Take this as purest Shakespearian tragedy: vigorous but classic, a magnificent magnification of the darkest human and political longing, of affection, terror, defensiveness, hubris and – in the women – a defiant courage that rings down the ages. Don’t miss Richard III at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon.
‘Absolutely worth investing your time in’: HENRY VI: WARS OF THE ROSES – Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon ★★★★
Running in rep alongside Henry VI: Rebellion (a.k.a. Henry VI, part two), the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre is also currently home to Henry VI, part three. As with the previous part, this third play in Shakespeare’s first Henriad has been renamed – going under the title Henry VI: Wars of the Roses.
‘Irreverent, silly, satirical & fun, fun, fun’: LA CAGE AUX FOLLES [THE PLAY] – Park Theatre
Based on Simon Callow’s English translation, this version of La Cage aux Folles stays true to the original French text. Callow’s edits and new dialogue has given us a fresh interpretation which is arch and bubbling with hilariously sharp one-liners.
‘The strength of the production is in its slow-build effect’: OUR TOWN – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Thornton Wilder’s writing in Our Town feels as fresh and innovative as it must have done in the 1930s and taking an early season risk on a less conventional play ultimately pays off.
JULIUS CAESAR – Sheffield
Robert Hastie’s opening salvo as the new Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres might not immediately quicken the pulse as we’ve hardly been lacking for productions of Julius Caesar. But it is soon apparent that this is a canny director at work
SAINT JOAN – Donmar Warehouse
Through the trial and its aftermath, the production soars, mainly on the strength of Arterton’s superlative performance. A woman alone, literally so in this all-male company.
THE SOLID LIFE OF SUGAR WATER – National Theatre
New play from Jack Thorne about one couple’s tragic loss is both excruciating and oddly uplifting
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