After post-show Q&As for Tonight with Donnie Darko, Vincent River, Angry and Tender Napalm, I’m delighted to be invited to chair another discussion with Philip Ridley, one of the UK’s greatest and most innovative living playwrights. This time for the live stage premiere of his online lockdown hit The Poltergeist.
‘Powerful without being sentimental’: THE APOLOGY – Arcola Theatre
Kyo Choi’s new play, The Apology, looks at sexual slavery in the Second World War and insists that a tactical political apology isn’t remotely enough for the women and their families denied official acknowledgment of responsibility from modern governments.
It always takes one lone voice, someone brave enough to stand up and speak about what happened to them. Soon, others will follow inspired by that first individual and that is how truths eventually come to light. With Maria Schrader and Rebecca Len…
‘There’s plenty of musical energy here’: PENELOPE: SEVEN WAYS TO WAIT – Arcola Theatre
Grimeborn’s “in-progress sharing” of Penelope: Seven Ways to Wait provides 40 minutes of intriguing and accomplished musicality, loosely themed around the concept of waiting, with the classical heroine Penelope (long-suffering, long waiting wife of Odysseus) at its emotional helm.
‘It is definitely the kind of theatre we need’: THE DANCE OF DEATH – Arcola Theatre
Lindsay Duncan and Hilton McRae reveal the full depths of The Dance of Death’s ambiguity in production that is funny and strangely touching. Directed by the Arcola’s own Mehmet Ergen, the couple – married in real life – interact with a naturalness that takes the edge off their barbed attacks on one another, even as they push one another further and further and, almost, over the edge.
‘Fails to connect’: DIE WALKÜRE – Hackney Empire
I have never known Die Walküre fail to connect before, particularly in the hands of a talented team. Let’s hope this cycle gets right back on track as they progress towards a future Siegfried.
‘Gleefully brings the comedy of the piece to life’: THE GAME OF LOVE & CHANCE – Arcola Outside ★★★★
This brand new English version of Pierre de Marivaux’s classic comedy The Game of Love and Chance, adapted by Quentin Beroud and Jack Gamble, takes great delight in modernising this almost 300-year-old French play. There is a knowingness to the adaptation that adds yet more comic layers to the wonderfully silly piece.
‘This disturbing play is certainly timely’: A RUSSIAN DOLL – Barn Theatre, Cirencester (Online review) ★★★★
In some good news, this week the Barn Theatre in Cirencester has reopened its doors to (socially distanced) audiences for the world premiere of Cat Goscovitch’s new play, A Russian Doll, a co-production with London’s Arcola Theatre.
NEWS: West End & UK theatres to close with immediate effect
In light of the continued coronavirus emergency and advice from Prime Minister Boris Johnson that people should avoid “pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues” during the pandemic, SOLT and UK Theatre has announced that member venues will close from the evening of Monday 16 March 2020.
‘The evening is enjoyable for its cast’: THE CUTTING EDGE – Arcola Theatre
Despite the combined skills of its performers, The Cutting Edge lacks pace and drive and the key moment of crisis, which always seems around the corner, never arrives.
‘Shepherd returns to similar themes’: THE CUTTING EDGE – Arcola Theatre ★★★★
The Cutting Edge passes on the message that art in all its forms is about the importance of the human experience, rather than an end in itself.
Best of the Blogs: Uncle Vanya, The Welkin, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie & more
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.