In its UK premiere at London’s Park Theatre, Paper Cut explores love, injury and disability as a young soldier returns home from Afghanistan. Paper Cut “It’s just a paper cut,” Kyle is heard to remark on a number of occasions. Deflectionary humour, its aim to create distance, to close down the subject. Because it wasn’t […]
With the action contained to the beach house of the title, Jo Harper’s play about female relationships receives its debut at London’s Park Theatre. The Beach House Sometimes, the key to a play is something that happens offstage, the nucleus around which the action forms. That is almost the case in The Beach House, which […]
A new work by Daniel Taub with Dan Patterson, Winner’s Curse teaches its audience about international diplomacy and the art of negotiation. Not a flawless evening, but with Clive Anderson in the lead role it’s an entertaining one. Winner’s Curse Do you know what the ‘Winner’s Curse’ theory is? I didn’t before seeing this play. […]
A review of On The Ropes, a dramatised true story co-written by former boxer Vernon Vanriel. Over twelve rounds in the ring we chart heady highs, personal lows, and a case study in the inhumanity of the ‘hostile environment’. Vernon ‘The Entertainer’ Vanriel You may have seen renewed press coverage this week of Vernon Vanriel’s […]
A review of Tony! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera], a collaboration between Harry Hill and Steve Brown on now at London’s Park Theatre. Tony! I was intrigued enough to buy tickets when I saw the Park Theatre were putting on a rock opera all about Tony Blair, but I still wasn’t quite sure what to […]
A review of Cratchit at the Park Theatre and A Christmas Carol at Alexandra Palace Theatre. Two more great versions to choose from, continuing my annual tradition of overdosing on Charles Dickens’ seasonal ghost story. Christmas 2021: Concern And Comfort In The Familiar In December 2020 I wrote a double review of versions of A […]
A tenth anniversary tour of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time sees this National Theatre production of Mark Haddon’s beloved book made more inclusive, while retaining all the elements that made it a hit in the first place. The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time Ten years is a long […]
A review of When Darkness Falls, now on at the Park Theatre. A ghostly tale which improves as it reaches its spooky climax. When Darkness Falls There are a couple of ghost stories on stage in London at the moment – as well as this paranormal offering at the Park Theatre, there is 2.22: A […]
The Salterton Arts Review of Antigone at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park. A clever retelling, but in a production that may be too much of a blunt instrument. Hello Again, Antigone The last time I came to Baker Street it was to see an updated retelling of Sophocles’ Antigone (Anti-Gone by Xameleon at […]
Sonali Bhattacharyya’s King Troll (The Fawn) is a dark and suspenseful allegorical horror. Get ready for some jump scares, an unearthly creature and, worst of all, the spectre of the Home Office. King Troll (The Fawn) What a privilege to see something of this calibre in so intimate a setting as the New Diorama Theatre. […]
