In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 23 December 2019), ranging from Jonathan Baz’s enjoyment of the musical and visual treat that is Kander and Ebb’s musical Curtains at the Wyndham’s Theatre (before continuing its tour) to Inua Ellams’ beautiful realisation of Chekhov’s Three Sisters at the National Theatre, as reviewed by Rachel Williams. Plus find out what the Mates think of Teenage Dick, The Red Shoes and Peter Pan Goes Wrong.
Curtains – Wyndham’s Theatre
Jonathan Baz: “Curtains makes for a warm and entertaining musical sure to leave you with a smile on your face and a spring in your step. With dazzling choreography, slick humour and top-notch performances it is well worth seeing this Christmas.” ★★★★
Teenage Dick – Donmar Warehouse
Maryam Philpott: “Mike Lew has nonetheless created a version of Richard III that suits this context extremely well, asking the audience to consider attitudes to disability, power and social structures that perpetuate all kinds of inequality.”
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Three Sisters –
National Theatre
National Theatre
Rachel Williams: “Look, there’s no question that Three Sisters represents a serious investment of your time. But it is worth it. This is a great piece, whether you have strong feelings on Chekhov or not, and it’s beautifully done in this production.”
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The Red Shoes – Sadler’s Wells
Emma Clarendon: “There are so many performances that really delight throughout. Not least Cordelia Braithwaite’s glorious performance as Vicky – filled with youthful exuberance initially that deepens and intensifies as the story and her world begins to unravel.” ★★★★★
Peter Pan Goes Wrong – Touring
Alexandra Sykes: “With lots of laughs throughout and plenty going on to keep audiences entertained Mischief Theatre’s Peter Pan Goes Wrong is a fabulous alternative to a traditional pantomime with laughs for all the family.” ★★★★★
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.
