Plenty of productions search fruitlessly for the magic in As You Like It, but Josie Rourke’s version at the new @sohoplace theatre makes it seems effortless. This is greatly helped by the delightful new space, designed by architects Haworth Tompkins as that rare thing – a theatre in the round.
‘This is not about romance, it’s about escape’: Romeo & Juliet – Shakespeare’s Globe ★★★★
Romeo & Juliet at Shakespeare’s Globe is a new and vital take on the classic Verona tale, contextualising the characters’ motives – this is not about romance, it’s about escape.
Mark Shenton’s weekly chart of forthcoming theatrical comings & goings has some new entries
This weekly column keeps track of the shows that are coming back, or are newly being announced, as theatres prepare to re-open from next month onwards. It will be updated weekly until such time as it becomes a reality, and from then on will provide a weekly update to that week’s openings and future ones.
Returning & new productions heading for the West End & beyond post-lockdown: Are you up to date?
Meanwhile, I want to start keeping track of the shows that are coming back, or are newly being announced, in a new feature here that will be updated weekly until such time as it becomes a reality, and from then on will provide a weekly update to that week’s openings and future ones.
NEWS: Shakespeare’s Globe reopens outdoor theatre from 19 May 2021
Shakespeare’s Globe is preparing to reopen its outdoor theatre for socially distanced performances on 19 May 2021, provided the conditions are met for Step 3 of the Government’s roadmap. The summer season 2021 opens with Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, followed by Romeo & Juliet and Twelfth Night. The Globe Touring Ensemble will perform As You Like It, The Tempest and A …
‘This really is a great adaptation’: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (Online review)
This film version of the Oscar Wilde classic The Picture of Dorian Gray is a brilliant critique of the digital age.
‘A tale lifted wholesale into the 21st century’: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (Online review)
Alfred Enoch and Russell Tovey enliven a digital take on Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray.
‘A thrilling piece of entertainment’: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (Online review) ★★★★★
Not only does it work as a standalone piece of digital theatre, this adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray is also really intelligently linked to the original story.
’It is absorbing to watch unfold’: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (Online review) ★★★★★
This striking and edgy version of Oscar Wilde’s story The Picture Of Dorian Gray acts as a powerful warning about depending too much on social media.
NEWS: Alfred Enoch, Joanna Lumley, Russell Tovey & Stephen Fry are cast in The Picture of Dorian Gray online production
The co-producers of the upcoming digital adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray have today announced the production’s full casting and creative team. Joining previously announced Fionn Whitehead, in the title role, are Alfred Enoch as Harry Wotton, Joanna Lumley as Lady Narborough, Emma McDonald as Sibyl Vane and Russell Tovey as Basil Hallward with Stephen Fry as the Interviewer.
‘Demonstrates the power of art to thrill & challenge’: RED – The Shows Must Go On! (Online review)
Red beautifully demonstrates the central thesis that sons must challenge fathers, the old must give way to the new and art and theatre must constantly evolve and change in order to survive – a lesson which has been all too evident as Lockdown2 comes to a close.
‘Keeps you engaged until the very end’: WHAT A CARVE UP! (Online review) ★★★★
What a Carve Up! is a cleverly constructed murder mystery made in a YouTube/docudrama style. A compelling story told in an innovative, realistic and bold way.
‘It’s a blunt force impact of emotion, building to a frenzy’: CRAVE – Chichester Festival Theatre
Crave is a blunt force impact of emotion, building to a frenzy and then, in a little under 50 minutes, it’s over and we leave. The world outside is just the same, but we’re refreshed – a vital dose of theatre to see us through winter months.
‘Feels like a statement of intent’: CRAVE – Chichester Festival Theatre
A Sarah Kane play is by no means a safe option for any theatre looking to attract audiences back to its auditorium, but this bold and intriguing production of Crave at Chichester Festival Theatre was worth the risk.
‘Entertaining & polished fictional thriller’: WHAT A CARVE UP! (Online review)
Tamara Harvey’s digital production of What a Carve Up! skilfully builds the suspense, while also systematically taking apart those in power who enjoy all the benefits of their position, while allowing the rest of us to take the hit.
‘Simply incredible entertainment’: WHAT A CARVE UP! (Online review) ★★★★★
Balancing a fine line between radio play, true crime shockumentary and theatrical whodunit, but transcending each medium, director Tamara Harvey makes Henry Filloux-Bennett’s play What a Carve Up! fizz with relentlessly building fury.
NEWS: Full casting & creative team announced for Crave at Chichester Festival Theatre
Wendy Kweh and Jonathan Slinger join Erin Doherty and Alfred Enoch in Tinuke Craig’s production of Sarah Kane’s Crave at the Chichester Festival Theatre.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Tree at the Young Vic Theatre
It initially hit the headlines for controversial reasons about artistic credit. Now that it’s opened, what have critics said about Idris Elba and Kwame Kwei-Armah’s Tree? Premiered as part of the Manchester International Festival, it’s now transferred to London’s Young Vic Theatre, where it continues until 24 August 2019.
‘A strong & generously immersive piece that wraps around you’: TREE – Young Vic Theatre ★★★★
If a student disco is your personal nightmare, look away now. Tree starts and ends with a throbbing onstage party to wish the audience is persuasively invited. The last time this many Waitrose customers grooved awkwardly to African beats was on Paul Simon’s Graceland tour.
‘The start of something really powerful’: TREE – Young Vic Theatre
There is much to applaud in Tree but it feels like a play that is more about the spectacle and experience than a substantial exploration of meaty issues which is fine to a point.
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