Brian Friel’s LIVING QUARTERS at the Tobacco Factory, Bristol

Brian Friel’s LIVING QUARTERS at the Tobacco Factory, Bristol

by

Living Quarters may not be one of Friel’s greatest plays; it lacks the originality and sustained power of Dancing At Lughnasa or Translations. Nevertheless it has much to offer, and it is hard to imagine it being performed better. This is an excellent production of a play that speaks of some universal truths about the choices we make in our lives. It is also a play rooted in Ireland – a country that, more than most, seems unable to escape from the clutches of its own past. Highly recommended.

Read More
The Shawshank Redemption at the Theatre Royal Bath

The Shawshank Redemption at the Theatre Royal Bath

by

Adapted directly from the Stephen King novel by Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns. Andy Dufresne (Ian Kelsey), a sensitive, thoughtful man, wrongly convicted for the murder of his wife and her lover, initially finds himself to be the ‘outsider’ inside the penitentiary and buddies up with the only other rounded human being, Ellis ‘Red’ Redding (Patrick Robinson), who has been rightfully convicted for a crime of passion . . . those unfamiliar with the story will also find a moving testament to human resilience in this cleverly staged and compelling production.

Read More
Complicité’s THE ENCOUNTER on tour

Complicité’s THE ENCOUNTER on tour

by

Simon McBurney is a consummate and passionate storyteller who expertly conveys the wonder, excitement and tension of his story. Based on the account of the explorer, Loren McIntyre as related in the book, Amazon Beaming, by Petru Popescu, he uses theatre to take his audience where the book could not go. His jungle is constructed aurally in the audience’s heads and is a wonderfully vivid creation which also makes use of clever design, lighting and projection . . . The play is a considerable creative achievement which brings storytelling enthrallingly up to date.

Read More
THE BOGUS WOMAN at Cheltenham and Oxford

THE BOGUS WOMAN at Cheltenham and Oxford

by

The Bogus Woman is compelling, harrowing theatre which fulfils one of the basic requirements of any form of art – it makes you look at the world differently. All those concerned have a right to be immensely proud of their achievement but most of the praise must go to Krissi Bohn who delivered a virtuoso, tour-de-force performance the like of which you will rarely see. This was a truly remarkable and memorable evening about an issue which is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore and will inevitably, ultimately affect all our lives.

Read More
A Murder is Announced at the Everyman, Cheltenham

A Murder is Announced at the Everyman, Cheltenham

by

Miss Marple has very big boots. To fill them, in light of previous wearers, is no mean feat and one not without certain dangers . . . Miss Marple is usually played as rather prim and proper or, in the case of Margaret Rutherford, as a battle axe. Judy Cornwell has found a new way of presenting her – frumpy, dowdy even – all cardigans, charity-shop tweeds and trilby hats . . . Entertaining stuff, but you have to pay attention. All in all it was what it said on the tin, no more, no less and if you like a good Agatha Christie who-dunnit then you’ll enjoy this one.

Read More
KING CHARLES III on tour

KING CHARLES III on tour

by

The Queen is dead: after a lifetime of waiting, Prince Charles ascends the throne – a future of power. But how to rule? Should a monarch’s power be merely ceremonial, or should they use the power bestowed upon them by their birth to act on matters of conscience? . . .A unique play with a bold vision, it is refreshing to see such themes explored in modern theatre . . . Fantastical? Yes – but once you’ve jumped the hurdle of unlikely events, it makes for fascinating and compelling theatre.

Read More

Pin It on Pinterest