In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 6 October 2019), ranging from Libby Purves’ childhood reminiscences associated with Master Harold and the Boys at the National to Abba-fest Mamma Mia! The Party and reviews of new plays The Open, Two Ladies, The Watsons and more. Enjoy.
‘Never less than compelling’: MACBETH – Chichester
It has been a long time since the West End saw a truly great Macbeth so perhaps this is a chance for Simm and Kirwan to buck the trend with impressive performances that offer a different perspective on their characters while creating a potency in their exchanges that is never less than compelling.
NEWS: Lazarus Theatre announces Macbeth, Hedda Gabler & Peter Pan for 2020
Award-winning ensemble company Lazarus Theatre has announced their third annual residency at Greenwich Theatre with a 2020 line-up of three re-imagined classics – Macbeth, Hedda Gabler and Peter Pan – all with post-show Q&As chaired by MyTheatreMates co-founder Terri Paddock.
‘Masterful central performances are worth the admission price alone’: MACBETH – Chichester
See this production of Macbeth for those masterful central performances, they’re more than worth the price of admission, even if so much of the rest is “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing!”
‘A creepy joy to experience’: MACBETH – Manchester ★★★★
This production of Macbeth receives stunning direction from Christopher Haydon and, crucially, Lucy Ellinson is magnificent as Macbeth.
‘It’s very easy to see all sorts of contemporary parallels’: Director Paul Miller on Macbeth at Chichester Festival Theatre
Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy Macbeth, led by John Simm and Dervla Kirwan as the corrupted couple, marks a homecoming for director Paul Miller.
Best of the Blogs: The Mates give their verdicts on Appropriate, The Doctor, Cabaret & more
Best of the Blogs: The Mates give their verdicts on Appropriate, The Doctor, Cabaret & more.
‘A show not to be missed’: MACBETH – Temple Church ★★★★
Performed on a vast traverse stage running directly through the middle of the stunning church venue, Antic Disposition’s new production of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Macbeth transforms itself into a psychological thriller.
‘Delightfully dark & inspired’: MACBETH – Temple Church ★★★★
There have been numerous performances of Macbeth over the years, but what sets this production apart from more recent plays, as well as the beautiful venue, is the innovative ideas from the directors.
‘Chilling & atmospheric’: MACBETH – Temple Church ★★★★
This chilling and atmospheric production of Macbeth from Antic Disposition proves that with a stellar cast, inspired design and an intuitive understanding of Shakespeare’s text, you don’t need high tech bells and whistles to create something magical.
FEATURED SHOW: The Rubenstein Kiss at Southwark Playhouse, ★★★★★ reviews are in!
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.