All stories by Arifa Akbar on BroadwayStars

Thursday, September 12, 2024

Our Country’s Good review – Timberlake Wertenbaker revises penal colony epic for a new world by Arifa Akbar

Lyric Hammersmith, LondonRachel O’Riordan directs a new version of the play about the rehabilitative force of theatre in colonial Sydney The curtain is a union jack, opening on to uncultiv…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:02AM
Monday, September 9, 2024

V&A celebrates a century of national theatre archive with tribute to avid collector by Arifa Akbar

New exhibition, named after ‘theatrical encyclopedia’ Gabrielle Enthoven, showcases British stage history from the Restoration to Fleabag She was an avid collector of playbills, programm…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:54AM
Sunday, September 8, 2024

The Band Back Together review – witty reflections on youth and middle-age by Arifa Akbar

Arcola theatre, LondonA trio of friends reconvene in their home town to play together for the first time in two decades Band reunions seem to be in the air, or one band’s, at least. Here i…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:06PM
Friday, September 6, 2024

Twine review – threeway tree metaphors in a fractured exploration of adoption by Arifa Akbar

The Yard, LondonWhile its subject matter is powerful, the story of three split selves is too disconnected to follow, with one scene jumping to another and not joining up to form a whole The …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:48PM
Wednesday, September 4, 2024

The Real Thing review – Tom Stoppard’s gem still shines by Arifa Akbar

Old Vic, LondonPassion and art are dissected in tricksy style in a production that manages to wrongfoot the audience There are several circularities drawn around what is real and what is par…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:54AM
Sunday, September 1, 2024

G review – gothic dread meets goofy comedy in a thrilling coming-of-age story by Arifa Akbar

Royal Court Upstairs, LondonInspired by urban legends and Afro-surrealism, Tife Kusoro’s spooky tale of three schoolchildren pursued by unknown forces is an audacious original A hand curls…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:54AM
Thursday, August 29, 2024

Death of England: Closing Time review – bombshell rants fail to land as the men watch the footie by Arifa Akbar

@sohoplace, LondonThe final part of Clint Dyer and Roy Williams’ trilogy is a bold, brash reflection on racism and working-class identity but the tone is too screamy for the tension to bui…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:42AM
Tuesday, August 27, 2024

A Six follow-up, an LA clown … and War Horse rides again: theatre, comedy and dance autumn preview by Arifa Akbar, Brian Logan and Lyndsey Winship

Why Am I So Single sets dating angst to music; more Hollywood stars hit the West End; and a Brummie dance trilogy reaches its finale Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:02AM
Friday, August 23, 2024

After the Silence review – compelling tale of racial inequalities and slavery in Brazil by Arifa Akbar

The Studio, EdinburghFiction and reality blur in this unruly but utterly engrossing show, which blends documentary and theatre – and will stay with you long after you have left There seems…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:54PM

Jobsworth review – caffeinated black comedy with a stupendous performance by Arifa Akbar

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghActor-playwright Libby Rodliffe plays plate-spinning Bea, desperately working several jobs, in a monologue co-written with Isley Lynn Jobsworth is billed as a r…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:02AM
Thursday, August 22, 2024

The Fifth Step review – Jack Lowden excels as an alcoholic finding a sponsor by Arifa Akbar

Lyceum, Edinburgh In David Ireland’s complex two-hander, co-starring Sean Gilder, a troubled youth is persuaded to join the 12-step programme by a former addict There are few certainties i…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:42PM

Stuffed review – urgent warning about food poverty drowned out by clowning by Arifa Akbar

Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh A polemical show blends powerful audio recordings of those at the sharp end of the austerity economy with distracting stage business This drama’s title allud…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:03AM
Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Deadheads review – the fraying of two sisters’ childhood bond by Arifa Akbar

Assembly George Square, Edinburgh Maddie Lynes’ play subtly tracks a sibling relationship across the decades, sliding between flashbacks and the present day Three Sisters Productions is a …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:18AM

Man: A One-Woman Show – compelling collage of toxic masculinity by Arifa Akbar

Underbelly, Bristo Square, Edinburgh Emma Taylor gives magnetic life to a spectrum of mansplaining and rage but these scenes don’t quite build towards a bigger vision A fast sequence of sc…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:54AM

It’s the Economy, Stupid! review – engaging account of maths, money and personal cost by Arifa Akbar

Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh Joe Sellman-Leava’s dramatised lecture, with droll asides from Dylan Howells, could hit harder at a greater length The title is a phrase coined by a strategist fo…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:48AM
Sunday, August 18, 2024

Love Beyond review – powerful story of dementia plays out like a thriller by Arifa Akbar

Assembly George Square, EdinburghGlasgow-based Singaporean d/Deaf writer and actor Ramesh Meyyappan is Harry, who is trying to piece together his life story like an existential detective Thi…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:24PM

