While A Kind of People generates a lot of laughter it is nonetheless an uncompromising reflection of modern British society that sometimes makes for uncomfortable viewing.
‘You are left aching for more’: A KIND OF PEOPLE – Royal Court Theatre
The family tragedy at the heart of A Kind Of People is emotionally powerful but also oddly incomplete and unsatisfying.
‘Bleak & powerful’: A KIND OF PEOPLE – Royal Court Theatre
Not much festive cheer around at the Royal Court, but plenty of grimly insightful writing in Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti’s A Kind of People.
‘Shines a harsh light on contemporary Indian culture’: WHEN THE CROWS VISIT – Kiln Theatre
When The Crows Visit is a powerful new play, and Indhu Rubasingham’s production is a notable success for the Kiln Theatre.
‘The performances throughout are sharp & refined’: WHEN THE CROWS VISIT – Kiln Theatre ★★★★
Anupama Chandrasekhar’s chilling play examines what happens when a cycle of violence and those who stand by and watch it happen is passed down through the generations.
Terri trips: Ibsen via India in When the Crows Visit’s world premiere
I’ve been remiss in not getting back up to Kilburn, where I lived for many years, since the reopening of Kiln Theatre. But I was able to put that right with a trip to artistic director Indhu Rubasingham’s world premiere production of Anupama Chandresekhar’s When the Crows Visit.
‘Men are men until they err & then it’s the victims who are blamed’: WHEN THE CROWS VISIT – Kiln Theatre
Anupama Chandrasekhar’s tense and searching new play When the Crows Visit is a theatrical response to the 2012 Delhi gang rape of a young woman on a bus. These men walk among us, protected by the very society they are undermining; how does that happen?
‘It’s the sharp commentary on extreme religiosity which hits home’: TARTUFFE – Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon ★★★★
It was Gregory Doran, the RSC’s leader, who surprised Anil Gupta and Richard Pinto (veterans of The Kumars, Citizen Khan etc) with the suggestion they adapt Moliere’s 17c comedy of hypocrisy, and set it in a Pakistani Muslim family in Birmingham, directed by Iqbal Khan.
‘Bold, funny & topical update’: TARTUFFE – Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon ★★★★
Tartuffe could be an episode from a TV sitcom and proves, if any proof was necessary, that a satire written in 1664 – albeit much rewritten and refined by 21st-century adaptors – is still capable of bringing the house down.
‘Traditional reworking’: A PASSAGE TO INDIA – Park Theatre ❤❤❤
A Passage to India was written in 1924 and though it’s anti-colonialist message remains an element of the modern narrative, there’s no reason to focus on Forster’s message alone: post-colonialism and the dialogue of racism have moved on since then.
‘Imaginative, innovative and enjoyable’: A PASSAGE TO INDIA – Touring & London ★★★
A Passage to India opened its short national tour at Northampton’s Royal & Derngate Theatre last week and is now thrilling fans at Salisbury Playhouse.
COMBUSTION – Arcola Theatre
In Hassan Abdulrazzak’s Love, Bombs & Apples, Asif Khan became a mesmerising shape-changer, adopting different Muslim and Jewish personas as varied as pugilistic to down-trodden. Taking up the writing reins himself, Khan now takes a deeper look at one of Abdulrazzak’s characters, a disaffected Bradford youth.
THE HYPOCRITE – Stratford-upon-Avon
A head wasn’t the only thing to roll in this hilarious piece about the 17th century Governor of Hull, Sir John Holtham (Mark Addy). Set in the 17th century it may be, but the modern twists that are subtly interwoven are an additional source of humour in this laugh-a-minute, raucous comedy.
HANDBAGGED – Touring
Handbagged, touring to the King’s all week, is an inventive, very funny and surprisingly subtle piece of theatre.
Moira Buffini’s West End hit, originally at the Tricycle Theatre, deals with the famously fractious relationship between the Queen and Mrs Thatcher during the latter’s three terms as Prime Minister.
Both characters are played by two actors – Susie Blake and Kate Fahy as the older versions, with Emma Handy and Sanchia McCormack as their younger equivalents.