REVIEW: Summer and Smoke, Duke Of York’s Theatre ✭✭✭
Julian Eaves reviews the West End transfer of Summer and Smoke by Tennessee Williams at the Duke Of York’s Theatre London.
Lee Curran
REVIEW: Dance Nation, Almeida Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭
Julian Eaves reviews Clare Barron’s Dance Nation which is now playing at the Almeida Theatre.
REVIEW: Summer and Smoke, Almeida Theatre ✭✭✭✭
Summer and Smoke Almeida Theatre Four stars Book Now Despite the poetic beauty of Tennessee Williams’s writing, at the height of his success, his dramas were rooted in reality, whether a St Louis apartment or a plantation home in the Deep South. His rarely produced 1948 play Summer and Smoke is set in the small, gossip-ridden Mississippi town of Glorious Hill which, according to the writer’s detailed notes, was to be clearly represented on stage, from American Gothic architecture to a public park presided over by the statue of an angel. But modern directors have been inspired by the fluid, dream-like qualities of Williams’s plays, especially his later work, to take a more abstract approach, which reaches sublime heights under director Rebecca Frecknall and designer Tom Scutt in a stunning new production at the Almeida. Nine upright pianos, each topped by a metronome, line the back of the otherwise stripped-back … Read more
REVIEW: Gundog, Royal Court Theatre ✭✭✭✭
Yes Gundog is a bleak play, but the script breaks into the most wonderful, poetic language, particularly from Mick, who delivers a beautiful speech about planting himself in the earth and the sky to protect his family.
REVIEW: The Lady From The Sea, Donmar Warehouse ✭✭✭✭
While The Lady from the Sea dates back to 1888 and has been relocated to the 1950s, Ellida’s turmoil has a very modern feel as she struggles to find an identity for herself as an individual outside of her relationship to the men in her life.
Royal Court Theatre announces cast for Jim Cartwright’s play Road
The Royal Court Theatre has announced casting for its forthcoming production of Jim Cartwright’s award-winning play Road which is to be presented from 21 July to 9 September 2017. The cast includes Michelle Fairley (The Weir – West End and Broadway, Dancing at Lughnasa – Old Vic), Mark Hadfield ( The Libertine – West End and Bath, The Painkiller– West End), Faye Marsay (TV- Bancroft, Game Of Thrones), Mike Noble (The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time – National, Game – Almeida), Dan Parr (Romeo and Juliet, Kes – West Yorkshire Playhouse, Hamlet – Barbican) Lemn Sissay (The Report – Royal Court, Refugee Boy – West Yorkshire Playhouse), June Watson (Escaped Alone – Royal Court and New York, The Cripple of Inishman – West End and Broadway), Liz White (The One With The Oven – Royal Court, Electra – Old Vic) and Shane Zaza (Hang and Oxford … Read more
REVIEW: Nuclear War, Royal Court Jerwood Upstairs ✭✭✭✭
While Nuclear War is at times confusing and disorienting, it is riveting throughout its 45 minutes, leaving you with words, sounds and sights that will continue to haunt.
The Fantastic Mr Fox UK Tour
Nuffield and Curve in association with the Lyric Hammersmith have announced a major UK Tour of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox commencing at the Nuffield Southampton this Christmas. This brand new family show is a playful re-telling of Roald Dahl’s much-loved book; a brilliantly witty tale of the clever Mr Fox outfoxing three greedy farmers, brought to life on stage with live music and songs. Luke Kelly, Managing Director of the Roald Dahl Literary Estate and Roald Dahl’s grandson says: “We’re excited to be working with such an accomplished partner as Nuffield Theatre to bring FANTASTIC MR FOX to the stage in this brand new musical version, and delighted that so many people across the UK will be able to see it during the 2017 tour.” The Fantastic Mr Fox is adapted by playwright Sam Holcroft, directed by Maria Aberg, designed by Tom Scutt, composed by Arthur Darvill, lyrics by … Read more
