Author: Simon Bishop

BROKEN WINDOWS at the Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol

I once heard that reviews at the Wardrobe could only ever attract a maximum of three stars. Well, here are four for a change! Caitlin Ince is a very engaging actress with huge potential to make a name for herself. She also has some great ideas, and this production should be offered a run. Tobacco Factory, Everyman Theatre, Theatre Royal, what are you waiting for? The Wardrobe has acted as star-maker, seize the moment to add to the trajectory.

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THE DOCK BRIEF at the Everyman Studio, Cheltenham

“. . .the confined space within the darkened Studio Theatre lent the proceedings a perfect intimacy in which to witness the two ‘losers’ in this piece. . . an extraordinary and unlikely double-act not unlike Laurel and Hardy which I strongly recommend you savour. . . I loved [Mark] Hyde’s Morganhall. He looked and sounded perfect for the role, both in his outbursts of self-deluded oratory and in his crumpled admissions of shortcomings. . . Michael Hasted has injected this 1950s revival with great pace and movement on a small rostrum stage. Definitely worth a ringside seat . . .”

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The Hypochondriac at Bath Theatre Royal

“. . . Tony Robinson is always very watchable, and convinces as the loathsome dressing-gowned commode-sitting Malade imaginaire. Misogynistic, self-obsessed, easily duped, Argan is not an easy figure to find sympathy for. Like his scheming wife Beline, elegantly played by Imogen Stubbs, at times one wished the old bugger would just get on and pop his clogs. The script rarely let Robinson off his leash, often leaving the funnier moments to the excellent Tracie Bennett as his long-suffering maid-come-carer Toinette. . . “

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PLAY STRINDBERG at the Ustinov Theatre, Bath

“…what elevates the piece is the sheer force of performance. Hicks, Dexter and Clothier take the space by the scruff of the neck and command you damn well follow them into their hell! And Clothier’s suave depiction of shady cousin Kurt coolly adds deceit and roguery to the mix…Watching the balance of power shift between the three characters over the course of the twelve rounds is compelling viewing”

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ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS at Bath Theatre Royal

“Throughout, this slick standout NT ensemble relentlessly engages the laughter button with risqué one-liners, and a naughty postcard attitude to tits, bums and other unmentionables so deeply ingrained in the British sense of humour. All were outstanding, but in particular Alicia Davies’ depiction of the spiky but vulnerable Rachel Crabbe caught the eye.”

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