theatre reviews, news & interviews
Rachel Halliburton |

It’s always a risk when a production changes venue. In the curious alchemy of live performance, no-one can be sure whether a shift in surroundings might rob a show of the glitter and allure it once had.

Heather Neill |

Terence Rattigan's rehabilitation – some might almost say deification – as a leading 20th century playwright is complete. As well as academic studies, biographies and numerous highly respected revivals of his work, there is a growing clamour to accord him the ultimate, deserved, honour: a theatre bearing his name.

Helen Hawkins
In 2012, the award-winning American writer Sarah Ruhl met a Yale playwriting student who became a special part of her life. Out of their friendship…
Rachel Halliburton
This charmingly eloquent semi-autobiographical show – which first played at the Bush Theatre in 2022 – tells the story of a girl whose life growing…
Gary Naylor
MOR. Twee. Unashamedly crowdpleasing. Are such descriptors indicative of a tedious night in the stalls? For your reviewer, who has become jaded very…

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Rachel Halliburton
This transfer from Regent's Park Open Air Theatre sustains its magic
Heather Neill
Unspoken emotion flows through this late work
Helen Hawkins
Sarah Ruhl turns her bond with a student into a lesson in how to love
Rachel Halliburton
Story of self-discovery through playing the piano resounds in Anoushka Lucas's solo show
Gary Naylor
Relatable or stereotyped - that's for you to decide
Gary Naylor
Tone never settles, but Sondheim's genius carries the day
Matt Wolf
Shaw's once-shocking play pairs Imelda Staunton with her real-life daughter
Rachel Halliburton
Ince's fidelity to the language allows every nuance to be exposed
Helen Hawkins
David Ireland pits a sober AA sponsor against a livewire drinker, with engaging results
Matt Wolf
The 1952 classic lives to see another day in notably name-heavy revival
Matt Wolf
The Irishman's first new play in over a decade is engaging but overstuffed
Rachel Halliburton
This wild, intelligent play is a tour de force till the doom-laden finale
Veronica Lee
More mayhem from the Mischief company
Helen Hawkins
Richard Bean has turned Mamet's steel trap into an amusing puzzle
Matt Wolf
The late composer bids farewell with a show made-to-order for now
Helen Hawkins
John Lithgow gives a masterclass in delivering a 'human booby trap'
David Nice
Estranged father, mother and son each doubled in Jon Fosse’s mesmerising meditation
Gary Naylor
Beautifully written and equally well acted play resonates down the decades
Gary Naylor
Award-winning Irish play fails to reach a memorable climax
Rachel Halliburton
Sean Holmes’ Western-style production brings a flamboyant start to the summer season
Helen Hawkins
The Irish actor Stephen Rea is a silent-movie Krapp to treasure
Matt Wolf
Starry new writing premiere struggles to connect
Helen Hawkins
An ideal revisiting of Patrick Marber's play about risking all to move ahead
Gary Naylor
Garish and gossipy, this new production packs a punch between the laughs

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