This review is for a preview performance that took place on 14th March 2013. John Logan Directed by Michael Grandage ★★★★★ Pros: Dame Judi Dench and Ben Wishaw directed by Michael Grandage; what more could you want? And let’s not forget author John Logan, whose special gift is to talk to the heart of the audience by portraying the essence of human frailty. Cons: I was so immersed in the story, I would have liked a little more about the ...

Arthur Wing Pinero Directed by Joe Wright★★★ Pros: This is a funny, easily digestible performance with a great cast and clever stage direction. The costumes and props evoke a real sense of the age and provides a big stage feel in the small Donmar space.Cons: It is a very old-fashioned play and a little predictable with it. Whilst it has humour and finesse, it lacks charisma. I found it a bit dull despite some wonderful acting. Our Verdict: This is a ...

Anna WakulikDirected by Caroline Steinbeis★★★★ Pros: This is a sensitive, honest story about a woman, her friend, his father and the impact of the changing political landscape of Poland through the nineties. Cons: The play deals with issues involving Catholicism and abortion which some may find difficult to remain impassive about. It gets tough towards the end and left me feeling exhausted.Our Verdict: Wakulik possesses a special quality in her writing and this play has an ingenuous beauty that humanises a controversial and complex topic. This ...

See it. See it. See it. This is British theatre at its absolute best. Extraordinary!

Anders Lustgarten Directed by Simon Godwin  ★★★ Pros: The cast are excellent and the lack of set and back stage area is an interesting way to present a drama set in times of ‘austerity’. Cons: There are too many ideas, presented too quickly and too piecemeal. Some of the characters and situations presented are clichéd and the humour just doesn’t happen. Our Verdict: This quality production will appeal to those who have an understanding and interest in politics and economics. It ...

Alan Bennett Directed by Nicholas Hytner ★★★★ Pros: A funny and enjoyable watch, plus a brilliant performance from Frances de la Tour and a great set. Cons: To its core audience, this might be provocative humour, but to me it felt quite conventional. Our Verdict: An enjoyable night out. Definitely worth seeing, but it didn’t change my life. Courtesy of Alastair Muir for The Telegraph Unlike a lot of the people in the audience of People, I am not a Bennett expert ...

Simon StephensDirected by Marianne Elliott★★★★ Pros: A brilliantly acted performance of a gritty, interesting and rather excellent script, complete with a refreshingly optimistic ending. Cons: Very few. It dragged a tiny bit in the middle, but this is a show which very narrowly missed out on the fifth star! Our Verdict: A tip-top show from the National, and one of my favourite Lyttelton productions to date. No excuses to miss it – there are plenty of £12 tickets available! Courtesy ...

Arthur Wing PineroDirected by Timothy Sheader ★★★★ Pros: Well-directed with excellent performances, a great set and some big laugh out loud moments. A great production in every respect. Cons: None really, but it’s not ground-breaking and it’s not the best farce I’ve ever seen. Doesn’t mean it’s not very good though! Our Verdict: Great fun, easy to watch and a good way to spend your time and money if you fancy some decent laughs! Courtesy of Tristram Kenton for The Guardian Everyone knows that ...

Martin Crimp Directed by Dominic Cooke ★★★★ Pros: This is a brilliantly acted, humorous, confrontational, thought-provoking play which continues to mature long after you leave the theatre. Playwright Martin Crimp is the real star of the show. Cons: The extremes of human behaviour are all laid bare and delivered with base language. This show is not for a sensitive audience. Our Verdict: This is a fantastic play for an audience who enjoys challenging, provocative theatre. Audiences who are easily offended, or like ...

Written and Directed by Suzanne AndradePresented by 1927★★★★ Pros: Finest use of projection I have ever seen and great ensemble work. Cons: Some adult viewers might be fooled into thinking this is a kids’ show. Our Verdict: This is brilliant stuff from a very talented company. Courtesy of The National Theatre If 1927‘s The Animals and Children Took to the Streets sounds familiar, it is probably because you have come across it before. Indeed it is returning from its recent international tour ...