Who knew that Caroline Quentin could achieve (almost) the splits, while strumming a ukulele? Or that that Richard Bean and Chris Oliver – who a decade ago created the National Theatre’s world-conquering One Man, Two Guvnors – would for their next 18c update, Jack Absolute Flies Again, attempt a mashup of Sheridan’s classic frothy Restoration romcom The Rivals, and set it in a WW2 RAF base?
‘Entertaining comedy with pathos’: JACK ABSOLUTE FLIES AGAIN – National Theatre
“What will happen in England after we have won this war? Bunting! Bunting everywhere!” Richard Bean and Oliver Chris’ new play Jack Absolute Flies Again at the National Theatre takes R.B. Sheridan’s 1775 farce The Rivals and updates the setting to a Sussex country house in The Battle of Britain. The romantic pursuits, mistaken identities and malapropisms from The Rivals are combined with Bean’s typically bawdy sense of humour, some impressive aerial dogfights and a dose of WWII patriotism. The result is an entertaining, albeit safe and slightly too long, comedy with pathos.
‘Utterly joyous’: JACK ABSOLUTE FLIES AGAIN – National Theatre
Delayed by Covid for over two years, Jack Absolute Flies Again finally lands on the Olivier stage when we have never needed Richard Bean and Oliver Chris’ goofy and hilarious romp more. An adaptation of Sheridan’s The Rivals relocated to a 1940s air base on a Sussex estate, there is a care in the construction of the play and a determination that everyone watching should have a good time that speaks to a wider need for lighter fare.
NEWS: First image released & full casting announced for National Theatre’s Romeo & Juliet film including Adrian Lester as the Prince
A first-look image has today been released for the National Theatre’s Romeo & Juliet, a feature film for broadcast on Sky Arts and PBS this April.
‘Just the kind of inclusive comedic treat we need’: THE COMEBACK – Noël Coward Theatre
The Comeback proves to be a piece of warmly inclusive comedy at the Noël Coward Theatre, it’s perfect festive fare.
NEWS: National Theatre announces original film of Romeo & Juliet with Josh O’Connor & Jessie Buckley
The National Theatre has announced it is creating a new filmed version of Romeo & Juliet for television, temporarily transforming the vast stage spaces of its Lyttelton theatre into a film studio to capture Shakespeare’s timeless play for a new generation of audiences. The National Theatre has broadcast stage productions to cinemas for over a decade through its National Theatre …
NEWS: Comedy double act The Pin bring their debut play The Comeback to the West End
New comedy The Comeback, the debut play from The Pin’s award-winning Ben Ashenden and Alex Owen, will be the first show from Sonia Friedman Productions since lockdown and will play London’s Noel Coward Theatre from 8 December 2020 to 3 January 2021.
INTERVIEW: Spotlight On… Britney in: John’s author & actor Ellen Robertson
Next in our Spotlight feature is Britney in: John, which plays Festival 47 from 12 July 2017 at 20:00. I caught up with writer and actor Ellen Robertson.
SCENES FROM THE END – Tristan Bates Theatre
The emotional potential of an opera aria, or even a lament, is perfectly placed to convey the anguish and nonsense surrounding grief – a concept that is ultimately impossible to describe despite death being an inevitable and necessary part of life, a means by which it is defined.