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Tag Archives: The Royal Court

Routes, Royal Court – Review

Rachel DelahayDirected by Simon Godwin ★★★★ Pros: Great writing supported by strong performances and pared-back but excellent direction. Cons: Nothing. This is a very good play that I found both enjoyable and moving. Our Verdict: These poignant intertwined stories about migration manage to be simultaneously funny, hard-hitting and emotionally truthful. Go see it! Courtesy of telegraph.co.uk Routes follows two parallel stories. In one, a Nigerian man named Olufemi is desperately trying to acquire the necessary papers to get back to ...

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Surprise Theatre, Royal Court

Inua EllamsDirected by Thierry Lawson★★★★★ Pros: This is a wonderful piece of theatre from an incredibly talented writer/performer. Not knowing what you are seeing until the curtain goes up ensures you appreciate it without preconceptions. Cons: None really, although the set is a bare box and more could be done with the lighting to evoke the change in locations from Nigeria to London. Our Verdict: I love Inua Ellams – this is a fabulous piece of poetic writing and he ...

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Not I, Royal Court

Samuel Beckett★★★ Pros: This is a masterful piece of theatre, brilliantly written and delivered with incredible sensory impact. The post show film of Billie Whitelaw, and talk with Lisa Dwan (actress) and Roger Michell was interesting and enlightening. Cons: At nine minutes long it is very brief, and in my opinion delivered too quickly. Having never seen it, I did not understand a word of what was said. Our Verdict: If you are interested in Beckett’s work this is a ...

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Narrative, Royal Court

Written and directed by Anthony Neilson★★ Pros: This is a very different format which is interesting and challenging – there is a lot to think about. The acting is very good and the sound and lighting design are really excellent. Cons: It’s not really comprehensible – the theme seems inconsistent and diluted by unrelated scenes and other themes. The characters are shallow and selfish and there is little connection with the audience. Our Verdict: There are some great ideas here ...

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The Low Road, Royal Court

Bruce Norris Directed by Dominic Cooke★★★★ Pros: This is an extremely well-written piece, commenting on current economic issues using an historical context. Polished performances and fluid set changes keep the pace and interest high.  Cons: The American accents are inconsistent and distracting. The final scene, although poignant, is a tad cheesey and the costumes in this scene prevent the important punch line from being clearly audible.  Our Verdict: Another great script from the Royal Court with high production standards. This play ...

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Rutherford and Son, Watford Palace Theatre

KG SowerbyDirected by Jonathan Miller★★★★ Pros: An important play, powerfully directed by Jonathan Miller, with excellent dramatic leads. Cons: Some of the secondary male characters seemed far too shallow – but then in many ways this adds to the anger against male oppression which the play explores. Our Verdict: Excellent performances, excellent direction, excellent lighting, excellent edit of the script. All in all, excellent! Courtesy of Watford Palace Theatre Rutherford and Son was written in 1912 by KG Sowerby, and first ...

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A Time to Reap, Royal Court

Anna WakulikDirected by Caroline Steinbeis★★★★ Pros: This is a sensitive, honest story about a woman, her friend, his father and the impact of the changing political landscape of Poland through the nineties. Cons: The play deals with issues involving Catholicism and abortion which some may find difficult to remain impassive about. It gets tough towards the end and left me feeling exhausted.Our Verdict: Wakulik possesses a special quality in her writing and this play has an ingenuous beauty that humanises a controversial and complex topic. This ...

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