Shedding and putting on layers: James Varney on the process of reshaping oneself in Tania Camara’s messy, physical performance piece.
National
22 January 2020
Reviews • Bristol • National
Review: Laberinto at Bristol Old vic
16-18th January, then touring
By Lilith Wozniak
Cartoons out of context: Lilith Wozniak writes on Lea Anderson and PUCP’s mercurial, image-filled dance piece.
22 January 2020
Reviews • Manchester • National
Review: Sound Cistem at HOME, Manchester
By James Varney
‘How do you look?’: James Varney writes on the act of witnessing in Plaster Cast Theatre’s verbatim piece about trans and non-binary bodies.
15 January 2020
Reviews • Manchester • National
Review: Cuttin’ It at Royal Exchange Manchester
9 Jan - 1 Feb
By James Varney
Learning to care: James Varney writes on the complicated friendship at the heart of Charlene James’ play about FGM in Britain.
14 January 2020
Reviews • National • York
Review: CONFLUX at York City Centre
December 2019-December 2020
By Catherine Love
Eyes and ears: Catherine Love writes on attention and public space in response to Common Ground Theatre and Hannah Bruce’s audio collage.
21 December 2019
Reviews • Leeds • National
Review: A Night at the Musicals at Leeds Playhouse
18-21 December
By Louise Jones
Glitz and glamour: Louise Jones reviews Le Gateau Chocolat and Jonny Woo’s loving lampooning of all things musical theatre.
20 December 2019
Reviews • Cambridge • National
Review: The Wind in the Willows at Cambridge Junction
11 December -5 January
By Ben Kulvichit
Mammals in space: Ben Kulvichit reviews Figs in Wigs’ irreverent take on Kenneth Grahame’s pastoral fantasia, with added space rockets and iPhones.
18 December 2019
Reviews • Bath • National
Review: Rapunzel at the egg, Bath
6 December - 12 January
By Lilith Wozniak
Balancing act: Lilith Wozniak writes on an untamed, ebullient production of Rapunzel which trusts its audience with nuance.
18 December 2019
Reviews • Bristol • National
Review: Anansi and the Grand Prize at Bristol Old Vic
By Lilith Wozniak
Spinning yarns: Lilith Wozniak writes on a carnival-inspired tale of a swindler out to win a cash prize, drawing from Afro-Caribbean folklore.
17 December 2019
Reviews • Edinburgh • Reviews
Review: I Can Go Anywhere at Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
7-21 December
By Christine Irvine
‘Pure Dickens’: Christine Irvine writes on Douglas Maxwell’s power-struggle play about a Mod-obsessed asylum seeker and a disillusioned academic.
15 December 2019
Reviews • National • Sheffield
Review: Guys and Dolls at Sheffield Theatres
7 December - 18 January
By John Murphy
Liars, cheats and scoundrels: John Murphy on escaping into the familiar world of the classic New York musical.
12 December 2019
Reviews • National
Review: The Last Noël at the Old Fire Station, Oxford
4th - 23rd December
By Hannah Greenstreet
‘Like the kick of coffee in a gingerbread latte’: Hannah Greenstreet writes on Chris Bush’s Christmas show about family traditions.
9 December 2019
Reviews • National • Sheffield
Review: The Elves and the Shoemakers at Sheffield Theatres
5 December - 4 January
By John Murphy
‘Gasps and coos’: John Murphy writes on the careful craft and gentleness of a Grimm’s Tale for young children.
7 December 2019
Reviews • Manchester • National
Review: Gypsy at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
30 November - 1 February
By James Varney
Successful parenting: James Varney writes on the obsessive drive of Rose, the vaudeville troupe manager-mother of Gypsy.
7 December 2019
Reviews • Edinburgh • National
Review: Strange Tales at Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
7-21 December
By Crystal Bennes
Found in translation: Crystal Bennes on the bizarre pleasures of Pu Songling’s classical Chinese fables, adapted for the stage by Grid Iron.