Monthly Archives: July 2014

I first saw Martin Freeman in pantomime when he was playing Buttons and the audience was audibly upset when Cinderella decided to marry boring Prince Charming instead of him. Freeman has come a long way since then. He comes straight … Continue reading →

Arthur Miller’s play, one of the great plays of the 20th century and not to be missed by anybody who enjoys good drama, is based on the notorious witchcraft trials in Salem in 1692; but it was inspired by the … Continue reading →

Stephen Sondheim has described Pacific Overtures, too esoteric for most audiences, as “the most bizarre and unusual musical ever to be seen in a commercial setting”; yet it was not the first Broadway musical to deal with a clash between … Continue reading →

Designer Ashley Martin-Davis has converted the whole acting area into a pit shaft with hydraulic cage lift, gantries and grilled floors. The power of Beth Steel’s play, which marks the 30th anniversary of the Miners Strike in 1984/1985, comes from … Continue reading →

Shakespeare’s political thriller, one of the best ever written, instantly accessible, has always been popular. In the last two years alone I have seen Phyllida Lloyd’s all-female production at the Donmar, which was set in a prison, Paolo and Vittorio … Continue reading →

Gerard Alessandrini has been successfully lampooning Broadway musicals for over 30 years, using their hit songs but changing the lyrics. If you haven’t seen Les Miserables, The Book of Mormon, Once, The Lion King, Miss Saigon and you do not … Continue reading →

In Greek mythology Idomeneus was the leader of the Cretans in the siege of Troy. On the way home he was met by a terrible storm at sea. 79 out of his 80 ships sank. 4,000 drowned. He prayed to … Continue reading →

Carey Mulligan, Bill Nighy and director Stephen Daldry ensure that David Hare’s play, which is one of his very best, gets a first-rate revival. Skylight is another of Hare’s critiques of British society; but, with only three actors, it is … Continue reading →