Lockdown occasionally spawns some real delights. Like the surprise appearance of a strange creature from the profoundest depths. One of these must be Andrew Scott’s superb performance in Simon Stephens’s Sea Wall.
‘The production’s strong point is its casting’: GO BANG YOUR TAMBOURINE – Finborough Theatre
Rare Philip King play tries to turn a farcical situation into a serious drama – and it doesn’t quite work.
Text of the Day: The End of History
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
‘Disappointingly middle of the road’: THREE SISTERS – Almeida Theatre
Chekhov classic from the team behind the West End hit Summer and Smoke is too middle of the road
The post Three Sisters, Almeida Theatre appeared first on Aleks Sierz.
‘Combines bravura acting with a battery of visual effects’: GRIEF IS THE THING WITH FEATHERS – Barbican Theatre
Enda Walsh’s adaptation of Max Porter’s contemporary classic gets the big-stage treatment, starring Cillian Murphy. With mixed results.
Text of the Day: One for Sorrow
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.The post One for Sorrow appeared first on Aleks Sierz.
‘Creating a detailed and often humorous world’: ALKALINE – Park Theatre
Director Sarah Meadows and designer Georgia de Grey have created a detailed and often humorous world in Alkaline in at the Park Theatrewith a cast that is agreeably bright and pretty convincing
‘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.
Text of the Day: The Ferryman
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
‘Thought-provoking, playful & fun’: MISALLIANCE – Orange Tree Theatre
George Bernard Shaw was a theatrical superman. A critical attack dog as well as a creator of problem plays both pleasant and unpleasant, he invented the drama of ideas.
THE RETREAT – Park Theatre
Set entirely in a one-roomed hut in the Scottish Highlands, The Retreat tells the story of thirtysomething Luke, who has quit his high-powered City job to become a Buddhist. But just as he is settling down to a bit of chanting and meditation, his karma is ruffled by the unexpected appearance of Tony, his older brother.
YOUNG MARX – Bridge Theatre
Brand-new London theatre from the two Nicks is wonderful, but its first show is disappointing.
ALBION – Almeida Theatre
Albion begins with Audrey, played with indefatigable energy by Victoria Hamilton, in the garden of her deceased uncle’s family home, deep in the English countryside. She has bought the property, which boasts a historic 1920s garden, now much overgrown, which a First World War veteran once formed into a pastoral paradise fit for heroes.
THE MARCH ON RUSSIA – Orange Tree Theatre
David Storey’s family celebration drama of 1989 is typically natural, subtle and poignant, but also retro
The post The March on Russia, Orange Tree Theatre appeared first on Aleks Sierz.
Text of the Day: Apologia
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
APOLOGIA – West End
The 1960s were “hilarious”, says one young character in this revival, starring Broadway icon Stockard Channing, of Alexi Kaye Campbell’s 2009 family drama at the Trafalgar Studios. How so? “Oh you know, the clothes, the hair, the raging idealism.”
MOSQUITOES – National Theatre
The question that always needs to be asked of any example of science on stage, and there are now very many, is this: does the science add anything to the meaning of the play?
MOSQUITOES – National Theatre
The question that always needs to be asked of any example of science on stage, and there are now very many, is this: does the science add anything to the meaning of the play?
Text of the Day: Hir
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
BODIES – Royal Court Theatre
New drama about surrogacy is rich in metaphor and fraught with conflict, but you have to ignore its politics.