Thursday, September 29, 2011
Dire, repellant absurdity or infantile fun? The critics were shriller than an extended solo but didn't harmonise on this one"There's no doubt that Rock of Ages is absurd," says Kieron Tyler …
SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:14PMThursday, September 22, 2011
The Wire stars divided the critics when they swapped urban grit for Shakespearean tragedy – but everyone swooned over DesdemonaSheffield's Crucible theatre deserved something special for i…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:42PMThursday, September 15, 2011
The critics take their hats and hoodies off to this funny, dark and superbly topical 75th play from the prolific playwrightWhat is Alan Ayckbourn's secret? Because there has to be a secret. …
SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:42PMWednesday, September 14, 2011
As a new retrospective of the French impressionist's work pirouettes into the Royal Academy this weekend, we ask: how much do you know about the man and his work?Leo Benedictus
SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:47AMMonday, September 12, 2011
The critics are transfixed and confused by this sprawling, mixed bag of 19 playlets about 9/11. But how unforgettable will it be?Something rather unusual has happened. After leaving Decade, …
SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:05AMThursday, September 8, 2011
Trevor Nunn's latest Shakespeare doesn't impress the critics much – even with a movie star at the helm (although they do at least like Ralph Fiennes's Prospero)This again: Shakespeare made…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:47PMWednesday, July 27, 2011
In the year of his centenary – and a major UK-wide season of his work – check your knowledge of the debonair English playwright with quizmaster Leo BenedictusLeo Benedictus
SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:07AMFriday, July 22, 2011
The critics wish someone had sexed up this sanctimonious account of life with Tony Blair's chief of staffIf one had to summarise the reaction to Sarah Helm's Loyalty in a single word, then t…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:35AMThursday, July 21, 2011
As Sarah Helm's Loyalty at the Hampstead Theatre joins David Hare, Richard Norton-Taylor and Gregory Burke's scathing portrayals of the Iraq war, test your theatrical defencesLeo Benedictus
SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:00AMThursday, June 30, 2011
Spacey commands the stage – and a big screen – in Sam Mendes's Richard III. But it's all too much for some criticsWith his talent for camp villainy, Kevin Spacey really couldn't find a r…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:44AMMonday, June 20, 2011
It's got Kristin Scott Thomas, a hotshot director and flawless writing – so why are some critics pausing over this revival of Harold Pinter's classic?Super groups and dream teams do not al…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:30AMThursday, June 16, 2011
Shrek began life as a less-than-likeable character in a children's picture book before turning into the lovable green ogre of four films, and now a West End musical. Follow Shrek's journey f…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:12AMThursday, June 2, 2011
David Tennant and Catherine Tate – would there be as much ado about Josie Rourke's joyously 80s-esque production without their celebrity draw?Stars cast off the telly, Shakespeare's text r…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:20AMFriday, May 27, 2011
As George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion hits the West End, test your knowledge of the great playwrightLeo Benedictus
SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:32AMThursday, May 26, 2011
The critics are fawning over the Gavin and Stacey star as he returns to the National with a masterful performanceJames Corden must be more or less numb to reviews by now. In his short career…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:45AMTuesday, May 17, 2011
As A Delicate Balance opens at London's Almeida, test your knowledge of the absurdist American playwrightLeo Benedictus
SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:33AMTuesday, March 29, 2011
Accept the lead role in a musical and there's nowhere to hide, Daniel Radcliffe. But somehow semi-competence is perfect hereIf this series proves anything, it is that the quality of people's…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:58AMMonday, March 28, 2011
Born on March 26 1911, Tennessee Williams, whose centenary was celebrated on Saturday, is one of America's most celebrated playwrights. How much do you know about him?Leo Benedictus
SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:59AMThursday, March 17, 2011
Here are some of Mike Leigh's best-known theatre works, from early pieces such as Abigail's Party to his new revival of the 1979 play EcstasyLeo Benedictus
SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:08AMThough he is undoubtedly one of Britain's most renowned moviemakers, Mike Leigh has another side: as a theatre writer and director. Here's a look at some of his best-known works, from early …
SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:08AMTuesday, March 15, 2011
It's easy to be snooty about both Sienna Miller and Britain's nostalgia for its wartime heroes – but critics agree the combination makes for a jolly good showIt is easy, and enjoyable, to …
SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:50AMThursday, February 24, 2011
Danny Boyle's role-swapping production highlights the incestuous relationship between genius and madness. But which was the show itself?If the critics' advice should ever be followed, and if…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:14PMMonday, February 21, 2011
It had razzle and dazzle, but critics were divvied down the middle over whether it was a doozy or a floozyIn pictures: Anna Nicole the operaWhat is one to make of the critical reaction to th…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:11AMMonday, February 14, 2011
The hysteria in Lillian Hellman's play is no match for the hype surrounding leading ladies Keira Knightley and Elisabeth MossQuiet please, everyone. This revival of The Children's Hour ticks…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:27AMThursday, February 3, 2011
The critics came out in force to damn the film-maker's first opera with faint praise – but the softcore shorts set them trillingAt least they liked the singing. Indeed, in Lucrezia Borgia'…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:01AMThursday, January 20, 2011
Sir Peter and Rebecca Hall's Twelfth Night is a father-and-daughter affair, but the critics feel it's lacking a sense of family funIt's BOGOF on Halls at the National right now, and the cri…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:11PMFriday, June 5, 2009
To book or not to book? That is the question with the Donmar's West End Hamlet, starring Jude Law. Save yourself the scramble for tickets and simply crib from the critics instead Continue re…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:46AMThursday, April 16, 2009
Is the stage version better than the film? Get up to speed with what the top reviewers think so you too can critique with confidence Continue reading...
SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:55AMSaturday, September 9, 2006
Alan Carr's tennis girl Continue reading...
SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:45AMSaturday, August 13, 2005
Underbelly Continue reading...
SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:58AM 
