James Phillips’ award-winning drama The Rubenstein Kiss can now be seen for the first time in London since its 2005 premiere. What have critics – including Mates co-founder Mark Shenton – been saying about Joe Harmston’s timely spy revival? We’ve rounded up a selection of our favourite reviews below. Time to get booking!
FIRST LOOK: We spy the cast of The Rubenstein Kiss ready for opening night
It’s opening night tonight (18 March 2019) for the first London revival of James Phillips’ multi-award-winning espionage dramaThe Rubenstein Kiss at Southwark Playhouse. Check out our full gallery of production shots – and then get booking!
WATCH: Ruby Bentall, Sean Rigby & Stephen Billington discuss the timeliness of The Rubenstein Kiss
What is truth? In today’s crazy times, what can we learn from the past? Stars Ruby Bentall, Sean Rigby and Stephen Billington discuss the timeliness of Devil You Know’s first London revival of James Phillips’ award-winning espionage drama The Rubenstein Kiss. Watch our video interviews and show trailer – and then get booking!
PHOTOS: Behind the scenes with Ruby Bentall, Sean Rigby & The Rubenstein Kiss rehearsals
We’re counting down to the first London revival of James Phillips’ award-winning espionage drama The Rubenstein Kiss. Sneak a peek inside the rehearsal room with Ruby Bentall, Sean Rigby, Stephen Billington, Henry Proffitt and the cast – and then get booking!
‘The decisions he makes during the story echo across the decades’: Sean Rigby on The Rubenstein Kiss
As Endeavour commences its sixth season on ITV this week, one of its stars, Sean Rigby, has entered the rehearsal room for a timely revival of James Phillips’ award-winning The Rubenstein Kiss. We caught up with him about swapping DS Jim Strange for the brother of an alleged Soviet spy. Time to get booking!
‘I’m a romantic, the thought of sacrificing everything for love appealed to me’: Ruby Bentall on The Rubenstein Kiss
Poldark star Ruby Bentall stars in the first London revival of James Phillips’ award-winning espionage drama The Rubenstein Kiss. We talk to her about playing a Soviet spy and sacrificing everything for love and your political beliefs. Time to get booking!
Twenty shows to look forward to in 2019
So many of the recommendations for shows to see next year focus on the West End. And for sure, I’m excited to catch big ticket numbers like All About Eve, Come From Away and Waitress, but I wanted to cast my eye a little further afield.
‘A great production of a chilling play’: MACBETH – Barbican Theatre
This is a Macbeth that emphasises the psychological horror of the story. It is a brutal and murderous play, but priority is given to the effects of the violence rather than the violence itself.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Macbeth at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Robert Hastie directs Michelle Terry and Paul Ready in this new production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews…
NEWS: Pop-up Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre expands with second site at Blenheim Palace in 2019
Europe’s first ever pop-up Shakespearean Theatre – Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre – has announced its expansion for 2019 with a summer residency of nine weeks at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.
‘The play comes back, timeless and terrifying’: MACBETH – Sam Wanamaker Playhouse ★★★★
Here in Robert Hastie’s careful production of Macbeth is all the horror, psychological acuity and profound, terrified morality of Shakespeare’s darkest play.
‘Falls a little flat in pivotal places’: MACBETH – Barbican Theatre ★★★
This Macbeth should be an absolute blinder with such a strong and perfectly brooding lead… but unfortunately, the production falls a little flat in pivotal places.
‘A beautiful re-telling’: MACBETH – Barbican Theatre ★★★★
Overall it is a beautiful re-telling of Macbeth, keeping true to the script but taking a twist on a unique element. Macbeth at the Barbican is not to be missed.
‘Lacks clarity & intent’: MACBETH – Barbican Theatre
Despite a cast including Christopher Eccleston and Niamh Cusack, this proves another disappointment of a Macbeth as the RSC starts is autumn residency at the Barbican.
‘There is nothing new being said here’: MACBETH – Touring ★★★
There is a peculiar absence of majesty at the heart of the National Theatre’s touring production of Macbeth.
‘I was more interested in the background characters’: MACBETH – Barbican Theatre ★★★
Is it ironic that the most emotionally powerful scene of the RSC’s Macbeth at the Barbican comes in a rare moment of silence and stillness, a scene when the Macbeths are nowhere to be seen?
‘Full of purpose & great storytelling’: MACBETH – Touring ★★★★★
Something wicked this way comes…” It’s Merely Theatre, as the company tours its brand new production of the Scottish Play in rep with Much Ado About Nothing.
‘Scattershot invention includes some effective touches’: MACBETH – Barbican Theatre
In contrast to Rufus Norris’ Macbeth at the National, with Rory Kinnear and Anne-Marie Duff, the RSC’s current production is focused and direct. This ensures that it is more of a success, but also proves its weakness. Polly Findlay’s production is certainly the more coherent and features strong leads.
NEWS: Joe Harmston directs first London revival of James Phillips’ espionage drama The Rubenstein Kiss
A story of alleged Soviet spies, treason and a political witch hunt… Joe Harmston directs a timely revival of James Phillips’ multi award-winning play The Rubenstein Kiss in the new year.
What’s Debbie looking forward to in October 2018?
It honestly doesn’t let up. At all. After an Edinburgh-focused August, and a ‘keep myself busy at all costs’ September (mostly to avoid the hell that is rush hour transport), October has rolled in, bursting at the seams because there is too much to do.