The set (by Tim Hatley) is absolutely beautiful in the much anticipated, new original play The Snail House from celebrated theatre director Richard Eyre, giving a sense of occasion and opulence. Portraits look on in the private school room, wooden surfaces hold the marks of a long history.
‘Rarely less than entertaining but too restrained’: THE SNAIL HOUSE – Hampstead Theatre ★★★
Shiny though the shell is, Richard Eyre’s play The Snail House at Hampstead Theatre becomes a frustrating stew of ideas, attitudes and family tensions which doesn’t quite hit the finishing line. Directed by the author himself it is rarely less than entertaining, always emotionally recognisable and interestingly topical: but it’s too humble, too restrained.
‘A wonderful & practically perfect in every way musical’: MARY POPPINS – West End ★★★★
Filled with dazzling choreography, plenty of magic and charm – this is fun for the entire family.
The bittersweet unfinished theatre business of Covid
Last week saw Paula Vogel’s Indecent finally open officially at the Menier Chocolate Factory, a year and a half after previews had begun, for the UK premiere of Rebecca Taichman’s Tony-winning original production.
‘This time the thrill was different & unexpected’: BLITHE SPIRIT – Harold Pinter Theatre ★★★★
In Richard Eyre’s briskly directed production Jennifer Saunders stands out. Her Arcati is draggled but not cartoonish: donnishly dishevelled, earnestly scholarly rather than exaggeratedly nuts.
NEWS: Blithe Spirit starring Jennifer Saunders returns to the West End in September 2021
Theatre Royal Bath Productions, Lee Dean and Jonathan Church Theatre Productions have announced the West End return of Noël Coward’s classic comedy Blithe Spirit, directed by Richard Eyre and starring Jennifer Saunders.
Mark Shenton offers a bittersweet celebration of his Top Ten Favourite West End Theatres
My latest ShenTens is particularly bittersweet, as we can’t actually go to any at the moment: my favourite West End theatres.
‘We were involved in decisions’: Chris Grady pays tribute to influential theatre manager Gordon Stratford
What made theatre manager Gordon Stratford special for me, as a boss, was his passion for the theatre, his quick understanding of potential audiences, and his willingness to give his marketing team the chance to challenge him on proposed prices, deals, and even show choices.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Blithe Spirit at the Duke of York’s Theatre
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for the London transfer of Richard Eyre’s production of Noel Coward’s comedy Blithe Spirit.
‘Jennifer Saunders’ performance will not disappoint’: BLITHE SPIRIT – Touring & West End
The psychology of Blithe Spirit snaps convincingly into place in Richard Eyre’s production while at the same time it fully utilises every opportunity to make the audience laugh.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre
Richard Eyre’s production of the musical Mary Poppins has flown back into the West End – but what do the critics think of it?
NEWS: UK tour & West End run announced for Blithe Spirit starring Jennifer Saunders
Noël Coward’s classic comedy Blithe Spirit, directed by Richard Eyre and starring Jennifer Saunders, will return next year for a UK tour followed by a strictly limited six-week engagement at the West End’s Duke of York’s Theatre following a celebrated reception at the Theatre Royal Bath earlier this summer.
‘You feel you have seen an epic’: 8 HOTELS – Chichester ★★★★
Nicholas Wright’s sharp play imagines the US touring production of the first black Othello and its aftermath in the uneasy years of the McCarthyite search for Communist sympathisers.
‘An enthralling glimpse into America’s tawdry past’: 8 HOTELS – Chichester
There are probably not many people left alive who remember the controversial coast to coast US tour of Othello from 1944. It was remarkable for two reasons. Singer and political firebrand, Paul ‘Ol’ Man River’ Robeson was playing the lead and, as a black man, he was sharing the stage with a white, Desdemona.
‘A guaranteed crowd pleaser’: BLITHE SPIRIT – Bath ★★★★
It’s is not going to change your life but for a chance to see a national treasure and to wallow away from the pressures of the real world for a couple of hours, Blithe Spirit ticks all the boxes.
‘Saunders is outrageously good but then so are the rest of the cast’: BLITHE SPIRIT – Bath ★★★★
If I could look into Madame Arcati’s crystal ball I think I would see a West End transfer on the cards for Richard Eyre’s playful production of Blithe Spirit.
NEWS: Zoë Wanamaker & Zrinka Cvitešić will star in world premiere of Nancy Harris’ Two Ladies at the Bridge Theatre
Zoë Wanamaker and Zrinka Cvitešić will play Hélène and Sophia respectively in Two Ladies, a new play by Nancy Harris to be directed by Nicholas Hytner for the London Theatre Company at the Bridge Theatre.
NEWS: Katherine Parkinson & Vanessa Redgrave join line-up for Theatre Royal Bath’s summer season as new productions are announced
Jonathan Church, artistic director of Theatre Royal Bath’s summer season, has announced further productions and new casting for the 2019 programme. Katherine Parkinson joins Rupert Everett in the cast of Uncle Vanya which he also directs.
‘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.
NEWS: Petula Clark & Joseph Millson join the cast of West End’s Mary Poppins
Petula Clark and Joseph Millson play the Bird Woman and George Banks in the new production of Mary Poppins which returns to its original West End home at the Prince Edward Theatre from 23 October 2019 to 29 March 2020.