“London’s Soho, on the verge of the 20th century’s sexual revolution, may seem an unlikely era for the English Touring Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company to set the Jacobean play. Yet, Thomas Middleton’s saucy comedy, A Mad World My Masters, finds new vibrancy in the late 1950’s, a dichotomous time of sexual frustration and liberation. Phil Porter and Sean Foley, who also directs a large ensemble cast, have edited this new version to include the usual ETT live band and, on this occasion, the divine vocals of Linda John-Pierre . . . “

” . . . A Passion for Birmingham is difficult to describe; one’s religious orientation and political position bear more weight in forming one’s opinion of this Old Joint Stock production than perhaps any other this year . . . Preaching to the unconverted is often a problem paramount to the most adroit dramaturgy, but A Passion for Birmingham maintains a commitment to immersive storytelling and boasts enough strong central performances and great music to impress.”