Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
Best of the Blogs: The Mates give their verdicts on Noises Off, Translations, [Blank], The Girl Who Fell, Tickle The Musical & more
In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 20 October 2019), ranging from Olivia Mitchell’s thigh-slapping joy on seeing Noises Off to Libby Purves’ plea that we listen to the story being told in [Blank] at the Donmar Warehouse.
‘Writes with poetic vigour & concision’: A HISTORY OF WATER IN THE MIDDLE EAST – Royal Court Theatre
Sabrina Mahfouz’s feminist account of British imperialism in A History of Water in the Middle East is energetic and passionate but also turns out to be a very slender piece of theatre.
‘Enormous passion & frightening intensity’: BABY REINDEER – Bush Theatre
Baby Reindeer at the Bush Theatre, stand-up comedian Richard Gadd’s provocative one-man show about a stalker and complicit victimhood, is darkly exciting.
‘Vital & vibrant contribution to contemporary theatre’: CHIAROSCURO – Bush Theatre
Chiaroscuro is a relevant, moving production, addressing issues of sexuality and identity & focusing on characters that are often left out of theatrical narratives. It is a vital and vibrant contribution to contemporary theatre.
Text Of The Day: Chiaroscuro
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
‘Bright, warm & occasionally wonderfully joyous’: CHIAROSCURO – Bush Theatre
Lively gig theatre revival of Jackie Kay’s Chiaroscuroa, a 1980s account of the black lesbian experience doesn’t quite work.
‘Extremely empowering piece’: CHIAROSCURO – Bush Theatre ★★★★★
Lynette Linton brings together this story in a beautiful and explosive manner through her direction of Chiaroscuro.
‘Fabulous, challenging theatre’: RUST – Bush Theatre ★★★★
Bush Theatre follows its trend of programming interesting and challenging work, as Rust provides an exciting 75 minutes of raw emotion.
‘Its ideas are lively & thought-provoking’: RUST – Bush Theatre
New play Rust at the Bush, about an extramarital affair, is short but emotionally truthful and invigorating.
NEWS: Lynette Linton’s inaugural Bush Theatre season includes six UK debuts
Lynette Linton has announced her inaugural season as Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre. The 2019-2020 season includes UK debut plays from six playwrights alongside a new production of celebrated poet and playwright Jackie Kay’s first play Chiaroscuro directed by Linton.
Text of the Day: Strange Fruit
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
‘A fine production of a play that still feels vital’: STRANGE FRUIT – Bush Theatre
Strange Fruit is a complex, dense play that is beautifully played by a talented ensemble and thoughtfully directed by Nancy Medina.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Strange Fruit at Bush Theatre
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for the Bush Theatre’s production of Caryl Phillips’ Strange Fruit, the story of a family caught up between two cultures.
‘Intelligently written & superbly acted play’: STRANGE FRUIT – Bush Theatre
This apt revival of Caryl Phillips’ first play, Strange Fruit, stirred up a maelstrom of memories for me, a second generation Caribbean immigrant, growing up in a city on the south coast of 1970s/1980s England.
‘There is no denying the power of the play’: STRANGE FRUIT – Bush Theatre
Caryl Phillips’ 1980 Windrush classic Strange Fruit is a bit too masculinist and verbose, and poorly staged.
10 questions for 10 years – Samuel Barnett
Original History Boy Samuel Barnett takes on the 10 Questions for 10 Years challenge.
‘An exposing & painful play’: STRANGE FRUIT – Bush Theatre
Strange Fruit is an exposing and painful play but it feels like it distracts itself from its otherwise powerful key theme.
‘A comforting reminder that we’re all suffering together’: EXCEPTIONAL PROMISE – Bush Theatre
The relaxed vibe of Exceptional Promise that encourages audience reaction is hugely refreshing, especially as the topic is one that unites people against a common evil.
‘The whole piece ignites’: YVETTE – Bush Theatre ★★★★★
What is it? Urielle Klein-Mekongo’s one woman show Yvette that found success at Edinburgh Fringe in 2017 returns to the Bush Theatre for this explosive and raw personal journey into womanhood.