Russell.
“Strongly cast revival of a play which for all its interest time has maybe not been kind to.”
Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan.
Moth by Matt Wilson. The Hope Theatre, Upper Street, Islington to 02 December 2023. 2**: William Russell.
“Interesting, complicated, over-long sci fi drama.”
Influence – Collective Theatre, 2 Tiltman Place, London N7 to 2nd December 2023. 4****: William Russell.
‘You will be bewitched, bothered and bewildered.’
Photo Credit: Hana Kovacs
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti. The Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross Road, London to 17th February 2024. 4****: William Russell.
‘Shakespeare in grief handsomely staged and well performed.’
Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan