Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart receives a masterful revival courtesy of Dominic Cooke at the National Theatre, starring Ben Daniels.
Mates blogger: Ian Foster
Ian Foster is one of over 45 theatre bloggers who are part of the MyTheatreMates collective. This page features Ian'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.
Since 2003, Ian Foster has been writing reviews of plays, sometimes with a critical element, on his blog Ought to Be Clowns, which has been listed as one of the UK's Top Ten Theatre Blogs by Lastminute.com, Vuelio and Superbreak. He averages more than 350+ shows a year. He says: "Call me a reviewer, a critic or a blogger, and you will apparently put someone or other's nose out of joint! So take it or leave it, essentially this is my theatrical diary, recording everything I go to see at the theatre in London and beyond, and venturing a little into the worlds of music and film/TV where theatrical connections can be made."
The latest from Ian on MyTheatreMates
‘A truly affecting and effectual performance’: HAMLET — Young Vic
Cush Jumbo is excellent, and there’s a great Ophelia, but do we really need another Hamlet? Three hours plus at the Young Vic will soon tell you
‘A revue is always tricky to review’: CLOSER THAN EVER – BroadwayHD (Online review)
This new production of Maltby and Shire’s Closer Than Ever just about gets there, though it occasionally struggles to break through the digital form.
‘Tear-jerkingly beautiful as ever’: HAMILTON — Victoria Palace Theatre
You know how it is, when a ticket to Hamilton falls into your lap, you can’t really say no to this… So a return to the Victoria Palace Theatre, my first since this behemoth of a show actually opened up and one which was surprisingly rewarding, over and above the pleasures of the show itself.
‘I’m damned glad we have something as good as this’: EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE – Prime Video
This cinematic adaptation of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is fabulously enjoyable, led by a fine performance by Max Harwood.
‘A warm hug of perfect decision making’: Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – London Palladium
Now this is how you do stunt casting! Linzi Hateley returns in glorious style to Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat after 30 years.
‘Sings & stings with hard-won truths’: No Cure for Love / The Rice Krispie Killer – Camden Fringe
Taking inspiration from the music of Leonard Cohen, Emma Burnell’s No Cure For Love – a play with original songs (rather than Cohen covers) – bucks the trend a little when it comes to shows you might expect to see at the Camden Fringe.
‘Strikes gold’: PARADISE – National Theatre
Kae Tempest makes a stirring National Theatre debut with Sophocles adaptation Paradise, starring a superb Lesley Sharp.
‘There’s an appealing openness to much of the music’: DORIAN: A ROCK MUSICAL – Stream.Theatre (Online review)
A strong lead performance from Bart Lambert impresses in this streaming Oscar Wilde adaptation, but Dorian A Rock Musical lacks a real sense of identity.
‘A visual language that suggests promise’: TWO WORLDS NO FAMILY – Lion & Unicorn Theatre
The Lion and Unicorn Theatre hosts Draft99 Theatre and their production of Ben Reid’s new LGBTQ+ play Two Worlds No Family.
‘The show is definitely best enjoyed with a drink in hand’: SH!TFACED SHAKESPEARE – Leicester Square Theatre
The chaotic Sh!tFaced Shakespeare makes a tipsy Macbeth intermittently entertaining at the Leicester Square Theatre.
‘A sexy & striking surprise’: CONSTELLATIONS – Vaudeville Theatre
The Donmar West End production of Constellations launches its first two casts in Sheila Atim and Ivanno Jeremiah and Peter Capaldi and Zoë Wanamaker at the Vaudeville Theatre.
‘A talented ensemble plays well off the comic energy’: GOING APE! – Union Theatre
The Bible and evolution go head to head in broad and bawdy comedy Going Ape at the Union Theatre. It’s a frippery that takes not a minute of itself seriously.
’It is really packing a punch’: seven methods of killing kylie jenner – Royal Court Theatre
Jasmine Lee-Jones’ award-winning seven methods of killing kylie jenner transfers downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre.
‘Thought-provoking revival’: STAIRCASE – Southwark Playhouse
Returning to the not-so-distant past when same-sex relationships were illegal, this is a thought-provoking revival of Charles Dyer’s Staircase at Southwark Playhouse.
‘Fascinating, challenging, probing theatrical experience’: BAD NIGHTS & ODD DAYS – Greenwich Theatre
Paul McGann and Kerrie Taylor, among others, shine in Bad Nights and Odd Days, a set of four short plays by Caryl Churchill at Greenwich Theatre.
‘Rather rowdily, raucous bit of good fun’: The Frida Kahlo of Penge West – Golden Goose Theatre
The Frida Kahlo of Penge West proves a comic surprise at the Golden Goose Theatre. The level of theatrical in-jokes might deter the casual viewer but there’s such vibrancy in the performances.
‘Sonic screwdrivers at the ready’: DOCTOR WHO – TIME FRACTURE
It’s the end of the universe – so of course Doctor Who – Time Fracture is utterly chaotic. It is also rather good fun.
‘Quietly roars its pain for all the lives lost’: UNDER THE MASK – Theatre Peckham & Touring
Playing at Theatre Peckham before a UK tour, Tamasha Theatre’s Under the Mask – written by a junior doctor – is a haunting revisit of the early days of the pandemic.
‘It is huge amounts of fun’: SHOWSTOPPER! THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL – Garrick Theatre
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical kick off their new West End residency at the Garrick Theatre in their own inimitable style.