Nigamon/Tunai review – utterly unique, magnetic, beautiful and sad by Arifa Akbar

The Studio, EdinburghÉmilie Monnet of the Anishinaabe of the Canadian Great Lakes and Waira Nina of the Inga of the Colombian Amazon immerse the audience in a ritual of light, sound and son…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:21AM
Saturday, August 17, 2024

Hamlet review – deconstructed take on the Danish prince centres people with Down’s syndrome by Arifa Akbar

The Lyceum, EdinburghPart of the Edinburgh international festival, the eight-strong cast of this Peruvian production, who all have Down’s, deliver charisma and fiery energy Anyone attempti…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:30AM
Friday, August 2, 2024

The Years review – Annie Ernaux’s faint-inducing masterpiece roars into devastating life by Arifa Akbar

Almeida theatre, LondonEline Arbo’s profound but playful adaptation celebrates the multitudes contained within a single life, as big history is embodied by womanhood – including Romola G…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:03AM
Thursday, August 1, 2024

The Grapes of Wrath review – dark moments on a long jalopy ride through a shattered world by Arifa Akbar

Lyttelton theatre, LondonThe hardship in Steinbeck’s classic Depression-era novel is well captured in Frank Galati’s atmospheric adaptation, but you long for more tension, more to happen…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:11AM

Eng-Er-Land review – why Lizzie the football fan wants to be thinner, prettier and whiter by Arifa Akbar

King’s Head theatre, LondonHannah Kumari’s monologue about family angst and teenage isolation has potential, but despite a squealingly spirited performance by Nikhita Lesler, it doesn’…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:04AM
Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Death of England: The Plays review – Brexit-voting bailiff electrifies this post-Boris revamp by Arifa Akbar

@sohoplace, LondonMichael ★★ ★ ☆ ☆ / Delroy ★★★★☆Clint Dyer and Roy Williams’ riotous plays are a little unwieldy in this revival but the antagonised politics remains c…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:54AM
Tuesday, July 30, 2024

The Promise review – high drama of Labour landslide collapses into argufying by Arifa Akbar

Minerva theatre, Chichester Paul Unwin reconstructs the first days of Clement Attlee’s government in 1945 and moves through momentous history without finding a real focus The economy is in…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:12PM
Sunday, July 28, 2024

Please Right Back review – exquisitely crafted hybrid of animation and performance by Arifa Akbar

Gulbenkian Arts Centre, CanterburyTheatre company 1927 pull off a high-wire act of graphic novel visuals, song, dance, comedy and psychedelic make-believe in this madcap odyssey This “twis…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:06AM
Thursday, July 25, 2024

Oliver! review – divine yet danger-averse revival could be renamed Fagin! by Arifa Akbar

Chichester Festival theatre New staging of classic has perfect singing, cute choreography by Matthew Bourne, but rather too little daring – and one show-stealing performance There are some…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:24AM
Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Fangirls review – sugar rush musical turns a teen crush criminal by Arifa Akbar

Lyric Hammersmith, LondonAn infatuated teenager’s fantasy of saving a star from his fame clashes with the reality of frenemies and family frictions in an operatic plot Remember how, long b…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:32AM
Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Must the show go on? Theatre’s plucky motto may be out of step with our times | Arifa Akbar by Arifa Akbar

Stage performances have been disrupted this summer by last-minute delays, cancellations and postponements. Is it just a run of bad luck – or a cultural shift? One theatre audience, already…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:06AM
Monday, July 22, 2024

Edinburgh festival 2024: 20 theatre shows making a scene this summer by Arifa Akbar

With subjects ranging from the deadly serious to the downright silly, this year’s shows include plays about addiction, politics, funk and Come Dine With Me “To be or not to be” … tha…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:54PM
Friday, July 19, 2024

The Hot Wing King review – Katori Hall’s comedy sizzles with joy by Arifa Akbar

Dorfman theatre, LondonThis Pulitzer-winning play delicately explores issues of race, sexuality and masculinity with humour as the main ingredient A group of Black American men have convened…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:02PM
Thursday, July 18, 2024

Hello, Dolly! review – Imelda Staunton plays the matchmaker with stunning results by Arifa Akbar

Palladium, London For all its Broadway dazzle and gags, this musical’s story of midlife bereavement and a second chance at love carries intense feeling How often do you see an old-style mu…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:24PM
Friday, July 12, 2024

Visit from an Unknown Woman review – gripping study of obsession and fantasy by Arifa Akbar

Hampstead theatre, LondonChristopher Hampton’s sleek adaptation of Stefan Zweig’s 1922 novella adds elements of the Austrian writer’s own life Letter from an Unknown Woman is perhaps S…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:48AM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 15, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 01, 2025: Glengarry Glen Ross
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre
TBA: Titanic