This is one of my favourite productions of the year so far. Joshua James in particular gives an incredibly emotional and dramatic performance. The rather depressing plot never feels as though it is dragging and the comedic elements throughout ensure loud audience laughter. This is one production I would advise everyone to see.

Anton Chekhov (translation by Andrew Upton)  Directed by Howard Davies ★★★ Courtesy of National Theatre Last year saw a huge revival of Chekhov productions to mark 150 years since the author’s birth. A highly influential, but notoriously difficult-to-read author, Chekhov is a polarising figure, especially in Theatre. While some praise his depictions of life in his works (his ‘theatre of mood’) others are frustrated by his lengthy and heavy plays. With this in mind, staging a Chekhov at the National ...