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.
‘Delicious, clever & delectable confection’: THE WATSONS – Menier Chocolate Factory ★★★★★
Like characters in a book who never die, Laura Wade’s The Watsons at the Menier Chocolate Factory deserves to last forever.
‘Fun to watch from start to finish’: THE WATSONS – Menier Chocolate Factory ★★★★★
Laura Wade’s gleeful reimagining of Jane Austen’s unfinished novel in The Watsons is a refreshing tribute to her work and characters.
NEWS: Menier Chocolate Factory announces initial casting for major revival of The Boy Friend
The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced initial casting for its major revival of Sandy Wilson’s The Boy Friend running at the theatre from 22 November 2019 to 7 March 2020 (press night is on 3 December 2019). Full casting will be announced shortly.
NEWS: Menier Chocolate Factory announces major revival of Sandy Wilson’s The Boy Friend
The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced a major revival of Sandy Wilson’s The Boy Friend, running at the theatre from 22 November 2019 until 7 March 2020 (press night is 3 December), directed by Matthew White along with choreographer and associate director Bill Deamer.
‘Captures the soul of the story perfectly’: THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY – Menier Chocolate Factory ★★★★
Jenna Russell’s stunning performance combined with Trevor Nunn’s delicately understated production captures the soul of the story perfectly in The Bridges of Madison County at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
‘Excellence continues to abound throughout’: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – West End ★★★★★
With its first major cast change since opening – as well as a shift across the Thames – Trevor Nunn’s Fiddler On The Roof remains one of London’s musical theatre jewels.
Best of the Blogs: Death of a Salesman, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Orpheus Descending & more
As part of a new series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out seven of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (29 April-6 May 2019). Amidst her choices are two more West End productions of classic American drama: Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman at the Young Vic (Emily Garside) and Tennessee Williams’ Orpheus Descending at the Menier Chocolate Factory (Libby Purves).
‘Beautifully compelling’: ORPHEUS DESCENDING – Menier Chocolate Factory
Tennessee Williams’s Orpheus Descending may not be his greatest play but Tamara Harvey’s production for the Menier Chocolate Factory proves most affecting in the end.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Orpheus Descending at Menier Chocolate Factory
The Menier Chocolate Factory and Theatr Clwyd co-production of Orpheus Descending has officially opened in London. Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews…
‘Riveting, disturbing & memorable evening’: ORPHEUS DESCENDING – Menier Chocolate Factory ★★★★
Savagely observed absurdity, blinding flashes of insight, profound yearning, sudden poetry singing clear notes from the cruel swamp of humanity. Orpheus Descending isn’t one of Tennessee Williams’ more familiar plays, but it has all the troubled master’s marks, glories and challenges.
‘Consistently interesting & valuable experience’: ORPHEUS DESCENDING – Menier Chocolate Factory
Even a middling Tennessee Williams play – Orpheus Descending – is better than most, and this one still has plenty to say about sacrifice and suffocation in small-town America
NEWS: Jenna Russell will lead the company of The Bridges of Madison County at the Menier Chocolate Factory
Jenna Russell will lead the company for the UK premiere of Jason Robert Brown and Marsha Norman’s musical adaptation of Robert James Waller’s bestselling novel The Bridges of Madison County in a new staging by Trevor Nunn at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
NEWS: Menier Chocolate Factory will host the European premiere of The Bridges of Madison County musical
The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces the European premiere of the musical of Robert James Waller’s bestselling novel The Bridges of Madison County in a new staging by Trevor Nunn. The production opens on 23 July 2019, with previews from 12 July, and runs until 14 September.
NEWS: Maria Friedman & Anita Dobson join the West End cast of Fiddler on the Roof
Maria Friedman and Anita Dobson are to join the company of Trevor Nunn’s critically-acclaimed production of Fiddler on the Roof which is currently running at the reconfigured Playhouse Theatre until 28 September 2019. Friedman plays Golde, and Dobson plays Yente from 18 June, taking over from Judy Kuhn and Louise Gold respectively.
‘Expect a challenging story busting with passion, humour & poetry’: Catrin Aaron stars in Orpheus Descending
Actress Catrin Aaron chatted to Emma Clarendon about starring in Tamara Harvey’s production of Orpheus Descending at Theatre Clwyd before playing at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
‘Prepare to be challenged, provoked & entertained’: Mark Meadows stars in Orpheus Descending at the Menier
Actor Mark Meadows chatted to Emma Clarendon about starring in Tamara Harvey’s production of Orpheus Descending at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
‘It is darker, more tangible, more real’: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – West End
My mother and her mother, and their generation, faced a crisis: How to stay connected to their heritage and history when the history was so painful? The solution for many was fantasy: unreal, topsy-turvy tales of The Old Country.
‘Entirely unconvinced about Hare’s legacy’: THE BAY AT NICE – Menier Chocolate Factory
Penelope Wilton almost, almost, makes it worth seeing a David Hare play with The Bay at Nice at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
‘Brought exquisitely to life in Eyre’s production’: THE BAY AT NICE – Menier Chocolate Factory ★★★★
Penelope Wilton and Ophelia Lovibond shine in Richard Eyre’s reflective and simmering production of The Bay At Nice at the Menier Chocolate Factory.