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Monthly Archives: February 2012

God/Head, Ovalhouse Theatre

Chris GoodeDirected by Wendy Hubbard★★★★★ Pros: An incredibly intelligent and well-written show, excellently executed, genuinely fascinating and really makes you think.  Cons: Perhaps easy to zone out if one is in the wrong mindset, not for everyone. Our Verdict: If you want a thought-provoking show with a great script, then don’t miss this. Courtesy of Ovalhouse Theatre A discussion about the nature of God and the reality of religious experience isn’t necessarily my perfect idea of a Friday night out. ...

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In Basildon, Royal Court

David Eldridge Directed by Dominic Cooke ★★ Pros: A part of the country that few playwrights choose to write about and a well-executed artistic vision.  Cons: Not very inspired writing, a couple of badly placed, almost caricature-like secondary characters and a rather dull and unnecessary ending, difficult to engage with the main characters. Our Verdict: Probably not worth your money considering what else you could be watching, but if serious drama really is your thing, then you may want to ...

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A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lyric Hammersmith

William ShakespeareDirected by Sean Holmes for Filter Theatre★★★★  Pros: An uproarious version of Shakespeare’s classic with many laugh out loud scenes along the way, incredibly accessible Shakespeare. Cons: Very liberal with the script so definitely not for Shakespeare purists. Our Verdict: Pucking funny (ahem)! A great night out if you keep an open mind, in terms of pure laughs Shakespeare doesn’t get funnier than this! Courtesy of The Daily Telegraph The first thing to say about the latest offering from ...

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Vault Festival, Old Vic Tunnels

Various Writers and DirectorsVault Festival produced by Heritage Arts Company★★★★ Pros: A variety of performances in a completely different fringe setting, affordable theatre and a fantastic fringe atmosphere. Cons: Individual shows likely to be risky and inconsistent, not a guarantee for excellent theatre! Our Verdict: Definitely make time to go and see something at the Vault Festival, no need to be too fussy about what! Courtesy of Vault Festival We all have a long list of things we hear about ...

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The Recruiting Officer, Donmar Warehouse

George FarquharDirected by Josie Rourke★★★★ Pros: A great play, some sublimely funny performances, and a highly entertaining evening. Cons: None really, one slightly weak performance and a very hot venue (if those count!). Our Verdict: Highly recommended, a very funny production which is well worth seeing, and a great start for Josie Rourke. Care of Johan Persson It’s all changed at the Donmar since I went to see Streetcar Named Desire a couple of years ago. Well, not all changed. ...

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Absent Friends, Harold Pinter Theatre

Alan Ayckbourn Directed by Jeremy Herrin  ★★ Pros: A good performance by Kara Tointon, some occasionally amusing moments. Cons: A frankly dull script, lacked pace and energy and without any sparkling performances. Our Verdict: Not the best we’ve seen, can’t recommend spending money on seeing it. Courtesy of Simon Annand It has always been our intention to publish reviews that are straightforward and unpretentious. We’re not experts; we don’t do intense research of the text, director and actors before we ...

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The Importance of Being Earnest, Theatre Royal Haymarket

Oscar WildeDirected by Henry Filloux-Bennett★★★ Pros: A fun and novel staging of an excellent play. Cons: Some of the comedy in this fringe production’s transfer is lost in the bigger space. Our Verdict: A good production worth seeing, although it drags a little in places. Courtesy of London Theatreland The Importance of Being Earnest, subtitled ‘A Trivial Play For Serious People’ is almost certainly Oscar Wilde’s most famous play. Its opening night was the climax of his career, but also the ...

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