Polly Findlay’s fluent production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie avoids the fluting exaggerations of some previous versions and tells the story with a fine appreciation of its grounding in the needy emotions of all concerned.
‘This is one classroom you’ll yearn to stay in’: THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE – Donmar Warehouse
Based on the novel by Muriel Sparks, David Harrower’s new stage adaptation of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie not only marks the 100th anniversary year of Spark’s birth but provides a scorchingly fantastic opportunity for Lia Williams to inhabit the title role so fully.
‘An enjoyable & distinct adaptation’: THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE – Donmar Warehouse
A hundred years since the birth of novelist Muriel Spark, her 1961 tale The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie has been adapted for the Donmar Warehouse by Blackbird playwright David Harrower and directed by Polly Findlay.
NEWS: Lia Williams stars in new adaptation of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie at the Donmar Warehouse
To mark the centenary year of Muriel Spark’s birth, the Donmar Warehouse will present a new stage adaptation of the author’s iconic novel The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, adapted by Scottish playwright David Harrower and starring Lia Williams in the title role (playing from 4 June to 28 July 2018, press night is 12 June).
HAMLET – Harold Pinter Theatre
Andrew Scott’s interpretation of the Prince of Denmark is stylish, relevant and completely contemporary.
HAMLET – West End
The scale of the intimate family drama that Robert Icke has fashioned from Shakespeare’s ever-present tragedy amplifies effectively, and Andrew Scott’s deeply conversational style still resonates strongly.
HAMLET – Almeida Theatre
This production will doubtless have its detractors – it’s not spoken precisely enough, it doesn’t smell of war enough, there are too many watches – but for me, it is as exciting and engaging as Hamlet gets. The best I’ve witnessed out of the 15 I’ve watched.
The Year Ahead: 20 (non-West End) shows to look forward to in 2017
This list is looking a little further afield to shows I hope to get to throughout the year from Bolton to Manchester, Sheffield, Woking and several Off-West End and fringe venues.
NEWS: 1984 extend by eight weeks in new West End run at Playhouse
Following the return of 1984 to the Playhouse Theatre last night, the booking period for the West End run has been extended by eight weeks until 29 October 2016. Directed by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan with Daniel Raggett, this year sees an entirely new cast, including Angus Wright and Andrew Glover, take to the stage in George Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece.
NEWS: Angus Wright joins all-new cast for third West End run of 1984
An entirely new cast has started rehearsals for Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan’s adaptation of 1984. Following a sell-out international tour, the critically and publicly acclaimed production of 1984 return to London’s Playhouse Theatre for a third West End run this summer. George Orwell’s canonical work, adapted by Olivier Award-winner Robert Icke and Olivier Award-nominee Duncan Macmillan, runs from 14 June to 3 September 2016, with the press night on 28 June 2016.101 seats for every performance will be available for £19.84.
ORESTEIA – West End
This is a review I’ve been pondering for a week or more now: where to start was my biggest issue. The epic proportions of this show are hard to comprehend, namely because, when you think about it, this is a trilogy of Greek tragedies that were written over 2000 years ago circa 458 BC. So you may be forgiven for thinking what relevance this theatrical event of the year has in today’s society?
NEWS: Almeida’s Oresteia transfers to West End’s Trafalgar Studios
The Almeida Theatre’s critically acclaimed, sold out production of Oresteia, by Aeschylus, re-imagined for the modern stage by Almeida Associate Director Robert Icke (The Fever, Mr Burns, 1984) will transfer to the Trafalgar Studios in the West End from 22 August. Press night 7 September 2015. Robert Icke’s Oresteia was acclaimed during its Almeida run as one of the theatre …
ORESTEIA – Almeida Theatre
The Oresteia is probably one of those stories you don’t know. Until you start watching it again. Only then, piecing together fragments, does it slowly resurface. It’s a muddle of murders. Each one justifying the next, avenging the last.