Simon Bishop

OUTSIDE MULLINGAR at the Ustinov Theatre, Bath

Posted by Simon Bishop | 21 Apr 2015

“This compassionate and delightful romantic comedy from the Pulitzer Prize, Tony and Oscar-winning author of Doubt will win many hearts. The great appeal in John Patrick Shanley’s play lies in one woman’s fight to overcome spectres of isolation and barrenness by staring down what stands in her path, and in its final message of tender reconciliation . . . Set in rural Ireland, Outside Mullingar is, at heart, an essay on the redeeming qualities of love and forgiveness . . . “

THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL at the Tobacco Factory, Bristol

Posted by Simon Bishop | 15 Apr 2015

” . . . I’d challenge anyone to find a better rendering of Sheridan’s wonderfully witty exposé of deceit and defamation than this one. Every player owned his or her part – and all produced sharp and always tremendously funny performances. The Tobacco Factory space works so well for pieces like this – whispers can be heard, a raised eyebrow noticed and a glum face can fill the room. . . This is the SATTF in top form, don’t miss it.”

WNO’s THE MAGIC FLUTE at Bristol Hippodrome

Posted by Simon Bishop | 10 Apr 2015

Welsh National Opera’s production of Mozart’s THE MAGIC FLUTE has been given a surrealistic dressing. It begins with Tamino being pursued by a giant Dali-esque lobster. And his travails to win the right to love the Queen of the Night’s daughter Pamina are played out in a Magritte-like tableau of doors set into walls painted to look like sky. The stage is raised to allow some extraordinary scenes later when the Sorastro ‘brotherhood’ is visible only by dint of their heads protruding up through the elevated boards wearing bright orange Magritte-inspired bowler hats.

WHISKEY CHARLIE at the Café Kino, Bristol

Posted by Simon Bishop | 21 Mar 2015

“Whiskey Charlie is the debut work of playwright Chris White. If this piece is anything to go by we should be on the lookout for more from this emerging talent. With director Jess Clough-MacRae, the pair forms HippoCrypt Theatre Co. . . The cosy basement of vegan restaurant Café Kino on the buzzy strip that is Stokes Croft in Bristol is a perfect place to test run new works, the space comparing very favourably with Bristol’s other two small theatres, the Alma and the Wardrobe . . .”

THE ABSENCE OF WAR on tour

Posted by Simon Bishop | 18 Mar 2015

” . . . Set in 1992, this is David Hare’s third play in a trilogy that combined with Racing Demon and Murmuring Judges as the vehicle with which he examined British society at the end of the 20th century. With exquisite timing before the looming general election, director Jeremy Herrin has resurrected this dissection of the Labour party’s soul . . . This is a production at the top of its game. For those on the left, the play gives clarity to the strictures the political game imposes upon its protagonists . . . Highly recommended.”

Author: Simon Bishop

OUTSIDE MULLINGAR at the Ustinov Theatre, Bath

THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL at the Tobacco Factory, Bristol

WNO’s THE MAGIC FLUTE at Bristol Hippodrome

WHISKEY CHARLIE at the Café Kino, Bristol

THE ABSENCE OF WAR on tour

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