This rare revival of The Two Character Play at Hampstead Theatre proves an interesting addition to works that reassess Tennessee Williams’ impact as a dramatist – an intellectual exercise if not an emotive one.
‘What comes across incredibly strongly is a sense of hope’: SHEDDING A SKIN – Soho Theatre ★★★★★
“I’m afraid of the skin I’m in.” Quick out of the blocks in Soho Theatre’s reopening season is Amanda Wilkin’s Verity Bargate Award-winning debut play, Shedding A Skin. The run has socially distanced seating, but for those who can’t attend in person there will be a live-streamed performance on 15 July.
‘There’s no denying the play’s relevance’: THE PHLEBOTOMIST – Hampstead Theatre
Ella Road’s resonant new play about genetics, The Phlebotomist, is mostly well-written and gets an exciting staging.
‘Sharp & hectic production gives the story a real zing’: COUGAR – Orange Tree Theatre
Cougar, a new two-hander about an older woman and a younger man is a bit sketchy, but its theatre form is thrilling.
‘Resolutely stays grounded’: THE BORROWERS – Bristol ★★★
Tobacco Factory Theatres have well served Bristol festive audiences over the years, including one bona fide theatrical masterpiece in Sally Cookson’s Olivier Award-winning Cinderella. Alas, not every show can have Cookson and not every show can fly, and so it proves with The Borrowers, which resolutely stays grounded.
‘Makes its political points deftly & unobtrusively’: AN ADVENTURE – Bush Theatre
For his last show at the Bush, Madani Younis has chosen a project close to his heart, Vinay Patel’s An Adventure, an epic reading of one Asian family’s global migration story.
‘Madani Younis’ production of this thrilling play is a joy’: LEAVE TAKING – Bush Theatre
With its great mix of pointed exchanges, convincing plotting, relevant issues, sense of learning from experience and emotional integrity, this is a brilliant production of a truly wonderful play.
‘Christou’s debut is thrilling in its aplomb’: YOUS TWO – Hampstead Theatre
Parenthood can be both empowering and fragile and Georgia Christou’s debut Yous Two at the Hampstead Theatre is thrilling for its potential. Definitely a name to watch.
KING LEAR – Shakespeare’s Globe
Characterisation from each member of the cast felt natural, beautifully synchronised and there’s a strong sense of unity amongst the ensemble – even when characters’ paths are divided.
LOW LEVEL PANIC – Orange Tree Theatre
The late Clare McIntyre’s Low Level Panic has a great title for a 1980s feminist drama. In three words she presents the emotional landscape of her play: uncertain, edgy, angsty.
GIRLS – Soho Theatre
New captive drama is well-written in a symbolic vein that helps to humanise the story behind the headlines.
DIARY OF A MADMAN – Gate Theatre
Scottish Gogol adaptation is a thrillingly contemporary account of damaged masculinity and national identity.