Pros: An incredible Hamlet, internally desperate and silently anguished, and a claustrophobic and unnerving atmosphere Cons: Heavy abridgement, and slightly hammed up Ophelia and Gertrude. Back to the Park Theatre, and back to Hamlet, this time abridged and renamed Hamlet, Who’s There? Fresh productions of this most over-performed tragedy do beg the question ‘what’s new about it?’ Too often the answer is not enough. Putting on Hamlet is always tricky, admittedly, and to truly do it justice the audience has to ...
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Ghosts, Rose Theatre – Review
By Henrik Ibsen Translated and directed by Stephen Urwin ★★★★ Pros: Subtle unraveling of the plot creates intricate relationships. Cons: The interval felt a little oddly placed and disrupted the action. Our Verdict: A piece that all dialogue lovers simply must see. Outstanding script. Credit: Simon Annand Ghosts tells the story of a family, or what’s become of it after the passing of the husband and father. Ten years after his death, a mother and son are reunited in the ...
Read More »Armstrong’s War, Finborough Theatre
by Colleen MurphyDirected by Jennifer Bakst★★★★ Pros: A sweet story with stunning performances from two terrific performers. Cons: The storyline occasionally felt a bit clunky. Our Verdict: A beautifully acted piece which was often very funny in its tragedy. A touching account of friendship and fragility. Courtesy of Finborough Theatre The premise of a world-weary adult who enters into an unlikely friendship with an eternal optimist who inspires them into self-improvement is not especially original. However, Armstrong’s War is sufficiently ...
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