★★★★☆ This is a story about the resilience of NHS staff, how many of them have to deal with racism (not only from patients, but in microaggressions from colleagues), but also about how they find moments of joy and friendship. It’s a story of isolation and alienation; of children and their parents, and what happens when we can’t reconcile ourselves with the views of our families.
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★★★★★ The play is a rare stage picture of social deprivation that sympathises as it cruelly mocks, disturbing and hilarious by turns and acted out with excoriating honesty by the superb cast.
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★★★★☆ When the curtain rises on English Touring Theatre’s Equus, a featureless stage is revealed, surrounded by tall, white curtains. It’s a sterile space, well-suited for the clinical examination of a mentally disturbed patient. In one corner a figure lies huddled, as if hiding from some torment. When he stands up, we see that he is not an inmate of this psychiatric unit, but the psychiatrist himself.
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★★★★☆ The actors get more animated as the show progresses. Each slick scene, with clever lighting, diverse music and a few simple props, takes a reference from the film for a seemingly chaotic but hilariously funny reflection of family life.
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★★☆☆☆ Hair is a series of tangentially related scenes and musical numbers with the barest hint of a story to string these elements together. It is much more focussed on its tone and the introduction of wacky characters than anything approaching a functional plot. Think Cats, with the cats replaced by hippies.
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★★★★☆ This production is an absolute delight to watch. With a great flow between scenes and some welcome surreal elements, each story is brought beautifully to life. Shifting between kindness and brutality, the stories are both moving and entertaining.
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