In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre including Maryam Philpott’s thoughts about Conor McPherson’s emphasis on comedy scenarios and personalities in his adaptation of Chekhov’s timeless play Uncle Vanya at the Harold Pinter Theatre
‘Heart-wrenchingly powerful narrative’: THE CANARY & THE CROW – Arcola Theatre ★★★★★
There is an urgency and an immediacy about The Canary and the Crow that will leave you thinking and questioning everything about British society long after you’ve left the theatre
‘Power to move & inspire’: THE CANARY & THE CROW – Arcola Theatre
The Canary and the Crow is full of humour and warmth and describes the challenging reality of being trained to be the “acceptable” face of Black Britain and how that impacts identify and worth.
NEWS: Arcola Theatre announces 20th anniversary season
London’s Arcola Theatre has announced its 2020 season, a special, year-long programme to celebrate the theatre’s 20th anniversary featuring familiar faces from the venue’s first two decades alongside exciting newcomers.
WATCH: What do audiences and critics think of Graeae’s One Under revival?
“A great piece of theatre”, “really moving, very thought-provoking” – check out what audiences think of Graeae’s touring production of drama One Under, and what critics have said, then book your tickets for its London runs at the Arcola Theatre.
FIRST LOOK: Take a peek into the world of Graeae’s hit tale of mystery and tragedy One Under
As they prepare to bring Winsome Pinnock’s tale of a death and uncovering the story behind it to the Arcola Theatre next week, delve into the world of Graeae’s One Under with production images and a trailer. Time to book your tickets.
‘Has some beautiful moments of humanity’: HUNGER – Arcola Theatre
Hunger is a new adaptation by Fay Lomas of a 19th century novel by the same name, written by Norwegian author Knut Hamsun.
NEWS: Graeae brings hit revival of Winsome Pinnock’s One Under to Arcola Theatre
Tale of a tragedy, and unraveling the story behind it, Winsome Pinnock’s One Under comes to the Arcola Theatre next month following a successful UK tour. Book your tickets for the Graeae production now!
Text of the Day: #WeAreArrested
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
‘Both humorous & humane’: #WeAreArrested – Arcola Theatre
#WeAreArrested, a new RSC adaptation of Turkish editor Can Dündar’s prison memoir, is beautifully written and simply staged.
‘Measured, haunting production’: UNTIL THE FLOOD – Arcola Theatre ★★★★
A great memorial, an unforgettable, nuanced testimony, we have to pay attention to what Until the Flood tells us. Listen, feel, and learn. Do see.
‘Bizarre & beautifully poetic’: ANNA BELLA EEMA – Arcola Theatre ★★★★
As the cast take on different characters in each other’s dreams and memories, their versatility shines and all three excel in their hauntingly comic performances. Anna Bella Eema is bizarre and beautifully poetic – a must-see show.
‘Eerily compelling soundscape’: ANNA BELLA EEMA – Arcola Theatre
The strange but spellbinding Anna Bella Eema makes for an intriguing trip to the Arcola Theatre.
‘Swap your immortal apple-growing sister for a ticket’: DAS RHEINGOLD – Arcola Theatre ★★★★★
The Ring Cycle is opera’s biggest box set: a sixteen-hour binge of dwarves, nymphs, dragons, gods, heroes and monsters, all suspended inside one of the greatest philosophical conundrums expressed by the human mind – and set to glorious, extraordinary music.
‘A charm to keep you engaged from start to finish’: RADIO – Arcola Theatre ★★★
Overall, Al Smith’s play feels as though it is too meandering to be completely effective, but this production has a charm about it to keep you engaged from start to finish.
Best of the Blogs: Education, Education, Education to Custody to Country Music
Carrying on a new series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out seven of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (2-9 June 2019). Amidst her top choices are Maryam Philpott’s journey back to a time of political optimism in The Wardrobe Ensemble’s Education, Education, Education at Trafalgar Studios.
‘A distracting concept but well performed’: THE GLASS MENAGERIE – Arcola Theatre
Conflicts between this updated production and the original script are a distraction, but despite this and because of such a talented cast performing Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, I was still able to appreciate how well the piece was performed.
‘Puts a human face on an age-old problem’: HOARD – Arcola Theatre ★★★★
Written by Bim Adewunmi and directed by Femi Elufowoju Jr, Hoard takes the familiar scenario of the introduction of ‘the boyfriend’ to kin, but bringing the focus firmly on family dynamics.
‘Dreams & aspirations are devastatingly unreachable’: THE GLASS MENAGERIE – Arcola Theatre
This revival of American classic The Glass Menagerie is given new, unfamiliar, and achingly resonant life with its kitchen-sink drama set in the home of a black family.
‘Sets Williams’ seminal drama in an entirely new context without changing a word’: THE GLASS MENAGERIE – Arcola Theatre
Femi Elufowoju Jr’s production of The Glass Menagerie is fascinating with the tense and vibrant second half in particular proving both gripping and illuminating