It is the modern parallels which gives The Haunting Of Alice Bowles its depth and resonance and Philip Franks and the Original Theatre Company are to be congratulated for the equivalences which they have drawn out.
‘Keeps you engaged until the very end’: WHAT A CARVE UP! (Online review) ★★★★
What a Carve Up! is a cleverly constructed murder mystery made in a YouTube/docudrama style. A compelling story told in an innovative, realistic and bold way.
‘Entertaining & polished fictional thriller’: WHAT A CARVE UP! (Online review)
Tamara Harvey’s digital production of What a Carve Up! skilfully builds the suspense, while also systematically taking apart those in power who enjoy all the benefits of their position, while allowing the rest of us to take the hit.
NEWS: Robert Glenister, Tamzin Outhwaite & Indira Varma join the cast of Jamie Lloyd Company’s The Seagull
Joining the previously announced Emilia Clarke to complete the cast of Jamie Lloyd Company’s The Seagull are Danny Ashok, Robert Glenister, Tom Rhys Harries, Daniel Monks, Tamzin Outhwaite, Patrick Robinson, Seun Shote, Indira Varma and Sophie Wu.
STEPPING OUT – West End
There may be few real surprises to be had at Stepping Out but what Maria Friedman’s production here at the Vaudeville does, is to conjure a marvellously congenial atmosphere which is ideally suited to the play.
Two perfect tickets for ladies’ nights: The Girls & Stepping Out
If you’re seeking life affirmation, celebrations of female solidarity (of a quintessentially British variety) and general uplift, my two current West End recommendations that tick all three boxes are The Girls and Stepping Out.
STEPPING OUT – West End
Maria Friedman’s loving redirection of this gentle classic comedy poses no questions of understanding. We merely spend a couple of hours (plus wholly comprehensible interval) in the company of seven women and a lone man, amateurishly learning tap at evening class.
NEWS: Anna-Jane Casey joins sister Natalie in Stepping Out, Outhwaite injured
Anna-Jane Casey will join her sister Natalie Casey in the all-star West End cast of STEPPING OUT, replacing Tamzin Outhwaite who has had to temporarily withdraw due to a foot injury.
STEPPING OUT – Touring & West End
Stepping Out is very much an ensemble piece, no individuals character can be classed as the lead. It is clear that this all-star ensemble – including Amanda Holden and Tamzin Outhwaite – are very comfortable working together.
NEWS: Maria Friedman’s all-star Stepping Out transfers to West End in March
Amanda Holden, Angela Griffin, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Tamzin Outhwaite and Nicola Stephenson will be STEPPING OUT in the West End when Richard Harris’s award-winning comedy opens at London’s Vaudeville Theatre with preview performances from 1 March 2017 and opening night for press on 14 March 2017.
HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES – West End
Written before he had become one of the nation’s most prolific playwrights, yet as ever focusing upon his hallmark theme of domestic dysfunctionality, How The Other Half Loves is Alan Ayckbourn’s 1969 effort, viewed through the prism of well-performed comedy.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: How the Other Half Loves at the Theatre Royal Haymarket
Alan Ayckbourn’s 1069 tale of matrimonial mishaps is back in London for its first major West End revival. But what have the critics made of it? How the Other Half Loves continues until 25 June 2016 at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES – West End
We’re back in the 1960’s, and how! Beyond the jolly geometric curtain a bygone world revives. Shiny pink plastic boots, a ridiculous frilled sub-Laura-Ashley print dinner frock. Nicholas le Prevost doing breathless “Swedish jerks” before setting out for work with bowler and brolly, and coming home to prod suspiciously at an avocado pear, while entertaining a shy colleague for the sake of old-fashioned departmental teamwork.
Photos and podcast: On Ayckbourn and comedy with How The Other Half Loves‘ cast and director
Post-show Q&A: What’s the essence of good comedy? And what marks out an Alan Ayckbourn comedy in particular? What does the UK’s most prolific, produced playwright (80 plays and counting) demand of actors and directors? And, despite the (often onerous, occasionally near-impossible) demands, why do actors and directors relish coming back for more?
DI AND VIV AND ROSE Vaudeville, WC1
THE GIRLS ARE BACK… There are not many all-woman plays around, nor many about female friendship; nor do many reflect the particular, unique long-term comradeship which begins in the cheerful domestic squalor of university sharers, and stretches over decades of … Continue reading →
My theatre diary: Comedies The Ruling Class, Di and Viv and Rose, Diary of a Nobody and Bad Jews
I’ve had a heavy schedule of plays over the past few weeks, including quite a few comedies, many of them with deep, dark cores. (For dramas I’ve seen recently, see my companion Theatre Diary piece.) As usual, I’ve listed productions in closing date order. Note, the first – not the least bit dark – finishes […]
My theatre diary: Comedies The Ruling Class, Di and Viv and Rose, Diary of a Nobody and Bad Jews
I’ve had a heavy schedule of plays over the past few weeks, including quite a few comedies, many of them with deep, dark cores. (For dramas I’ve seen recently, see my companion Theatre Diary piece.) As usual, I’ve listed productions in closing date order. Note, the first – not the least bit dark – finishes […]
Review: Di and Viv and Rose
The three stars beautifully convey their characters’ quirks, individuality and hurts with an open-hearted generosity and rapport that makes it entirely captivating.