Monthly Archives: April 2013

Maxim Gorky wrote his satire whilst he was in prison during the abortive revolution in 1905. The intelligentsia, blind to what is going on politically in Russia, find out far too late that the working classes are beating at their … Continue reading →

Frederick Lonsdale’s cynical observation of the aristocracy is very much an actors’ piece and is a characteristic example of the 1920’s school of bad manners, relying, as it does, for so much of its comedy on candid rudeness. Maria (Sara … Continue reading →

English National Ballet’s triple bill gets off to a thrilling start with Jiri Kylian’s Petite Mort, which is performed to two Mozart concertos, and which opens with an impressive display of swordsmanship. The fencing foils, spinning in sync, seem to … Continue reading →

Jonathan Harvey’s urban fairy tale celebrates its 20th anniversary with a revival by Nikolai Foster. Two working-class boys, aged 16 and 15, begin to come to terms with their sexuality. Sensitively acted by Jake Davies and Danny-Boy Hatchard, the situation … Continue reading →

Alfred Jarry wrote Ubu Roi in 1888 when he was a schoolboy of 15 and it was performed by marionettes. King Ubu, the cowardly, stupid and cruel despot who invades Poland and goes on a murderous spree, was based on … Continue reading →

A dejected Irish busker mends the vacuum cleaner of a Czech pianist and within five days she has got him back on his feet and given his non-existent musical career a kick start. You may have seen John Carney’s bitter-sweet … Continue reading →

Michael Keegan-Dolan’s productions for his Irish based dance theatre company have been notable for their stamina, brutality and black humour and so The Rite of Spring, which caused a sensation, musically and choreographically, when it was premiered 100 years ago, … Continue reading →

A young American is caught smuggling drugs in Turkey in 1970 and sentenced to 30 years in prison. Bill Hayes wrote an account of his ordeal which Alan Parker turned into an Oscar-winning film. Peter Schaufuss’s dance-drama was to have … Continue reading →