Julius Caesar, Bridge Theatre review – blood, sweat and bullets

★★★★ JULIUS CAESAR, BRIDGE THEATRE Nicholas Hytner’s rabble-rousing production pits the ruling elite against populism

Nicholas Hytner’s rabble-rousing production pits the ruling elite against populism

All hail! Shakespeare’s Roman drama may be enjoying something of a resurgence at present, but it rarely proves as vital and arresting in performance as this. Last summer in the US, a staging at the Public Theater caused a furore and frightened away sponsors by killing off a Caesar who was unequivocally the pussy-grabbing Dayglo President himself. There were also productions in Sheffield and at the RSC.

Young Marx, Bridge Theatre review - fast-moving but over-complicated

★★★ YOUNG MARX, BRIDGE THEATRE Fast-moving but over-complicated

Brand-new London theatre is wonderful, but its first show is disappointing

Given the rather uneven record of the National Theatre at the moment, there’s already a certain nostalgia for the days, which came to an end two years ago, when it was run by the two Nicks: Nick Hytner and Nick Starr. Together, they transformed this flagship theatre, offering the world some gloriously entertaining and mega-successful plays, from War Horse to One Man, Two Guvnors.