Neil Austin

REVIEW: All On Her Own – Harlequinade, Garrick Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Reviews, West End
Harlequinade at the Garrick Theatre starring Zoe Wanamaker and Kenneth Branagh

The revival of Harlequinade, directed by Branagh and Ashford, now playing at the Garrick Theatre (in a 100 minute experience that includes All On Her Own and no intervals) is something of a revelation. Mostly, Harlequinade is seen in conjunction with The Browning Version, one of Rattigan’s masterpieces, usually as a curtain raiser. To my mind, that combination has never worked and Harlequinade has always seemed pale and irksome by comparison with The Browning Version. But, here, released from the curtain raiser position, placed directly in the spotlight, splendidly set up by the intense darkness of All On Her Own, the play can shine.

REVIEW: The Winter’s Tale, Garrick Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭✭

Reviews, West End
Judi Dench in The Winter's Tale

Dench’s verse speaking is unrivalled. She picks each word and gives it full, accurate weight, landing the sense, purpose and exact emotion of every glittering phrase. She is wily, wise and wonderful. Her pained berating of Leontes when she tells him Hermione is dead is one of the greatest moments in theatre I have ever witnessed. So powerful, it knocks the breath from your body.

REVIEW: Our Country’s Good, National Theatre ✭✭✭

Reviews, West End
Our Country's Good at the National Theatre

Nadia Fall has misunderstood the play and, by seeking to make her mark on it, has come dangerously close to obliterating its impact. Bad casting and bad direction, however, is not enough to completely scupper Wertenbaker’s great play. In the end, the magical words she wrote come through – overcoming lightweight performances, an indulgent set, too grand a space and some interesting, but tiresomely intrusive, music.

Harry Potter And The Cursed Child To Open Summer 2016

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child West End, News, West End
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child To Open In The West End in Summer 2016

It has been announced that Harry Potter will come to the West End Stage in Summer 2016 in a new play entitled Harry Potter And The Cursed Child. The play will be based on an original story by J.K Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, the play by Jack Thorne will open at the Palace Theatre. Rowling has already stated that the play will not be a Potter prequel. Little else is known about the play but Jack Thorne made the following Twitter comment “Re Harry Potter, can’t say anything, other than playing in jk_rowling‘s sandpit is the greatest honour & the greatest fun”. Harry Potter And The Cursed Child will be directed by John Tiffany with movement by Steven Hoggett, with set designs by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, lighting by Neil Austin, music by Imogen Heap, sound by Gareth Fry and special effects by Jeremy Chernick. Tickets … Read more

REVIEW: Assassins, Menier Chocolate Factory ✭✭✭✭✭

Off West End, Reviews
Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory starring Aaron Tveit

What is most impressive about Lloyd’s Assassins is the way it can walk the line between tragedy and farce, between opera and vaudeville, with integrity and precision. Chris Bailey’s quite wonderful choreography makes you feel exuberant and queasy at the same time. More than anything else, the emphasis here is on putting the Musical into Assassins.