Sudden cyborg: James Varney writes on Sophie Woolley’s first-person account of losing, and then regaining, her hearing.
National
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.
18 February 2020
Reviews • Bristol • National
Review: Mid Life at Bristol Old Vic
By Lilith Wozniak
Unlimited stories: Lilith Wozniak reviews Diverse City’s exploration of the broad range of women’s mid life experiences.
18 February 2020
Reviews • Manchester • National
Review: Wuthering Heights at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
7 February - 7 March
By James Varney
Mood piece: James Varney paints the violent, lustful landscape of Wuthering Heights in seven panels
16 February 2020
Reviews • Leicester • National
Review: It’s Hot, It’s Not at Curve, Leicester
12 February, then touring
By Naomi Obeng
Splash splosh: Naomi Obeng reviews Reckless Sleepers’ inviting, restless, weather-themed children’s show.
14 February 2020
Reviews • National • Newcastle
Review: Ask Me Anything at Live Theatre, Newcastle
By Lauren Vevers
‘Teenage dreamscape’: Lauren Vevers reviews The Paper Birds’ irreverent, nostalgic gig-theatre piece drawn from letters written by teenagers.
6 February 2020
Reviews • Bristol • National
Review: Living Spit’s Swan Lake at Tobacco Factory, Bristol
30 January - 9 February
By Lilith Wozniak
Flightless bird: Lilith Wozniak review a comedy adaptation of Swan Lake which doesn’t quite take off.
3 February 2020
Reviews • Leeds • National
Review: Night of the Living Dead – Remix
24th January - 15th February, then touring
By Louise Jones
‘An America that tears itself apart from the inside’: Louise Jones reviews imitating the dog’s shot-for-shot live remix of George Romero’s horror movie.
24 January 2020
Reviews • Manchester • National
Review: Oreo at HOME, Manchester
23-25 January, then touring
By James Varney
Shedding and putting on layers: James Varney on the process of reshaping oneself in Tania Camara’s messy, physical performance piece.