Pros: Outstanding performances bring passion to an effervescent script. Cons: Written 15 years ago, some of the sexual mores can seem outdated. An older man leaves his wife for a younger woman. It’s a story we’ve seen dozens of times before – but in Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith’s hands this age-old tale becomes something entirely new, through well-rounded characters and thought-provoking dialogue. George, in a compelling performance by Henry Goodman, is a celebrity intellectual, who dispenses his wisdom through TV ...
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The Other Place, Park Theatre – Review
Pros: A tremendous lead performance by Karen Archer. Cons: Although billed as a psychological thriller, it’s neither surprising nor subtle enough to properly fit that bill. The Park Theatre is modern, comfortable, and only a couple minutes’ walk from Finsbury Park station. Also, they have pizza. Why don’t more theatres do pizza? It’s two of my favourite things in the world, combined. The Other Place focuses on Juliana Smithton, a high-flying neurologist whose life starts to unravel when she is diagnosed ...
Read More »Distance, Park Theatre – Review
Pros: The solid sound and lighting design. Cons: This pessimistic portrayal of mental illness doesn’t contribute to fighting the stigma, and risks sending out a discouraging message. The soaring incidence of suicide in British men under 45 has recently become one of the most recurrent topics in fringe theatre. This reflects an attempt to make sense of the phenomenon, raise awareness and, in many cases, try to suggest solutions. Playwright Alex McSweeney’s decision to explore this subject matter came after ...
Read More »The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Park Theatre – Review
Pros: A brilliant cast and a magnificently scripted story provide the perfect combination. Cons: The musical interludes are all too brief, and annoyingly clipped to make way for more detail in the script. The Rise and Fall of Little Voice was released as a film in 1997 and featured a starry cast including Michael Caine and Brenda Blethyn, with Jane Horrocks in the title role. There’s always a dilemma seeing the stage version after you’ve seen the film: you naturally miss the expansive ...
Read More »Pressure, Park Theatre – Review
A powerful true story about the importance of weather in wartime.
Read More »Daisy Pulls It Off, The Park Theatre – Review
Jubilate! This show was splendidly capital! Witty, pretty and a big hit(ty?), Daisy Pulls It Off is a light hearted and jolly story told by an incredible cast.
Read More »The Retreat, Park Theatre – Review
An undeniably funny exploration of individual ‘spiritualism’, although The Retreat is more than just a meditation on meditation.
Read More »The Revlon Girl, Park Theatre – Review
An uplifting and moving play about grief, hope, kindness – and lipstick.
Read More »Hamlet, Park Theatre – Review
Simon Evans' cinematographic cut is imprinted in this fast-paced and strongly visual Hamlet.
Read More »Loot, The Park Theatre – Review
Side holdingly, eye wipingly funny, gloriously uncut production of a rarely staged masterpiece of humour and language.
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