In a time when social expectations of the female body in public space seem a particularly vexed issue at the forefront of the public imagination, Penthesilea opens vital space for exploring how those expectations might be reimagined. It also begs the question of what we really mean when we say a loved one is so … Continue reading
Category Archives: Reviews
Lights up on Dickie Beau: Blackouts at Soho Theatre
At the Soho Theatre, Dickie Beau evokes beautiful and dangerous pictures of two of our most famous screen idols, Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland. This production asks us to revisit our memories of these larger-than-life figures and tear back the curtain – or slap on the greasepaint. Five stars from me for this cabaret on … Continue reading
The Heart-Stealing The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart at the London Welsh Centre
My first five-star review for One Stop Arts! If someone were to design a piece of theatre expressly for me, it could not have been more to my taste than The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart. Strong in all production areas, David Greig’s writing supports creative and energetic performances from Melody Grove, Paul McCole, David … Continue reading
For One Stop Arts: Where there’s life, there’s hope: what happens to the hope at the end of the evening at the Almeida Festival
In which two middle-aged men take a knowing glance at the changing nature of their friendship, the thing that is theatre, and the myriad shades of meaning that can be ascribed to the word “mate”. Tim Crouch and Andy Smith provide a thoughtful opening to the Almeida Festival. With a sensibility as minimalist as its … Continue reading
One Stop Arts review: Fitzrovia Radio Hour at the Horse Hospital
At last, at last, I got to review the sublimely humorous Fitzrovia Radio Hour for a real, honest-to-goodness publication! Here’s the teaser: Watching the Fitzrovia Radio ensemble pad around on slippered feet at the Horse Hospital creating sound-pictures would make anyone want to be a foley artist. The dulcet sultry tones of Natalie Ball display … Continue reading
One Stop Arts review: Twelfth Night at Abney Park Cemetery
In the green wilds of Abney Park Cemetery, Kelly Eva-May endowed Viola with an elegiac tenderness for Orsino, keenly expressing a desire felt all the more deeply for its denial. Alex Southern’s Orsino had a languid sensuality highlighting the capriciousness of his character’s disbelief that women could ever be as constant or feel as deeply … Continue reading
Connections at the National Theatre
It was a privilege to attend the closing night of Connections at the National Theatre on Monday. The first performance, “What are they Like?,” was a sweetly evocative look at the relationships between parents and children, with young actors dressed as parents recounting advice and stories about their parenting techniques. It was in turns funny, moving, frightening and touching … Continue reading
The Kid from Paris: Jean Brassard at Crazy Coqs
Last time I went to Brasserie Zedel’s Crazy Coqs, I was there for Fitzrovia Radio Hour. This time, I was rounding off my day at RegentTweet with Jean Brassard’s homage to Yves Montand, “The Kid from Paris”. I’ve already described how Brasserie Zedel leaves me longing for the trappings of sophistication and elegance. While I … Continue reading
Joss Whedon’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’
I think the thing about adapting a classic production like “Much Ado About Nothing” for the sceen is that the audience should walk away feeling like they understand why the director chose that play. It’s a little different in, say, annual summer Shakespeare festivals, where the directors just have to make sure they don’t stage … Continue reading
Once
I went to see ‘Once’ at the Phoenix Theatre last night with some friends. I hadn’t, I admit, been super keen to see it, but if there is theatre on the cards I am always willing to take a gamble. At first it appeared that the cards may not be in our favour as we … Continue reading
Caitiewrites 