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‘The writing is nuanced & structured’: HYMN – Almeida Theatre (Online review)

In London theatre, Online shows, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton22nd February 2021Leave a Comment

In an empty Almeida Theatre, two heavyweight actors – Adrian Lester and Danny Sapani – bring serious male energy to Lolita Chakrabati’s new play Hymn.

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‘Powerful, funny & thoroughly engaging’: NAKED – Cockpit Theatre (Online review)

In London theatre, Online shows, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton22nd November 2020Leave a Comment

NAKED is a powerful, funny and thoroughly engaging piece of physical theatre. It is the first show from performers Luke Vincent and Paige-Marie Baker-Carroll of the NAKEDpresents queer collective.

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‘We are transported somewhere far from Covid’: UNCLE VANYA – Harold Pinter Theatre (Screening)

In Films, London theatre, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton28th October 2020Leave a Comment

Cut off in its prime in March, Ian Rickson’s Uncle Vanya returns to us from an empty theatre, filmed for cinema release.

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‘A remarkable play’: LES BLANCS – National Theatre at Home (Online review)

In London theatre, Online shows, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton9th July 2020Leave a Comment

The National Theatre’s 2016 production of Les Blancs was directed by Yaël Farber and used the full resources of the Olivier stage to transmit its full force.

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‘A strangely disconcerting play’: PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD – Druid Theatre (Online review)

In Online shows, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton23rd June 2020Leave a Comment

The online release of productions from Druid Theatre’s 2005 season of JM Synge’s complete works is a lockdown boon.

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‘It is immediately clear how prescient it was’: THIS HOUSE – National Theatre (Online review)

In Online shows, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton2nd June 2020Leave a Comment

The chaos of national politics in the mid-1970s seemed light years away in 2014, but how arrogant that assumption seems now.

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‘A fascinating body of work’: I, Peaseblossom / I, Banquo (Online review)

In Online shows, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton19th May 2020Leave a Comment

Tim Crouch’s series of performances as overlooked characters in Shakespeare is a fascinating body of work. He has been developing these one-man shows (with assistance) for more than 15 years.

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‘They are the only tangible reminder of experiences that live powerfully in the memory’: My collection of 57 years of RSC programmes

In Features, London theatre, Opinion, Plays by Tom Bolton5th May 2020Leave a Comment

I have been collecting these for at least 35 years and now have a nearly complete set of post-war programmes from the Stratford theatres (if anyone has a hoard of uber-rare, early programmes from The Other Place, I need to know).

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‘Patsy Ferran is a treat’: TREASURE ISLAND – National Theatre (Online review)

In London theatre, Online shows, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton20th April 2020Leave a Comment

The excitement still builds on a Thursday night, when many of us sit down to watch theatre as though it was analogue television in the four-channel era.

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‘The evening is enjoyable for its cast’: THE CUTTING EDGE – Arcola Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton11th March 2020Leave a Comment

Despite the combined skills of its performers, The Cutting Edge lacks pace and drive and the key moment of crisis, which always seems around the corner, never arrives.

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‘Dramatic & engrossing’: THE INCIDENT ROOM – New Diorama Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton21st February 2020Leave a Comment

The Incident Room is a multi-layered and satisfying drama, a proper assessment of a story that gripped, terrified and obsessed the nation. This excellent production confronts our dark past head on.

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‘Cuts to the heart of what it is to have a voice’: CINNA – Unicorn Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton17th February 2020Leave a Comment

I, Cinna is a small masterpiece of unshowy writing and performance that is some of the best small-scale theatre of its time, equally satisfying to audiences of young people and adults.

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‘Pitch perfect’: FAR AWAY – Donmar Warehouse

In London theatre, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton16th February 2020Leave a Comment

Caryl Churchill wrote Far Away in 2000 and, 20 years on, it feels more current by the moment.

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‘No lack of inventiveness in the evening’: PEOPLE SHOW 137 – Southwark Playhouse

In London theatre, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton12th February 2020Leave a Comment

The company in People Show 137 has an admirable ability to conjure moments that capture the audience’s attention and to deliver about turns that keep the audience intrigued.

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‘The simplicity of Rackza’s writing is masterful’: ANTIGONE – New Diorama Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton13th January 2020Leave a Comment

Holy What’s version of Antigone is about the two teenage girls at the heart of the play, Antigone herself (Annabel Baldwin) and her sister Ismene (Rachel Hosker).

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‘Endlessly fascinating’: MEASURE FOR MEASURE – Barbican Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Plays, Reviews, Ticket recommendations by Tom Bolton9th December 2019Leave a Comment

Gregory Doran’s RSC production of Measure for Measure is a subtle and absorbing account of a play that gets weirder with every viewing.

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‘Shines a harsh light on contemporary Indian culture’: WHEN THE CROWS VISIT – Kiln Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Plays, Reviews, Ticket recommendations by Tom Bolton13th November 2019Leave a Comment

When The Crows Visit is a powerful new play, and Indhu Rubasingham’s production is a notable success for the Kiln Theatre.

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‘Friel’s characters are allowed to blossom’: TRANSLATIONS – National Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton20th October 2019Leave a Comment

Brian Friel’s Translations is a rich and complex play and, in Ian Rickson’s production which returns for a second run in the Olivier, its layers are drawn out through the performances of a high class ensemble ensemble.

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‘Churchill’s fine writing has the cast to match’: GLASS. KILL. BLUEBEARD. IMP – Royal Court Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton27th September 2019Leave a Comment

Glass. Kill. Bluebeard. Imp creates an essential piece of new writing – edgy, haunting and disconcertingly relevant and Caryl Churchill, at the age of 81, is still the playwright for our times.

In London theatre, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by 23rd September 2019Leave a Comment

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