Balancing act: Lilith Wozniak writes on an untamed, ebullient production of Rapunzel which trusts its audience with nuance.
National
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.
5 December 2019
Reviews • Bristol • National
Review: Drac and Jill at The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol
21st November - 19th January
By Lilith Wozniak
Bloody festive: Lilith Wozniak reviews a pop-culture mash-up Christmas show with flying vampires, strap-ons and Bon Jovi sing-a-longs.
3 December 2019
Reviews • Manchester
Review: Plant Fetish at HOME, Manchester
27-30 November
By James Varney
Real plastic trees: James Varney writes on Chanje Kunda’s conversational, autobiographical show about trying to move past trauma.
29 November 2019
Reviews • Glasgow • National
Review: Magic Theatre – [scenes from the unconscious] at CCA, Glasgow
21-22 November
By Andrew Edwards
Andrew Edwards writes on the “exhilaration and fear-induced defecation” of Jian Yi’s ambitious, visually rich multimedia fusion of Butoh and live art.
28 November 2019
Reviews • National • York
Review: Hello and Goodbye at York Theatre Royal
14-30 November
By Louise Jones
Shaft of light: Louise Jones writes on the ‘futile, gripping’ intensity of Athol Fugard’s seldom-produced two-hander.
28 November 2019
Reviews • Cardiff • National
Review: Mission Control at Principality Stadium, Cardiff
22-24 November
By Lilith Wozniak
A faltering take-off: Lilith Wozniak reviews a haltingly staged sci-fi promenade show from National Theatre of Wales and Hijinx Theatre.
26 November 2019
Reviews • National • Salford
Review: Still I Rise at The Lowry, Salford
19 November, then touring
By Aniqah Choudhri
Who’s in the picture: Aniqah Choudhri writes on a dance adaptation of Maya Angelou’s poem which glosses over the issue of race.
22 November 2019
Reviews • National • Newcastle
Review: Ticker at Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle
19-23 November
By Tracey Sinclair
Same old story: Tracey Sinclair writes on an ‘impressively slick’ solo show which falls into the trap of giving oxygen to its narrator’s toxic outlook.