Grippingly intense warfare in an interrogation room.

Pros: The cast can sustain tension and passion; it is genuinely moving to watch this less-discussed side of WWI history. Cons: A stiflingly hot venue makes several audience members lose concentration; due to the thrust stage, some lines are hard to hear when actors aren’t facing you. At the end of this month, it will be 101 years since the Battle of Passchendaele began. It lasted until November 1917. Unlike the current British heatwave, Passchendaele started with heavy rainfall, turning ...

A novel setting gives the Bard’s most performed play fresh impetus.

An entertaining and dramatic production of a classic play, which releases the words of Chekhov into 2013 with an enriched gravity of emotion and meaning.

Anton Chekhov Directed by Gavin McAlinden ★★★ Pros: A terrific Chekhov script with some interesting performances. Cons: This show has plenty of moments which fall flat and are not quite believable. Our Verdict: An unusual production of a classic play which tends to be a bit samey elsewhere. It’s certainly nice to see these characters getting a revamp. Courtesy of Theatro Technis Much as I love The Seagull, it is one of those plays I’ve seen once too often. Chekhov ...

Barrie Keefe Directed by Paul Tomlinson ★★★★ Pros: This is a politically relevant play that forces you to sit up and listen. The intensity and quality of the performances blur fiction and reality. Cons: This piece is incredibly stressful to watch and requires a good deal of emotional commitment from its audience. Our Verdict: An important piece of theatre performed by committed actors. This piece affirms the reflective and provocative nature of theatre and the important impact this has on ...

William Shakespeare Directed by Zoé Ford ★★★★ Pros: Some excellent performances and great direction. This well known script is engaging throughout the two hour and forty five minute performance. Add the sixties soundtrack and this modern take will appeal to a wide audience. Cons: At times the sound and lighting are a bit clunky and I am not convinced by the interpretation of Juliet as a weeping frailty. A few performances pale against the more dynamic ones. Our Verdict: Hiraeth Artistic Productions ...