From humble beginnings as a weekly Facebook live stream during lockdown, Myra Dubois’ A Problem Shared has hit the big time and production values have soared to TWO cameras.
‘Packs an emotional punch’: C-O-N-T-A-C-T – Various London locations ★★★★
Set adrift in the ocean of indifference and ineptitude of government guidelines, theatres and producers are finding creative solutions to stage shows, and this socially-distanced production of C-o-n-t-a-c-t is a wonderful way to experience an intriguing and uplifting play.
‘The musical experience of the leading players shines through’: SLEEPLESS A MUSICAL ROMANCE – Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre ★★★
The fact that Sleepless is the first large-scale indoor production since lockdown gives it a wow factor beyond the production itself.
NEWS: The award-winning play of Nigel Slater’s Toast is adapted for online premiere
Nigel Slater’s Toast returns to the Lawrence Batley Theatre as a brand-new online adaptation – part radio play, part animated film – airing from 1 to 31 July 2020.
‘Outstanding’: BACK TO THE FUTURE – Manchester ★★★★★
Olly Dobson is amazing in Back to the Future. He sounds, looks and even has the mannerisms of Marty, the portrayal is so well done I don’t think anyone else could have done a better job.
‘Tackles very real issues faced by young people today’: CRONGTON KNIGHTS – Touring ★★★★★
Crongton Knights is a completely unique performance in both the storyline and the atmospheric use of sound.
‘Gives its audience a complete picture of Forrester’s life’: THE WATERS OF LIVERPOOL – Touring ★★★★
This adaptation of Helen Forrester’s By The Waters of Liverpool by Rob Fennah gives its audience a complete picture of Forrester’s life.
‘Acting is just superb throughout’: KITE RUNNER – Touring ★★★★
Kite Runner is a heart-gripping, compelling play with so much emotion, love, hurt, loyalty, disappointment pride and anger as well as forgiveness.
‘It’s a laugh a minute version’: BEN HUR – Cirencester ★★★★★
With everything else going on around the world at the moment we sometimes just need a good laugh and the Barn Theatre’s Ben Hur certainly delivers this.
‘Beautifully crafted piece’: THE LAST OF THE PELICAN DAUGHTERS – Touring & Shoreditch Town Hall ★★★★
The Last Of The Pelican Daughters seamlessly mixed tears of laughter into tears of heartbreak. Honest, thoughtful and intelligent in direction, writing and performance.
‘A fantastic cast carries out the storyline brilliantly’: BANG BANG! – Touring ★★★
Not all the humour connects in Bang Bang! but impressive performances ensure an entertaining evening is had by all.
‘Two exceptional pieces of work naturally come together’: LOVE, LOSS & CHIANTI – Riverside Studios ★★★★
Director Jason Morell brings distinctly different performance elements together, to create the perfect homage to Christopher Reid’s art in Love, Loss and Chianti.
‘Translates exceptionally well into modern day life’: PRIDE & PREJUDICE* (*SORT OF) – Touring ★★★★★
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) complements Jane Austen’s work and maintains the ethos of what she did so well – which was to observe and give sharp and accurate social commentary.
‘It is the simplicity & skill that impresses’: THE WOMAN IN BLACK – Touring ★★★★
Daniel Easton as The Actor and Robert Goodale as Mr Kips both give superb performances in The Woman In Black as they start to weave the story, keeping the audience captivated from start to finish.
‘Provocatively & evocatively powerful’: SEEDS – Touring ★★★★★
Tiata Fahodzi’s Seeds in association with the Leeds Playhouse, Soho Theatre and Tara Finney Productions is being world premiered in Leeds.
‘An important story but lacks heart’: ALONE IN BERLIN – Northampton ★★★
Alistair Beaton’s stage adaptation of Hans Fallada’s critically acclaimed novel Alone in Berlin makes its world premiere at the Royal and Derngate.
‘Family saga or spooky horror?’: THE CROFT – Touring ★★★
Writer Ali Milles’ debut play The Croft starring Gwen Taylor gives a promise of some great work yet come.
Best of the Blogs: Leopoldstadt, Far Away, Nora, People Show 137 & more
In our continuing series, editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 16 February 2020) including Maryam Philpott’s thoughts on Tom Stoppard’s new play Leopoldstadt at the Wyndham’s Theatre.
‘You can feel their emotions & yearning’: ONCE – Touring ★★★★
Once and for all this is a beautiful love story with an upbeat vibe. From the moment we entered the theatre, early, to the sound of Irish, jig worthy music I was sold.
‘Spellbinding’: MAGIC GOES WRONG – West End ★★★★★
Magic Goes Wrong is a brilliant masterpiece that Mischief and Penn and Teller should all be proud of and is easily worth all the critical acclaim it has received so far.