Oresteia review " a terrifying immediacy by Susannah Clapp

Almeida, LondonAn exhilarating present-day reworking of Aeschylus gives free rein to female power"I felt so alive once I'd killed him." As the husband-slayer Clytemnestra, a magnificent Lia …

The Elephant Man review " Bradley Cooper reminds us some stars can act by Susannah Clapp

Theatre Royal Haymarket, LondonCooper's buzzy West End debut is impressive but performing without prostheses and makeup is both a considerable feat and a cop-outPeople have been hustling vig…

Cause Célèbre; Rocket to the Moon " review by Susannah Clapp

Old Vic; Lyttelton, both LondonVowel-torturing upper-class accents; ferocious feelings; a traditional scene performed in an abstract place. Thea Sharrock " who kick-started the Terence Ratti…

The Merchant of Venice review " Antonio moves centre stage by Susannah Clapp

Royal Shakespeare theatre, Stratford-upon-AvonAntonio and Bassanio are the revelation in Polly Findlay's RSC production Continue reading...

Temple review " sedate rather than stirring by Susannah Clapp

Donmar Warehouse, LondonSteve Waters's recasting of events surrounding the Occupy protests is scrupulously balanced but lacks animation Continue reading...

The 10 best Hamlets by Susannah Clapp

From David Tennant's sardonic and volatile performance to John Gielgud's choked-up ferocity, Susannah Clapp picks the 10 best portrayals of Hamlet

Clybourne Park; The Maddening Rain; Into the Woods; Oikos | Theatre review by Susannah Clapp

Royal Court; Old Red Lion; Regent's Park Open Air; Jellyfish theatre, all London

Grandage leaves the Donmar and the critics cry by Susannah Clapp

Can anyone fill the director's shoes at London's best off-West End theatre?

Susannah Clapp's best theatre of 2010 by Susannah Clapp

The Flannelettes review " not so much well made as well meant by Susannah Clapp

King's Head, London Richard Cameron's sequinned serenade of a drama never quite finds its feet Continue reading...

As You Like It review " 'St Crispin's Day for girls' by Susannah Clapp

Globe, London The wonderful Michelle Terry makes Rosalind her own in Blanche McIntyre's intelligent staging of As You Like It Continue reading...

The Funfair review " gaudy despair that rings disturbing and true by Susannah Clapp

Home, Manchester Manchester's new Home theatre offers a modern spin on a tale of 1920s Munich Continue reading...

High Society review " sumptuous frocks, but is it really top class? by Susannah Clapp

Old Vic, LondonHigh Society isn't short on quality, but it can't shake off its glorious past Continue reading...

Wolf's Child review " an extraordinary exploration of what it is to be tamed by Susannah Clapp

Felbrigg Hall, NorfolkWildWorks ventures into the woods in an unforgettable tale of transformation inspired by real life and Greek myth Continue reading...

The Audience review " Kristin Scott Thomas gets regal by Susannah Clapp

Apollo, LondonAn icily poised Kristin Scott Thomas faces an updated assortment of PMs in this cosy game of recognitionLast-minute tucks and additions had been prepared for The Audience. Audi…

The Vote review " a glorious night at the polling station by Susannah Clapp

Donmar Warehouse, LondonA galactic cast excels in James Graham's hugely impressive general election dramaHurrah for the stage. It has proved exceptionally nimble at responding imaginatively …

American Buffalo review " a three-man mash-up by Susannah Clapp

Wyndham's, LondonThis starry revival of David Mamet's 1975 drama reveals Damian Lewis as a natural comedian Continue reading...

Bugsy Malone review " a sassy, grab-you-by-the-tear-ducts production by Susannah Clapp

Lyric Hammersmith, LondonSean Holmes's ebullient production avoids the pitfalls of staging Alan Parker's film, offering a punchy opening show at the beautifully redesigned Lyric Continue rea…

Everyman review " a rousing display by Susannah Clapp

Olivier, LondonRufus Norris begins his directorship at the National with Chiwetel Ejiofor starring as a superb Everyman in Carol Ann Duffy's take on the 15th century morality play Continue r…

Who Cares review " scalpel wit by Susannah Clapp

Royal Court, LondonA clear-sighted appraisal of our ailing NHS emerges with verve, humour and candour from Michael Wynne's timely verbatim playThere are occasions when only naturalism and do…

Ah, Wilderness! review " a sprint into light by Susannah Clapp

Young Vic, LondonEugene O'Neill's haunting prequel to Long Day's Journey Into Night has a star in the making in George MacKaySometimes the more strange, the more realistic. Arthur Miller, Ch…

Carmen Disruption review " an explosive response to Bizet by Susannah Clapp

Almeida, LondonSimon Stephens's 3D dramatic deconstruction of Carmen will go on reverberatingThe sound can be heard right across London. Theatrical classics are being cracked open. That has …

The School for Scandal review " tittle-tattle a la mode by Susannah Clapp

Tobacco Factory, BristolSheridan's classic is given a modern twist in Andrew Hilton's pitch-perfect production Continue reading...

Against Captain's Orders review " the historical thrill is extraordinary by Susannah Clapp

National Maritime Museum, LondonPunchdrunk's seafaring show for children is earnest but brings the past brilliantly to lifeThe astounding feature of a Punchdrunk show is the amount of stuff …

The Twits review " Enda Walsh clobbers Dahl's comic caper by Susannah Clapp

Royal Court, LondonWalsh's 'mischievous' dialogue and plot additions largely obscure Dahl's nimble, knockabout nastinessThis is not what the Roald Dahl estate wants to hear. Billy, seven, a …

The Jew of Malta review " prescient, reverberating, immediate by Susannah Clapp

Swan, StratfordJustin Audibert's striking new production is a reminder that at his best, Marlowe can give Shakespeare a really good run for his money Continue reading...

Death of a Salesman review " Anthony Sher is explosive in Arthur Miller's classic by Susannah Clapp

Royal Shakespeare theatre, Stratford-upon-AvonSher is at his most meticulous and fiery as Willy Loman in Gregory Doran's accomplished stagingArtistic director Gregory Doran is in no doubt. D…

Sweeney Todd review " you begin to fear you may be on the menu by Susannah Clapp

Harrington's Pie and Mash Shop, Shaftesbury Avenue, LondonThere's gore galore in Bill Buckhurst's ingenious stripped-down, pie-shop SondheimNext week, Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson will open…

A Breakfast of Eels review " a gradual erosion of sibling secrets by Susannah Clapp

Print Room at the Coronet, LondonRobert Holman's new play, especially written for its two actors, is a precise and subtle picture of a family crisis Continue reading...

Rules for Living review " from tiny tremor to cataclysm by Susannah Clapp

Dorfman, National Theatre, LondonWords and mash fly in Sam Holcroft's sharp domestic farce, brilliantly directed by Marianne Elliott Continue reading...

The Cutting of the Cloth review " 50s Savile Row marvellously realised by Susannah Clapp

Southwark Playhouse, LondonMichael Hastings's richly detailed 1973 drama finally reaches the stage in a production so exact you can smell it Continue reading...