One of the Urban Dictionary definitions of “nasty” is a word to describe something that is ridiculously good. Between that and the more traditional meaning of the word, I have no hesitation in proclaiming that Aleshea Harris’s literal firecracker of a play is one of the nastiest shows in town. Acclaimed and awarded upon it’s 2018 Off-Broadway premiere, it’s not hard to see why, especially in Ola Ince’s boldly inventive, fabulously cast new production for the Royal Court. It’s astounding.
‘It carries with it a powerful message’: IS GOD IS – Royal Court Theatre ★★★★★
Two actors on stage describe their characters as if the direction in the playtext is part of the script. It is the first of many quirks in Aleshea Harris’ dark revenge comedy Is God Is.
‘The writing has a comic crackle & pop that sizzles & screeches’: IS GOD IS – Royal Court Theatre
American playwright Aleshea Harris’ dazzlingly satirical 2018 extravaganza is about two women seeking justice and getting even, and it comes to the Royal Court from New York, trailing shouts of enthusiasm.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: The Welkin at National Theatre ★★★
Maxine Peake stars in Lucy Kirkwood’s new play The Welkin at the National Theatre. But what have critics had to say about it?
‘It’s hard to be sure exactly what the play is saying’: THE WELKIN – National Theatre
Maxine Peake struggles to make the voice of reason heard in the rather reactionary feminist history play The Welkin at the National Theatre.
‘A historical epic that demands to be heard’: THE WELKIN – National Theatre
Lucy Kirkwood returns to the National Theatre with The Welkin, starring a brilliant ensemble led by Maxine Peake.
NEWS: National Theatre announces 15 productions of new plays & fresh adaptations by leading writers
The National Theatre has announces 15 productions of new plays and fresh adaptations by leading writers. Olivier Theatre My Brilliant Friend 12 November 2019 to 18 January 2020 (Press day is 26 November). Plays in rep, with further performances to be announced Following a sell-out run at Rose Theatre Kingston, the two-part adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend by April De Angelis is reworked …
‘Breathtaking, brave & brilliantly acted’: DOWNSTATE – National Theatre ★★★★★
At last, Rufus Norris’ National Theatre has come of age. Breathtaking, brave and brilliantly acted, Downstate is a landmark play. It’s listed as a ‘collaboration’ between NT and Steppenwolf, but the Chicago company’s prints are all over this glistening weapon.
‘Dramatically engaging but morally troubling’: DOWNSTATE – National Theatre
Whether rehabilitation is truly possible for such serious crimes committed by sex offenders, Bruce Norris never really decides, leaving only a dramatically engaging but morally troubling outcome in Downstate at the National Theatre.
‘The believability of the entire show makes it so wonderful’: NINE NIGHT – Trafalgar Studios ★★★★★
Nine Night is a truly fantastic, affecting and entertaining piece of theatre that deserves the space its been given plus more.
‘Honest & beautiful play’: NINE NIGHT – Trafalgar Studios ★★★★★
Nine Night is an honest and beautiful play which by being so particular and rooted in one community becomes a conduit of universal emotional truths. Fabulous.
‘Has lost none of its power here’: NINE NIGHT – Trafalgar Studios
We celebrate the fact that Nine Night is the first play by a black British female playwright to make it into the West End, as Natasha Gordon’s debut makes the move from the National’s smallest space in the Dorfman Theatre to the Trafalgar Studios in one giant leap.
NEWS: National Theatre leads the Evening Standard Theatre Awards with 14 nominations
The shortlist for the 64th Evening Standard Theatre Awards has been unveiled. The winners will be announced on Sunday 18 November at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
NEWS: Natasha Gordon will star in her debut play Nine Night when it transfers to the Trafalgar Studios
Natasha Gordon will take the role of Lorraine in her debut play Nine Night when the critically-acclaimed production transfers from the National Theatre to the Trafalgar Studios on 1 December 2018 (press night is 6 December), running until 9 February 2019.
‘Hugely effective in its ability to both amuse & tug the heartstrings’: NINE NIGHT – National Theatre
It’s momentous indeed to see a debut work at the National and this excellent production of Nine Night, in all the clamour for a National Theatre that actually reflects the demographics of the nation, hopefully indicates change is afoot.
‘A funny, bittersweet drama’: NINE NIGHT – National Theatre ★★★★
It’s astonishing that the National should decide to stage a writer’s first play in the Dorfman Theatre but their confidence in the quality of Natasha Gordon’s Nine Night is justified.
‘Plenty of fun amid the tears’: NINE NIGHT – National Theatre
London-born actress Natasha Gordon’s warmhearted play, Nine Night, now making its first appearance at the National Theatre, is as much about family, music and mourning as it is about ethnicity or migration.
‘Poignant, authentic, stunning’: NINE NIGHT – National Theatre ★★★★★
It is Natasha Gordon’s mastery of the family dynamic and relationships that makes this debut play, Nine Night such a spell-binding experience.
‘Ferociously funny & blisteringly intense’: NINE NIGHT – National Theatre
If there’s any justice in the world, Nine Night will match the success of another Dorfman show – Beginning – by transferring into the West End to get the much wider audience it richly deserves.
#NTNews: Ralph Fiennes, Sophie Okonedo, Colin Morgan join National’s 2018 South Bank programme
National Theatre artistic director Rufus Norris announced the flagship institution’s 2018 plans at a press conference held today. Here are details of programming in the three auditoria at the NT’s South Bank home.
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