“It’s the theatrical equivalent of found poetry”: Natasha Tripney discovers the resourceful, richly textured techniques of Belarus Free Theatre’s online performance.
National
26 May 2020
Reviews • National
Review: The Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings show
By Natasha Tripney
A tragedy in two acts: Natasha Tripney assesses the theatrical merits of the government’s most recent instalments of live-streamed satire
21 May 2020
Reviews • National
Review: BE at Home
By Ben Kulvichit
Hope in the dark: Ben Kulvichit discovers underground caves, cardboard time capsules and durational circus feats at BE Festival’s online edition.
17 March 2020
Reviews • National • Newcastle
Review: Elevator Festival, Live Theatre
11-21 March
By Tracey Sinclair
Seeds for the future: Tracey Sinclair writes on Live Theatre’s showcase of developing work from emerging makers from the North East and beyond.
16 March 2020
Reviews • Bristol • National
Review: Faustus: That Damned Woman at Bristol Old Vic
10-21 March, then touring
By Ben Kulvichit
I could do so much more: Ben Kulvichit reviews Chris Bush’s ambitious, time travelling reinterpretation of Doctor Faustus.
14 March 2020
Reviews • Glasgow • National
Review: MAIM at Tron Theatre, Glasgow
11-14 March, then touring
By Andrew Edwards
‘Head above water’: Andrew Edwards reviews Theatre Gu Leòr’s multilingual play about climate crisis and the erosion of the Gàidhlig language.
12 March 2020
Reviews • National • Newcastle
Review: Damn Seagulls at Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle
By Tracey Sinclair
Hat trick: Tracey Sinclair reviews Mike Edwards’ ‘smart and eloquent’ solo show which smiles through grief.
11 March 2020
Reviews • Manchester • National
Review: Augmented at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
5-7 March, then touring
By James Varney
Sudden cyborg: James Varney writes on Sophie Woolley’s first-person account of losing, and then regaining, her hearing.
8 March 2020
Reviews • Leicester • National
Review: Common Salt at Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester
6 March, then touring
By Naomi Obeng
‘Lost words’: Naomi Obeng writes on Sheila Ghelani and Sue Palmer’s ‘show and tell’ excavation of colonial trade history.
8 March 2020
Reviews • Manchester • National
Review: Insane Animals at HOME Manchester
28 February - 14 March
By James Varney
No spoilers: James Varney writes an email to HOME and explores the ways in which work is contextualised for audiences.
7 March 2020
Reviews • Derby • National
Review: Macbeth at Derby Theatre
3-14 March
By Emily Holyoake
Kite, meat hook, paint: Emily Holyoake delves into the symbolism of props and the tropes of contemporary Shakespeare revivals.
7 March 2020
Reviews • National • York
Review: Alone in Berlin at York Theatre Royal
7-21 March
By Louise Jones
Writ large: Louise Jones reviews an adaptation of Hans Fallada’s wartime novel which loses its moral nuance in the journey from page to stage.
28 February 2020
Reviews • National • Newcastle
Review: Black Waters at Northern Stage
25-26 February, then touring
By Tracey Sinclair
Untaught history: Tracey Sinclair writes on Phoenix Dance Theatre’s unravelling of two instances of British colonial violence.
22 February 2020
Reviews • National • Newcastle
Review: Riot Act at Live Theatre, Newcastle
By Tracey Sinclair
Know your history: Tracey Sinclair reviews Alexis Gregory’s one-man show channelling the history of LGBTQ+ activism.
20 February 2020
Reviews • National • Newcastle
Review: Ladybones at Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle
18-21 February, then touring
By Tracey Sinclair
The skull in the backpack: Tracey Sinclair reviews Sorcha McCaffrey’s autobiographical show about the realities of living with OCD.