Electra review great irony in her manner and iron in her soul by Michael Billington

Old Vic, LondonKristin Scott Thomas gives a psychologically perceptive study of a spiritually wounded woman, brimming with passionate intensity Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:00pm on October 1, 2014☆⚑

The Edge of Our Bodies review coming-of-age tale plays with reality by Michael Billington

Gate, LondonShannon Tarbet is riveting as a pregnant teen rapidly ascending into an adult world of disillusionment Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:58am on September 30, 2014☆⚑

The Vertical Hour review timely revival for David Hares Iraq inquiry by Michael Billington

Park theatre, LondonThe clash between political belief and personal psychology sometimes labours its points but is wittily explored by a cast led by Peter Davison Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 6:58am on September 26, 2014☆⚑

An Enemy of the People five-star review like a rowdy version of Question Time by Michael Billington

Barbican, London Thomas Ostermeier involves the audience to thrilling effect as Ibsens drama scales new heights of excitement and fascination Thomas Ostermeier talks to Simon McBurney Contin…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:07am on September 25, 2014☆⚑

Teh Internet Is Serious Business review a high-speed hacktivist adventure by Michael Billington

Royal Court, LondonTim Prices play about two hackers is tumultuous, energetic and ultimately touching in its vision of a global network of young people dedicated to challenging the status qu…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:31am on September 24, 2014☆⚑

Evita review shout it loud, showgirl dictatorship is back with a bang by Michael Billington

Dominion, LondonMadalena Alberto skilfully avoids sentimentality in reviving the musical life of Argentinas favourite dictators wife, though sound issues blunt the sharpness of Tim Rices lyr…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:43am on September 23, 2014☆⚑

Evita review breathtaking inventiveness and quicksilver fluency by Michael Billington

As Evita returns to the West End, heres what Michael Billington made of its opening night with Elaine Paige and David Essex. This review was first published on 22 June 1978 The truth is I ne…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:52am on September 22, 2014☆⚑

Albion review raucous but uninsightful look at extremism by Michael Billington

Chris Thompsons karaoke-interspersed play about the rise of an rightwing group doesnt penetrate English fascisms dismaying ordinariness Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:53am on September 21, 2014☆⚑

Fred and Madge review Joe Ortons first pot shot at conformity falls short by Michael Billington

Hope theatre, LondonThis previously unperformed slice of domestic surrealism offers only glimpses of the writer Orton would become Premiere of Joe Ortons lost first play tells bitter tale of…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:40am on September 19, 2014☆⚑

Doctor Scroggys War review Howard Brenton explores horror of combat by Michael Billington

Shakespeares Globe, LondonFact and fiction are intertwined in an affecting drama about a first-world-war soldiers treatment by the pioneering plastic surgeon Harold Gillies Continue reading.…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:34am on September 18, 2014☆⚑

Enda Walsh: 'Theatre animal' explores our roles, solitude and the void below by Michael Billington

Lauded Irish playwright and screenwriter mixes physical comedy and verbal energy to delve into the sub-text of lonely lives Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 2:00am on September 18, 2014☆⚑

The Wolf from the Door review brutal whismy mars middle-England road trip by Michael Billington

Royal Court, LondonRory Mullarkeys play about overthrowing the establishment has its moments, but doesnt achieve the Swiftian irony it aims for Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:42am on September 17, 2014☆⚑

Hamlet review Maxine Peake stresses character with a caustic Prince by Michael Billington

Royal Exchange, ManchesterA mixed production that even at three-and-a-half hours omits a good deal, but goes out of its way to avoid cliche Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:16pm on September 16, 2014☆⚑

The Flouers OEdinburgh review a lively slice of post-union Scottish satire by Michael Billington

Finborough, LondonSet in 18th-century Edinburgh, Robert McLellans 1948 comedy gets a lively English premiere even if its hard to know what the play proves Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:41am on September 16, 2014☆⚑

Donald Sinden: a great comic actor and a delightful man astonished by life by Michael Billington

Despite his versatility, stage comedy was the natural preserve of a gifted man whose sense of fun permeated his life and his work Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 9:26am on September 12, 2014☆⚑

King Charles III review a 21st-century Shakespearean tragedy by Michael Billington

Wyndhams, LondonTim Pigott-Smith gives the performance of his career in Mike Bartletts intelligent meditation on the pressures and purpose of monarchy today King Charles III: a West End trea…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 6:50am on September 12, 2014☆⚑

The Widowing of Mrs Holroyd review a cracking DH Lawrence revival by Michael Billington

Orange Tree, RichmondPaul Miller gets off to a fine start as the Orange Trees new director with this intense version of Lawrences hard-hitting working-class tragedy Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:21am on September 11, 2014☆⚑

Juno and the Paycock review classic with the twinkliness stripped away by Michael Billington

Bristol Old VicThis powerful production with Naimh Cusack is a stark portrait of a divided house and country Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:35am on September 11, 2014☆⚑

Rudys Rare Records review Lenny Henrys reggae romp has the audience roaring by Michael Billington

Birmingham RepStuffed with gags and overflowing with an easygoing, laid-back liberalism, this comedy about a vinyl-shop owner fighting developers has the feel of a stonking hit Continue read…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:53am on September 10, 2014☆⚑

Breeders review playing the baby blues for laughs by Michael Billington

St James, LondonBen Ockrent's comedy about a same-sex couple trying to conceive a child has sparky dialogue, cracking gags and a quartet of attractive performances Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:40am on September 9, 2014☆⚑

The Comedy of Errors review a near-perfect production by Michael Billington

Shakespeare's Globe, LondonBlanche McIntyre handles Shakespeare's beautifully crafted farce with delight, humour and a touch of magic Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:50pm on September 5, 2014☆⚑

Little Revolution review reading of the riots captures rifts but not the rage by Michael Billington

Almeida, London Alecky Blythe's verbatim theatre exposes Hackney's class apartheid without showing what has changed since the riots Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:55am on September 4, 2014☆⚑

Regeneration review right time to bring Pat Barker's war novel to stage by Michael Billington

Royal and Derngate, Northampton Predominant note is of infinite sadness at the idea of men being "cured" in preparation for near-certain death Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 2:08pm on September 3, 2014☆⚑

Retiring, the Telegraph's theatre critic Charles Spencer? You must be kidding by Michael Billington

For a quarter of a century, my Telegraph colleague has been writing forthright and fearless reviews his candour will be sorely missed following his decision to quit Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 9:54am on September 1, 2014☆⚑

Toast review Bread-factory drama brings out the best in Bean by Michael Billington

Park theatre, LondonRichard Bean vividly captures the blitz spirit of earning a crust, with strong performances from Matthew Kelly, Simon Greenall and John Wark Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:30pm on August 31, 2014☆⚑