Writer James Kettle unearthed actor David Tomlinson’s story, collaborating with comic and actor Miles Jupp to create a wonderful, very emotional and exceptionally funny, one-man show called The Life I Lead.
Mates blogger: Anne Cox
Anne Cox is one of over 45 theatre bloggers who are part of the MyTheatreMates collective. This page features Anne's posts on MyTheatreMates. Take a look at our full list of theatre bloggers and our aggregated feed of all our Mates' posts. We’re always looking for new theatre bloggers. Could that be you? Learn about how to join us.
Anne Cox is a journalist and blogger with more than 35 years’ experience and a passion for the theatre. Over the years, she has covered am-dram, regional and national theatre. As a critic for her own site Stage Review, she now reviews professional productions within about a two-hour drive of her home patch of Bedfordshire - from the RSC in Stratford, through the Home Counties and London to Chichester. She now runs her independent theatre website Stage Review and tweets @stage_review.
The latest from Anne on MyTheatreMates
‘Riveting, thought-provoking drama’: THE RUBENSTEIN KISS – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★
There couldn’t be a better time to revisit James Phillips’ 2006 debut play The Rubenstein Kiss and its story of idealism, especially in the current climate of global and national uncertainty, anti-Semitism and zealotry.
‘No walking on egg shells here’: ADMISSIONS – Trafalgar Studios ★★★★★
Joshua Harmon doesn’t beat about the bush when tackling difficult questions about diversity and equality in Admissions, a biting new comedy that couldn’t be more relevant, especially to parents.
‘A stunning piece of theatre’: BETRAYAL – West End
Jamie Lloyd’s terrific Pinter season, at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre, climaxes with a revival of Betrayal, arguably one of the writer’s more personal pieces and one of his most innovative and beguiling.
‘Prenger is priceless’: ABIGAIL’S PARY – Touring ★★★★
Mike Leigh’s classic Abigail’s Party is back in the theatre with its irrepressible hostess, Beverly Moss, handing out gin and tonics and cheesy-pineapple nibbles to the sounds of Demis Roussos.
‘Three-hander features some fine performances’: A LESSON FROM ALOES – Finborough Theatre
Athol Fugard’s blistering drama, A Lesson From Aloes, which proved so contentious that it was almost banned in the 1970s, has been revived to coincide with the 25th anniversary year of the first free and democratic elections in South Africa.
‘Touching, funny & heart-rending’: A SONG AT TWILIGHT – Touring ★★★★
Noël Coward’s A Song at Twilight may be billed as a comedy but this story of one man’s fear of mortality and exposure, is tinged with tragedy. The Theatre Royal Bath’s polished production, which is currently touring the UK, glories in Simon Callow’s exquisite enunciation.
‘Beautifully acted & stylishly staged’: THE REMAINS OF THE DAY – Touring
Neither Kazuro Ishiguro’s prize-winning novel, or the acclaimed film adaptation, of The Remains of the Day prepares you for the profound tragedy felt after seeing this heart-rending story played out on stage.
‘Moody, visceral & absorbing revival’: JESUS HOPPED THE ‘A’ TRAIN – Young Vic Theatre ★★★★
Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Stephen Adley Guirgis doesn’t pull any punches with his tough, uncompromising prison drama Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train at the Young Vic Theatre.
‘Arguably 90 minutes of the scariest theatre I’ve seen’: BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIO – Donmar Warehouse ★★★★★
Adapter Joel Harwood and director Tom Scutt have wisely spattered plenty of black comedy throughout their superbly tense production of Berberian Sound Studio.
‘An ambitious effort’: KEITH? – Arcola Theatre ★★★
Journalist, theatre critic, university lecturer and playwright Patrick Marmion plunders Moliere’s Tartuffe and borrows a smidge from Shakespeare and Euripides for his latest offering, a comedy called Keith? at London’s Arcola Theatre.
‘Unleashes a torrent of laughter, hurt, pain & undeniable pleasure’: GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM – Park Theatre ★★★★★
Possibly, in part, autobiographical, Gently doesn’t so much meander into London’s Park Theatre, but gushes uncontrollably, simultaneously unleashing a torrent of laughter, hurt, pain and undeniable pleasure. This astonishing production, directed by Sean Mathias, is a triumph.
‘Eventually leaves the audience fairly replete’: CAROLINE’S KITCHEN – Touring ★★★
Playwright Torben Betts has come up with a new recipe for his haute cuisine comedy, Caroline’s Kitchen, tinkering with the ingredients to create a new dish about depression and discontent in the home of a masterchef.
‘Finishing on an undisputed high’: PINTER SEVEN – West End ★★★★
Pinter at the Pinter reaches its climax with Pinter Seven featuring an enigmatic and occasionally baffling radio play, A Slight Ache, and a real highlight in an already remarkable season, The Dumb Waiter.https://mytheatremates.entstix.com/tickets/dumb-waiter-slight-ache
‘Acutely observed & intriguing play’: HOME, I’M DARLING – West End ★★★★
Losing your job can affect people in different ways but Judy Martin retreats into a 1950s Twilight Zone in Laura Wade’s surreal, bittersweet, comedy Home, I’m Darling which opened this week at the Duke of York’s Theatre.
‘A fascinating tale ambitiously told’: TARO – Brockley Jack Studio Theatre ★★★★
Gentleman Jack and Taro, both written by Ross McGregor, artistic director of Arrows & Traps Theatre Company, celebrate wildly different women but, at their heart, they share a common theme.
‘Heartfelt & hopeful’: VIOLET – Charing Cross Theatre ★★★★
Violet is heartfelt and hopeful, the songs are infectiously good with a mix of hillbilly, honky-tonk, gospel and traditional country, and the show features powerful performances from the entire ensemble.
‘Absorbing & intense’: ROSENBAUM’S RESCUE – Park Theatre ★★★★
Absorbing and intense Rosenbaum’s Rescue questions our beliefs and memories, and offers a radical new version of one country’s wartime experiences.
‘A jumble of thoughts and ideas thrown up in the air’: STOP & SEARCH – Arcola Theatre
What I watched in Stop & Search has less to do with stop and search and more a jumble of thoughts and ideas thrown up in the air and left to sort themselves out into some semblance of a play.
‘Themes as relevant now as when the plays were written’: PINTER FIVE & SIX – West End
There are no balloons or party poppers but a good time is guaranteed with Party Time and Celebration, a standout Pinter Six from the consistently strong Pinter at the Pinter season in London’s West End.