A Complicite show is event theatre. Previous works such as A Disappearing Number, An Encounter and The Master and Margarita are locked in a pantheon of the great works of my lifetime. So, it’s no surprise to learn that I admired their latest work Drive Your Plow Over The Bones of The Dead immeasurably. What I didn’t do, was fall for it.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: The Chairs at the Almeida Theatre
Emma Clarendon rounds up the reviews for Omar Elerian’s revival of Eugène Ionesco’s absurdist comedy The Chairs. Real-life husband and wife Marcello Magni and Kathryn Hunter star.
It’s going to be epic: What are you most looking forward to at the Globe this summer?
It seems like we’ve been made to wait an inordinately long time for this announcement, but it was definitely worth it as far as I’m concerned.
NEWS: Almeida sets post-Covid dates for Daddy & House of Shades in new spring season
The Almeida Theatre has announced its line-up of productions for spring 2022, including two rescheduled premieres that were postponed by the pandemic.
NEWS: Shakespeare’s Globe reopens outdoor theatre from 19 May 2021
Shakespeare’s Globe is preparing to reopen its outdoor theatre for socially distanced performances on 19 May 2021, provided the conditions are met for Step 3 of the Government’s roadmap. The summer season 2021 opens with Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, followed by Romeo & Juliet and Twelfth Night. The Globe Touring Ensemble will perform As You Like It, The Tempest and A …
NEWS: Shakespeare’s Globe announces new digital content
Shakespeare’s Globe has been preparing a raft of new digital content to continue to engage its audiences with Shakespeare’s works. Shakespeare & Love in Isolation will see artists, in times of solitude and from their place of sanctuary, sharing some of the greatest words ever written. The series will be released as soon as possible, and artists involved include the creative team …
‘Bizarre semi-satire on the selfishness of modern life’: ONE GREEN BOTTLE – Soho Theatre
While utterly bewildering, the performances are so spectacular and the play is such fun you can’t help but be a little bewitched by One Green Bottle.
‘Myriad quick-fire changes’: NAPOLEON DISROBED – Arcola Theatre ★★★★
Told by an Idiot’s stage adaptation of Simon Leys’ acclaimed counter to the-great-man-of-history novella The Death of Napoleon though asks the useful question that gels nicely with the common stock of our age of conspiracy theories and ‘fake news’. What if…?
NEWS: Print Room announces full details of season celebrating Karen Blixen
Print Room at the Coronet has announced further details for Out of Blixen and Babette’s Feast, two productions that will run consecutively, putting a spotlight on the fascinating life and writing of Karen Blixen.
THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA – Manchester
Federico Garcia Lorca’s formidable text, in a wonderfully uncompromising translation by Jo Clifford which is set within the distinctive confines of Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre.
NEWS: Print Room mounts four world premieres in 2017, Princess Eugenie becomes patron
Artistic Director Anda Winters today announces Print Room at the Coronet’s next season of work in its new, permanent home. The Spring/Summer 2017 programme, in Notting Hill’s reinvigorated Victorian play and opera house, features four world premieres.
NEWS: Print Room mounts four world premieres in 2017, Princess Eugenie becomes patron
Artistic Director Anda Winters today announces Print Room at the Coronet’s next season of work in its new, permanent home. The Spring/Summer 2017 programme, in Notting Hill’s reinvigorated Victorian play and opera house, features four world premieres.
Theatre Podcast: The Emperor, Torn, Labyrinth
This week the London theatre bloggers discuss The Emperor starring Kathryn Hunter at the Young Vic, Torn at the Royal Court and Beth Steel’s latest play at Hampstead Theatre, Labyrinth.
THE EMPEROR – Manchester
The shapeshifting Kathryn Hunter plays each character with such spirited passion and vigour, with no crossover in between, each character is a personality in their own right. Her voices and mannerisms bring the characters to life in an inspiring and vast performance, transforming herself completely.
THE EMPEROR – Young Vic Theatre
Based on the book by Polish journalist Ryszard Kapuściński tells the story of the downfall of Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. This production directed by Walter Meierjohann is creative, passionate and intense.
Kristy Stott: My top ten picks of 2015
It has been an exciting year for Upstaged Manchester and I feel blessed and nostalgic as I remember the productions that have lifted my heart, helped me to question and generally captivated me this year. Here is a list of my theatrical highlights for 2015.
KAFKA’S MONKEY – HOME, Manchester
There are not many performers who could accomplish what Kathryn Hunter has achieved in this version of Kafka’s A Report to The Academy, interpreted for the stage by Colin Teevan and masterfully directed by Walter Meierjohann – her transformation to a monkey is beyond physically impressive. Hunter is wholly mesmerising throughout the performance- from the top of her jaunty bowler hat right down to the tips of her crooked fingers when she extends her hand to greet. She holds a command over the language and projects it with a rich and expressive tone of voice and incredible physicality. From the moment that we first see her shuffle across the stage, her body depicts a bewildered beast trapped halfway between ape and human. Hunter performs with wit and precision – furrowing her brow, her arms swinging and contorting uncomfortably and her loping gait – every sinew of her body works to create an entity trapped between the two different states of being. Startled by the world, she exhales heavily through her nostrils admitting that questioning freedom “leads to the most profound disillusionment”.