In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 2 February 2020), ranging from Ian Foster’s praise of the Orange Tree Theatre’s fine revival of Lucy Prebble’s first play The Sugar Syndrome (featuring a strong debut performance from Jessica Rhodes) to John Chapman’s verdict on the world premiere stage adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s Persona at the newly opened Riverside Studios.
Plus find out what the Mates think of Faustus: That Damned Woman, For The Sake Of Argument, Sold, Blithe Spirit and Dr Korczak’s Example.
The Sugar Syndrome – Orange Tree Theatre
Ian Foster: “Lucy Prebble’s writing may have sharpened over the years but its power is unmistakeable, never more so than in the challenging final scene.”
Persona – Riverside Studios
John Chapman: “The one resounding success of the evening was the inclusion of mood music which underscored and punctuated the action – as it would do in a film.”
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Faustus: That Damned Woman – Lyric Hammersmith
Jonathan Baz: “Wit is overshadowed by a disappointing structure that sidelines real, factual female achievement in praise of the patriarchy.”
For the Sake of Argument –Bridewell Theatre
Liz Dyer: “As one might expect from the title, For the Sake of Argument poses some great questions about the limits of free speech and responsible use of the media.”
SOLD – Vault Festival
Amy Toledano: “Extremely powerful. This is a must-see piece of theatre, both hauntingly relevant in its narrative and beautifully executed in its performance… A show that demands being discussed.” ★★★★★
Blithe Spirit – Touring
Helen McWilliams: “Saunders triumphs in the role she was surely meant to play, she brings everything to the character that I expected her to bring.” ★★★★
Dr Korczak’s Example – Leeds Playhouse
Dawn Smallwood: “It is profoundly a powerful and moving play which emotively affects one and all now as much as then.” ★★★★★
An editor, writer and critic, Lisa Martland is the founder of Vuelio top-ranked website Musical Theatre Review which she set up in 2013. She has largely single-handedly developed it into one of the UK’s must-read sites for professionals and expert followers of the sector. In 2018, Lisa also joined the Terri Paddock Group, taking on the role of editor for both MyTheatreMates and our sister musical theatre site Stage Faves. Formerly, she was deputy editor at The Stage Newspaper.
