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Reviews
Shostakovich Symphony No.8, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 28 September, 2023. 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘Committed and engaging performances of two very different Russian Masterpieces.’
The Coronation of Poppea by Claudio Monteverdi, Hackney Empire, London E8. 3***: Clare Colvin.
‘Monteverdi’s greatest hit is updated in English Touring Opera contemporary new staging.’
Photo Credit: Richard Hubert Smith.
These Demons by Rachel Bellman. Theatre 503, The Latchmere, 503 Battersea Park Road, London SW 11 to 14 October 2023. 3***: William Russell.
‘Things that go plop in the night.’
Photo credit: Lydia Crisafulli.
Imposters by Molly Davis. Jerwood downstairs, Royal Court Theatre, 50 Sloane Square, London SW1 to 14 October 2023. 4****: William Russell
‘Rewarding and entertaining.’
Photo credit – Ali Wright.
Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw, The Old Vic, 103 The Cut, London SE1 to 28 October 2023. 3***: William Russell.
‘Praised by some but ultimately disappointing revival.’
Close-Up by Ben Elton. The Menier Chocolate Factory, 50 Southwark St, London SE 1 to 18 November 2023. 2**: William Russell.
‘A dire juke box musical life of Twiggy.’
Photo Credit – Manuel Harlan.
Frank and Percy by Ben Weatherill. The Other Palace, 12 Palace Street, London SW1E to 17 December 2023. 5*****: William Russell.
‘Allam & McKellen at the top of their game.’
Photo credit – Jack Merriman
Peter Grimes by Benjamin Britten, English National Opera, The Coliseum, London WC2. 4****: Clare Colvin.
‘ENO triumphs with David Alden’s masterly Peter Grimes in defiant form.’
Photo Credit: Tom Bowles.
The 39 Steps by John Buchan – adapted by Patrick Barlow, Manor Pavilion Theatre – Sidmouth until 23 September 2023, 5*****. Review: Cormac Richards.
‘Hilarious, inventive, bonkers and thrilling.’
The King and I by Rogers and Hammerstein – Theatre Royal Plymouth until 23 September 2023 and touring, 5✩✩✩✩✩. Review: Cormac Richards.
‘Traditional, vibrant and refreshing production of a real classic.’
Photo Credit: Johan Persson
Strangers in Between by Tommy Murphy. The Golden Goose Theatre, 146 Camberwell New Road, London SE5 to 7 October 2023. 3***: William Russell.
‘Well performed getting the t shirt dated gay play.’
Photo credit – Peter Davies.
Sunsets by Georgie Grier. Seven Dials Playhouse, 1A Tower Street, London WC2 to 30 September 2023. 3***: William Russell.
‘Laughter in London after tears on the Fringe.’
Vanya – after Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov. Adapted by Simon Stephens. The Duke of York’s Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London to 21 October 2023. 4****: William Russell.
‘An actor at the top of his game – not to be missed .’
Photo credit : Marc Brenner.
The Mikado by Gilbert & Sullivan. Studio 1, the Arcola, 24 Ashwin Street, London E6 to 23 September, 2023. 5*****: William Russell.
‘Titipu titivated triumphantly.’
Photo Credit: Bill Knight
It Lives Inside (2023), Dir Bishal Dutta, Vertigo. 5*****: Matthew Alicoon.
‘A knockout thought-provoking take on demonic horror.’
Anthro-pology by Lauren Gunderson. Hampstead Theatre, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 to 14th October 2023. 3***: William Russell.
‘Bungled tale about artificial intelligence.’
Photo credit: The Other Richard.
Rebecca based on the novel by Daphne DuMaurier. Book and Lyrics by Michael Kunze. Charing Cross Theatre, The Arches, Villiers St, London WC2 to 18 November, 2023. 2**: William Russell.
‘Better take the road to Mandalay than to Manderley – a truly dreadful musical.’
Photo Credit: Mark Senior.
Police Cops, Book & Lyrics by Zachary Hunt, Nathan Parkinson & Tom Roe. Southwark Playhouse, the Large – 77 Newington Causeway, London SE 1 to 14 October, 2023. 5*****: William Russell.
‘Lewd, loud and fun – a great night out.’
Photo Credit: Pamela Raith
MacBeth: William Shakespeare RSC, Stratford Upon Avon. Performance: Audio described performance Runs: 3h 15m, one interval, till 14 October, 2023. 2 **: Roderick Dungate.
‘A production that looks for the effect of everything but finds the value of nothing.’
A Haunting in Venice (2023), Dir Kenneth Branagh, 20th Century Studios. 3***: Matthew Alicoon.
‘When too much character detail gets crammed all at once.’