Luke BarnesDirected by Steven Atkinson★★★★ Pros: An incredibly powerful script delivered by a dynamic and talented performer. Cons: A lacklustre epilogue was a disappointing close to an otherwise completely engaging production. Our Verdict: A great piece of new writing and a shining example of what solo performances should strive for. Courtesy of Watford Palace Theatre Bottleneck, a product of HighTide Fesitval Theatre, wrapped up in London last week with a one-off performance at the Watford Palace Theatre after a brief ...

Written and directed by Alan Ayckbourn★★★ Pros: Strong performances, engaging characters and some good old-fashioned human drama played out in an unusual setting. Cons: The show attempts to ask, but then fails to address, questions about the future of mankind in the setting of technological development, which leaves you asking why Ayckbourn felt the need to set it when he did. Our Verdict: A talented cast fill this play with interesting characters and some fascinating drama unfurls. Shame about the ...

Ronald Harwood Directed by Brigid Larmour ★★★ Pros: A great cast and a polished production featuring funny and touching moments. Cons: The last leg of the play unfortunately does not compare in quality to the first two-thirds. Our Verdict: A very decent production in most ways, which sadly loses some of its impact since the conclusion unravels before the curtain closes. Courtesy of Watford Palace Theatre It’s always nice to see an old-fashioned parlour-room drama which manages to compete in ...

William Shakespeare Directed by James Williams ★★★ Pros: A high-energy, creative take on Shakespeare for the whole family. Cons: Drastic script cuts sometimes lead to confusion. Our Verdict: A family-friendly, mostly accessible version of Shakespeare with a multi-talented cast and a clever design. Courtesy of Watford Palace Theatre It’s no secret that Shakespeare can be difficult and inaccessible to modern audiences – and not just for young people who are still mastering language and poetry, but for the rest of ...

everything theatre originally reviewed this production at the Watford Palace Theatre. It will return to London from 30th January – 9th March 2013 at the St James Theatre: http://www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/events/our-countrys-good/Timberlake WertenbakerDirected by Max Stafford-Clark★★★★ Pros: Great ensemble production with a fabulous cast, and a message that remains incredibly important. Cons: Parts of the script remain tricky in places. Our Verdict: A very good production with an excellent cast that will make you feel good about the very fact you’re in a ...

Euripides, in a new version by Mike BartlettDirected by Mike Bartlett★★★★ Pros: Bartlett seldom puts a foot wrong, and his adaptation of Medea is no exception. Cons: Perhaps overly and unnecessarily keen to keep some of the aspects of the classic tragedy format intact. Our Verdict: A brilliant introduction to a timeless classic, with an incredibly strong central performance from Rachael Stirling. Courtesy of Manuel Harlan for The Guardian Mike Bartlett has, to be honest, had a pretty awesome few ...

Presented by Curious DirectiveDirected by Jack Lowe★★★ Pros: Brilliantly intelligent theatre delivered with tremendous style and magnificent production values. Cons: Slightly unclear and dry content which didn’t engage me throughout. Our Verdict: 5 stars for the performance and the physical elements of the show, 3 stars for the content which lets it down. A magnificent company nonetheless; we’re very excited to see more of them. Courtesy of Murdo Macleod for The Guardian There are two things I’d like to get ...