Victor Lotado’s story The Woman Who Amuses Herself is based on true events which took place back in 1911 when Vincenzo Peruggia stole the famous painting Mona Lisa from the Louvre in Paris. Posing as a workman and dressed accordingly the theft in his opinion was effortlessly carried out.
Best of the Blogs: Death of England, Endgame, Chaplin, The Jury & The Gift
In our continuing series, editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 9 February 2020), including Ian Foster seeing Rafe Spall give a career-defining performance in the National Theatre’s production of Death of England.
‘A guarantee of quality’: THE STRANGE CASE OF JEKYLL & HYDE – Brockley Jack Studio Theatre & Touring
Arrows and Traps’ residency at the Brockley Jack is a guarantee of quality. This new adaptation, from director and writer Ross McGregor, of the classic novel sets the scene in 21st century America; amongst school shootings, right wing rhetoric, sexuality and the science that makes Jekyll & Hyde seem a possibility rather than a fantasy.
‘The total theatrical package’: THE STRANGE CASE OF JEKYLL & HYDE – Brockley Jack Studio Theatre & Touring ★★★★★
Arrows & Traps’ track record adapting classics is second to none, and with this new production of The Strange Case of Jekyll & Hyde Ross McGregor has created something startlingly modern and original that still embraces its Victorian origins.
‘The wisdom is in the casting’: KING LEAR – Brockley Jack Studio Theatre ★★★★
Directed by James Eley, Shakespeare’s tale of ancient Albion, King Lear, is transposed to the turbulent times of the present day.
‘Something of a masterclass in every sense’: KES – Brockley Jack Studio Theatre
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Barry Hines’ novel and I can think of no better way to mark the occasion than with this exquisite production of Kes.
‘A fresh take on the emotional stasis at the heart of the play’: THREE SISTERS – Brockley Jack Studio Theatre
Chekhov’s Three Sisters, presented here by Arrows and Traps in a new version by Ross McGregor, continues that strong tradition, paring back the starch to locate a real emotional directness to the trials of the Prozorov sisters.
‘A fresh take on the emotional stasis at the heart of the play’: THREE SISTERS – Brockley Jack Studio Theatre
Chekhov’s Three Sisters, presented here by Arrows and Traps in a new version by Ross McGregor, continues that strong tradition, paring back the starch to locate a real emotional directness to the trials of the Prozorov sisters.
THE BAD SEED – Brockley Jack Studio Theatre
Rhoda is the picture-perfect 1950s American child. Obedient, clever and helpful, she is a dream for any parent. But after the death of a classmate who won the penmanship medal Rhoda coveted, mum Christine’s investigations into past “accident” uncover a dark secret from her own childhood that means Rhoda isn’t all that seems.
PREVIEW: Side by Side by Sondheim without Su Pollard
Tonight Side by Side by Sondheim opens tonight at the Brockley Jack studio theatre, without Su Pollard. According to the email sent to reviewers five days ago, she would not be headlining the show due to ‘a sudden indisposition’. Whether that was an illness, or an indisposition to learn the words and music in time wasn’t explained: Brockley executive producer Karl Swinyard said the show’s production team hadn’t been any more forthcoming. Tickets were refunded for anyone who had planned a pilgrimage to Brockley specifically to see Pollard, and her place is taken by Sarah Redmond, who recently played the show in Singapore.