All stories by Anya Ryan on BroadwayStars

Friday, April 8, 2022

Milky Peaks review – a warm-hearted celebration of Welshness by Anya Ryan

Theatr Clwyd, MoldMusical about populist politics in small-town Snowdonia makes up for its slow pace with sharp writing and lavish design Here is a celebration of Wales in all its glory. Wit…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:12PM
Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Moreno review – Colin Kaepernick’s decision to take the knee causes ripples by Anya Ryan

Theatre503, LondonPravin Wilkins’ commendable debut about the NFL player’s public protest is hampered by a lack of pace Colin Kaepernick’s decision to start taking the knee during the …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:18PM
Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Sorry, You’re Not a Winner review – gripping story of social mobility by Anya Ryan

Theatre Royal PlymouthJesse Jones directs a superb production of Samuel Bailey’s nuanced drama about a friendship between two young men which is put to the test Fletch and Liam have been b…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:48AM
Thursday, February 24, 2022

But I’m a Cheerleader review – a comic take on gay-conversion practices by Anya Ryan

Turbine theatre, LondonEven if it doesn’t always reach its potential, this bright, entertaining comedy-musical deserves credit for tackling an urgent issue The US high school musical has b…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:36PM
Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Splintered review – queer Caribbean cabaret is a fantastic night of festivity and foolery by Anya Ryan

Soho theatre, LondonA charismatic trio of emcees use music, comedy and interviews in a political show that is flamboyant and brimming with joy A play that opens with a woman downing vodka fr…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:36AM
Friday, February 18, 2022

An Unfinished Man review – innovative drama can’t quite break the hex by Anya Ryan

Yard theatre, LondonDipo Baruwa-Etti’s thoughtful exploration of the Black experience is smartly acted but never fully builds on its themes Kayode (Fode Simbo) has been unemployed for seve…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:33PM
Wednesday, February 16, 2022

When the Long Trick’s Over review – drowning in grief by Anya Ryan

New Wolsey theatre, IpswichA woman sets out to swim the Channel in memory of her dead sister in a play that is imperfectly written but brilliantly staged Grief can feel like drowning. And in…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:24PM
Sunday, February 13, 2022

Never Not Once review – brutal drama unpacks a mother’s trauma by Anya Ryan

Park theatre, London Flora Montgomery is put through agony when her daughter questions her paternity, in this impactful play from Carey Crim How do you repent an action that has ripped up so…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:03AM
Thursday, February 10, 2022

Two Billion Beats review – moving portrayal of sisterly love by Anya Ryan

Orange Tree theatre, LondonA politically minded teenager helps her sibling tackle bullies in a compelling coming of age drama “Play the game,” Asha’s mum tells her. After the gifted te…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:24PM
Sunday, January 16, 2022

Saving Britney review – a Spears superfan breaks the ice by Anya Ryan

Old Joint Stock, BirminghamOne millennial’s lifelong infatuation with the star could have been interesting but this spirited solo performance fails to engage Oops she did it again. Britney…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:12PM
Monday, December 13, 2021

From Rushmere With Love review – the name’s Boond, James Boond by Anya Ryan

Sir John Mills theatre, IpswichThere’s a lot of heart and plenty of hammy humour in this uneven double-O spoof from Eastern Angles A Christmas show about James Bond? Well, not quite. In Ea…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:24AM
Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Straight White Men review – modern male psychology spotlit by Anya Ryan

Southwark Playhouse, LondonYoung Jean Lee’s satire, unfolding at a family Christmas, finds brothers struggling with midlife Straight white men run the world. But in Young Jean Lee’s 2014…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:48AM
Sunday, November 14, 2021

Lost Origin review – big-budget interactive adventure gets into a muddle by Anya Ryan

Hoxton Docks, LondonDespite impressive technical illusions, this immersive journey into an evil mastermind’s headquarters feels too aimless to live up to its potential Immersive theatre, a…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:48PM
Friday, November 12, 2021

‘A total dream’: the mother-and-daughter stars of Les Mis and The Lion King by Anya Ryan

Chanice Alexander-Burnett stars as Fantine in the West End while 12-year-old Chanai Owusu-Ansah plays Young Nala up the road. The pair talk nerves, show tunes and homework Is talent inherite…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:18AM
Friday, November 5, 2021

The Ocean at the End of the Lane review: A thunderous, sometimes terrifying adaptation by Anya Ryan

This West End transfer, adapted from Neil Gaiman’s best-selling fantasy novel, is a magical and menacing thing

SOURCE: The Independent at 06:36AM
Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Narnia by air: a flying lesson with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by Anya Ryan

An afternoon with aerial director Gwen Hales reveals the dedication and expertise this stage show requires for its magical effects Just before lift-off, I’m asked if I’ve ever done anyth…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:03PM
Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Brief Encounter review – sparkling revival of Emma Rice’s forbidden romance by Anya Ryan

Watermill theatre, NewburyPolished production brings Rice’s innovative adaptation of the classic film to life, with an electric central partnership and personality to spare Emma Rice’s e…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:42AM
Tuesday, October 12, 2021

A Place for We review – three generations keep London’s flame alive by Anya Ryan

Park theatre, LondonIn Archie Maddocks’ play, set in one building in Brixton, three families from different times strive to serve their ever-changing community Can tradition last forever?…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:32AM
Friday, September 24, 2021

Love N Stuff review – a marriage in meltdown at Heathrow by Anya Ryan

Oldham ColiseumTwo impressive actors play a total of 15 characters but Tanika Gupta’s breezy airport comedy struggles to take off Opening in the departures lounge at Heathrow, Tanika Gupta…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:36AM
Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Black Love review – singing siblings’ glorious ode to Black culture by Anya Ryan

Slade Gardens, LondonChinonyerem Odimba’s powerful musical about family relationships mixes R&B-inspired melodies with the words of real people Black Love, the first musical to be crea…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:36AM
Monday, August 23, 2021

This Beautiful Future review – beguiling drama of young war-torn love by Anya Ryan

Jermyn Street theatre, LondonThe story of sexual awakening in the second world war could be happening today in this clever production of Rita Kalnejais’s 2017 play Rita Kalnejais’s 2017…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:36PM
Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Destiny review – captivating solo show stares down the darkness by Anya Ryan

Available onlineGetting drunk or looking for love, Florence Espeut-Nickless’s character commands the space, finding hope amid despair Destiny is preparing for a big Thursday night out in …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:06AM
Friday, August 13, 2021

‘There was a distinct lack of help’: can theatre clean up its act on mental health? by Anya Ryan

Raffaella Covino is leading the charge for change in an industry whose workers do unstable jobs under unprecedented pressure It was the winter of 2017 when Raffaella Covino realised she was …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:42AM

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