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Ian Foster

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‘The show deserves a bigger stage to fully breathe into its fabulousness’: BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER – Turbine Theatre

In London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Reviews by Ian Foster12th April 2022Leave a Comment

A cheering musical to be sure, but But I’m a Cheerleader is ill-suited to the intimacy of the Turbine Theatre, it needs a bigger stage (and a bit of an edit) to truly shine.

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‘This is a powerful revival of this punchy play’: COCK – West End

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Ian Foster4th April 2022Leave a Comment

If some of the detail of Mike Bartlett’s Cock now feels a little dated, the skill of his writing is as fresh as ever, performed brilliantly at the Ambassadors Theatre.

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‘I yearn for a transfer so that more people can see it’: THE WICKER HUSBAND – Watermill Theatre, Newbury

In Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Regional theatre, Reviews by Ian Foster22nd March 2022Leave a Comment

The Wicker Husband is a show that has my heart entirely. A future life is surely going to happen but catch it now at the Watermill Theatre while you can.

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‘Five cracking performers all get their moments to shine’: THE DRIFTERS GIRL – West End

In London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Reviews by Ian Foster15th March 2022Leave a Comment

The Drifters Girl is a classic example of the worst type of jukebox musical – a group effort in failing to tell an interesting story whilst putting on a good show.

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‘As much calculating businessman as inspirational ruler’: HENRY V – Donmar Warehouse

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Ian Foster14th March 2022Leave a Comment

There’s way too much going on in this production of Henry V at the Donmar Warehouse, despite Kit Harington’s return to the stage.

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‘A truly troubling scenario emerges with a horrific imbalance of power’: AFTER THE END – Theatre Royal Stratford East

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Ian Foster11th March 2022Leave a Comment

With all its effortful but pointless violence, Dennis Kelly’s After the End leaves me cold at the Theatre Royal Stratford East.

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‘Disappointingly formulaic in its treatment of two artistic icons:’ THE COLLABORATION – Young Vic Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Ian Foster7th March 2022Leave a Comment

Paul Bettany and Jeremy Pope star as artistic legends in The Collaboration but Anthony McCarten’s play at the Young Vic doesn’t thrill.

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‘Undoubtedly stylish but seriously underwhelming’: THE FOREST – Hampstead Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Ian Foster4th March 2022Leave a Comment

Like being given a jigsaw with no corner pieces, the challenges of putting together what is happening in Florian Zeller’s The Forest means it is hardly worth the trip to the Hampstead Theatre.

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‘How rare it is to see work from Middle Eastern writers’: BROKEN WINGS – Charing Cross Theatre

In London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Reviews by Ian Foster1st March 2022Leave a Comment

The music of Nadim Naaman and Dana Al Fardan’s Broken Wings remains strong, but the musical around it feels slightly disappointing at Charing Cross Theatre.

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‘Well acted to be sure but just not my cup of tea’: 2:22 – A GHOST STORY – West End

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Ian Foster25th February 2022Leave a Comment

The perils of going to see something just because you like an actor in it… I loved seeing Elliot Cowan onstage again but was significantly less keen on 2:22 – A Ghost Story.

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‘Entertainingly put together & starrily cast’: STEVE – Seven Dials Playhouse

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Ian Foster23rd February 2022Leave a Comment

The Seven Dials Playhouse opens with the European premiere of Mark Gerrard’s gently amusing and affecting Steve.

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‘Full of the expressive theatricality director Emma Rice has built her reputation on’: WUTHERING HEIGHTS – National Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Ian Foster20th February 2022Leave a Comment

Emma Rice dips into her usual bag of theatrical tricks for a highly expressive take on Wuthering Heights but possibly to diminishing returns.

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‘The realities of contemporary city-dwelling coupledom bite hard’: US – White Bear Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Ian Foster15th February 2022Leave a Comment

It’s the little things. Like using up the kitchen roll when there’s no toilet paper, or not getting some milk when the carton’s run out.

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‘The beauty of Shanley’s play is that nothing is black & white’: DOUBT – Chichester

In Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews by Ian Foster14th February 2022Leave a Comment

Monica Dolan is more than worth the journey in Lia Williams’ striking production of Doubt: A Parable at Chichester Festival Theatre.

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‘Caryl Churchill’s play has only gained in depth & gravitas’: A NUMBER – Old Vic Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Ian Foster7th February 2022Leave a Comment

Paapa Essiedu and Lennie James deliver stunning performances in a cracking production of Caryl Churchill’s A Number at the Old Vic Theatre.

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‘A striking play about a most striking woman’: PAYNE – The Stars Are Fire – Jack Studio Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Ian Foster6th February 2022Leave a Comment

I may still not know what a variable star is but Cecilia Payne did and that’s what matters.

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‘Illuminates the struggle to pursue an almighty artistic vision’: HOLST – The Music in the Spheres – Jack Studio Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Ian Foster27th January 2022Leave a Comment

Arrows & Traps return to live performance in customary ambitious style with Holst – The Music In The Spheres at the Brockley Jack Theatre.

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Year in review: Ian’s 10 favourite shows of 2021

In Features, London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays by Ian Foster14th January 2022Leave a Comment

Just a little bit late… Here’s 10 of my favourite shows, both online and onstage but fully acknowledging that I saw a lot less than usual, I might actually have broken the back of this theatre obsession – it just took a global pandemic to do it…!

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Year in review: Ian’s 10 top theatrical moments of 2021

In Features, London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays by Ian Foster13th January 2022Leave a Comment

As distinct from my favourite shows of the year, this list celebrates the fact that sometimes the good and the not-so-good co-exist right next to each – some of my favourite moments.

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‘This revival can’t help but resemble a middling 1970s sitcom’: HABEAS CORPUS – Menier Chocolate Factory

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Ian Foster10th January 2022Leave a Comment

Alan Bennett’s Habeas Corpus gets a belated revival at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Stuck in the past, should it have been left in the past too?

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