Reviews
![The Merry Wives of Windsor: William Shakespeare RSC, Stratford Upon Avon, runs until 07/09/24. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: Rod Dungate.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1719415406810-8MVASVH0FL5B7EFJXPJQ/374405_the-merry-wives-of-windsor-production-photos_-2024_2024.tmb-img-1824.jpg)
The Merry Wives of Windsor: William Shakespeare RSC, Stratford Upon Avon, runs until 07/09/24. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: Rod Dungate.
“The play may creak a bit, but the production never ever does.”
![Party Games! Malvern Theatres 25 to 29 June 2024 and UK tour. 2✩✩ Review: Hannah Phillips.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1719483875283-PMZ4QSQQVIXBS0Y7VTHZ/Party+Games%21+Jason+Callender%2C+Matthew+Cottle%2C+Natalie+Dunne+%C2%A9+Craig+Fuller+%282%29.jpg)
Party Games! Malvern Theatres 25 to 29 June 2024 and UK tour. 2✩✩ Review: Hannah Phillips.
“Brexit, Covid, dismantling the NHS, sexism and micro-aggressions are just not funny!”
Photo Credit: Jason Callender.
![The Valentine Letters by Steve Darlow based on Gepruft by Frances Zagni. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 408 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 22 June 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1718466423285-YVJR8SPEQTOV9PCQ9LYR/The+Valentine+2%2BKatie%2BHamilton%2Bas%2BUrsula%2Band%2BTom%2BHilton%2Bas%2BJohn%2B-%2BThe%2BValentine%2BLetters%2B9th%2BNov%2B2023.jpg)
The Valentine Letters by Steve Darlow based on Gepruft by Frances Zagni. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 408 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 22 June 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Moving look at a world long gone.”
Photo Credit: Sean Strange.
![Joe Carstairs by Franka Figueiredo & Krysia Mansfield. The Omnibus Theatre, Clapham Common North Side, London SW4 to 22 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717929735939-DQZMHVQNI1B251617X1O/JOe.jpeg)
Joe Carstairs by Franka Figueiredo & Krysia Mansfield. The Omnibus Theatre, Clapham Common North Side, London SW4 to 22 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Rediscovering a rebel who did it their way.”
Photo Credit: Henri T.
![Dinner by Moira Buffini, Kay House Duryard, Exeter University. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: Cormac Richards](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717657508196-0RSCFCJ6CRV8TLH8MO3J/image_123650291+%281%29-2.jpg)
Dinner by Moira Buffini, Kay House Duryard, Exeter University. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: Cormac Richards
“As good a production of a play I will see all year”
Photo Credit: Ophelia Fellhauer.
![Suite in Three Keys by Noel Coward. The Orange Tree, 1 Clarence Street, Richmond, London TW1 to 20 July 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717928551500-KV3ZB72QOZ2NZSF7V8H3/suite-in-three-keys-orange-tree-theatre.jpg)
Suite in Three Keys by Noel Coward. The Orange Tree, 1 Clarence Street, Richmond, London TW1 to 20 July 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Three Coward plays resurrected and stylishly played.”
Photo Credit: Steve Gregsom.
![The Bleeding Tree by Angus Cerini. Southwark Plahouse, the Little. 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 to 22 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717667411010-QVQA0VRMKQZU9RDOGTB5/Bleeding.jpeg)
The Bleeding Tree by Angus Cerini. Southwark Plahouse, the Little. 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 to 22 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“The blackest of black comedies.”
Photo Credit: Lidia Crisafulli.
![Budda of Suburbia: Adapted by Hanif Kureishi and Emma Rice, from the novel by Hanif Kureishi, RSC, The Swan, Stratford Upon Avon. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review : Rod Dungate.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717428680124-ZRA59SKE8STWXFV04HDR/the-buddha-of-suburbia-production-photos_-april-2024_2024_photo-by-steve-tanner-_c_-rsc_372412.tmb-img-1824.jpg)
Budda of Suburbia: Adapted by Hanif Kureishi and Emma Rice, from the novel by Hanif Kureishi, RSC, The Swan, Stratford Upon Avon. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review : Rod Dungate.
“Marvellous adaptation of a superb novel.”
Photo Credit: Steve Tanner.
![Sauna Boy by Dan Ireland-Reeves. The Stage Door Theatre, Prince of Wales Pub, 150 Drury Lane, London WC2 to 01 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717426700535-2YP2YCEB9824MGPEE6HG/Sauna2.jpg)
Sauna Boy by Dan Ireland-Reeves. The Stage Door Theatre, Prince of Wales Pub, 150 Drury Lane, London WC2 to 01 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Steamy goings on in Drury Lane.”
