In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 17 November 2019) including Ian Foster’s delight at the arrival of Mary Poppins to its original West End home.
‘This play is epic’: TOUCHING THE VOID – West End ★★★★★
Make no mistake, Touching The Void at the Duke of York’s Theatre is tantalising theatre & what David Greig has achieved in this adaptation is remarkable.
‘Good old-fashioned entertainment at its best’: CURTAINS – Touring ★★★★★
Full of red herrings, marvellous music, divine dancing, stunning singing and laugh out loud funny, Curtains is a not just a musical whodunit it’s one of the best nights out I’ve had in a long time.
‘A beautifully observed slice of life’: A PRAYER FOR WINGS – King’s Head Theatre ★★★★
A Prayer for Wings is a beautifully observed slice of life (despite odd moments that remind you it was written 35 years ago).
‘Think Robin Hood meets Oklahoma meets Columbo’: CURTAINS – Touring ★★★★
Curtains creates a glimpse into the onstage and backstage antics of theatre folk, well until the untalented and unpopular leading lady of this production of Robin Hood gets murdered during the bows.
‘Excellent sweet ballet for children & families alike’: LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD – Touring ★★★★
The dancers of Northern Ballet interpret the adventure of Little Red Riding Hood simply and dramatically with excellent portrayals of the characters.
‘Thoroughly modern, soul searching & hilarious play’: THE GIRL WHO FELL – Trafalgar Studios ★★★★
The aftermath of a teenager’s death really shouldn’t be this funny, but Sarah Rutherford has created a thoroughly modern, soul-searching and hilarious play.
‘Robert Lindsay is mesmerising’: PRISM – Touring ★★★★
Prism, written and directed by the acclaimed playwright Terry Johnson, tells the story of cinematographer Jack Cardiff in the latter years of his life.
‘Gets you thinking’: MITES – Tristan Bates Theatre ★★★★
Mites at the Tristan Bates Theatre is an extremely well acted, funny piece, that get’s you thinking. A must see.
‘Adaptation keeps the young audience’s attention’: BILLIONAIRE BOY – Touring ★★★★★
David Walliams’ book Billionaire Boy transfers well to the stage and with this talented cast it makes it a very watchable and enjoyable night out.
‘Flows beautifully’: GASLIGHT – Touring ★★★★
Today Gaslighting is a familiar phrase used by psychologist and domestic abuse organisations. The origins of that phrase are this very play, a dark psychological thriller. Patrick Hamilton’s plot is elegantly re-created by a talented cast, focusing on the torment of an emotionally abused Victorian wife.
‘Spellbinding story of love, loss & belonging’: HURRICANE DIARIES – Blue Elephant Theatre ★★★★
Amanda Vilanova’s Hurricane Diaries is a moving and passionate tribute to her home country, Puerto Rico.
‘Important & unmissable production’: TROJAN HORSE – Touring ★★★★★
The Leeds Playhouse has opened its doors following an impressive renovation and Trojan Horse is the first production to be hosted.
’Possibly the best show I have seen in my whole theatre-going career’: MAME – Manchester ★★★★★
Beg, borrow or steal to get a ticket to this show in this beautiful gem of theatre. Mame at the Hope Mill Theatre is well worth a trip to Manchester.
‘Transported into a Gothic world’: RED PALACE – The Vaults ★★★★
Stepping into the Red Palace you are transported into a gothic world with a glass of Prosecco in hand and anonymous behind a Venetian mask.
‘Delightful performance’: THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF – Touring ★★★★
The Boy Who Cried Wolf, written by Mike Kenny with stage manager Kirsty Smith, sees York Theatre Royal working with Tutti Frutti once again, and they manage to put together a delight of storytelling, music, dance and acting to re-tell this well known classic tale.
‘Well written, well executed play’: MURDER, MARGARET & ME – Touring ★★★★★
Murder, Margaret and Me is the story of an unlikely friendship between famed actress Margaret Rutherford and world-renowned Queen of Crime Agatha Christie.
‘An off the wall take on the impact of present day politics’: THE OPEN – The Space
On the whole The Open at The Space certainly makes you think, particularly when it is a little too near reality for comfort.
‘Intriguing & entertaining’: BLACK CHIFFON – Park Theatre ★★★★
Black Chiffon, first performed in the West End in 1949, is very much of its time, but this classy production is intriguing and entertaining.
‘Bizarre & beautifully poetic’: ANNA BELLA EEMA – Arcola Theatre ★★★★
As the cast take on different characters in each other’s dreams and memories, their versatility shines and all three excel in their hauntingly comic performances. Anna Bella Eema is bizarre and beautifully poetic – a must-see show.
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