It would be unsurprising, indeed completely understandable, for a new state-of-the-nation play focusing on the treatment of, and opportunities for, disabled people in present-day UK, to fetch up on stage as a furious, ranty polemic. Francesca Martinez’s dramatic writing debut, All Of Us at the National, goes down a rather more unexpected and interesting route however.
‘Informs, educates & entertains’: ALL OF US – National Theatre
If the plotting is predictable, and the story arc unremarkable, the image of life represented is both strongly compassionate and often very pleasurable. In true welfare state style, comedian Francesca Martinez’s debut play All of Us at the National Theatre not only informs and educates, but also entertains.
‘A reminder of what a powerful actor Mark Rylance can be’: JERUSALEM – Apollo Theatre
As Jez Butterworth’s production returns to the West End, with original cast members Mark Rylance and Mackenzie Crook, it is interesting to reflect on how well-anointed modern classics fare more than a decade after they were originally feted.
‘Returns with all the vitality & urgency it had first time round’: JERUSALEM – Apollo Theatre
Ian Rickson’s production of Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem now returns to the Apollo Theatre with all the vitality and urgency it had first time round.
‘A completely successful piece of digital theatre’: WALDEN – Cinemas Nationwide (Online review)
Twin sisterhood, space, and the uncertain near future are at play in Amy Berryman’s debut play, Walden, which recently enjoyed a run on stage as part of the Re:Emerge season at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Now, it resurfaces in a filmed version to be released in cinemas on Wednesday.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Paradise at the National Theatre
Love London Love Culture round up the reviews for Kae Tempest’s play Paradise, reimagining a Greek legend now playing at the National Theatre.
NEWS: Ian Rickson’s production of Jerusalem is set for the West End with Mark Rylance & Mackenzie Crook reprising their roles
Sonia Friedman Productions and the Royal Court Theatre have confirmed the return of Ian Rickson’s production of Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem to London’s West End for a strictly limited 16-week engagement. Mark Rylance and Mackenzie Crook will reprise their celebrated roles as Johnny “Rooster” Byron and Ginger respectively, with further casting to be announced at a later date.
‘It’s good but unexceptional’: WALDEN – Harold Pinter Theatre
Amy Berryman’s ambitious debut play Walden about siblings, climate change and space travel is full of ideas, but what happened to the emotions?
‘Constantly gripping’: WALDEN – Harold Pinter Theatre
If the West End has faced an existential crisis thanks to the pandemic, American playwright Amy Berryman’s debut play Walden portrays the entire world having one.
RE: Sonia Friedman will bring Re:Emerge season of new plays to the Harold Pinter Theatre
RE:EMERGE, a collection of new plays curated by Sonia Friedman Productions alongside Ian Rickson (artistic director for the season), is due to open to socially-distanced audiences from May at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre.
‘We are transported somewhere far from Covid’: UNCLE VANYA – Harold Pinter Theatre (Screening)
Cut off in its prime in March, Ian Rickson’s Uncle Vanya returns to us from an empty theatre, filmed for cinema release.
NEWS: Tickets go on sale for cinema screenings of Ian Rickson’s production of Uncle Vanya
Tickets are now on sale for theUK, Ireland and international cinema screenings of Ian Rickson’s highly-acclaimed production of Conor McPherson’s new adaptation of Uncle Vanya, starring Toby Jones and Richard Armitage.
NEWS: Ian Rickson’s celebrated production of Uncle Vanya to receive cinema & broadcast release
Sonia Friedman Productions has announced that Ian Rickson’s highly-acclaimed production of Conor McPherson’s new adaptation of Uncle Vanya, forced to close in March when the West End went into lockdown, has been filmed on stage at the Harold Pinter Theatre in partnership with Angelica Films.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Uncle Vanya at the Harold Pinter Theatre
Richard Armitage and Toby Jones star in Ian Rickson’s production of Uncle Vanya at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
‘Far lighter than the themes of the play might suggest’: UNCLE VANYA – West End
This Uncle Vanya is more roundedly entertaining than other recent productions and while that detracts a little from the emotional undercurrents of the original, the fluidity and richness of Rickson’s production, performed by an excellent cast, ensure a satisfying Chekhovian conclusion.
‘Friel’s characters are allowed to blossom’: TRANSLATIONS – National Theatre
Brian Friel’s Translations is a rich and complex play and, in Ian Rickson’s production which returns for a second run in the Olivier, its layers are drawn out through the performances of a high class ensemble ensemble.
NEWS: Ian Rickson directs Conor McPherson’s new adaptation of Uncle Vanya starring Toby Jones & Richard Armitage
Sonia Friedman Productions has announced Conor McPherson’s new adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya directed by Ian Rickson which will run at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 14 January 2020 with opening night on 23 January 2020.
NEWS: National Theatre announces 15 productions of new plays & fresh adaptations by leading writers
The National Theatre has announces 15 productions of new plays and fresh adaptations by leading writers. Olivier Theatre My Brilliant Friend 12 November 2019 to 18 January 2020 (Press day is 26 November). Plays in rep, with further performances to be announced Following a sell-out run at Rose Theatre Kingston, the two-part adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend by April De Angelis is reworked …
‘Atwell’s performance anchors the play’: ROSMERSHOLM – West End ★★★★★
Written in 1886, Henrik Ibsen’s play Rosmersholm has a new-found poignancy in today’s political climate.
‘A cracker of an evening’: ROSMERSHOLM – West End ★★★★
It could all go horribly wrong but Ian Rickson’s production of Rosmersholm in Duncan Macmillan’s new adaptation brings Ibsen’s dense moral and political tragedy safely into port.