This is Measure For Measure in a production by RSC supremo Greg Doran and set in turn of the 20th century Vienna. It is and remains a difficult play to pin down but the contemporary resonances remain inescapable.
‘A memorable contribution to online theatre’: MOMENT OF GRACE – Backstory Ensemble – The Actors Centre (Online review)
The first piece Moment Of Grace by Bren Gosling takes us back to the 1980s and the last time the country faced a crisis over a virus.
‘Poignant, hilarious, smart & wishful’: THE HOUSE THAT SLIPPED – Teatro Vivo (Online review)
Now if you think that The House That Slipped is simply a well-meaning, worthy play, you would be wrong. The script, direction and the way Zoom is an essential part of the story, make it witty and intelligent.
FEATURED SHOW: The ★★★★★ reviews are in for “outstanding” Moment of Grace
“Sensitive and engaging,” “beautiful,” immensely thoughtful”: Take a look at the incredible reviews for new online play Moment of Grace, then watch for yourself at The Actors Centre website until 9 August.
‘Creative activities are really important in helping kids release their emotions’: Golden Toad Theatre’s Caroline Wigmore & Jen Green on their latest project
Golden Toad Theatre’s Errol’s Garden project is creating opportunities for children to continue to engage with theatre and the arts from the safety of their homes, say co-directors Caroline Wigmore and Jen Green.
‘Beautifully conveys its emotional & political charge’: SCROUNGER – Finborough Theatre (Online review)
The bright colours of the performance underline the surrealism of Scrounger’s quest for justice, and Athena Stevens, the first actor in a wheelchair nominated for an Offie, performs her story brilliantly.
‘Verbatim theatre with a twist’: It’s True. It’s True. It’s True: Artemisia On Trial – Breach Theatre (Online review)
One of the early entries into the lockdown theatre world was Breach Theatre’s It’s True. It’s True. It’s True: Artemisia On Trial. After some time on furlough it’s now back online and available to watch again.
‘Adds some dynamism’: THE SECRET LOVE LIFE OF OPHELIA – Greenwich Theatre (Online review)
The Greenwich Theatre production of The Secret Love Life of Ophelia showcases a selection of excellent young performers that inadvertently asks some big questions about how we cast Hamlet in the 21st century.
‘Couldn’t be more timely’: PLACE PRINTS 1-4 (Online review)
Place Prints is a fascinating audio series from writer David Rudkin about places in the UK. There are certain locations where that sense of the past is much stronger than in others. These places have their own stories and voices and Rudkin tells them with a sense of lyricism from which contemporary writers might well learn.
‘Every element of the story beautifully unfolds’: MOMENT OF GRACE – Backstory Ensemble – The Actors Centre (Online review) ★★★★
Three character play Moment of Grace, based around Princess Diana’s visit to a London’s hospital’s first AIDS unit in 1987, is immensely thoughtful and emotional.
‘There is a real humanity there’: MIRACULOUS – Edinburgh (Online review) ★★★★
In Miraculous, Borderline Theatre Company and the Gaiety Ayr have created a bouncy online version of David F Ross’ comedy caper novel about an Ayrshire band that once had an unexpected number one hit.
‘Dreamy, festive, fast & intelligent’: TWELFTH NIGHT – Red Rose Chain (Online review)
What the tiny Ipswich company Red Rose Chain, has achieved with Twelfth Night in the time of social-distancing is oddly brilliant, you’re unlikely to find a more uplifting show in this strange, frustrating summer.
‘Each of the five characters are recognisable’: LOST SOULS – Loosely Based Theatre (Online review)
The latest work by Jayne Woodhouse comprises of five monologues performed in the compilation of Lost Souls produced by Loosely Based Theatre.
‘Entertaining & engaging at an emotional level’: DON’T STOP THINKING ABOUT TOMORROW – Chickenshed Theatre (Online review)
Combining music and choreography with the spoken word, Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow is thoughtful in its conception and ambitious in its scope, looking at the ‘bigger picture’.
‘Actively enhances the intimacy of the original’: THE COOLIDGE EFFECT – Wonder Fools (Online review) ★★★★
Wonder Fools have revived their intriguing two-hander The Coolidge Effect about the insidious effect of pornography, for an audio, lockdown production that actively enhances the intimacy of the original.
‘Knows what it wants to say’: JANE CLEGG – Finborough Theatre (Online review)
Jane Clegg falls into the category of a well-made play of three acts and is none the worse for that. Its elegant structure and growing sense of tension make it an absolute pleasure to watch.
‘Has the audience engaged throughout’: UP, UP, UP & AWAY! – Super Stories With City Actors (Online review)
With Up, Up, Up and Away, Super Stories With City Actors have put together a fun family adventure that successfully replicates the joy of live children’s theatre.
‘I could have written an entire post about Ruth Page’s performance’: HENRY V – The Show Must Go Online (Online review)
I’m running out of superlatives for The Show Must Go Online. Each show is exceptional, including the latest staging of Henry V, and manages to improve upon the previous week in as many ways as possible.
National Theatre at Home: Saving our lockdown & pointing the way for future engagement
The National Theatre really did save lockdown and made us appreciate our phenomenal creative industries, but they may also have inadvertently pointed the way for the future as surely as National Theatre Live did in 2009.
‘Enlightening & moving at the same time’: INVISIBLE MUSIC (Online review) ★★★★
Platform 4’s Invisible Music presents a beautiful and thought-provoking soundscape that is a wonderful manifestation of creativity in this period of isolation.