First of all let’s say that Andrew Scott is a marvel in Present Laughter, a 21st century Ur-Coward hero, who manages to do it without either the matey crassness lately inflicted on the part by Rufus Hound, or that retro, clipped Cowardspeak which echoes the Master too much.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Present Laughter at The Old Vic
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for this revival of Noel Coward’s comedy Present Laugher now playing at the Old Vic Theatre.
‘Simply a wonderful night at the theatre’: PRESENT LAUGHTER – The Old Vic
The Old Vic’s production of Present Laughter finally feels as though we’re shaking off some of the restraints that have shackled Noel Coward to the past.
‘The ideal tonic for our modern world’: MATILDA THE MUSICAL – West End ★★★★★
It’s no wonder Matilda The Musical has managed to stand its ground in the West End; it’s a sheer delight for adults and children alike, brimming with optimism and a clear sense of right and wrong.
NEWS: Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Alan Cumming & Daniel Radcliffe feature in new Old Vic season
Details of Matthew Warchus’ Season 5 at The Old Vic Theatre have been announced. Highlights include:
Claire Foy and Matt Smith making their Old Vic debuts in Duncan Macmillan’s Lungs and Alan Cumming and Daniel Radcliffe starring in a double bill of Samuel Beckett’s Endgame and Rough for Theatre ll.
NEWS: Andrew Scott will star in Matthew Warchus’ production of Noel Coward’s Present Laughter at The Old Vic
The Old Vic today has announced that Matthew Warchus will direct Andrew Scott in Noёl Coward’s provocative comedy Present Laughter, opening on 25 June 2019, with previews from 17 June. The cast also includes Luke Thallon, Sophie Thompson, Suzie Toase and Indira Varma.
‘I hope it comes back every year’: A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Old Vic ★★★★★
A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic is, if possible, even finer and more heartfelt and gripping, tuneable and serious and moving than last year.
Mark Shenton views the latest week of news, openings, non-openings & ‘absolutely remarkable” awards
News, reviews, interviews, commentary and farewells from London, New York and beyond, including The Stage Debut Awards, Sylvia at the Old Vic and regional openings in Chichester and Bristol.
Mark Shenton views the latest week of news & openings in the West End, across the UK & in New York
News, reviews, controversies and commentary from the West End and Broadway, including the first West End job share and the re-opening of the Kiln Theatre (formerly the Tricycle).
NEWS: Rachel Chavkin makes her Old Vic directing debut in 2019 season which also includes premiere of new Lucy Prebble play
Matthew Warchus’ fourth season as artistic director of The Old Vic completes with an Arthur Miller double-bill (featuring Rachel Chavkin’s Old Vic directorial debut), a world premiere by Lucy Prebble and a special One Voice performance.
NEWS: Old Vic plans feature Emma Rice adaptation of Wise Children & Litvinenko assassination play A Very Expensive Poison
Two world premieres, a UK premiere and the return of a much-loved Christmas hit production will feature in part one of Matthew Warchus’ fourth season at The Old Vic.
NEWS: Musical version of Local Hero premieres in Edinburgh, transfers to Old Vic in 2019
John Crowley will direct the world premiere of Local Hero, a stage adaptation of the 1983 film, co-written by David Greig and Bill Forsyth, with music and lyrics by Mark Knopfler. The premiere production, a collaboration between the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and the Old Vic, will run in Edinburgh 23 March to 20 April 2019, then transferring to London in June (opening date tbc) for a run to 31 August 2019.
The Old Vic turns 200: Full schedule for its bicentenary weekend celebrations
The Old Vic has announced a host of celebratory activities to mark its bicentenary, from free performances and a family-focused open house with comedy, stage make up demonstrations, puppetry workshops and a marching band; to a cabaret Birthday Variety Night.
‘The greatest Dahl adaptation to date’: MATILDA THE MUSICAL – Touring
Matilda is THE family musical of this generation and a must-see for musical theatre aficionados for Minchin’s score alone. The fun and mischief are infectious and I can’t remember the last time I smiled this much at the theatre.
NEWS: A Christmas Carol returns to the Old Vic in November, Casting to be announced
Matthew Warchus’ smash-hit production of Charles Dickens’ timeless festive classic A Christmas Carol will return to the Old Vic Theatre for a second festive season. Casting is to be announced.
NEWS: RSC announces child cast for first UK tour of Matilda The Musical
Child casting has been announced for the first five venues of the upcoming UK & Ireland tour of Matilda the Musical, which launches from Leicester Curve on 5 March 2018.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Old Vic Theatre ★★★★★
It takes a lot to put me in the mood for Christmas. But if anything can, this inventive A Christmas Carol does, pulling together tip-top modern stagecraft, a venerated story, and our proudest 200-year-old theatre.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Old Vic Theatre ★★★★★
It takes a lot to put me in the mood for Christmas. But if anything can, this inventive A Christmas Carol does, pulling together tip-top modern stagecraft, a venerated story, and our proudest 200-year-old theatre.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Old Vic ★★★★
The Old Vic’s gloriously exuberant production is a wonderful combination of classic Dickens with a touch of Brucie’s Generation Game thrown in. Presiding over it all is the belligerent Ebenezer Scrooge played to gleeful excess by Rhys Ifans.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Old Vic Theatre ❄❄❄❄❄
Despite our typical view of the Victorians being highly conservative in every aspect of their lives, the young queen was relatively liberal – and A Christmas Carol is almost surprisingly socialist. And it’s this that Jack Thorne seems to have really played upon when adapting it for this brand new stage production.