Monthly Archives: November 2015

Harley Granville Barker’s political drama, originally written in 1907 when he was barely 30 and banned by The Lord Chamberlain, was not publicly performed until 1937. The censor’s ostensible objection was to the overt references to abortion; but, undoubtedly, the … Continue reading →

Shakespeare’s most jingoistic play has been regularly revived to boost morale in times of war: notably in 1805, the year of Trafalgar; in 1815, the year of Waterloo; and in 1945 to coincide with D-Day in World War 2. Jingoism … Continue reading →

A spectacular showcase for seven magicians: they do all sorts of mind-boggling tricks and jaw-dropping feats which will keep family audiences happily entertained. Den Den is an elegant card manipulator. Ben Blaque goes one better than William Tell and shoots … Continue reading →

The proper venue for her autobiographical solo act is a TV chat show.

Kenneth Branagh is back on the West End stage after a long absence with a year-long season of plays at Garrick Theatre. He opens with two productions which alternate: Shakespeare’s tragi-comedy, The Winter’s Tale and Terence Rattigan’s farce, Harlequinade. The … Continue reading →

Harlequinade premiered with The Browning Version in a double-bill in 1948 and was designed to be the soufflé at the end of the meal and not the main course. It’s not really worth reviving. The farce is a poor joke … Continue reading →

Director Polly Findlay wrecks the opening scenes by setting them in a modern office which has nothing whatsoever to do with the text and is merely distracting. The most arresting image occurs when the action moves to the Forest of … Continue reading →

David Hare’s new play is about Glyndebourne and its founder, John Christie. The building, which opened in 1934, was totally wrong, too small and too cramped to cope with a large orchestra and scenery; but Glyndebourne still managed to set … Continue reading →