In great plays a scene, character or domestic confrontation can be both appalling and comic: pity, terror and barks of shocked laughter are not incompatible even within a sentence. Ibsen knew that, but in the Norwegian rebel’s grim late works it takes a relaxed director and some weapons-grade actors to keep that balance. Cue Nicholas Hytner, Simon Russell Beale and Lia Williams: rescuing, for me and for good, a play (John Gabriel Borkman at the Bridge Theatre) I hated last time I saw it.
Text of the Day: Clarion
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
CLARION – Arcola Theatre
‘Write what you know’ has never been more apt. When a former Daily Express entertainment editor writes a play in which the showbiz section of his lightly fictionalized newsroom is called “Cunts’ Corner”, you know you’re in for a fun and filthy ride. Ruder about interfering proprietors than Drop the Dead Donkey, more racist and sexist than Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It and just structurally shy of Richard Bean’s more smoothly-crafted Great Britain, Mark Jagasia’s Clarion is an uproarious debut and a stonkingly good cartoon of the dying and desperate days of ink-fingered journalism.
CLARION – Arcola Theatre
Lurid satire on the British tabloids returns with a vengeance in a hilarious evening of sharp jokes and farce
The post Clarion, Arcola Theatre appeared first on Aleks Sierz.
My theatre diary: Three must-see new plays Clarion, Level Playing Field, Oppenheimer
In amongst the stellar West End revivals of late – not least “mother of all musicals” Gypsy with Imelda Staunton and David Mamet’s American Buffalo starring Damian Lewis and John Goodman – are some spectacular brand-new plays on and off West End. Here are three in particular that I highly, highly recommend. The first two […]
Press pass: All you need to know about how Clarion dishes the dirt on the tabloids
I’m so proud of my friend Mark Jagasia, how could I resist pulling together one of my #PressPass round-ups for his debut play? Clarion premiered to rave reviews (really, see below) last week at the Arcola Theatre and is already tipped for a transfer. When preparing this and today’s other Theatre Diary blog about Clarion, […]
Review: Clarion (Arcola Theatre)
‘Write what you know’ has never been more apt. When a former Daily Express entertainment editor writes a play in which the showbiz section of his lightly fictionalized newsroom is called “Cunts’ Corner” you know you’re in for a fun and filthy ride. Ruder about interfering proprietors than Drop the Dead Donkey, more racist and […]
The post Review: Clarion (Arcola Theatre) appeared first on JohnnyFox.
CLARION Arcola, E8
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE. WITH TONGS. The Clarion is a newspaper which hates immigrants. And liberals, especially those on the hated rival Sentinel, a barely-disguised Guardian. Britain, it says, is going to the dogs: betraying Nelson and Churchill and Mary … Continue reading →