All stories by Kenneth Tynan on BroadwayStars

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Kenneth Tynan at the Observer: Paul Scofield and Peter Brook's King Lear by Kenneth Tynan

In a review of a 'revolutionary' RSC production, first published on 11 November 1962, the former Observer critic feels closer than ever before to a Lear who is as much sinner as sinned again…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:18AM[SHARE]
Sunday, September 25, 2016

Kenneth Tynan on demolishing Noël Coward " and then dining with him by Kenneth Tynan

In this extract originally published in the Observer on 1 April 1973 following Coward's death, Kenneth Tynan remembers a chance encounter with the playwrightOne night in the spring of 1959 I…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:26PM[SHARE]
Friday, June 3, 2016

Kenneth Tynan at the Observer: his first theatre column by Kenneth Tynan

Sixty years after the former Observer drama critic began his column, we're revisiting some of his classic articles. Here's his first one, in which he reflects upon replacing Ivor BrownAs in …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:44PM[SHARE]
Saturday, December 20, 2014

From the Observer archive, 14 December 1958: why Broadway is losing its playwrights by Kenneth Tynan

Short-sighted critics and formulaic productions are forcing playwrights to head for Hollywood Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:05PM[SHARE]
Friday, March 21, 2014

Kenneth Tynan on John Bird and John Fortune at The Establishment by Kenneth Tynan

In this extract originally published in the Observer on 14 January 1962, an early Soho appearance by the duo makes our critic laugh, even if he finds something essential lackingThe new revue…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:49PM[SHARE]
Friday, March 14, 2014

Kenneth Tynan on The Lovers: 'The three stars seem to be acting in different capitals' by Kenneth Tynan

In this extract originally published on 8 May 1955, the stage version of Zola's Thérèse Raquin, directed by Sam Wanamaker, fails to arouse the Observer theatre critic's passionOne wonders …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:13AM[SHARE]
Friday, March 7, 2014

Kenneth Tynan on Spring Awakening: the sexual revolution's canny precursor by Kenneth Tynan

In this extract originally published in the Observer on 12 May 1963, Tynan applauds the play's sexual frankness " sorely needed given the circumstances of the productionMiddle-class loveDesm…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:00AM[SHARE]
Friday, February 28, 2014

Kenneth Tynan on Under Milk Wood: a true comedy of humours by Kenneth Tynan

In this extract originally published in the Observer on 26 August 1956, Kenneth Tynan finds the first stage adaptation of Dylan Thomas's drama as gripping as it is uneventfulAt the theatre: …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:00AM[SHARE]
Friday, February 21, 2014

Kenneth Tynan on demolishing Noël Coward " and then dining with him by Kenneth Tynan

In this extract originally published in the Observer on 1 April 1973 following Coward's death, Kenneth Tynan remembers a chance encounter with the playwrightExit a man with a talent to amuse…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:00AM[SHARE]
Friday, February 14, 2014

Kenneth Tynan on Terence Rattigan's Variation on a Theme by Kenneth Tynan

In this extract, originally published in the Observer on 11 May 1958, the critic muses on the loss of Terence Rattigan's inspirationMusing out loudLet us suppose that Terence Rattigan's Muse…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:00AM[SHARE]
Friday, February 7, 2014

Kenneth Tynan on A Taste of Honey by Kenneth Tynan

In this extract from his theatre column published in the Observer on 1 June 1958, Kenneth Tynan reviews the Stratford East production of Shelagh Delaney's breakthrough playMiss Delaney bring…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:00AM[SHARE]
Friday, January 31, 2014

Kenneth Tynan on Joan Littlewood and Oh What a Lovely War by Kenneth Tynan

In this review, originally published in the Observer on 24 March 1963, Kenneth Tynan finds the first world war musical to be a one-woman showLittlewood returns in triumph It seems to me quit…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:15AM[SHARE]
Friday, January 24, 2014

Kenneth Tynan at the Observer: Paul Scofield and Peter Brook's King Lear by Kenneth Tynan

In a review of a 'revolutionary' RSC production, first published on 11 November 1962, the former Observer critic feels closer than ever before to a Lear who is as much sinner as sinned again…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:00AM[SHARE]

All that Chat

2025-2026 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 12, 2025: Call Me Izzy - Studio 54
Sep 16, 2025: Art - Music Box Theatre
Oct 08, 2025: Beetlejuice - Palace Theatre
Nov 13, 2025: Oedipus - Studio 54
Nov 16, 2025: Chess - Imperial Theatre
Mar 23, 2026: Giant - Music Box Theatre
Apr 06, 2026: Becky Shaw - Hayes Theater
Apr 16, 2026: Proof - Booth Theatre
Apr 26, 2026: Drama Desk Cut-Off