![Bluets by Margaret Perry based on the book by Maggie Nelson. The Royal Court Theatre, Jerwood Downstairs, Sloan Square, London SW1 to 29 June 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717075422664-AT18P2EOUTAXKGBRS72U/bluets1.jpg)
Bluets by Margaret Perry based on the book by Maggie Nelson. The Royal Court Theatre, Jerwood Downstairs, Sloan Square, London SW1 to 29 June 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“An impressive if occasionally baffling start for the new regime.”
Photo Credit : Camilla Greenwell.
![That Girl vs The World by George Lester. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 408 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 31 May 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717160569254-KGPP2RVPW5M7KF4MGZKB/Thatgirl.jpeg)
That Girl vs The World by George Lester. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 408 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 31 May 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Passion and power.”
Photo Credit: JLA Productions.
![Fabulous Creatures by Quentin Beroud & Emily Louizou.Studio 2 - The Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 to 15 June, 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1717075053166-8RPOXP76YG9KMY379U01/Fabulous.jpeg)
Fabulous Creatures by Quentin Beroud & Emily Louizou.Studio 2 - The Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 to 15 June, 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A cabaret to die for.”
Photo credit: Mariza Kapsabeli.
![English: Sanaz ToossiRSC. The Other Place, Stratford Upon Avon, until 01 June. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: Rod Dungate.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1716908701465-ZFPR15W41TLYHJ0R88WM/english-production-photos_-2024_2024_photo-by-richard-davenport-_c_-rsc_372952.tmb-gal-1340.jpg)
English: Sanaz ToossiRSC. The Other Place, Stratford Upon Avon, until 01 June. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: Rod Dungate.
“Multi-Layered Exploration of Identity.”
Photo Credit: Richard Davenport
![To Move in Time by Tim Etchells The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP 23 May 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: Joanna Jarvis](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1716735811564-H583AFMSGHU15I61O6R4/To-Move-In-Time-4-credit-Hugo-Glendinning-1.jpg)
To Move in Time by Tim Etchells The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP 23 May 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: Joanna Jarvis
“A speculative and reflective journey.”
Photo Credit: Hugo Glendinning.
![The Girl in the Green Room by Luke Adamson. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 25 May 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1716552770144-Q6PQIO1RCIPJDC1HRXTG/Greenroompic.jpg)
The Girl in the Green Room by Luke Adamson. The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 to 25 May 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“A chilling ghost story.”
![Thief by Liam Rudden. The Stage Door Theatre, Drury Lane, London to 25 May 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1716471712538-2OG1K5DRJ21CREIM1XFV/Thief.jpg)
Thief by Liam Rudden. The Stage Door Theatre, Drury Lane, London to 25 May 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Shocking and splendidly performed.”
Photo Credit: Stageworks East West Ltd.
![The Book of Grace by Susan-Lori Parks, The Arcola, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 to 08 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1716286094046-VNMGFLGHB9E75D6QKAAH/Grace.jpeg)
The Book of Grace by Susan-Lori Parks, The Arcola, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 to 08 June 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Superbly played state of the nation play.”
Photo Credit: Alex Brenner.
![The Tailor-Made Man by Claudio Macor. Stage Door theatre, the Prince of Wales pub, 150 Drury Lane, London WC2 to 31 July 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1715942296832-SZVDNSDR2UO8RPXADINN/The+Tailor+Made+Man+2024+photo+1+Gwithian+Evans+and++Hugo+Pilcher+Photo+by+Peter+Davies.jpg)
The Tailor-Made Man by Claudio Macor. Stage Door theatre, the Prince of Wales pub, 150 Drury Lane, London WC2 to 31 July 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Hugo Pilcher shines as Billy Haines, the nineteen thirties Hollywood star consigned to oblivion.”
Photo Credit: Peter Davies
![Withnail & I, The Rep, Birmingham, 14 May, on ’till 25 May 2024. Running time 2hrs 15 mins with interval. 3✩✩✩ Review: David Gray](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1715867425214-9AKB2YYTTVFLYCQPSZXX/Withnail+%26I+Production+Pic+067+-+Morgan+Philpott+%28Wanker%29%2C+Adonis+Siddique+%28Marwood%29+and+Robert+Sheehan+%28Withnail%29.+Credit+Manuel+Harlan.jpg)
Withnail & I, The Rep, Birmingham, 14 May, on ’till 25 May 2024. Running time 2hrs 15 mins with interval. 3✩✩✩ Review: David Gray
“Film to stage adaptation that loses much in translation.”
Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan.
![People, Places & Things by Duncan Macmillan. Trafalgar Theatre, 14 Whitehall, London SW1 to 10 August 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b5767bebe76a40bfad2ad0/1715866245495-441NXACJS3439NFSCQ96/People+Denise.jpeg)
People, Places & Things by Duncan Macmillan. Trafalgar Theatre, 14 Whitehall, London SW1 to 10 August 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.
“Denise Gough back as Emma, drug addict and trouble, in this outstanding play.”
Photo Credit: Marc Brenner.