In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 24 November 2019), ranging from Ben Dowell (for theatreCat) giving his verdict on the much-anticipated arrival of Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen at the Noel Coward Theatre, to the week’s other major musical opening, a jukebox musical with a Shakespearean twist, & Juliet at the Shaftesbury Theatre, as reviewed by Olivia Mitchell for Rewrite This Story. Plus find out what the Mates think of Uncle Vanya, Stray Dogs and Land Without Dreams. Enjoy.
DEAR EVAN HANSEN – Noel Coward Theatre
Ben Dowell: “As Evan, young actor Sam Tutty delivers a precociously skilled and committed performance, evoking the red eyed hollow look of a young man who spends too much time in his bedroom.” ★★★★
& Juliet – Shaftesbury Theatre ★★★
Olivia Mitchell: “If you want an explicitly queer, feminist musical that’s funny, entertaining and scored by songs that you grew up listening to then go see it.”
Uncle Vanya – New Wimbledon Studio ★★★★
Michael Davis: “The current production which is touring with Theatrical Niche stays true to the spirit of its origins, while also fleshing out aspects that resonate today.”
Stray Dogs Review – Park Theatre ★★★
Claire Roderick: “Olivia Olsen’s new play about Anna Akhmatova, the Russian poet who voiced the suffering of the people in Stalin’s Russia is heartfelt but flawed.”
Land Without Dreams – Gate Theatre
Carole Woddis: “It’s a brilliant overturning of convention, beautifully orchestrated by Fix & Foxy’s London director OlLise Lauenblad and bravely performed by Terri Wilkey.”
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.
