Email: ReviewsgateReviews@gmail.com
Reviews
The Circle by Somerset Maugham. Richmond Theatre, the Green, Richmond TW9 1QJ to 25 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A fine revival of a sparkling comedy”
Photo Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Double Feature by John Logan. Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 to 16 March 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A fascinating look at the way actors and directors clash and exploit their power.”
Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan.
Midsummer Night’s Dream: William Shakespeare RSC, RSC, RST. Stratford Upon AvonRuns: 2hrs 50mins till 30 March 2024; One interval. Review: 17 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: Roderick Dungate.
“A boisterous Midsummer Night’s Dream, very good in part; Creative Audio Description an excellent initiative but a work in progress”
Deathtrap by Ira Levin. The Mill at Sonning, Reading RG4 to 30 March 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Ira Levin’s venerable thriller fails to fire on all cylinders.”
Photo Credit : Andreas Lambis.
Lear’s Shadow by Colin Hurley. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 24 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Colin Hurley’s Lockdown Baby illuminates King Lear and delights.”
Photo credit – Janet Baker.
When You Pass Over My Tomb by Sergio Blanco adapted by Daniel Goldman. The Arcola, 24 Ashwin Street, Dalston, London E8 to 02 March 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Choosing to die, necrophilia, and leaving something behind.”
Photo Credit: Alex Brenner
Ten Nights by Shahid Iqbal Khan. The Omnibus Theatre, 1 Clapham Northside, London SW4 to 21 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Finely performed account of one man’s journey to redemption – moving and funny.”
Production Photograph:Catherine Frawley.
The Time Machine by Steven Canny & John Nicolson, until 10 February 2024 and tour, Exeter Northcott Theatre. 3***: Cormac Richards
“Nothing particularly new, but plenty of laughs - for some.”
Photo Credit: Mark-Douet
Self - Raising by Mike Kenny & Jenny Sealey. Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1 to 17 February 2024. 4****: William Russell.
“An indomitable woman talks about her life, family secrets and lies – and being deaf.”
Photo Credit: Tiu Makkonen.
Metamorphosis by Lemn Sissay based on the story by Franz Kafka. The Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith to 2 March 2024. 3***: William Russell.
“Kafka’s famous story told in a thrilling if overlong version.”
Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton.
The Project by Shannon Kurlander. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE 4 to 3 February 2024. 4****: William Russell.
“What Katie did next – worth finding out.”
Photo Credit: Greatest Hits Productions.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, adapted by Mark Stratford. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, London SE4 to 27 January 2024. 4****: William Russell.
“A classic horror story skilfully told.”
Photo Credit: Dan Bridge.
Blood on Your Hands by Grace Joy Howarth. Southwark Playhouse, the Little, 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 to 03 February 2024. 2** William Russell.
“There is blood all over the place in this slaughterhouse drama.’”
Photo Credit: Charles Flint.
Afterglow by S Asher Gelmann, Southwark Playhouse, the Large, 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 to 10 February 2024. 3***: William Russell.
“Things that come in threes seldom end well.”
Photo Credit: Darren Bell.
Cowbois by Charlie Josephine. The Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London SW1 to 10 February 2024. 3***: William Russell.
“A right carry on set in the wild west with lots to say about gender.”
Photo Credit: Ali Wright.
Don’t Destroy Me by Michael Hastings. The Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 to 03 February 2024. 3***: William Russell.
“Half forgotten Michael Hasting’s first play written when he was 18 is resurrected.”
Photo Credit Philip Gammon
The Good John Proctor by Talena Monahon. Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London SW1 to 27 January 2024. 4****: William Russell.
“A disturbing, perceptive look at the girls who dreamt up the witches of Salem.”
Photo credit : Jack Sain.
Waiting for Hate Mail by Mark Akrill. Seven Dials Playhouse, Tower Street, London to 20 January 2024. 3***: William Russell.
“A tale of love and hate mail and betrayal dazzlingly told.”
Photo Credit : Steve Gregson.
1979 by Michael Healey. The Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 to 27 January 2024. 2**: William Russell.
“Turgid drama about Canadian politics.”
Photo Credit: Simon Annand.
Fair Maid of the West Isobel McArthur, after Thomas Heywood, RSC, The Swan, Stratford Upon Avon, till 14 January 2024. 4****: Roderick Dungate.
“A Seasonal Rom Oozing with Good Will and Good Cheer.”
Photo: Courtesy of RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon.