Written and directed by Darren Raymond★★  Pros: A great performance space, talented young performers and a company that has a truly applaudable mission. Cons: Poor choices made in mixing Shakespearian language with contemporary expression made it hard to keep up, resulting in the feeling that the production was unpolished and lazy; an interesting set design in theory turned out to be a hassle for viewing. Our Verdict: An overall inconsistent, lackluster attempt to update Shakespeare’s complex and intriguing Othello. Courtesy ...

William ShakespeareDirected by Tim Carroll★★★★★ Pros: A great ensemble, wonderful music, and some amazing laugh out loud moments. Cons: Really? Our Verdict: Do whatever needs to be done to see this one. (Legally). Courtesy of Simon Annand for The Daily Telegraph Before you get all hot and flustered at our ‘rule-breaking’, we booked our tickets months and months ago and also queued an hour in advance to ensure ourselves good positioning in the yard. What I’m trying to say is, ...

Produced by Noor Lawson and Liz McMullen for MyLovely Productions★★★ Pros: A good idea, easy to watch and easy laughs. Cons: A tad sloppy in places perhaps, but nothing too severe. Our Verdict: Worth going to see, a fun evening out and MyLovely Productions are one to watch. Courtesy of MyLovely Productions In light of the current ‘Olympomania’, MyLovely Productions are getting into the spirit of things with their most recent production of Shakespeare Goes for Gold, in which they ...

William ShakespeareDirected by Nicholas Hytner★★★★ Pros: Simon Russell-Beale’s superb performance in a superbly adapted play. Cons: Hardly any, slightly dragged towards the end of the second half. Our Verdict: Top-notch stuff from the National, and definitely worth seeing despite the fact that you may never have heard of it! Courtesy of Time  These days, I don’t look at the descriptions for the National’s shows before I book my tickets; I just assume that they are all going to be worth ...

A great piece of work from Iris Theatre Company - pick your day carefully and it's well worth the money.

William ShakespeareDirected by Edward Hall★★★★ Pros: Energetic production, executed with surgical precision by a talented all-male cast. Cons: The plot is fairly convoluted, and involves an unresolved resuscitation. Could be a little shorter. Our Verdict: A standout production which deserves to be watched and enjoyed. Courtesy of Manuel Harlan for Exeunt Magazine The Winter’s Tale was written towards the end of Shakespeare’s career. With a tragic, heartbreaking first half, and a light-hearted, pastoral and comedic second half, it is sometimes ...

William ShakespeareDirected by Dominic Dromgoole★★★★ Pros: Moving central performance heading a great cast in a well-paced and effective production. Cons: My poor legs! Always with the painful legs at the Globe… Our Verdict: Great production – rousing central performance, great supporting cast, far funnier than you’d expect. Courtesy of Alastair Muir for the Daily Telegraph When the sun is shining and the crowd is enthralled, I challenge anyone to deny that The Globe is one of the most glorious places ...

Although it shows real promise, it lets itself down. It's worth seeing because it is different, but be prepared to feel disappointed in places.

Ilaaje Zid Dastiyaab HayTheatre Wallay, in association with KASHF foundation★★★ Pros: A big achievement for Pakistan’s theatre scene. Cons: Ran a bit long, especially the first half. Our Verdict: Despite it’s difficulties, a great contribution to a brilliant festival. Courtesy of Simon Annand for the Arts Desk One of the wonderful things about the Globe to Globe festival – and there are many – is that as each country brings its play to the stage, each audience reflects the culture ...

William ShakespeareRemixed by The Q Brothers★★★★★ Pros: A very strong and entertaining modernisation of a Shakespeare classic. Cons: The tragedy loses something in translation. Shakespeare’s original text is overwritten – not for purists. Our Verdict: A must-see, if nothing else to see a version of Othello quite unlike you have ever witnessed, or ever will again. Image courtesy of The Arts Desk Shakespeare’s Globe couldn’t have timed their Globe to Globe initiative any better. Coinciding with the World Shakespeare Festival, ...