Friday, January 22, 2016
Lancaster ArtsVia video, sound design and a carriage that actually moves, Imitating the Dog’s latest production is alluring but doesn’t quite convinceChildren carry our hopes into the fu…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:48AMAt the former Central Saint Martins building in Charing Cross Road, producer Emily Dobbs is re-imagining the Theatreland experience and drawing upon the site’s rich history of creativity�…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:02AMThursday, January 21, 2016
Trafalgar Studios 2, LondonIt’s the work of his grandson, but this adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s great novella is miscast, plodding and dullWickedness has seldom been made to seem quite so…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:56AMWednesday, January 20, 2016
Royal Albert Hall, LondonA liberty-taking acrobatic rendering of The Tempest is sexualised but emotionally empty, while demoting the circus to incidental thrillsIn Shakespeare’s The Tempes…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:32AMMonday, January 18, 2016
Camden People’s theatre, LondonThe cast pull on masks and call for a revolution in a series of uneven skits about right-to-buy and regeneration schemesIt would be nice to think that London…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:49AMHaving a child doesn’t mean you have to stop going to the theatre – or stop making it. Babies can open up new possibilities in the arts“Children ruin culture,” declared Stuart Herita…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:49AMSouthwark Playhouse, LondonRob Hayes’s new play is an impressive – and nasty – portrait of masculinity hitting the toilet bowlWriter Rob Hayes likes to sum things up in a play’s titl…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:55AMWatch out for Manchester’s most exciting theatre-makers, Jack Thorne’s The Solid Life of Sugar Water, the terrific Pink Mist and the Lyric’s Evolution festivalIt’s your last chance f…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:48AMThursday, January 14, 2016
Tate Modern, LondonFrom earthquakes to elephants, David Espinosa’s charming tabletop epic, performed with little plastic models, shows what an an artist can do with unlimited creativityIma…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:58AMAlbery Theatre, LondonRating: **** More reviewsIs it better to love temperately or wildly, wisely or too well? The question is posed in Howard Davies's very funny, very deep and subtle re…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:58AMWednesday, January 13, 2016
Pleasance, LondonThis comedy thriller’s pleasingly surreal edge is dulled by underdeveloped characters and slack plottingComedy theatre has never gone away, but it appears to be enjoying a…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:09AMPlatform, LondonOckham’s Razor push themselves to the limit in a terrific show that wields lethal-looking poles to blend circus acrobatics, playground games and trust exercisesBritish circ…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:59AMA black Hamlet and a black King Lear will appear on main stages this year, but new research reveals black and Asian actors are still limited to minor rolesWhen Paapa Essiedu – a much admir…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:22AMTuesday, January 12, 2016
Village Memorial Hall, BetchworthThis stage version of the James Stewart film, now touring 45 rural communities, has a raggedy, unforced charmFrank Capra’s 1946 movie about George Bailey, …
SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:24AMMonday, January 11, 2016
New Diorama, LondonDespite Christopher York’s intriguing approach to the would-be king, this show is scuppered by inconsistent acting and giggle-inducing sound effectsAt a time when cast s…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:31AMThe wonderful Third Angel consider the moment of birth in Sheffield, the Push festival begins at Home in Manchester and the London International Mime festival is full of promiseThere are lot…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:46AMSunday, January 10, 2016
Shaw theatre, LondonPlaying with poignancy, this hour of fun for the London International Mime festival takes every opportunity for slapstick while tickling notions of deathAn entire perform…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:01AMFriday, January 8, 2016
Arcola theatre, LondonThe portrayal of a gay Zimbabwean awaiting the outcome of his application is affecting and direct in Zodwa Nyoni’s monologueWhat does it feel like to be seeking sanct…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:43AMThursday, January 7, 2016
Theatre Royal Stratford East, London Robin ego-trips in front of a down-to-earth Maid Marion, while a deliciously evil King John is beset by a stupid sheriff in this outrageous, charming pan…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:19AMSt James, London A dysfunctional-family drama, seen through the prism of Spielberg’s monsterpiece, takes sentiment and silliness beyond spoofAfter the death of their palaeontologist mum, t…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:49AMWednesday, January 6, 2016
Polka, LondonThis retelling is neatly done, with wonderful set design and acute observations of a timid sister transformed by misfortuneBelle is not brave. She’s afraid of spiders, even li…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:51AMNTW has appointed the astute Thiarai to succeed John McGrath as artistic director. An era of engaged performers and audiences is sure to continueWe can be certain that Rufus Norris at the Na…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:51AMAmong the plethora of dull productions this year to celebrate the quadricentenary of his death, there are exciting shows that break the mould To mark the 400th anniversary of his death, this…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:34AMTuesday, January 5, 2016
Ellie Harrison is facing outrage over a project that will keep her inside the city’s perimeter. But that’s what arts funding is for – to take risksThe furore surrounding Ellie Harrison…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:32AMThe Lowry, SalfordPins and Needles, who admirably adapted Raymond Briggs, return with a musical revival of the 30s children’s story that’s lightweight but heartwarmingThere was a movie v…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:32AMArts Depot, LondonThis magical immersive show has larger-than-life characters and lets its very young audience dip their hands into orange jelly and glitterLong before theatre made for adult…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:25AMMonday, January 4, 2016
St James, LondonThis entertaining trip boasts clever sets and inventive direction but is punctured by a Phileas Fogg without enough wit for an upper-class twitThere’s a touch of Patrick Ba…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:32AMDavid Tennant reprises his Richard II, the London international mime festival begins and The 39 Steps goes out on a national tour from NorthamptonShelia Hancock and Jenna Russell star as Jac…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:42AMSaturday, January 2, 2016
More than 1m British people have ballroom lessons. Some of them will appear in John Retallack's new work. By Lyn GardnerIn a musty ballroom under the White Rock Theatre, director and choreog…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:28AMThursday, December 31, 2015
This epic production drew together the people of Port Talbot and explored myriad ways of delivering theatre – from Twitter to whispered rumour. Has it changed the shape of participatory pe…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:46AMWednesday, December 30, 2015
Martin McDonagh’s play about the abolition of the death penalty in 1960s England hangs out to dry the idea that the country was a kinder, gentler placeIn Joe Orton’s 1969 play, What the …
SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:32AM 
