The Merchant of Venice is seen as a problematic play but, increasingly, it seems that the problems are with us, as much as they are with Shakespeare.
‘A confused approach manifests itself in a very uneven set of performances’: HAMLET – Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Sean Holmes’ new production of Hamlet in the Globe’s indoor space opens with a snatch of “Oh mother I can feel the soil falling over my head”, from The Smiths’ song ‘I Know It’s Over’.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Hamlet at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
On LoveLondonLoveCulture, Emma Clarendon rounds up the reviews for Hamlet, the first indoor production of Shakespeare’s play at Shakespeare’s Globe, now running in the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse until 9 April 2022.
‘There is quite a bit going on but it balances perfectly’: HAMLET – Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
As soon as Hamlet was announced as part of the 2021-22 winter season my eyes rolled so hard I nearly saw the inside of my eye sockets. I was desperately disappointed. But then something magical happened: a Hamlet unlike any other.
It’s going to be epic: What are you most looking forward to at the Globe this summer?
It seems like we’ve been made to wait an inordinately long time for this announcement, but it was definitely worth it as far as I’m concerned.
‘Always compelling to watch’: MEASURE FOR MEASURE – Shakespeare’s Globe
For her last production at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Blanche McIntyre expertly conjured the life of a city onto a tiny stage. Her Measure for Measure is another city play, but of a very different kind.
‘Transporting us by engaging the heart, mind & soul’: How theatre-makers adapted in 2020
Here are Shane Morgan’s picks of how 2020 in theatre has continued to do what it does best: transporting us by engaging the heart, mind and soul.
I feel I personally have to advocate for Shakepeare’s Globe even more strongly
Reading that the Globe may struggle to come back from this current crisis without the help of donations and emergency funding didn’t seem quite real.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Women Beware Women at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for Thomas Middleton’s Jacobean drama, Women Beware Women.
Mind the Blog reflects on a theatre wish list for 2020
Mind the Blog has a fairly wide-ranging wish list of things I hope to see, including major shows such as Sunday in the Park with George, Evita, Magic Goes Wrong, Uncle Vanya and the Jamie Lloyd Company residency at the Playhouse Theatre.
‘Simply delicious’: SWIVE – Shakespeare’s Globe ★★★★
Natalie Abrahami makes Ella Hickson’s text and Elizabeth’s story pulsate with the sound of a young woman for whom insecurity runs in every fibre of her being.
‘Gets the atmosphere right’: BARTHOLOMEW FAIR – Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Bartholomew Fair is full of energy and highly entertaining throughout, while making no attempt to glamorise the city’s underbelly.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Bartholomew Fair at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for Blanche McIntyre’s production of Bartholomew Fair, now playing at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Richard II at Shakespeare’s Globe
Discover what critics made of Adjoa Andoh and Lynette Linton’s new production of Richard II at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
REVIEW ROUND-UP – Edward II at Shakespeare’s Globe
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for Nick Bagnall’s production of Edward II at Shakespeare’s Globe.
‘Wholly new & refreshing’: DOCTOR FAUSTUS – Shakespeare’s Globe ★★★
I love Christopher Marlowe. I love the raciness and rebel in him. And sometimes, particularly in Paulette Randall’s reframed version here at Shakespeare’s Globe with Doctor Faustus.
‘Fails to entirely convince’: DOCTOR FAUSTUS – Shakespeare’s Globe
Paulette Randall’s gender-swap, colour-blind, version of Christopher Marlowe’s fiendish morality tale Doctor Faustus succeeds in ticking a lot of trendy boxes but fails to create innovative, or even interesting, theatre.
What’s Debbie looking forward to in December 2018?
Opening in London this month is the transfer of the NT’s Nine Night (now at Trafalgar Studios), Jailbirds at the Etcetera Theatre, Pinocchio at The Albany, One For The Road at the Rosemary Branch, Orpheus at Battersea Arts Centre and Pinter 5 & 6 will arrive at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
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…
‘The play comes back, timeless and terrifying’: MACBETH – Sam Wanamaker Playhouse ★★★★
Here in Robert Hastie’s careful production of Macbeth is all the horror, psychological acuity and profound, terrified morality of Shakespeare’s darkest play.